Mr. Fantasy: (A standalone romance)

by Cambria Hebert

  “Of course they are! You blocked their lawsuit, and ever since, they’ve been sniffing around, just looking for ways to keep this game from hitting the market.”

  “You gonna tell me what their latest attempt is?”

  Bryan pursed his lips and unfolded from the chair. Reaching into the front pocket of his pants, he withdrew a piece of folded paper. “I got a call just a bit ago.”

  “And you’re just mentioning it now?”

  “I got distracted by your love life on my way from my office. I can’t help it if women are more fun to talk about than business.”

  Going around the desk, I snatched the paper out of his grasp. Unfolding it, I glanced down at the number written across the top.

  It had a lot of zeros.

  Flicking my gaze up at my partner, I waited for him to explain.

  “That’s how much they want to pay us for the rights to Zero.”

  I let that settle in a beat, then glanced back at the number. “No.” Crumpling the paper, I tossed it onto my desk.

  I felt Bryan’s reaction as I returned to my chair. “Just like that?”

  “You’re actually considering this?”

  “Twenty-five million dollars is a lot of money, Anders.”

  “Twenty-five million is a fraction of what Zero is going to make.”

  “You’re that confident?” Bryan pressed.

  Annoyance flashed through me. Was he doubting me right now? “I’m offended you aren’t.”

  His voice turned weary. “They’ve been applying a lot of pressure.”

  “That’s because they know we’re going to rake in a hell of a lot more than twenty-five million. They’re desperate and pissed because they should have already done what we’re about to do.”

  “I’ll tell them no.”

  “Don’t even answer,” I refuted. “Let our silence send a clear message.”

  “Cold as always.” Bryan chuckled, exiting the chair.

  “It’s business.” I reminded him.

  “I think I might wander on down to the design department and get a look at our new intern,” he goaded.

  Not taking the bait, I made a sound. “She’s taken.”

  “Does she know that?” he teased.

  I glanced up. “No. But you do.”

  Bryan chuckled. “CEO’s got it bad.”

  I pretended to work until he was completely gone. Only then did I toss down the pen in my hand and move to stare out the window once more.

  What he said bothered me. I put Nora in a hard spot, and now it was up to me to protect her.

  Nora

  Reality vs. Fantasy Observation #1:

  In a fantasy, other people don’t matter. In fact, they don’t seem to exist at all.

  In reality, people whisper and stare, and it is really hard to ignore.

  What the hell was I doing? I mean, technically, I was supposed to be working. The badge around my neck and the work in front of me was proof. Honestly, though, I sat here feeling like an exhibit at some exotic animal zoo.

  People stared. They whispered. They smiled sweetly when they saw me looking.

  “Intern Williams,” one of the women from the department called as she approached my desk. Behind her trailed three other employees. “We’re heading across the street for some lunch. Want to join?”

  Suspicion clouded over the invite, making me feel bitter and annoyed. I couldn’t help but wonder if they had ulterior motives because I’d been sure I’d seen them whispering about the CEO’s interest in me earlier this morning.

  “Umm…” I began.

  One of the men stepped up beside the woman. “Think of it as a welcoming party.”

  “Sure, I’d love to,” I replied. “Just let me get my bag.” I decided in the moment that I was going to give these people a chance. Truth was I wanted to make friends here. I wanted good working relationships, and I wanted to be able to learn everything I could from the people around me.

  I had stuff to offer. Stuff that was mine, and not because I knew the CEO.

  As I shut off my laptop and picked up my things, I made a choice that I wouldn’t let the rumors I knew were already circling affect the way I interacted with my co-workers. I could at least give them a chance before deciding they were all just out to get me.

  Alan made you bitter. I reminded myself. Not everyone is as awful as him.

  When the elevator arrived to take us to the lobby, the doors opened, revealing a man in a dark suit. My heart sped up irrationally, anticipating Carter, then fell when I realized it wasn’t him.

  Damn him for telling me he’d see me later, because now I looked for him around every corner.

  Exactly why you shouldn’t be here! I scolded myself.

  “President,” one of the girls next to me said, drawing my attention.

  Glancing back at the man who wasn’t Carter, I paid better attention. He was dressed in a dark suit and red tie. His brown hair was tousled, but in a purposeful way.

  He was young like Carter, and I had to admit it really awed me that two men as young as them could found and run a successful company.

  It made me want to be here, to learn more about the vibe of this place, to see how it ran daily, and to learn more about the two men who built everything on their own.

  “Everyone,” the man replied, taking in all of us with a sweeping glance.

  His eyes came back to me, and the corner of his mouth kicked up. “You must be the new intern.”

  The people standing in front of me parted, allowing him to step forward.

  Nodding, I held out my hand. “I’m Nora. Nice to meet you.”

  He took my offered hand and shook it. “Bryan Foster, president of Ansoft.”

  Everyone was watching us with curious, apt expressions. I couldn’t help but wonder if this man often came down to the design department.

  “Is there something I can get you, Mr. Foster?” I asked when he said nothing.

  Grinning, he tucked his hands in his pockets. “Nope. Just wanted to welcome you. I’ve seen your portfolio. It’s promising.”

  “Thank you,” I said, mildly surprised.

  Withdrawing a card from his pocket, he held it out. “If you need anything, feel free to contact me.”

  I glanced between him and the card before taking it. Behind him, my co-workers were practically peeing their pants.

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I was quick to say.

  He smiled, and I cleared my throat. “Well… we were just heading out to lunch.”

  “Go,” he urged, waving us toward the elevator.

  I was the last one to file inside, so I was at the front near the doors.

  Bryan turned to watch us leave and gave me a little wave. “Nice meeting you, Nora.”

  I waved back and prayed the doors would close faster. The second they did, I let out a breath.

  “Mr. Foster never came to welcome me to the company,” Darla observed.

  “Me either.” Tom agreed.

  I shut my eyes briefly and slid the card he’d given me into my bag. “So what kind of place are we eating at?”

  “Sushi.” Darla spoke up.

  Raw fish? My stomach revolted.

  The elevator pinged open and revealed Seth standing there waiting. “Going down?” he asked. The smile he gave me was genuine, and it eased some of the tension in my stomach.

  Nodding, I gestured for him to take the spot beside me.

  “Heading out to lunch?” he asked as the elevator began moving again.

  Various noises of agreement went around.

  “Mind if I tag along?”

  I gave him a warning glance. “We’re having sushi.”

  His eyes danced with laughter. “Sounds good.”

  My stomach grew queasier the closer we got to the restaurant, which was indeed right across the street.

  Seth hung back, waiting for me to catch up, then leaned down to whisper, “Sushi isn’t raw fish, but get the California roll. It’s the beginner’
s best choice.”

  “Really?” I asked, relieved. Realizing what I’d done, I grimaced. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Nah,” he chuckled. “But sushi is an acquired taste.”

  “Not anything I’ll be acquiring,” I muttered.

  He laughed. A few of our lunch mates turned to glance in our direction.

  “Everyone is very curious about you,” he confided.

  “I noticed.”

  Leaning back toward me, Seth added, “I admit I am, too.”

  All the comfort I’d felt when he stepped onto the elevator evaporated. Suddenly, I was a solitary goldfish in a bowl with a group of spectators standing around.

  I didn’t like it.

  Again, I wondered, What the hell am I doing?

  Carter

  Tossing my phone on the desk, I didn’t bother to reply. This was why I never bothered with women. Well, no more than a passing fling.

  People in general weren’t worth the effort. I’d learned the hard way that most weren’t genuine. Most only wanted what would benefit them.

  Nora was different. She felt different. Maybe I didn’t have a lot to base those feelings on… but I was a man who operated on instinct. From the moment she spilled that sugary drink down my chest, those instincts had been screaming she was mine.

  I worked the rest of the afternoon, ignoring every urge I had to stomp down to the design floor and see what she was doing. Staying in my office, I did what I was here to do. Work.

  With Regal Tech practically humping my ass, the pressure was on. It wasn’t that I wasn’t confident. I was good at my job. This company and our success proved it.

  But my instincts were shouting—this time not about Nora.

  I couldn’t shake the feeling something was going to happen. That Regal Tech was going to try and pull something before all was said and done.

  It was almost six o’clock when Aaron rapped on the door, then strolled in. The white dress shirt he wore was unbuttoned at the neck, and the sleeves were rolled up his forearms. “Should I call for the chopper?”

  “I’m staying mainland tonight,” I informed him.

  Even though I wasn’t looking in his direction, I felt his surprise. Lounging back in my chair, I regarded him. “You can call for the chopper. Head home.”

  Aaron was my right-hand man, but he was more than that. I’d hired him when I was nineteen and so green to the gaming world that it almost killed me. Literally.

  He’d saved my life one night and sort of took me under his wing. Even though I was the “boss” in our relationship, I looked up to him. I trusted him more than anyone else, and to me, he was family.

  “If you’re staying in Miami, then I am, too.”

  “I might be staying mainland more than usual in the upcoming weeks.” I warned him. Neither of us particularly liked staying in Miami.

  “I figured as much.” The smirk on his face was not lost on me.

  Sighing, I kicked up my shoes on the edge of my desk, leaning back. “What’d you find out?”

  “Lunch was across the street at the sushi place. By the look on her face, she isn’t a sushi kind of girl.”

  I snickered.

  “Then again, it could be the interrogation her co-workers put her through while they ate.” Aaron considered.

  Any enjoyment I felt dried up. Feet hitting the floor, I stood. “Why didn’t you call?”

  “‘Cause she handled it.”

  I didn’t like that answer.

  Aaron cleared his throat. “Seth was there as well.”

  “Did he not get the hint this morning?” I wondered, annoyed.

  “She worked at her desk the rest of the afternoon.”

  What? Yes, I know what you’re thinking. I said I’d ignored every urge I had to go down to her floor myself. I never said I hadn’t sent someone else to check up on her.

  Snagging my jacket off the back of my chair, I picked up my phone and hit the button so the automatic blinds on the windows behind me would close. “I’ll be at the apartment later.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  Stopping, I held up my hand. “I don’t butt into your love life. Don’t butt into mine.”

  “I don’t have a love life because I’m too busy babysitting you.” He glowered at me.

  “I just told you to take the chopper and go home.” I made a what can you do gesture with my hands. Slapping a palm on his shoulder, I said, “You’re obsessed with me. It’s unhealthy.”

  Fast as lightning, Aaron had me in a headlock and bent at his side. I smacked the arm wrapped around my neck while he avoided all my attempted kicks.

  “Whose obsessed with whom?” he demanded. I made a gagging sound, and he merely laughed. “Please. Don’t be such a drama queen.”

  Since that didn’t work, I changed tactics, shoving a hand beneath the waistband of his pants and grabbing his boxers against his lower back.

  “Whoa!” He cursed and let go, leaping back to avoid the massive wedgie I was about to deliver.

  “You punk,” he spat, reaching behind him to fix his shirt.

  “Take the night off, A. Go find a nice girl at a club. Jump-start the love life you so clearly long for.”

  “You’re an asshole!” he called after me, but with affection in his tone.

  I laughed.

  “Call me if you need anything!”

  See? Family.

  * * *

  Nora’s apartment was on the eighth floor of an upscale complex a few blocks from Ansoft headquarters. I’d purposely chosen a building with good security and within walking distance to work.

  After knocking on the door, I waited impatiently for her to open it. I wanted to see her face. Missing something wasn’t like me… yet here I was, tapping my foot, waiting for the barrier between us to give way.

  It seemed to take forever, so I knocked again, wondering what the hell she was doing.

  Almost immediately after banging a second time, I felt her. A smile curved my lips as I listened for any sounds on the other side. She was there. I could sense her. I anticipated her.

  But she wasn’t opening the door.

  A moment later, a tentative voice came through the wood. “Who is it?”

  Smiling wide, I nodded in approval. I liked that she didn’t just open the door for anyone.

  “It’s me,” I called.

  The sound of a lock disengaging made my heart jump. The second her face appeared in the partly opened door, the anxiety I hadn’t even realized I’d been riddled with calmed. The conversation I’d had with Bryan still bothered me, and clearly, it didn’t matter that I’d had someone check up on Nora today. I’d needed to see her with my own eyes.

  Tilting my head to the side, I gazed at her.

  “I guess I don’t need to ask how you got my address,” she quipped, leaning against the doorjamb, still holding it partially closed.

  Motioning to the apartment with my chin, I asked, “You gonna let me in?”

  Nora stepped back with the door, admitting me into her space. She was dressed in a pair of cut-off shorts and a T-shirt with Mickey Mouse in the center. Her blond hair was pulled in a ponytail high on her head. Loose strands had already come free to fall around her face.

  Her feet were bare against the wood floor, and her toenails were painted pink.

  Sliding the jacket off my arms, I wandered past the small kitchen and into the living room, tossing it on the sofa on my way to the sliders on the far wall. There was a view of the ocean from here and a small balcony just outside the doors.

  “Is the apartment okay for you?” I asked, gazing out across the ocean. The turquoise waters surrounding my island were better.

  A small choked sound erupted behind me. “Are you kidding? This place is too nice for a mere intern.”

  Spinning away from the view, I frowned. “Of course it isn’t.”

  “Most interns aren’t given a condo with an ocean view and paid for their work.”

  “Anything less than
this is beneath you.”

  A look crossed her face. Then her azure eyes snapped up. “Did you do this?”

  “Do what?” I feigned innocence.

  Twirling a single finger around, she gestured to the condo. “Are you paying for this condo?”

  “Room and board is part of your internship.”

  Nora practically stomped her foot on the floor. Without another word, she rushed out of the room, disappearing into the single bedroom.

  I trailed along behind her because watching her was just too entertaining. Everything she did was with some sort of passion.

  Entering in the bedroom, she came out of the closet, hauling a suitcase almost as big as her. With both hands, she towed it up on the bed and flipped the top open.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, mild, leaning against the doorframe. Her back was to me as she opened up the top drawer of the dresser and scooped up an armful of fabric, carried it over to the suitcase, and dumped it inside.

  “I’m not staying.”

  A flicker of the anxiety I felt before sparked inside me. Forcing myself to remain in the same calm position, my eyes followed as she made a trip to the closet, coming out with more clothes to drop into the suitcase.

  “Mind telling me why?”

  A piece of clothing tumbled out of the bag onto the bed. Nora snatched it up and slapped it inside before swinging around to glare at me. “Do you think you can buy me? You think I have no pride at all. That I’ll come here and just…” She gazed around. “Live off you?”

  Straightening out of the doorway, I dropped both arms to my sides. “I’m not trying to buy you.”

  Laughing, she surged toward the closet again.

  Catching her arm as she rushed by, I pulled her around, gazing down into her fiery blue eyes. “I want you here.”

  I felt the give in her body, though it didn’t shine through in her eyes. I knew damn well she was affected by me. The chemistry between us was undeniable.

  You already have part of her… Now just convince the rest.

  Nora tugged her arm out of my grasp, and I let go. She didn’t step back, though. Instead, she spoke softly. “Why didn’t you call, then? Ask to see me?”

  “I don’t have your number,” I answered, holding her gaze.

  Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “Like I’m going to believe you don’t have my number.”