The Hunt - Monica James

by James, Monica

  It seems petty to me, but this is how someone with Mr. Yeong’s standing acts. He is so accustomed to getting everything he wants, that he thinks he can throw impossible demands around like finding a needle in a haystack is an easy thing to do.

  If I were Hunter, I would tell him to shove it, but it seems to be personal now that Gail is involved. And Hunter is also a man of his word. He’s tenacious, determined, and driven in everything that he does. He is still certain Mr. Yeong will stay loyal to him, but if Gail found that watch before Hunter, I have no doubt loyalty between them would be long forgotten.

  Luckily for Hunter, he’s kept the conditions of their deal a secret, which is why I’ve ordered filing cabinets rivaling Fort Knox, because now he can file away his secrets under lock and key.

  When the knocking strikes once again, Hunter gives my lips a quick kiss. “You’d think they pay me to come here to work, right? How fucking rude.” I giggle, quickly rearranging myself before I flash my ass to whoever is outside the door.

  However, when Hunter opens the door, I wish I was still half-dressed, because I would gladly moon the skank who just entered the room.

  Hunter and I agree on most things—that a red car does drive faster, lemon with Corona is for pussies, and that fries with mayonnaise are the bomb, but when it comes to this doe-eyed Pollyanna, we are universes apart. For obvious reasons, I want to throat punch her, but physical violence aside, I still don’t trust her and am certain she’s still scheming. The problem is, I still don’t have any proof.

  If I were a better actress, I could attempt to act semi-civil and dig for dirt. But every time she opens that perfect pout, I want to shut it with my fist. To know Hunter and her have been…together, erases all hopes of me uncovering the truth from her firsthand.

  “Oh, sorry, did I interrupt?” she says melodiously.

  She’s so sweet she’d give diabetes, diabetes.

  Hunter opens his mouth, but I interject. “Yes, actually you did. We were seconds away from christening this new desk.” I run my fingertips along the polished wood, relishing in the fact that the old one, the one which Keira knew far too well, sits in a burned heap.

  Hunter smirks proudly, which tickles me pink. He doesn’t conceal the fact we’re seeing one another, and when he looks at me with that feral look glistening in his eye, I’m tempted to shake imaginary pom poms and chant rah, rah, rah!

  But pushing aside the green-eyed monster, I grab my bag and make a beeline for the door. I’ve got work to do. “Where are you going?”

  “To the bathroom. I suddenly have the urge to throw up.”

  Hunter sighs, shaking his head, but it’ll be a cold day in hell the moment I play nice with this wolf in hooker’s clothing.

  I can basically hear her lady parts weep in relief now that they’re alone with Hunter, but I shove down my jealousy because I’m determined to try this trust thing on for size. I refuse to allow the skeletons of my past to rule whatever this is with Hunter, and it’s my newfound outlook on life that leads me in the direction of Gail’s office.

  Whatever Keira is up to, I have no doubt Gail is up to something far worse. I know where to find him, seeing as he’s training for the upcoming New York marathon. His meal times are on a meticulous roster, and as I look down at my watch, I see that he’s chowing down on his bland meal of chicken and something leafy and green.

  I’ve tried to be subtle and kept the stalking to a minimum, but regardless of my attempts to be sly, Hunter has let drop that he thinks I have the hots for the disgusting slime ball. It’s all said tongue in cheek, but I know if Hunter caught Gail even looking at me sideways, he’d have no qualms ripping out his windpipe and using it to play “Greensleeves.”

  That thought warms my heart and stokes the constant fire burning within.

  Most men are stupid, I say most because there is a small exception who although they think with their dicks, they don’t lead with them all of the time. Hunter falls into this category on most days. As does Dixon, whose loyalty toward Maddy has me hoping that one day, I can be as grown up as them.

  Dipping my hands into my low cut, silk blouse, I push up my boobs, impressed how this push-up bra complements the girls. Puckering my lips to ensure they’re still coated with my pink gloss, I run my fingers through my hair to ensure I have a freshly fucked look.

  The pièce de résistance is I hike up my skirt, making a modest hemline an indecently short lure for hormone-driven idiots like Gail. The moment I step foot into the lunchroom, I can practically see Gail’s mouth hit the floor.

  Whatever superfood he’s eating is suspended mid-air as he openly checks me out from head to toe. I instantly feel like bathing in acid, but the thought of this creep potentially sabotaging what Hunter has worked so hard for spurs me on.

  This is the first opportunity I’ve had to undertake Operation Burn in Hell because the deeper I dig, I just know I’ll unearth whatever vile plans this bottom feeder has planned. Once I get to the bottom of his agenda, I know Keira’s will soon follow.

  And that’s why I saunter toward the coffee machine, ensuring to wiggle my ass each step of the way.

  I’ve used this coffee machine a thousand times before, but I stand in front of it, twirling a lock of hair around my finger while bending low. This, of course, is done with intent to ride the hem even higher than it already sits.

  “Need a hand?” If Chlamydia and Ebola had a baby, then Gail’s voice is what its wailing would sound like.

  But for the greater good, I remember why I’m here and giggle. “There’s just so many buttons. I can never remember what does what.”

  Turning over my shoulder, I batt my eyelashes, just how his assistant has mastered the art of flapping hers. Just when I think it’s too much, he stands and adjusts his belt. “Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours. Leave the hard stuff to me.”

  Oh my god. Do girls actually fall for this bullshit? When he ambles over like he’s Mr. Universe himself, I know the answer is yes. It makes me appreciate Hunter’s dirty candor all the more. He may be filthy, but at least he doesn’t make me want to render myself unconscious so I forget our conversations ever took place.

  Gail’s heavy-handed cologne has me nigh on gagging, but I continue standing like a dim-witted moron as he reaches for a mug and places it under the nozzle. “These buttons here tell you which drink selection you can make. Can you see?” Neil Armstrong could see the buttons he’s pointing to when he landed on the moon, but I lean in close, purposely grazing his arm with my boob. Brushing back my hair, I pretend to need a moment to take in everything he just said.

  When ten seconds pass, I turn to him, mouth parted in staged awe. “Wow, you’re like, so smart.”

  “I’m not just a pretty face, darlin’.” I actually throw up in my mouth a little. “But I suppose you can be forgiven because hanging around that dumbass, O’Shea, is sure to rub off on you.”

  Digging my fingernails into my palm to stop myself from slapping that smug smile from his cheeks, I inhale deeply and focus on why I’m here. “Hunter is just someone to have fun with. I like having fun.”

  And that right there is the magical word—fun. The word is what every man looking for a good time wants to hear.

  He slithers closer and I can see why some women may find him attractive. He’s all muscle with big baby blues, but unlike Dixon, his are icy and cold. He’s also an enormous, arrogant asshole.

  I decide to go in for the kill, because my quota for fucktards has been reached. “Do you like having fun?”

  Gail licks his thick lips as he pushes the Long Black button on the coffee machine. “Fun is my middle name. Maybe one day I can show you what the buttons on my Aston Martin do.” I’ve never wanted to castrate someone more than I do right now.

  Revoking his right to reproduce seems just, because this world has more than enough assholes, but I smile sweetly. “Sure, I’d love that.”

  Gail reaches into his back pocket, retrieving his wallet. When he pro
duces a crisp white business card and pen, I know he wants my digits. Swallowing down my aversion, I quickly scribble my cell number, and for good measure, draw a love heart near my name. “Call me,” I purr, passing him the card.

  “Did you seriously just ask me if Beijing is in India? Please put someone on the phone who isn’t a complete moron.” I’d recognize that voice anywhere. I’m overcome with an immense sense of guilt, but I remind myself why I’ve resorted to liaising with this jerkoff.

  Gail smugly pockets my number, winking when Hunter barges into the lunchroom about to rip whoever he’s speaking to a new one. However, when he sees Gail standing a little too close for comfort, his anger is redirected. “I’ll call you back.”

  Needing to distract myself before I blow my cover, I reach for the coffee and take a small sip. Gail looks happier than a pig in shit when he turns around, no doubt locking eyes with Hunter. I need a moment to compose myself.

  “Are you lost?” Gail quips, while my fingers clench around the mug.

  “How about you get lost,” Hunter barks without pause. “Or better yet, how about you do the world a favor and go play in traffic.” A smile tugs at my lips. Gail has no comeback, of course. I hear him collect his unfinished lunch before the door slams shut. Hunter is by my side in three long strides.

  Finding my lady balls, I eventually crane my neck to look up at him. There is no mistaking his anger and curiosity, but I simply continue sipping my coffee, hoping he will let it slide.

  “So… any reason why you didn’t throw that scalding cup of coffee into Gail’s face?” he asks, my hopes dwindling.

  Shrugging, I reply, “And waste a perfectly good cup of joe on that asshole? I think not.” In and out, I tell myself, steadying my breathing, but he so knows I’m lying.

  “I may not be a relationship guru, but I know when a woman is lying to me. Do you think he’s prettier than me?” This is so like Hunter to make a joke when he’s insecure.

  “Of course not,” I scoff.

  The mood turns serious and Hunter reveals we’re still both finding our feet. “You’d tell me if you were getting bored, right? Or I’m doing something wrong? Did I leave the toilet seat up?” He’s grasping at straws, and it seems we’re both learning the ropes when it comes to this relationship. “I suck at this whole dating thing.”

  Putting his mind at ease, I shake my head. “No, you don’t.”

  “So I’ve got nothing to worry about?”

  His sincerity is too much. “Cross my heart,” I reply, doing exactly that. “Besides, Gail and I were just talking. Unlike Keira, who wants to do a lot more than talk whenever you’re involved.”

  Deflection—the best way I can deal with this situation without buckling and spilling the beans.

  Hunter sighs, running a hand over his scruff. “As much as you hate Keira, she’s once again put her neck out to save my ass.” My interest is completely piqued. Hunter continues. “I have to go to China. Gail has once again been sniffing around Mr. Yeong, and I’ll be damned if that little shitstain ruins what I’ve worked so hard for. Keira showed me phone records and emails exchanged between them. It appears Mr. Yeong is falling for his utter bullshit, and seeing as I’m no closer to finding this fucking watch, I need to talk some sense into him, face to face.”

  Alarm bells sound. Who on earth has phone records on hand? Or prints out emails? A scheming, sneaky so and so, that’s who. Keira’s actions have just cemented what I need to do. She will obviously resort to any means to win Hunter over, and is using his hatred for Gail as a bargaining chip. I see right through her façade, and I’m certain she wants me and Gail out of the picture so she can have Hunter, and his success all to herself. Hunter is the perfect package, and she will clearly stop at nothing to get what she wants.

  Well, she’s got another thing coming, because that perfect package is mine. It’s time to step up the ante. “When are you leaving?”

  Hunter removes the cup I’m clinging to for dear life. “Tomorrow if I can get a flight.” Perfect. The sooner the better. I don’t have a second to spare. As I’m detailing over ways I can get Gail to talk, Hunter sneaks up on me and steals my breath away. “Fancy a trip to China?”

  “What?”

  His wicked lips twist into an amused grin. “You’ve got something against the Chinese?”

  Shaking my head to hopefully knock some sense into it, I reply, “Of course I don’t. I just, wow…you want me to come with you?”

  He nods, looping a hand low around my waist. “Yes. I do.”

  My heart not only swells, it inflates to triple its normal size. But I can’t go. Finding out what Keira and Gail are up to is my main objective. If my gut is right, Hunter will thank me in the long run.

  Stepping into his arms, I bask in his virile fragrance, coupling the scent to home. “I wish I could, but I still have so much work to do. With you gone, I might actually have half a shot of finishing what I started.” That’s a complete double-edged sword, but Hunter nods, none the wiser. “You’re a complete distraction.”

  A crooked smirk plays at his lips before he lowers his head and kisses over my racing pulse. Tipping my head back, I close my eyes and allow him free rein. “See, this is exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Okay then, I’ll stop.”

  Just as he attempts to pull away, my hand shoots out and I thread my fingers through his soft hair. Holding him in place, I hum when the warmth of his breath trounces against my needy flesh. “Let’s not be rash now.”

  He chuckles against me.

  “Thank you for asking me. On any other occasion, I would have loved to come, but maybe next time?” I phrase it as a question, hoping there will be many more invitations to travel the globe with my worldly boyfriend.

  Hunter suckles at my nape, his tongue and lips working me into a frenzy. Each lash seems to strengthen my adoration for him, and before long, I know I’ll reach the point of no return. I wonder if I’m already there.

  “I’ll take you anywhere, Shortcake.” Be still my heart. “But right now, how about I take you back to my office and we also finish what we started.” Be still my lady parts.

  With that said, I temporarily forget my devious plan to bring down Gail and Keira and focus on the man who is sure to be the death of me…but my demise has never felt this good.

  “Okay, so you’ll be back in a week?” Maddy asks, frantically scribbling in her diary.

  It’s Friday, and like most Fridays, we’re out at some bar, having drinks and discussing the week which passed. Tonight, the topic of discussion is the forthcoming wedding, and Hunter leaving for China tomorrow morning.

  “Yes, a week tops. Don’t worry, Cherry Pie. Besides, I’ll have my cell. You can call me anytime.” When he reaches for her hand and rubs it reassuringly, I can’t help but fall harder for him.

  “It’ll be okay, Angelo. The wedding is a few weeks away. We’ve got this.” Dixon kisses her cheek, his touch appearing to appease her worries instantly.

  “I’m still here, Maddy, and if Hunter is unavailable, I’m sure his secretary can take a message,” I can’t help but quip.

  I’m surprised Keira didn’t invite herself to China. But I guess she’s the perfect chameleon and doesn’t want to clue Gail into her double life.

  “What the hell do you need a secretary for?” Dixon asks, wrapping his arm around Maddy. “It’s not like you do any work.” Hunter flips him off, while I decide to vent to the only person who seems to agree with me.

  “I’m talking about Keira,” I clarify, reaching for my vodka—it’s the perfect chaser to wash the rancid name from my mouth.

  It appears Dixon needs the same medicine as me, because he blanches before downing his scotch. “Please tell me you’ve forgotten her name by now.”

  I scoff, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “As if. She’s like a bad smell that just won’t go away.” Batting my lashes and trying this doe-eyed look on for size, I coo, “Can I get you another coffee, Hunter? Oh, you
r shoelace is undone. Here, let me get that for you. You want me to wipe your ass while I’m down here?” Dixon bursts out laughing, impressed with my Keira impersonation.

  Hunter smirks as he leans back in the booth and interlaces both hands behind his neck. “My, my, that shade of green suits you.”

  I roll my eyes. “Jealous of her? Please. I’m not jealous. I’m just surprised at how fucking stupid you can be. She flashes her ass and you’re all goo goo gaga.” I’m getting riled up, but this is tame. I don’t want to offend Maddy with my offensive cursing.

  “I’ll have you know her ass is the ugly sister compared to yours.” So not helping, considering I know he has grounds for comparison. The need to strangle her amplifies tenfold.

  I elbow him in the ribs before standing. “I’m going to the restroom.”

  “I’ll come.” Maddy stands too, while Hunter slips from his comfortable perch.

  “Uh oh. This can only mean trouble. What do you women do in there? Strategize world peace?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Maddy tactfully says, while I don’t bother with diplomacy.

  “We’re going to talk about what an utter dick you are.” Hunter laughs exuberantly, while Maddy loops her arm through mine.

  “I can’t take you anywhere,” she teases, before leading us toward the bathroom.

  Once inside the cubicle, my cell chimes. Thinking it’s Hunter, I unlock my phone and open the message with a smile. That soon turns to a horrified retching when I see what’s on my screen.

  It’s a dick pic—a tiny dick, so definitely not Hunter. The caption has me soon guessing just whose needle dick this is.

  Wanna have fun? Call me.

  My gag reflex works overtime as I swallow down my vomit.

  Gail’s cock looks like a Donskoy kitten in a bright pink turtleneck. I quickly type out a reply so I can delete this image and then burn my phone.

  I can’t wait to have fun with that…I’ll be in touch.

  I quickly obliterate the obscenity from my screen, wishing I could do the same to the image in my brain.