Not My Type

by Taylor Love

  He’d hung up and she’d gone back to work, satisfied she had bested him in their latest verbal joust. Two hours later Sheila guided a delivery man to her door. She signed for the flowers and since Sheila’s nosy ass was still standing in her office, opened the wrapping. Revealing a lovely small and simple white vase, with four roses. Two red, one white and one orange.

  “Read the card!” Sheila demanded from almost on top of her. Astounded that she had goaded Robert into sending flowers, she followed Sheila’s order.

  The card simply read: R.L.

  She didn’t even try to guess how he’d known where she worked. After she dodged her co-worker’s twenty questions and shooed her out the door, she’d sent him a text.

  Mika: Thanks for the flowers they’re beautiful! But not to sound picky...

  Robert: But yet you’re about to be

  Mika: Why only 4 flowers? What’s up with that?

  Robert: Buyers choice

  When she didn’t answer for a full minute he sent another message.

  Robert: You’ll have to figure it out on your own. You’re like a forever unsatisfied spoiled princess

  Mika: Whatever and don’t call me that

  Robert: Sure, whatever the princess wants

  Mika: Anyone ever mention that you’re an ass?

  Robert: At least once a week, it’s one of my finest qualities

  She’d let him have the last word and enjoyed the rest of the day. Later that week on Wednesday another delivery man showed up. This time to her home late in the evening. The case of wine had arrived! The note with this delivery said: Enjoy R.L.

  After that Mika hadn’t heard from the man. But she sure was enjoying the wine! Since Andrea and Cam had taken her to the party she gave four bottles with them. Reaching her destination, she tried to convince herself that the “contact silence” wasn’t why she was stepping into Robert’s office building. Mika didn't waste her time checking in with the receptionist. Instead she walked past as if she belonged, and nobody tried to stop her. Looking at the elevator directory she found the floor for the financial advisors, figuring he should be easy to find. However a few people gave her looks as she strolled around his floor.

  They were probably curious who the new face was. As she walked by in a bright blue wool coat and an ankle-length purple pencil skirt, which made her the most colorful thing in the office. The building was the epitome of stuffy and sterile. Just being in here was actually giving her the heebie-jeebies. There were a lot of offices on his floor instead of cubicles and that made sense, as talking money was a very private thing. However the exterior walls to the offices were glass, so it was like looking into a fishbowl. Hopefully that would make it easier to hunt for Robert.

  ROBERT HEARD THE COMMOTION a few offices down, before he heard the laugh that told him trouble had arrived. He stayed seated and waited. He assumed she would reach him after she was done flirting with the whole office. He had purposely not contacted her, as they were supposed to be sex-only. Plus work needed his focus. However, he’d quickly come to realize Mika was the worst thing to ever happen to his concentration.

  Speaking of distractions, she finally came into view, walking between Antonio and Eric. The sight of her was like a shot of adrenaline. Seeing her bright, bold and animated between the two men gave him an instant jolt. Antonio was his boy at work, an actual friend. They’d bonded as the only minorities in this division. Plus, he was a cool guy. Antonio gave a quick tap on his door frame, “Hey Robert. It looks like this lovely lady is here to see you.”

  “Unfortunately Antonio, I wasn’t aware of the other options your company had.” Mika gave him a slow smile. “Or I might have been visiting you instead.”

  “That is indeed a shame.” He smiled widely, flirting back. “But you’re in good hands with my man Robert here. See you later.”

  “Thanks Tone.” Robert wasn’t even looking his way. “Can you close the door on your way out?”

  “Sure thing.” Antonio closed the door, as Mika took off her coat and sat.

  Robert watched silently as she settled in the chair. When she finally sat back, crossing those long legs of hers, he asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m not quite sure. Against my better judgement I’ve taken Andrea’s advice. She told me a while back that I should come see you about my money...and here I am.”

  Ahh, so it wasn’t personal. “I see. You should have made an appointment. I can give you thirty to thirty-five minutes, but I have a call coming up.”

  “Now that I think about it, I don’t want you to have all my info. You’ve already proven to be a prolific stalker.” Mika was hoping a joke would lighten his mood. But she forgot who she was dealing with. He didn’t blink or crack a smile.

  “I’m a complete professional when it comes to my job and my clients’ money. But if you want I can recommend a trusted colleague. Maybe Antonio?”

  “I don’t know him!”

  Robert was surprised into a bemused smile at the asinine conversation he was having. “O-kay then, your time is ticking. Do you want to proceed or would you like to leave?”

  “Fine, I don’t want to hear Andrea’s mouth. I’ll deal with you. Better the devil you know I guess.”

  “We’ll go through some basic questions, and I can give you a very basic recommendation. If you want to move forward you can set up an official appointment after I send you the paperwork. Does that sound good?”

  “Sure, fine.” Apparently he wanted to play it completely professional, as if his tongue hadn’t been in hard to reach places of her body. Watching him write her name on a notepad, she damned herself for thinking about all the places his fingers had been as well.

  “What are your investment goals?”

  “I would say early retirement, but I actually like what I do. Also I’m big on having funds for travel.”

  He quirked an eyebrow at her answer but didn’t say anything about it. “What type of investor do you see yourself as? Do you prefer low, medium or high-risk investments?”

  “I’m okay with high-risk. I mean that’s the whole point of this right? No risk, no reward? Besides, if I’m going to take chances I should do it now in life.”

  Robert wasn’t surprised by that answer in the least. She seemed the type that would take risks. Like jumping out of planes and shit for fun. “Okay, so give me a ballpark of what you’re working with when it comes to funds to invest.”

  Mika put a finger on her chin and did some quick mental arithmetic. “Well my base salary is ninety-two thousand as an Associate Creative Director, and we get bonuses from time to time for certain projects. Andrea says I should be investing the full bonus and just pretend like I never got it. I invest five percent into my retirement fund. I know low, so don’t lecture me. I can definitely up that to the max. I fool around with a small amount in stocks myself, nothing major. There’s my trust fund too. I put that in a basic money market account when I took it over. I think it’s about three hundred and twenty-five thousand in there.”

  Robert dropped his pen and leaned back. “You have three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars sitting in a basic money market account?” He asked astonished. Both by the amount and the idiocy of her choice.

  “Yeah, is that bad? I feel like from your look you think that’s bad.”

  “Jesus woman, no wonder Andrea sent you to me. How long have you been managing it with what amounts to a checking account with low interest?”

  “Umm, since I turned twenty-one, so seven years now.”

  “What a waste. With the right investments, you could easily be at half a million or more by now.” He glanced at his watch and saw he needed to wrap this up.

  She just shrugged at his proclamation. “Money isn’t everything.”

  Robert scoffed. “This coming from the woman who has more than a quarter-million in savings alone before thirty. Look, it’s clear you could be doing better on all investment fronts. I’ll draw up the basic paperwork to get you started
with us and email them to you by Monday.”

  He took out a card and handed it to her. “Call this number after you shoot the forms back to me and Jill will schedule you to come in as soon as I have an opening.”

  “Okay, that works. Thank you.”

  Now that business was taken care of, he assessed her. She looked good as usual. Wearing big colorful jewelry that complemented her outfit. A vision of her naked with just the jewelry and maybe some high-heeled boots entered his brain. He got instantly hard and was glad to be sitting down. But it spurred him to ask, “What are you doing next Saturday night?”

  “Let me check.” Mika went to her phone’s calendar. She wasn’t trying to be coy or anything, but her weekends were often packed. “The night looks free for now...why?”

  “I’m thinking maybe we can get together...do something.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Yeah, we will.” He gave her a brief smile before frowning. “ I’ll call you next week.”

  Knowing when she was being dismissed she stood, putting on her coat. “Don't stress over it...I won’t be waiting,” she said dryly.

  Robert was already half turned to his computer, putting on his headset. “Yeah you will. And text me your personal email so I can send you those papers.”

  “Surprised you don’t have it. You slipping Mr. Stalker,” Mika half mumbled as she reached the door.

  “I heard that. Women stalk me, not the other way around. Shut my door on the way out.”

  Chapter Eight

  MIKA HAD ON TIGHT-FITTING dark jeans, with a loose off the shoulders cranberry top. Her lips the same shade of red to match. Trying to be cute she had on a coat that was more suited to early fall than the middle of November. She’d kept her jewelry light wearing a simple gold necklace, one semi-gaudy ring and some earrings. The latter a pair of dangling blue and gold stones, meant to contrast with her top.

  True to his word Robert had emailed her the investment documents on Monday. Later that week he’d asked if she wanted to catch a movie on Saturday at the Emagine by his house in Royal Oak. After getting over her surprise that they were going anywhere but straight to bed, she’d accepted. He’d even offered to pick her up but she’d declined. She wanted to be able to leave if he was getting on her last nerve, which was a definite possibility with him. They hadn’t even picked out a movie yet, Robert only telling her to meet there at six. She was game for whatever so didn’t sweat the lack of details.

  She saw him standing behind the glass doors as she approached. Robert was looking at his phone so she took the time to assess him. She had to admit he was a fine piece of eye-candy. His wide shoulders filling out the dark-brown, herringbone wool coat he had on. The profile of his face stood sharp and strong, as she watched his full lips part into a rare unguarded smile at something on his screen. Mika had no clue what he had in mind for tonight, but her lady bits were hoping it included them. As if he could hear her inner thoughts he looked up, his expression becoming closed off as he opened the door.

  “You made it, and on time.”

  “I said I was coming. I mean I thought about standing you up, but you have the habit of showing up at people’s doors.” Mika poked.

  “Good to see we understand each other.”

  “Ha, whatever. So what movie do you have in mind?”

  “Actually,” he said, maneuvering her away from the entrance. “The movie I was thinking of doesn’t start until 7:15. I was thinking we could get some dinner first.”

  “Oh...okay. I don’t see why not.” First the movie and now dinner, was he trying to soften me up for later? Either way she’d take the food. She followed him to the second floor where the restaurant was housed. He helped her with her coat and seat, before situating himself.

  “You looking good,” Robert said, across at her.

  “Thank you.” She almost mentioned that was the first outright compliment he’d ever given her, but thought better of it. Since he was making an effort she decided to tone down her own natural sarcasm.

  “I even wore some blue and gold as a peace offering,” Mika said pointing at her ears.

  That earned her an appreciative smile from Robert before their waitress came over. They both took a quick look at the menu not needing long, they each had eaten here before. They got the garlic cheese bread as a starter, while she ordered a southwest chicken wrap and he got the buffalo one. She tried a fruit beer because the name “Norm’s Raggedy Ass” amused her. And once their order was taken, she picked up where they left off.

  “You look sharp as well. I can honestly say I never find fault in your style.” He nodded his head in thanks. “There is one thing I don’t get. Unlike most black men in a conservative corporate role, you don’t wear your hair extra short. It doesn’t fit the rest of your...disciplined persona.”

  Smiling widely Robert replied, “It’s my way of keeping it real for the culture.”

  Mika laughed out right, her eyes dancing with delight. “That’s what I figured. Like a big ‘fuck you’ to the man, so to speak. So you can be a bit of a rebel huh?”

  “If the mood strikes me and the cause is legit. I don’t know why you think I’m such a nerd.”

  “I’ve never used that word for you. You give off a sophisticated and buttoned-up air, nothing nerdy about that. Besides, nerds can be hot!”

  “I feel like there's a but coming.”

  She smiled sheepishly. “But you seem so uptight, which is confusing since you and Cam are so close and he’s so chill.”

  “Certain people make me uptight, mainly you. You seem to have a disruptive effect on my nerves,” he said dryly.

  “Well, I like it.”

  Robert shook his head. “You like disrupting my nerves?”

  “Sure that too, but I was talking about your hair.”

  In fact she loved the low curly fade he kept. It was enough for her to grab hold of as they moved together in bed. She liked the fact that he was bold with his natural texture.

  “You are a vexing woman. I still don’t know if you’re ridiculous or interesting.”

  “Aww, thanks. You are such a sweet-talker. I try my best to stay confounding. Personally, I’d put that trait in the ‘interesting’ column.”

  The two grinned at each other across the table as their appetizer and drinks arrived. They spent the rest of the dinner amicably chatting. Robert found out not only was she a football fan but a genuine all around sports watcher. That was unexpected. Now the fact that she was an only child made perfect sense to him. She had a slight spoiled air to her. It was no wonder she naturally grabbed the spotlight wherever she went. She also had no problem with the action movie he’d picked. Turned out it was her favorite genre, comedy coming in a close second.

  Now that they both were at a cease fire, he found her sharp and witty. Her sense of humor and sarcasm on par with his even though it was often aimed in his direction. He also confirmed she wasn’t shy about eating, which was good. Pretending not to be hungry just because a male was around was stupid. He was finishing off his beer as she started on dessert.

  “You seem to have a sweet tooth.” Watching her dip her third fry in cinnamon butter.

  Mika licked her fingers before answering. She hadn’t been able to resist ordering the funnel cake fries. “I know bad habit, but I really love these! Try it! The butter alone is to die for.”

  Robert tried the dip. “This is good.”

  Her mouth was full, so she just grinned knowingly.

  “How do you eat so many sweets and keep your figure? Do you work out a lot?”

  “Nope,” Mika said with a laugh. “I have a gym membership, and I might go three or four times a month. I guess I just have a high metabolism. At least for now. I love food! It’s the reason Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.”

  “Really? Well feel free to drop by my place for Thanksgiving dinner next week.” As soon as the offer cleared his mouth he wondered where in the hell it had come from? She looked as surprised as he felt.
>
  “Thanks. My family does this up north getaway. We usually go up Wednesday evening. Besides, Cam and Andrea will be at her parents’ this year. It would be weird.”

  “Not really. My cousins and I watch the game, then we eat some turkey. Lots of food to go around.” Why did he say that, she’d just given him an out?

  “My family will be expecting me, but I appreciate the invite.”

  Robert let it go, turning the conversation to anything else. He eventually caught their waitress’ attention asking for the check. When they left and walked down the stairs Mika made a beeline for the concession stand.

  “I want some popcorn,” she requested.

  “Really? What happened to all that dinner you just ate? That was the whole point of eating first.”

  “What are you the food police? I like to snack during a movie. Plus I don’t come that often and theater popcorn is a treat.”

  “So you want me to fund your oral fixation to chew?” Robert complained.

  “I’ll be adding being cheap to the list of your fine qualities. I’ll get it myself,” she said rolling her eyes.

  “Go right ahead. I’m just saying, I can think of other ways for you to work out your oral issues.”

  Mika couldn't stop the laugh that shot out of her. “You are such a cheap pervert.”

  Mika bought her popcorn while Robert sprung for another drink for the two of them at the bar. Of course he only made it through half the previews before his hand was in her bucket. She tried to smack him but he got a handful anyway.

  “You don’t believe in snacking remember. Stay out my stuff.”

  “Don’t be so stingy princess. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to share?”

  She was surprised the night was going so well, and that they were able to tease and play. She got comfy in the loveseat he’d picked and prepared to enjoy the movie.

  When the movie let out around nine-thirty Mika excused herself to use the restroom, Robert said he’d meet her by the front doors. She admitted to being a little nervous to see what came next. Would they go back to his place and get it on? Or would they go their separate ways like two people who were really dating? That last option made her uncomfortable. They were supposed to be just hooking up.