by Amy Lynn
Chapter 5
Ava
It’s been four days since starting my training, and I arrived at the office early because I knew Mia had a packed schedule. Andrea’s water broke last night so I wanted to show her I was capable of doing this on my own, despite my short time here. I had also planned to apologize to Abe, and since usually he had been arriving shortly after me on most days, that shouldn’t be a problem. We hadn’t spoken to one another since I set him straight the other day, though he still managed to be in the same vicinity as me while I went about my daily tasks.
Abe was like a kid in some ways. The more you said “No,” the more he heard the word “Yes.”
I placed my purse in the bottom drawer of my desk, turned on Mia’s computer in her office, went to make coffee, and returned to check my own email and voicemail.
I felt Abe before I saw him, but continued to take messages, scribbling frantically on a note pad as he entered his office. After finishing my messages, I fixed two cups of coffee, taking one to Abe’s office.
I cleared my throat. “Morning,” I said from the doorway.
“Hey.”
“I would have knocked.” I held up the two cups of coffee to show that my hands were full. “May I come in?”
“Absolutely.”
I handed Abe a steaming mug, his fingertips intentionally grazing mine, his blue eyes catching mine.
“I’m sorry, Abe,” I said holding his gaze. “I shouldn’t have said-”
“Stop,” he interrupted. “You didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. No matter how hurtful it may have been.”
Shit. I had hurt him.
“Abe, I never meant to hurt you. You don’t know how sorry I am.”
“Ava, this is the only apology I need,” he said holding up the mug. “You’re the only woman who’s ever made me coffee.”
“Why is that?” I asked before I could stop myself, finding it hard to believe that any woman would pass up the opportunity to make Abram Kent coffee.
“Because I never allow them to stay long enough,” he said with a lopsided grin. “Come to think of it, you’re the only woman who’s ever apologized and meant it. You’re becoming many firsts for me, dear Ava.”
“Is that bad?”
“Not for you.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Friends?” I ask.
“Friends,” he repeated and smiled. “Another first.”
Abe left shortly after our talk. More than likely, he was attending a meeting with his father and my husband. Awkward.
Mia had so many clients that morning; I barely noticed it was already noon. I had received a text around 11:00, the unmistakable tone evident through the drawer, but I didn’t have time to check it until now.
Brad: How about lunch?
I texted back. Yes! Am I too late? Sorry. Busy morning.
Brad: Never too late. Meet me at the Corner Bistro in thirty.
The Corner Bistro was just around the corner and within walking distance. I grabbed my purse and set off in that direction knowing I would beat Brad there, but didn’t care as long as I got to see him.
When I walked through the door, I was shocked to see Brad already occupying a table in the corner. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes the way it normally does. Something was wrong.
“You’re early,” I say.
“I was here when you texted. Been here a while actually.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. No,” he shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Tell me,” I urged.
Brad took a deep breath, and looked away as if embarrassed. “I don’t like that Abram Kent knows what you’re wearing every morning before I do. Knows how your day is or what you had for lunch before I do.” He says in a rush then touches my cheek. “I know this may sound stupid, but it really gets under my skin that he knows these details before me. Today I made the mistake of letting him know that.
Shit. “What happened?” I ask as I grab his hand and squeeze showing my support.
Brad shook his head. “It doesn’t really matter. Abe’s forte is to find weakness.” He said, “Today, he found mine.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll just have to be more careful from now on.”
I didn’t really know what that meant, and to be honest, I’m not sure I liked the sound of it.
******
Monday morning I was surprised to see the assistant’s desk outside Abe’s office occupied for the first time. And he had beaten me to work!
“Hey girl!” the chipper guy said making his way over to me, magenta bowtie and all. “I’m Mr. Kent’s intern, Ross Stevens,” he said offering his hand.
Abe had an intern? A guy intern? I couldn’t help but smile at his bold personality. His gray trousers, navy shirt, and perfectly coifed hair exuded a confidence that was nothing short of infectious.
I shook Ross’s hand. “I’m Ava Lauren, assistant to Mia Hart.”
“Pleasure to meet you, neighbor,” he said looking around the room. “So, anything I should know about Mr. Kent?” he said with a wicked grin. Apparently, he already had the 411; he just wanted confirmation.
I eyed him curiously. “Such as?”
“I need the juicy, girlfriend.”
Oh, Ross is going to be so much fun! But he wouldn’t be getting
any information out of me about Abe, not that I had any to tell in the first place. “Well, he’s….nice,” I said, leaving out all inappropriate words that instantly sprang to mind. Pervert, womanizer…. gorgeous. I’m married, not dead for Christ’s sake. “Well, for starters he likes his coffee black with just a touch of sugar, and prefers to be called Abe instead of Abram or Mr. Kent.”
“That’s it?”
“Was there something specific you wanted to know?”
“Uh, no. That ought to do it. Thanks for the deets, girl!”
Just then, the elevator doors dinged open and Abe entered, both our gazes instantly shifting in his direction.
Ross let out a tiny whimper and asked me under his breath, “That him?”
“Yep,” I said popping the “p” at the end, just for Ross.
Ross faced me for the first time since Abe exited the elevator, his eyebrow arched so high it nearly touched his hairline. “Girl, you forgot to mention he fine as hell.”
I pressed my lips tightly together as my body shook with suppressed laughter. I loved Ross so much already.
“Good morning, Ava,” Abe said with a sexy smile.
“Good morning, Abe,” I answered and backed away leaving the two of them to get acquainted.
As I poured my cup of coffee, I wondered if Abe was disappointed that his intern was a guy. I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of him not getting what he wanted. A first for Abram Kent, I’m sure.
“Do that again.”
I spun around to face Abe who was standing close behind me. “Do what again?”
“Laugh.”
I blushed and shook my head making my curls dance around my shoulders. “What do you want Abe?”
His eyes darkened for a moment, and then he blinked, returning their color to a warm blue. “What do you think of my new intern?” he asked. “Hot, right?”
I laughed before I had a chance to control it, a smile lighting up Abe’s face, and I quickly covered my mouth. Dammit!
“There it is,” Abe said and reached over to pull my hand away from my lips, his touch warm and soft. “Don’t hide your beauty.”
I felt my face quickly fall, and I spun around to finish preparing my coffee. I’d hoped Abe hadn’t noticed my discomfort; after all, we just got back to a good place. I didn’t want to ruin that.
“Have a good day, Abe,” I said as I picked up my mug and headed to my desk.
I hoped Abe wouldn’t follow me, and he didn’t, but Ross did.
“Hey Ross. How’s you morning going?” I asked as I turned on my computer.
“Ava, g
irl, I almost got my ass fired within the first two minutes of my j-o-b,” he said as he nodded for me to follow him to the lounge. “Come,” he mouthed.
I gave a quick glance to Abe’s office and saw him scribbling down something on a piece of paper, so I followed Ross back to the lounge.
Ross grabbed Abe’s coffee cup and poured hot inky liquid into the ceramic. “What happened, Ross?” I asked, stopping him before he went overboard on the sugar.
“Turns out boss man is NOT okay with his interns, or anyone for that matter, calling him Abe. So thanks for that.”
“I’m so sorry, Ross. I had no idea.”
“We’re cool. Just put in a good word for me, will ya? He seems to really value your opinion.”
He does? I nodded. “Sure. Consider it done.”
“Thanks, girlfriend!” Ross chirped and sashayed away to deliver what I hoped, for his sake, was a drinkable cup of coffee to Abram Kent.
Thankfully, Ross made it to the end of the day, with his j-o-b, as he called it, and I waved goodbye as he stepped onto the elevator and left for the day.
Mia had left early today for a doctor’s appointment, so I locked her office with my key at 5:00 and gathered my things just as Abe stepped out of his office, locking his door behind him.
“Headed out?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Mind sharing an elevator?”
“Not at all.”
We stepped into the elevator, and Abe pressed the lobby button.
“Can I ask you a question?” I asked wanting to clear my head about something Brad had said a few days earlier.
“Anything.”
“Did you know I was Brad wife when we met at Caroline’s charity event?”
“No, I didn’t. But I can say I haven’t been easy on him since finding out.”
Brads words came back to me. “Abe’s job is to find weakness. Today, he found mine.”
I wanted desperately to confront Abe right then and there about tormenting Brad, but I knew if I did; it would only make things worse for Brad. There isn’t a man on this planet that wants his wife fighting his battles. I had to let this go.
“Why do you ask?”
I met Abe’s eyes as the idea formed in my mind. “Brad’s just been a little jealous lately.”
“Jealousy in a relationship is a good thing.”
“Agreed. Thank you.”
The elevator door chimed open. “For what exactly?” he asked.
“For being the reason I’m having the best sex of my life.”
Abe’s lips parted slightly in shock, and I stepped out of the elevator leaving him utterly speechless.
Nailed it!
I didn’t tell Brad about what had transpired between Abe and I, and Abe has never questioned me about it just like I knew he wouldn’t. I know Abe will flirt and skate a fine line on what’s appropriate at the workplace, but despite his playboy attitude, he’ll have to maintain his professionalism if he wants to continue a friendship with me.
As I finish preparing dinner, I look over at Brad sitting at the dining room table. His brows are drawn together in concentration forming a deep crease as he enters numbers and calculations into his computer. The knot in his tie had been pulled away from his neck, the top button undone, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows and sucks his bottom lip into his mouth. Unable to help myself, I dry my hands and cross the room. Sliding my hands across his shoulders and down the front of his chest, I place a kiss against his cheek.
Brad gives both my hands a squeeze and turns to face me. “What was that for?” he asked.
“No reason. I just love you.”
Brad smiles and kisses me. “I love you too.”
Chapter 6
Ava
It’s a Saturday afternoon, and Brad and I are sitting next to each other on the sofa. Brad is watching a baseball game, and I let my mind wander, not interested in the least in America’s favorite past time.
Next week Andrea is set to return to work fresh off maternity leave, and honestly, I’m not looking forward to it. I really liked working for Mia and hated to think my days were numbered, but sadly, they were.
Sensing my melancholy Brad asks, “You okay?”
I shrugged. “Nine weeks went by really fast.”
“I’m sorry. Anything I can do?”
“Make love to me.”
“Done,” he says and grabs my hand, leading me to the stairs.
When he feels my resistance, he turns to face me. “Here,” I say, “In the living room.”
Brad runs his hand through his hair, frustration instantly evident. “What is your fascination with this?”
Fascination? Hardly. More like fantasy.
He doesn’t wait for me to respond. “You said you wanted me to make love to you, right?”
“Yes,” I said getting more aggravated by the second at always being turned down and made the fiend.
“You make love in a bed, Ava. You fuck in the living room.”
“So fuck me in the living room!” My cheeks flamed the minute I said it, and instantly I wished I could take it back.
Brads eyes darken. “Abram Kent fucks. Fucking has no meaning. It’s just two people who don’t give a damn about one another being intimate for however long it lasts, with hopes that they never have to see each other again. That’s not us. We love each other. We don’t fuck.”
“I don’t see it that way.”
“I’m sorry I disappoint you.”
“Brad,” I try to plead. But it’s too late. He’s gone and up the stairs before I can say anything else.
I went outside and sat on the small patio. I was not going to feel dirty or ashamed about what I had said to Brad. It was the truth, and it was about time I admitted it. If it was the other way around and Brad had been the one who wanted something more from me, sexually or not, I would absolutely be open to it. At the very least, consider it. Better me than someone else.
And why did Brad mention Abe? And why did he even care what Abe’s sexual preference was? It’s no secret that Abe is never serious when it comes to women, and he makes that very clear from the start. In my opinion, the women who sleep with him are just as guilty. They know what they’re getting into. It goes to show that most women aren’t there for deep conversation and good company over dinner. Both are there with a specific purpose and each part ways blissfully satisfied with no strings attached. I don’t see the problem. To each his own I say. Who am I to judge how two consenting adults choose to live their lives behind closed doors?
After I had pulled a few weeds from the landscaping and watered the flowers, I went inside in search of Brad. He was upstairs sitting on the bed, a pillow wedged between him and the headboard, legs crossed at the ankles, nose buried in his phone.
I leaned against the doorframe. “You’re right, making love and fucking are two different things,” I said.
He didn’t bother to look up or even acknowledge that he was listening to what I had to say, which sent me to whole new level of pissed off.
“Making love is passionate, tender, and slow. It’s proof that love exists between two people. It’s also expected, like when you send flowers because it’s your anniversary.”
Brad still hasn’t said a word.
“Now fucking,” I continued, “Fucking is fast, raw, exciting, and selfless. It’s also different between two people that are committed to one another. It’s still making love; the passion and tenderness are there, except now it becomes a need that’s far beyond your control. It’s that moment when you want your partner more than anything in the world, and you can’t wait another second. It’s having her in the kitchen because the bedroom is too far away. It’s ripping her clothes off while she sits on the sofa because you love the way she looks as the sunlight streams through the window and caresses her face. It’s sliding behind her in the shower because you love the idea of making her dirty before she gets clean. It’s stopping the car and pulling her into your lap because you n
eed her kiss more than your next breath. It’s having her bent over your desk at work while co-workers unknowingly carry on about their day, the image of her and the way she looked in that moment a constant daily reminder. It’s the unexpected places where love exists the most. Whether you’re making love or fucking, you’re exposed, vulnerable, and weak, proving to your partner how much you love them without saying a single word. Making love and fucking are a necessity and both are equally real in any relationship.” And with that, I spin on my heels and leave as quickly as I came. Damn that felt good.