Marry Me, G. Hauser [ereader for textbooks .txt] 📗

condescending way.

“Yeah. Right? The guy looks like a total right wing

conservative.”

“Probably is. They’re the worst kind.”

Braxton stared at Fabian, could see his gray T-shirt with a

college logo on it and his fine features. “I don’t mean to bother

you. I just wanted to tell you how grateful I was to not come

home to a huge backlog after that ordeal.”

“I assume that’s why I was hired.”

“But…but you did so well. I can’t believe the deals you got.

Seriously, Fabian, I couldn’t have done better myself.”

“Wow. From you, that’s high praise.”

Braxton’s smile faded. “Am I a prick?”

Fabian appeared surprised. “Did I imply that? I’m sorry.”

“No! Am I?”

“Not to me. Not yet.”

“I’m just wired at a high frequency, ya know?” Braxton

wanted Fabian to like him.

“I get it. I suppose I am too. A-types.”

“Yes! That’s what Brianna calls me. I am. I’m so damn

demanding, I do everything myself, or…I get rid of people who

can’t work to my expectations.”

“I get it. I do.”

“Fabian?”

“Yeah, boss?”

“You, in one day, have already exceeded my expectations.”

“Don’t say that. I’ll start slacking off and texting at work.”

Braxton laughed, loving Fabian’s smile. “If you keep up the

way you are, I’ll promote you to partner.”

“Partner!” Fabian’s smile broadened. “Like that! A lot!”

I want to fuck you right now! Before he ruined the sweetness of the conversation, Braxton said, “Well, I’ll let you go. Thanks,

Fabian.”

“See you tomorrow, boss.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

Fabian’s picture vanished but the craving to touch him didn’t.

Chapter 8

Fabian used his new parking card to enter the lot. Smiling, happy

to be here and hoping for a long career—finally, after too many

unsuccessful job interviews—he parked beside Brianna’s sedan

and didn’t see Braxton’s Porsche yet. Taking his jacket from the

passenger’s seat, he put it on as he walked to the elevator,

reading a text he just got from Naomi.

‘ survive Braxton the wolf? ’

Fabian smiled and texted back, ‘ yeah. so far haven’t been

bitten. ’

‘ If he does bite, you tell him he’ll have to deal with me! ’

‘ love you. ’ Fabian laughed as he texted back, entering the elevator. He pocketed his phone and pushed the button for his

floor, wondering what being ‘bitten’ by Braxton would be like.

Okay, he was fantasizing about him. So what? That didn’t

mean they would ever actually touch.

When he came through the door to the office, Brianna had the

tray of coffee waiting and greeted him with a big smile. “So?

The lattes okay or do you want something special, like tall,

skinny, or mint with whipping cream?”

He laughed and picked up the cup with his name written on

the top in marker. “This is perfect. And you don’t have to do it.

The coffee from the machine here in the office isn’t bad.”

“It’s a tradition. I always stop on my way here.”

“Thank you.” He held up the cup in a toast and as he walked

to the office, Brianna said, “By the way, you wow’d Mr Todd

already.”

“I’m trying my best!”

“You’re succeeding!”

Fabian smiled happily and placed his cup on his desk, taking

off his jacket to sit down and begin work. When he booted his

computer up and saw how many emails were in the queue he

choked. He had thought he had caught up last night. “No wonder

you’re going out of your mind!” Fabian picked up the phone and

began working.

~

Braxton slept like crap. He tossed and turned and when he did

sleep he had dreams of Drew pawing at him. By morning, after

his cross-training workout, he was worn out. He checked the list

of emails and text messages quickly on his phone before he left

the gym, headed to work, and just the number of items in his

inbox made his head hurt.

Parking, riding up to the tenth floor, Braxton came through

the office door to his coffee and a breakfast of a protein

smoothie.

“Thanks.” Braxton picked up the tray and heard Fabian on the

phone down the hall. He looked back at Brianna. “He’d better

not get head-hunted.”

“He’s so good, I have no idea why he was working temp jobs.

Jesus, Braxton, he’s already making such a huge dent in our

workload.”

“Give him anything he wants. Do not lose him.” Braxton felt

tense and wondered how to keep a good employee from

leaving…two days and he already was dependent on Fabian.

“Who’s your date with tonight?” Brianna smiled wickedly.

“Some man. Have no clue.” He walked into his office.

Brianna called after him, “Don’t you think it’s ironic more

men bid on you than women?”

Setting the cardboard tray down, Braxton didn’t. Men had the

money. Didn’t they? And he was open about being bisexual,

though lately, he was mostly asexual.

“Just sayin’!” She laughed.

Braxton closed the door and dropped down on his chair,

looking at the blank computer screen. He sipped his coffee and

opened the button of his suit jacket, turning on his computer.

When he realized half of the emails had been answered, he

blinked in shock and left his office to stand at Fabian’s, seeing

him on the phone.

Fabian jumped in surprise, cupped the phone and said,

“What?”

“Don’t leave. If you get another offer, I want the opportunity

to counter.” Braxton knew, just knew, a man as efficient as

Fabian was going to be snatched away.

Fabian’s mouth parted to reply but he didn’t say anything, he

looked so surprised.

Seeing he was in the middle of a conversation, Braxton

returned to his office, hearing Brianna chuckle. “You are so in

love, Braxton.”

“Shut up.” He closed his office door again and dropped back

into his chair, watching the emails go from unread to read before

his eyes.

~

Fabian checked his watch. It was nearing one in the afternoon

and he had no idea how it had gotten so late. He was about to

take a break and get food when Brianna entered his office

carrying a white paper bag.

“Dude!” she said, laughing, “You’re as bad as Braxton. Eat!”

“I don’t even know where the morning went. You didn’t have

to buy me lunch.”

“I didn’t. On the biz account. I go out and get Braxton lunch

all the time. He never leaves that desk. Don’t you do that too.”

Fabian peeked into the bag. A plastic container with a large

garden salad with chicken and cranberry raisins was inside, with

a power protein bar and a cup of fresh fruit. “Wow. Nice.”

“You don’t