Chapter 31
Gabriel
What has happened to my well-planned life? I had a routine. A system. 1) Design beautiful buildings. 2) Run my business. 3)Date/fuck beautiful vapid women––once. 4) Repeat.
But all that’s messed up now. I’ve barely drawn anything for a week. I’ve got a pressing deadline coming up but all I can do is conjure up stupid events like this one so I can take Lexie out. Not to mention I haven’t gotten laid for even longer. My life’s a clusterfuck.
Take tonight for example. I wanted to bring her here so she could see how important I am, how well I’m doing. But, that’s not what happened tonight. Instead of her seeing what a ‘great man’ I am, she wanders off by herself to mingle with her own friends.
My previous dates clung to me like Velcro, not wanting me out of their site. Lexie, though, she’s independent and interested in more people here than just me. Hell, she’s spent most of the cocktail hour with Brodie, the fucking professional football player who looks at me like he wants to gut me with this butter knife.
And Lexie? She thinks he’snice. Jesus. But, here’s the kicker. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why I fucking care. I don’t want a girlfriend. I’mabso-fucking-lutleynot looking for a wife. This entire charade is just that, a charade. I need to get a damn grip. I should just let Lexie date Thor over there. What’s it to me?
After my internal struggle, I turn to look over at my date. She’s chatting with the woman sitting on her right. I watch her laugh and gesture her hands as she tells some story. She’s enchanting, engaging, and fucking beautiful.
My eyes fall to her chest that’s barely contained in her little dress and all I want to do is touch her there. I want to kiss her there and hell, I want to lick and suckle her there too. I imagine her nipples would be a lovely shade of pink.
She’s so damn sexy with all of those curves. My dick is rock hard again thanks to my vivid imagination. I throw a napkin onto my lap and do my best to think of something else. Something other than those garters and her nipples. Fuck, I want to take her home, strip her down so I can see for myself. I wonder if she’d let me?
When dinner is served, Lexie only plays with her food. When I ask her if she wants something different, she declines and nibbles on a green bean from her plate. I don’t know what’s wrong with the food. It’s not terrible. It’s not Chez Paul but it’s passable.
When dessert of strawberry cheesecake is served, she only nibbles on a strawberry. “What’s wrong with the food?” I ask leaning toward her.
Turning to me she gives me a mega-watt smile, “Nothing. I’m just stuffed.”
“Stuffed? You haven’t eaten anything.” I say loudly. Too loudly, apparently, because the people sitting at the nearby tables turn all at once. Even that asshole Brodie glares at me.
“I’m full from my drinks. I’m fine.”
I’m not convinced. After the plates are cleared, the awards portion of the evening begins, thank fuck. I’m anxious for it to be over so I can take her home. But, to which home?
When the final award is about to be announced, I watch Brodie step up to the podium on my left. Clearing his throat, he says, “Good evening. I’m here to announce the winner of the prestigious AIA Architect of the Year Award. The winner tonight has created some of the most innovative and dynamic designs this city has ever seen.” Brodie coughs. “This year’s winner is Gabriel Parker of Parker and Associates.”
As the crowd claps, I stand and turn to Lexie. Bending down slowly, I kiss her lips. Standing, I watch her smile up and me as she begins to clap. “Congratulations, Gabriel.”
I smile down at her and pump my chest out like a proud bird. “Thank you.”
Walking to the podium, Brodie turns holding his hand out waiting. As we shake hands, Brodie pulls me into him wrapping an arm around me in one of those man hugs. When he’s close enough, he whispers in my left ear, “You’d better treat her right, dick. The second you screw up, I’m taking my shot.”
I pull away plastering on the fakest smile in my arsenal. The gauntlet has been thrown. Just under my breath, I whisper, “The fuck you will, Brandon.” Yeah, I know his name is Brodie. I’m just being a dick.
“Fucker,” he mutters as he stomps away.
I give a very bland and uninspired speech. People clap and smile. When it’s finally over, I’m relieved because it’s fucking time to leave. I send Eric a text letting him know we’ll be out soon. Without a word, I take Lexie by the hand and lead her to the coatroom.
“Congratulations on your award. That’s amazing, Gabriel.”
“Thank you.” I know it’s a prestigious award, a distinction I’ve worked hard for, but it’s the last thing on my mind right now. No, what’s on my mind is the woman standing next to me waiting for her ridiculous capelet. The woman who has an uncanny ability to make me feel more jealousy than I have with any other woman. Ever. It’s infuriating.
