Page 30 of Cessation
“Mmhmm. He fine too,” Lina commented with a smirk on her face.
“Talk, bitch!” I looked at Dawn and rolled my eyes. She was so damn dramatic.
“Fine. We are business partners, and lovers, I think.”
“You think? Either you are or you’re not,” Winnie responded.
“I said I think because we haven’t seen each other since the event. While we were there, we were inseparable, but I don’t think he’s going to say anything to me again. I was kind of rude when I didn’t have all the information about a situation.”
I had been trying to reach out to Paxton since that incident and he hadn’t returned any of my calls or text. The only time I heard from him was through email regarding the updates on how we were incorporating the questions to the site and app. I missed his voice, presence, vibe… I missed him.
“I mean, was it just a fling? Cause it’s okay to have a getaway thing and then return to reality friend.” Winnie always tried to help me look at things from a different point of view. I appreciated her for that.
I dropped my head and thought about everything Paxton and I engaged in. What we shared wasn’t on fling status. We were talking on the phone often before that mishap. Things weren’t the same now, but I knew that had something to do with hanging up in his face. It was a rude gesture, and I would be livid if someone had done it to me.
“I guess you’re right. Can we just order and talk about something else?” They all nodded, and I was appreciative of it.
The waitress came and took everyone’s food choice as well as wine. We indulged in a little girl talk as we waited patiently.
Honestly, this was a moment I was cherishing. Regardless of what we had going on in our personal lives, we seemed to make time for one another. That was more than I could say for others. I wasn’t anyone’s priority, but I was okay with that. I was focusing on my mental and work nowadays.
Tonight, I was kid free and planned on letting my hair down for a bit with my girls. I was usually the one having to head home because of Trust and Brendon but I no longer had a man, and my son was with his best friend. The night was open for whatever.
“So, what are we doing after we leave here? I was thinking about hitting up Chasers and party for a little.” Everyone looked at me like I had two heads. “What?”
“Normally, you’d be too tired to do anything,” Winnie commented.
“Either that or your man needs you,” Calina chimed in as well.
“Well, I’m single as hell and my son is in good hands. We can party tonight,” I said raising my glass.
“I beg to differ.”
I know that voice and that… scent.Looking up, I was staring into the face of the man I couldn’t stop thinking about. He was groomed to perfection and smelled even better. When he smirked and bit his lip, a pulse formed between my legs instantly.
“Well, if it isn’t Paxton Hughes.” Calina was the first to speak up and greet him.
“What’s up, Calina?” He responded but not with eye contact. I was the target and he never steered away.
Being in his presence, I easily became that submissive being. However, I didn’t want to make my availability open to him. He chose to ignore me for days at a time. He also chose to keep our relationship strictly business and speaking that office hours were over, we had nothing to discuss.
The waiter approached with our food seconds later, and I was thankful. Once I received my plate, I dug in. I figured I’d give him the same treatment he’s been giving me. Maybe then he would learn not to toy with people’s feelings or time.
“Come eat with me beautiful.”
As much as I wanted to jump up and follow his every foot step, I sat there and filled my mouth with steamed vegetables. He would have to work for my time, no matter how much I wanted to give it to him.
“Don’t ignore me, Yani.”
“I’m eating, Paxton. I’ll send you an email Monday morning when I’m back in the office.”
My girls snickered and I knew my response had to bruise his ego. However, I didn’t have a care in the world to give.
“Yani, I’d advise you to follow me to another table before I have you squirming in here.”
I knew all too well on how he could make me squirm. I cleared my throat and asked my friends to excuse me. I was sure I’d be returning in a matter of minutes. I followed Paxton to a table in the back and took the seat he pulled out for me.
The way he bullied me to spend time with him had my body on fire. I never dealt with a man so demanding, intimidating, and sexy all at the same time. I missed Paxton so him showing up was the surprise I needed.
