Brandon’s POV
I was staring out from behind the desk in my office through the mountain of papers right before me. The words and numbers written across the pages were totally lost on my mind, which was walking miles away to the house, back to last night’s argument with Natalie, during which I replayed every single heated word and cold glance she threw my way.
The friction between us had drifted to a peak; and her presence had me obsessing about her at each moment, as much as I tried to concentrate on only my work, where she was or what she was doing, and most importantly if she was upset with me.
I had never been one to let personal problems come between me and the job; in my book, business was business, and it always had to be. Oh, but that was really quite different when it came to Natalie. There was something about her that lay in my skin and made me question all I thought I knew about the way I reacted.
The most painful thing of all was that which I didn’t know: if she cared for me or if it was all due to the contract.
That niggled at me, flat as an ache at the back of my mind. I’d told myself it was business, the means to an end. Inside, though, thoughts of her wouldn’t close off. That sassy spirit of hers, her adamant spirit, there was something about her that did hit a note in me, from flashing eyes when she was angry to ever-changing facial expressions.
It was driving me nuts.
I pushed the papers away and let out a deep, exasperated sigh, then ran a hand through my hair. Obviously, in this state, I wasn’t going to work on anything. I really had to see her, talk to her, try and fix whatever had just plain broke between us.
Finally, I had reclaimed my coat and elbowed my way toward the door, before I could procrastinate anymore over what it was exactly that I was doing. Midway there, passing my assistant’s desk, the head came up in a start.
“Mr. Martinez, you have a meeting in an hour ”
“Cancel it,” I tossed back over my shoulder, already making my way down the hall. “I’ve got better things to do.”
I didn’t give her a chance to reply. In minutes, I was out the door and into my car, gunning the motor toward the restaurant. That few miles I had to make passed in quick fashion, but my head was focused on what I would be telling Natalie. Would she even listen to me? Or was she going to walk out again, like it was about to happen now, leaving me there standing like a fool? I didn’t know. But I had to try.
I killed the engine as I slid into the spot, willing a deep breath to steady my nerves because they worked overtime, twisting my gut. It is unlike me. Words just seemed to tumble out in a flurry with Natalie, and all my normal strategies flew out of the window.
I clambered out of the car and started walking toward the entrance. My head was still running millions of miles with a thousand different scenarios, but just as I came to the door, I stopped in my tracks.
Arlys was walking out of the restaurant- that same smug smile plastered on her face.
What in hell was she doing here? I could hardly believe my eyes. My heart sank with the wave of dread washing over me. This couldn’t be good.
I quickened my step until I came up to her. “What are you doing here, Arlys?” I barked out sharper than I intended.
She turned to me; her smile broadened at my wienery. “Well, hello, Brandon. Isn’t that obvious? I’m in the restaurant.”
I ground my teeth to keep my anger at bay.
“You know what I mean. What do you want?”
Her eyes sparkled playfully, she shrugged just a little bit. “I was just saying hello to your beautiful wife. She is certainly very charming. We had a nice little chat.”
Two more words clashed and, right at the very back of my ribcage, made a florid point of ice.
Whatever it was she said to Natalie, Arlys don’t say anything nice. Yet though the frost was now between us, I closed the distance by another step, and my voice came out low for a threat. “Just stay away from Natalie, Arlys. Drag her into whatever scheme you and your gang have cooked up this time around, and you will regret it, I promise you.”
She didn’t lose her smile though something in her eyes changed: a flicker of annoyance, perhaps. “Chill out, Brandon. I was just being nice. What’s wrong with that, huh?”
I gaped. She rolled her eyes and stalked off down the street. Heels clicking against pavement. “Fine, fine, I’m out of here. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. I only have a way of getting everything I want and I’m going to make sure I get you back and I don’t mind playing dirty.”
I had watched her go. For a moment, I even clenched my fists at my sides in total lack of faith. Whatever she was up to it was, with not a shred of doubt, really really bad.
My brain groaned with what I would say to Natalie, I drew in a deep breath to call myself to order then got out of the car to make my way into the restaurant.
No way. I had to make it clear. That was a lie, what Arlys said. That she should know. But as much as I walked toward the office where Natalie was waiting, doubt would build. What if she did not believe me? What if her mind was already set? I knocked at the door. At her bidding to enter, I took a deep breath and pushed wide open the door.
She sat there with this mask on her face, her eyes powered away from mine but still lifting to mine. We clung to each other, electric in tension, the air between us ripped open like a knife.