Page 4 of Choosing the right Man

“This wasn’t what I was expecting,” I admit.

“We work in Oregon where it rains a lot,” she says as she takes me into the locker room. It’s a classy area with wooden lockers, a shower bay, bathroom area, and large sink cubicles with mirrors, blow dryers, and... curling irons.

“Yes, it does rain a lot,” I say as I look around.

“Well, Mr. Alexander’s sister told him if he was going to set up a place of business in this wet area of the country, he needed to have accommodations for those of us who don’t like to look like we just emerged from a swimming pool. We also have a gym that many of us take advantage of. It’s all part of the perks. Pick out an open locker, and you can store your purse. You can also bring a gym bag and leave it here. Towels are provided, and we have a laundry room if you want to leave your workout clothes. We try to be all-inclusive. Mr. Alexander gives us a lot of perks becausethere are weeks we practically live here, working seventy hours at times, and we need to get a boost. A nice jog helps.”

“Seventy hours?” I question. Nothing like that was mentioned in my interview.

Jenny laughs again. “It sounds much worse than it is. I’ve been here for five years, and I absolutely love it. Once you work for Mr. Alexander, you won’t want to leave. He expects a lot, but he gives even more. It’s a great place, and we’re well-compensated, making us all want to go the extra mile,” Jenny assures me. I put away my purse, pulling out the papers HR needs.

“I’ll give you ten minutes if you want to use the hairdryers,” Jenny tells me.

I self-consciously touch my hair. I did the best I could in the downstairs bathroom, but a hairdryer will make me look a lot more presentable. I take Jenny up on her offer. When I’m finished it no longer looks as if I was caught in the storm.

The rest of the day flies by. There’s a lot to learn about working in this building, but Jenny’s right, there are many perks. I’m one of hundreds of associates working for Mr. Alexander, and I’m told I’ll rarely see him. He’s in and out of the office a lot. There’s so much to learn and more to do, but all of the employees assure me I’ll pick it up fast.

My fears begin to dwindle as the day wears on. When five o’clock comes, the rest of the staff leaves. I take advantage of the gym, realizing quickly how out of shape I am from such a sedentary life. Still, I push myself hard.

The building is practically empty when I emerge from the gym. I decide to forgo the shower in favor of taking one at home. I don’t have a change of clothes, which I’ll rectify tonight. I haven’t been able to do much more than power through a workout on the elliptical in my socked feet. Thank goodness Icarry a pair in my purse just in case I can kick off my heels beneath my desk.

I’m sweaty and not looking so put together anymore, but that doesn’t matter. The entire staff has already left. I’m lucky this isn’t one of those seventy-hour weeks. The storm is still raging, shaking the building’s windows as I gather my bag and make my way to the elevators.

I step inside and press the lobby button. The doors almost close when a hand shoots between them, making them fly back open. I look up, horribly embarrassed to be caught in my business clothes that are now damp with sweat. Still, I look up with a smile. Maybe the person, or people, won’t notice.

My eyes are suddenly captured. The man standing in front of me is absolute perfection... and he looks familiar. My body shakes as he moves forward. Holy hell, the twist in my gut tells me this is going to be one tense elevator ride. I suck in a breath and hold it as I move my gaze straight to the floor.

Chapter Three

Mason

A lot is on my mind as I walk from my office. It’s been an exceptionally long day, but all of my work days go long into the night. I like it this way. I’m not in the best mood; I had to endure a two-minute call from a two-week-long affair. I gave her the courtesy of yelling at me for a full minute — fifty seconds longer than I’d allow most. She pleased me in bed. I can give her a full minute.

I’ll never claim to be a perfect man. Who of us can? I wouldn’t think too many. It’s easy to paint a picture in black and white, but life’s full of color. Just because we all do things differently, doesn’t make those actions right or wrong. It makes us unique, it makes us human.

I try not to judge others. I’m imperfect though, so I fail at this task often. I want to be a person with more empathy, compassion, selflessness. I’m not. I’ve also changed a lot in my thirty-five years. I think I’ve actually come full circle if I’m being honest, which I take pride in being. There was a time I thought the moon rose and fell on me... then life had a way of humbling me.

Even as I have this thought I can’t help but smile. Humility is overrated. I much prefer to know who I am, and in my mind, there’s no doubt this world is a better place with me in it. That might make you think I’m arrogant. No, it’s simply a reality. The world’s full of winners and losers. I might have thought for a time I was in the second category. That might be the reason why my life went in a direction I wasn’t prepared to take it. At the end of the day it’s my life, though, and I’ll live it how I want.

In the real world lives get broken even when that’s not what we want. The bottom line is we have to be able to crawl into bed at night, close our eyes, then want to open them again. If we can do that, we can successfully say we’re living our lives the best way we can. Most of us only briefly open our blinds to give others a glimpse of ourselves, then shut them again before they get the full picture. That’s part of the mystique, that’s what makes the world spin on its axis.

I’ll give you a brief glimpse of me, but only a peek. I’ve dealt with demons for a very long time. Because of this, I no longer see women like I once did. They fill a need for me, and nothing more. I don’t think this makes me a bad man. I’m honest with my flings. I’m demanding, and I’m hungry, and it takes a lot to quell the beast within me. I know something is broken inside me... but I have no desire to fix it.

Everybody has demons. That’s an undeniable truth. We also all lie... and commit many sins. Are your sins any better or worse than mine? I doubt it. Let’s step through the looking glass and find out...

The door to the elevator is closing, and I step forward, holding out my hand, knowing my life’s about to become a hell of a lot better. Why? Because I’m the master of my own domain. I’m the one who controls the outcomes of what’s about to happen. And I always get what I want.

Chapter Four

Chloe

I have no doubt who the man stepping into the elevator is. I remember him. It had only been one time, but it was a moment I’ve never forgotten, no matter how much I want to. I didn’t know he worked here, didn’t think I’d ever see the man again. What is happening right now?

Even if I’d never seen him before, I’d know exactly who he is. Raw power radiates off of him. Air seems to be sucked straight out of the elevator the second he steps inside and the doors close. This is the boss. This isMr. Alexander. At least now I have a name for him as our meeting before was brief. A shudder rushes through me.

The remaining air heats as the elevator begins making its descent to the lobby. I feel as if I can’t breathe. I’ll swear under oath that steam rises from my damp, sweat-soaked clothes. I fidget as I withdraw into the back corner of the elevator. He’s facing forward which gives me minimal relief... but then he turns.

I don’t want to look at him, but I have no choice. Though no words are spoken, it’s almost as if he silently demands that I lookat him. My chin slowly rises as my eyes walk their way up his incredibly hard body.

---