Page 11 of Playing Pretend with Love and Billions

Part of me wants to prove to her that not all men are like my best friend, but another part wants her to find someone who deserves the attention she gives.

My front door bursts open, scattering away any thoughts of Ava from my mind, and Alex storms into the kitchen just as I’m lifting my briefcase from the counter.

“That’s low, man!”

If I wasn’t used to his outbursts lately, I’d flinch at his tone, but this is the way he’s been acting for months. Instead of giving him my attention, I calmly walk past him and open the front door, holding it open for Alex to walk out with me. He might want to take time to yell at me, but I refuse to let him keep me from making it to work on time.

He’s out of breath between the short distance from my front door to the elevator and I have to cover up my laugh with a cough. It takes him a few deep breaths before he’s lifting his gaze to mine. The whites of his eyes are bloodshot and glassy, which confirms my assumptions of him using.

“What the hell are you doing?” he barks.

I eye him curiously as if I have no clue what he’s talking about. “Not sure I’m understanding.”

He scoffs. “She’s mine, dude. Back the fuck off.”

Giving him my best smile, I inch closer to him until our faces are inches apart. “I’ll only say this once. Ava is the love of my life, and she’smine. Remember that while you follow her around.”

As soon as the elevators open to the garage, he rushes out ahead of me with his mouth set in a thin line. Before he gets further, he turns around and points a finger at me, sending me a menacing glare before saying, “Watch your back, Ryan.”

Me being the asshole that I am, I wave him off and give him my back as I head to my car. The horn he blares while speeding past me echoes through the garage, only making me chuckle at his attempts to scare me. My father taught me how to be tough in an industry like this. I have thicker skin than most people realize. If he wants to get to me, he’s going to have to do better than what he showed today.

Instead of focusing on Alex, I focus on telling him that Ava was mine and how much I wish that were true. She’d never agree to it, especially with my reputation with women. Maybe I can convince her somehow to go through with this.

I wonder what she’s wearing today, maybe a tight skirt and blouse to accentuate her figure. No doubt it would be making all the men on her floor go crazy.

Just the thought of any other man looking at her with hunger in their eyes has me seeing red. I pass multiple cars as I pick up speed, then make a sharp right into the parking garage for Rivers Run Inc.

Entering the elevators with a group of employees is one of my least favorite parts about coming in on time rather than early like I usually try to do. I needed the extra sleep today though, since tossing and turning every night has been my thing after New Year’s Eve.

Thoughts of Ava tend to keep me wired more than I expected. After the first time pleasuring myself to fantasies of her, I thought that would be enough to rid her from my mind.

How wrong I was about that.

With a curt nod to the employees, I step from the elevator and head towards my office. I catch sight of my secretary at the copiers and have a brilliant idea that’s bound to leave a good impression.

Selena has been part of our company since it started. She’s an older lady with grandchildren who takes her position very seriously. She used to be my father’s secretary, but once I started he felt that she would be better suited for me. He hired a younger one, a man who is pursuing his degree in business and wanted the experience with him.

“Hey, pretty lady,” I say to Selena with a cheeky grin that she loves so much.

She only rolls her eyes and levels me with a stern frown. “What do you want this time?”

I hold my hands up. “Who says I want anything?”

“I’ve been here for many years, Ryan, I know you by now. What do you need?”

“Flowers, include a note with lunch plans. Ava Walsh, customer service floor.”

She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose before crossing her arms over her chest. “Should I be worried?”

I shake my head. “Not at all.” Then, I send her a playful wink before adding, “Not yet, anyway.”

“Always starting trouble. She’ll get them, but I want no more part of this shenanigans.”

“Love you!” I say while taking long strides to my office.

Before I can get comfortable, my father spins around in my office chair and gives me a wide smile. “This is great, son!”

I’m confused, but I’ll let him explain in a minute. He slams a piece of paper on my desk before pointing at it excitedly. “Exactly what we needed for you.”

---