Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

NOAH

I turn on my GPS and drive myself to Scarlett’s office. I have no idea what I’m going to say. Battling the traffic only elevates my already irritated mood. There’s an endless sight of brake lights and equally frustrated commuters getting nowhere.

Inside my head, I’m talking like a madman, airing my frustrations with no conclusion. I almost miss the off-ramp, swerving the car last minute with a bunch of drivers releasing their horn at my reckless driving. Finally, I reach the office at the exact time we’re supposed to meet at the restaurant.

Driving the car close to the building, I park behind another sedan and place my sunglasses on, disguising my face and lowering my body incognito.

In my entire life, I’ve never been on a stakeout, except for every Christmas up until I was ten where I’d wait for Santa to arrive who obviously turned out to be my mom.

For ten minutes, I wait until I see Morgan carrying a bag and her laptop toward a white Mercedes. She doesn’t see me and dawdles as if she has nowhere to be. She’s dressed fancy today, wearing an ivory pencil dress that stops just below her knees. Around her waist is a skinny black belt, accentuating her attractive curves.

You’re not thinking clearly. Stop looking at her damn clothes and focus on HER!

I open the door to my car, marching toward hers at a fast pace. “Morgan,” I call out stupidly.

She turns around abruptly, shocked at the sight of me. Pursing her lips, and relaxing her worried frown only minutely, she stumbles out, “Wh… what are you doing here?”

“Why did you cancel our meeting?” My voice is filled with malice and judgment.

“I have another commitment that came up…” she says, uncertain, adjusting her posture and straightening her back. “You can’t just turn up here. It’s very unprofessional, Mr. Mason.”

“Why are you calling me, Mr. Mason? I don’t understand.” I raise my voice above my normal level, unable to control the anger that’s built up on the drive over here. I run my hands through my hair—something I do when I’m frustrated and want to shout at someone.

“I need to go.” She opens the car door, and I grip her arm, perhaps a bit too tight. She stills, unwillingly making eye contact with me. Her chest rises and falls, and somewhere beneath this tough exterior of hers, I know my presence is doing something to her. I just need to find out what.

“Noah,” she speaks, in a calmer, more pleasant tone. “I really need to be somewhere.”

I let go and stand close, obstructing her way. A wave of insecurity almost knocks me down, the emotion crushing my ability to think straight.

“Is that somewhere another man?” I blurt out of nowhere.

What the fuck, Noah? Is that what this is? Jealousy?

Pausing and turning my way, her eyes plead with me to back off. “No, but please… I need to go. I’ll text you tonight with somewhere we can meet up tomorrow. Scarlett’s back, so maybe we can meet at her place,” she says, defeated.

Scarlett. How easily I forgot about the real reason behind all of this.

And as if her personality has different buttons, her face contorts into a bitter stare. “Isn’t that who you’re after? Scarlett Winters… the movie star?”

My grip on her arm is tight.

Like she’s my possession.

The wicked bitch from the West.

I release my grip, instantly pleasing her. With my hand free, I raise it to her chin and pull it closer to me, slowly twisting as I caress her face with merely one stroke. Behind all the animosity, her eyes reflect defeat. And with the gentle rise and fall of her chest beating against mine, my chest tightens, restricting my breathing. Yet, even without releasing a breath, the excitement streams through my veins and settles in the pit of my stomach.

This mad, sexual, tormented feeling pushes me to inch my mouth closer to hers until I feel her warm breath against my lips. “I want a lot of things, Morgan. I’m selfish that way.”

I could take her right now. Spread her legs and push her against the car. My mind is conjuring up a million different ways I can fuck her, yet I’m brutally interrupted when she shoves my chest in the opposite direction creating distance between us.

Clearing her throat while opening her car door, she blatantly says, “I’m not a giver, Noah. I like to receive. I’m selfish that way. Remember that for future reference.”

Leaving me standing like a fool as the engine revs, I stare in disbelief as her words echo in my ear, watching her car drive away while I stand in the middle of the parking lot in sheer and utter confusion.

***

I’m not up for drinks with the work crew and instead settle for a tea party with the girls. The complete opposite of what I’d typically do back home. I’m beginning to grow fond of my nieces, despite my initial distaste for children.

Amelia decides we need to bring out the fancier china since I’m the honored guest.

“Uncle Noah,” she says in a weird, overdone British accent. “Would you like some more tea?”

“Yes, please,” I say, drinking the air with my pinkie raised.

“I’d prefer to be addressed as Your Highness.”

Lex is sitting across from me, covering his mouth with the little cup. Charlie hides her smile as well. At the same time, Ava announces the food is served.

“So, what are we eating today?” I ask, staring at the blank plate.

“We’re eating a delicious sponge cake and caviar.”

“Together?” I cringe.

“Yes, Sir Mason. We here at the Edwards’ mansion enjoying only fine dining,” Amelia states confidently.

We all pretend to eat our sponge cake and caviar until Ava loses interest and walks to the other side of the playroom to amuse herself with some puzzles.

“Miss Ava is a horrid guest,” Amelia raises her voice.

“I’ve eaten all my food,” I announce, at the same time Charlie and Lex follow.

“I can see,” Amelia announces. “Oh, would you look at the time?” She looks at her wrist, vacant with no watch. “I believe Miss Ava and I have an appointment to attend.”

“Would that appointment happen to be Alvin and the Chipmunks on TV?” Charlie questions them.

They both nod before disappearing into the living room. The three of us relax, finally indulging in adult conversation.

“So, tell me what happened. Did you get the info you needed?” Charlie is quick to jump to the subject of Morgan again.

“Not really. She’s supposed to text me with details on meeting Scarlett tomorrow.”

“Noah, what’s going on? She’s Scarlett’s assistant, right? There’s a contractual agreement in place to complete this book. I don’t understand why she’s delaying this.”

Neither do I. I hate this uncertainty, and not only does it drive me insane, it questions my professionalism. I don’t want Lex and Haden thinking I can’t complete this project within the timeline given. But I hate to admit that emotions are running high—unfamiliar emotions.

“Charlie, I honestly don’t know. I can’t explain it. Morgan is… there’s something, and I don’t know. I’m trying to get to the bottom of this.”

Lex shakes his head and comments, “Here it is in black and white. She’s obviously attracted to you but is holding back because she’s either in a relationship or she values her career too much. It has nothing to do with your professionalism. You’re great at your job. Haden only has positive things to say about you. Don’t let this cloud your vision and aspirations.”

“Since when did you become Dr. Phil?” Charlie chuckles.

“Since I’m forced to listen to you and Kate ramble on and on about relationships. That, and you force me to watch Sex and the City in bed almost every night, and because this happens to me all the time,” he says plainly.

Charlie reacts, “I hate to admit it, but it’s true. The problem with you, my dear husband, is that you’re extremely handsome and carry that dominant CEO persona. You’re like the ultimate book boyfriend.”

“Oh no, here we go with the book boyfriends,” Lex complains.

“What’s a book boyfriend?” I ask.

Lex humors me, cutting Charlie off before she answers. “It’s a man, usually a male lead in a book. Quite often, he’s handsome, tall with a muscular build, light eyes with a sharp jawline. He has a tattoo inked somewhere on his body. Most often, he’s rich, CEO… oh, and who could forget… extremely hung.”

I burst out laughing. Charlie shakes her head as she chuckles along with us.

“Oh, he’s described it just right.” She laughs. “Basically, your dream man but on paper.”

I turn to Lex. “Should I even ask how you know this?”

“Both Charlotte and Presley enlightened me one evening. From a marketing and sales perspective, it makes sense. The books we published that had these strong male characters of that description are our bestsellers. Don’t underestimate the power of a horny reader.”

“Book boyfriends, huh? Interesting. So, you think she’s attracted to me? I’m a book boyfriend?”

“Oh, c’mon, Noah. Don’t play coy. The women fall at your goddamn feet, which is why you’re in LA in the first place. I’m your cousin, so to me, you’re gross on so many levels, but you do have that charm women seem to fall for.”

“Gee, thanks for the confidence boost,” I drag out.

“All right, not to come across wrong. You’re young, handsome, and have a successful career. Women love that. The thing, though, is whether or not you’re attracting the right woman,” she informs me. “This Morgan doesn’t seem to be the right one. You need to meet Scarlett. She’s more your type. I even googled some facts.” Pulling out her phone, she continues, “She’s a Lakers fan, and so are you. She dates only guys who have brownish hair, that’s you. So, see… match made in heaven.”

I look at Charlie with a bleak face. Really? How on earth is that a match made in heaven? “I’m not a relationship guy. I like to fuck women, that’s it. I don’t crave anything else.”

“We had a deal,” Charlie reminds me.

“Yeah… yeah. I haven’t forgotten. I can’t guarantee you that Scarlett and I are the perfect match.”

“Don’t listen to Charlie,” Lex interrupts. “If you want to fuck women, then go for it. Most men would love to be in your shoes.”

Charlie turns to face Lex, and he’s quick to shut her down. “Not me, so don’t give me those devil eyes. I fought long and hard for you. You’re stuck with me for life.”

That seems to lift Charlie’s mood. She leans her head against Lex, then plants a soft kiss on his lips.

“Hey,” I warn. “No PDA at the tea party.”

Up until this moment, I had no interest in anything but fucking women. But as I look around me and see the love in this house, the two beautiful daughters plus another on the way, and the bond that Lex and Charlie have, I question whether or not I want a life like this. Isn’t this the end goal in life, to find someone to grow old with? I know I have plenty of time. My so-called marriage clock isn’t ticking. Anyway, isn’t it all about finding the right person?

I made a mental note to ask Kate these questions later during our midnight sessions via text.

And then her face pops into my head, Morgan Bentley, the bane of my existence. The woman who left me alone with that thought planted in my head. She loves to receive.

My mind wanders to places like her sweet—albeit uptight—pussy. This woman clearly has a degree in being a cock tease.

Seconds later, I’m distracted by a vibration in my pocket. Pulling out my cell, I see a text from her.

Morgan:Meeting tomorrow with Scarlett Winters. Address to follow.

That’s all the text says. Is this seriously all I get? It’s so cold and impersonal coming from someone who’s shared intimate details with me. She’s got a hungry pussy that loves to receive. Her words, not mine.

My hand grips my cell tight, the urge to throw it across the room curbed only moments later. I don’t even respond. Screw giving her the satisfaction of knowing she’s on my fucking mind.

Focus on this—you’ll finally get to meet Scarlett.

I should be breathing a sigh of relief.

I should be bouncing offthe walls.

Tomorrow will finally be the day.

But what if after all this time, this isn’t what I want?