3. By Your Walk
Chapter three
By Your Walk
S eeing him slide smoothly into his car I turn my windshield wipers on, considering it’s starting to do a little more than sprinkle. I replay our almost hour meeting repeatedly from every angle, methodically turning every word.
God. Why do the sexiest men have to be the most fucking arrogant? I tighten my lips, wondering for the first time what it’d be like to have a driver. I guess I’ve never aspired to be that rich. I just want enough money to be comfortable.
I pull off into the evening traffic, headed to the apartment but I pause, pulling out my phone. I don’t want to be alone with Christopher tonight. I need a friend. It rings a few times but she answers just before it goes to voicemail.
"Hello, Izzy," Anna says, panting.
“Hi, Anna!” I greet her, my tone softening. “Are you okay? Why are you breathing like that!? ”
“Yeah I’m fine, I’m just…finishing up at the gym!”
“Oh nice," I smile, switching lanes to get around a slow driver. "I should go with you, sometime. I think my ass is getting bigger.”
We laugh. “You’re perfect, Isobel. Seriously, stop beating yourself up!”
“Awww, thanks friend. So are you. So, I hate to ruin your workout but I'm heading out for a light dinner and could really use a friend-"
"Uh," Anna says hesitantly. "I don't know about tonight, Izzy-"
"We don’t have to talk about work, I promise!” I say hastily in an attempt to reassure her. We spent all day on work, I don’t want to become that overbearing boss. I don’t even like to think of myself as her boss to be honest.
“Okay, where you want to go?”
“I was thinking Romanos, the upscale seafood joint on the upper west side. Can you get there soon?”
“That sounds perfect! I can be there in forty-five minutes I think.”
“Cool, I’ll order us some wine. I don’t mind waiting.” I hang up the phone, taking time to be alone with just my thoughts.
Because today has been a whirlwind, and as usual I’m left shaken up after my meetings with King. I never can go straight home after a meeting with him. Month after month, when I leave, I go to Romano's and get a piece of blackened salmon, and a glass of wine to chill the fuck out until I'm ready to go home.
Sometimes I meet with my other girlfriends Brittany and Tiffany, but if they hear Anna is coming, they don’t come. I replay the last conversation I had with Tiffany just a couple months ago when I asked them to tell me what was up with them always cancelling when I made plans for the four of us, or when they would invite me places but wouldn't include Anna.
“Sorry girl, we just don’t like her,” they'd say .
“What? Why? She’s literally so sweet, and helpful. There’s no reason for you not to like her.”
“It’s just a gut feeling. You don’t have that?”
“Gut feelings?”
“Yes, nothing inside you gives you little alarms or anything regarding her?”
I'd frowned at how hesitant their tones were, and their questions. “No, not at all. And besides, she hasn’t given me a reason to not like her. Like not a single one. You two are tripping.” But they both remained firm that they wanted nothing to do with her. So, I have to split my time up between them all.
As I pull up at the restaurant I pay the valet to park for me as I hate trying to park in New York and don't relish walking in the rain.
I hand a homeless person a fifty dollar bill before I enter the glass double doors and ask the host to seat me at a booth. I order us both a glass of red, thinking about my history with Anna and what I can do to convince the other girls to just give her a chance. Because I think they’re just too hard on her to be honest. And I couldn’t imagine being rejected like how they’re doing.
I've got a seriously soft spot in my heart for Anna, which currently hurts from how they're treating her.
Anna and I met in college as freshmen, and were roommates throughout all four years. When her parents died in a house fire about ten months ago Anna fell on hard times, so I took her under my wing, hiring her as my assistant around the time I got hired for Fabian. She moved in with Christopher and I for two months until she found an apartment, and honestly I’m so blessed to have such a good friend and I’m so appreciative.
While she lived with us she cooked, cleaned and was respectful. Thankfully Christopher wasn't irritated with the fact she had to be there for a couple months. And most of all, she doesn't judge me when I have to vent about my non-existent sex life.
I smile, looking up and seeing her petite form make its way through the glass double doors of the restaurant. I stand, giving her an excited squeal and wrapping her in a tight hug as if we hadn’t just seen each other a couple hours ago.
Pulling back, I give her a little look over. “Oh you’re still in your dress from earlier?” My nose tickles as I pick up on the scent of her body wash, but I shove it into the back of my mind as I gesture for her to get in the booth. “You got back in your dress after a shower? Isn't that kind of defeating the purpose?” I giggle as I grab up my glass of wine and cross my legs.
Anna gives me a small smile. “Well yeah, but it's okay because I’ll change into pajamas when I get home.”
“Ugghhh,” I toss my head back on a sigh and groan. “Girl please drag me to the gym with you next week, I have to lose some inches before I bowl over!”
Anna laughs, tossing her own head back. She’s got springy black curls, false eyelashes, and a perfectly contoured face. I’m jealous of her makeup skills because she’s a baddie on a good day, but when she takes her makeup off she’s so youthful and pretty.
But honestly, I’m jealous of her figure. I’d kill to be as thin as she is. She can walk into any store and just pick anything off the rack and wear it. Me? I have to have my clothes tailored because my fucking hips are so wide. It’s annoying.
“How did your meeting go with King?” Anna changes the subject quickly.
I scoff and sit back in the booth picking up my wineglass. “Are there awards for how big of an asshole you can be? Because if so, he should get one.” I take a sip of wine on a giggle.
We're both still laughing when a male voice abruptly interrupts us.
“Really? Will you be giving those out then? If so, I'll happily be in attendance for that award ceremony.” A deep voice sounds out from somewhere to the side of me and I freeze, turning my head slightly to the left and see its him.
King. What the hell?
“ H-Hiii , King, what are you doing here?” I ask in a disbelieving tone. Though I'm shocked my eyes narrow, because really.
What the fuck is he doing here of all places?
The corners of his eyes crinkle as he gives me a tight smile before flicking his eyes to Anna. He steps up to the booth, holding out his hand and Anna arches a brow, throwing me a little nervous look as she leans forward and takes it. My lips tighten seeing his hand basically swallow hers.
My eyes stay locked on them as he doesn't even shake it, he keeps his gaze on hers while something happens I can't quite describe.
King's body language changes; his eyes get hard, and his facial features draw tight as a shutter almost visibly lowers over his face. He drops her hand rather abruptly, almost rudely, and then turns to look at me.
"I have a business dinner, since a beautiful woman rejected my invitation for a date tonight." King's eyes bore into mine, making me recoil my head slightly and avert my face to take a sip of wine. He turns back to Anna who bites her lips and raises her brows.
"Oh wow. Who in their right mind would turn you down?" Anna giggles, causing me to cut my eyes at her, as does King, who gets an odd expression on his face.
"That's okay, I won't be turned down for long. It's only a matter of time."
"Not if you keep being such a man, it won't be," I mumble, taking another sip and pointedly ignoring him turning his gaze back to me. He gives me a wicked smile, his eyes lowering to my lips before addressing Anna, yet keeping his eyes on me.
"You be careful around this one, Anna, she's feisty. Might bite your head off."
This time Anna's laugh doesn't sit right with me, and I fight back a wave of jealousy at their interaction, no matter how small.
I scrunch my nose and then snap my eyes at him. "Yeah, okay." I scoff irritably. "You wouldn't know what the hell to do if someone bit you, would you? Out here giving warnings to people over something you know nothing about." I just can't help myself, he brings out my nasty side that makes me want to fucking hit someone.
He looks over at Anna now, raising his eyebrow. "See what I mean? Hope you never do anything to piss her off." His eyes flit back to mine, holding my eye contact for far too long.
I look away, feeling my heart begin to race.
He really is too handsome.
Reluctantly, my eyes slide back to his, just now realizing he's shed his suit jacket and has rolled the sleeves of his shirt up. My God the man is ripped. My mouth goes dry at the sight of his corded muscular forearms and the veins that rope under his skin. His chest is thick, and I have a momentary vision of it flexing while he holds himself on top of me. My clit pulses at the sudden thought.
Oh God.
I down my wine. "Okay, well. Enjoy your business dinner since you cut our meeting short and all for it, so, no need to hold you up here." I lick my lips and smile at him, making it nice and soft. "And I'll see you next month," I say sweetly.
Too sweet.
"Bye, King," Anna says.
King's head whips around so fast I jump in my seat. He turns his eyes back to her, and my skin pricks at the unexpected, cold look he gives her. "Anna, when you address me you may use Mr. King. Not King."
His voice is the sternest I've heard it yet, making me breathless.
"Oh, I-I'm sorry." Anna's face falls as she leans away slightly. So do I honestly. His energy just sucked all the life and fun out of our immediate area. The cold tint of his gaze upon her gives strength to the shiver that races up my spine. "I just thought because she called you-"
"Well you are not her , and you cannot do what she does. She is the only one who calls me King. Remember that," he interrupts.
And with that he turns from her swiftly, leaving her mouth hanging open as she tries to get out that she's sorry. Her weak sounds fall on deaf ears as he ignores her and instead pins me with a rather blatantly annoyed look. Surprising me, he leans into my ear, placing one hand on the tabletop in front of me, and the other next to my head, effectively caging me in.
His breath slicks over my sensitive skin, making my nipples draw tight. The tips of my fingers go numb, and I quickly loosen the tight grip I have on my wineglass, not wanting to accidentally shatter the delicate crystal.
However, I don't master control of everything: I clench my legs shut as my pussy twitches in response at the way this magnetic man just made it his business to crowd my space without my permission. His deep voice penetrates my very being, and I stare in shock at Anna who seems as if her eyes are about to fall out of her face.
It's then I see she's not the only one staring; there are patrons being nosy, and the staff have even slowed down to look over here. King's leaned in so close that I can feel his lips caress the shell of my ear, and his breath brush softly against my ticklish spot, giving me goosebumps.
"I would know what to do if you bit me," he says in a low, seductive tone. "But what would you do if I bit you, right now, in front of your friend?" His hand slides on the tabletop as he moves his body even closer, curving in his shoulder and shielding me from Anna. "Hm?"
My heart rate picks up to a concerning speed, causing me to flex my fingers, The wine sloshes in my glass, betraying how nervous I am as my brain scrambles for a response, but I've got nothing.
King waits a beat before turning his head slightly to catch my eye, keeping his voice low so Anna can't hear him. "Tell me, Izzy. What would you do if I took your skin between my teeth and made you feel what I can do to you?"
His use of my nickname is almost as jarring as the words he'd just uttered.
My lips part in a desperate bid for air, and his eyes flick to them before his own curl in an amused grin. I almost jump when his gaze raises back to mine, startling me. But the chill within it's depths sobers me instantly. A haughty brow arches, letting me know how serious he is. That bite comment was not playful, it was dead serious, as is his next words.
"You are more than welcome to challenge me however you want when we are in my office behind closed doors. But when we are out in public, you will watch that fucking mouth and what comes out of it when you address me. You will respect me, not just as your business partner, but also because the fact that my very existence and my position in this city and my influence commands it." He pauses for a second, and I fight with everything in my soul to not pant, turn red, or betray that I'm turned on in any way to Anna, who's leaned over in the booth as far as she can to stare at me. I lock my body down. "Furthermore, you will not let yourself be seen as my weakness. Do you understand me, Isobel?"
Verbally stuck, I only manage a quiet "hmhm."
"This is your only warning. And watch your fucking friend, she's bad news."
My eyebrows raise as he ever so gently presses his mouth to my ear and kisses me, causing my nipples to harden visibly through my dress. And he sees, based on the little knowing hum he treats me to.
King steps away from me and turns his back swiftly, heading to the back of the restaurant and disappearing behind closed doors that have security in front of them. It's then I remember that Hendrix King isn't just the most powerful architect in the industry, his family is quite well known, wealthy, and notorious for their rough reputation as being shrewd, cutthroat business owners.
Snapping my mouth shut, I swing my head to face a very upset Anna who's staring back at me with wide eyes. "Whhaat thheee helllll wasss tthhaat?!" she squeaks, her skin blushing visibly darker, betraying her nervousness. "Isobel! That man was all up on you!"
"I-I don't …I don't even know what the fuck just happened. I mean I know I said he's an asshole but Jesus. I'm sorry Anna," I say, leaning forward to take her hand in mine. I squeeze softly, seeing her eyes fill with tears that she blinks away.
"It's fine…I don't see how you deal with him. My God."
"Well," I say, accepting another glass of wine from the waitress. "He's but a means to an end. Trust me, when you branch off into your own business you'll see what I mean. You'll have to deal with all kinds of people and crazy shit just in the name of networking. Just like I have to deal with King because we're working on the same project." I shake my head. "There's literally no way you could have convinced me that I would ever be in the same room with him, much less be working as partners with him. And let me tell you something," I lean forward, causing her to lean forward too, "he's the biggest, most arrogant dick I've ever met before. I bet he eats nails for breakfast."
And with the right joke, the tension is lessened and we enjoy our dinner. However, I can't help but notice when I look back at the double doors leading to King's private room that his security constantly have their eyes on me. It makes me feel weird.
I don't like being watched, I could never be a socialite. I'm not well behaved enough.
It's not until I'm driving home, and the rough edge of my nerves fades that his warning sinks in.
Watch your fucking friend, she's bad news.
My fingers strum the steering wheel, contemplating his words thoughtfully. Because how would he know that? He doesn't know her. And something else, why the fuck would he tell me that? He doesn't know me. Not really. Our nine hour long meetings should not make him comfortable enough to have leaned in and said what he said in my ear tonight.
Fuck him. He's about to get sued for some sort of harassment.
Angry, I pull out my phone as I park inside the parking garage in my spot, seeing Christopher's car next to mine. He's home earlier than normal but I don't pay that any mind. Single handidly focused on my irritation with King. Cutting off the ignition, I dig through my purse for his business card, grumbling as it takes me a second longer to find it. I jam my finger into the overhead light as I hold it up.
It's black matte, with a logo of a crown and the words King Dynasty embossed in gold. I turn it over to look at the back, and see a number for a private cell. My eyes narrow further, instinctively knowing he doesn't give these particular cards out to his regular clients and business partners .
I punch in the number, however it's only after it rings a couple times that I realize I've called him from my personal cell and not my work phone. I'm pulling the phone away from my ear to hang up when he answers before I hit the end button, and his smooth as sin voice once again penetrates my brain, almost rendering me speechless.
"Ms. Brookes."
I pause, because how the hell would he know it was me?
"Well… are you going to say anything?"
"I'm so fucking…. mad at you," I grit out, clenching my teeth so hard that they hurt. We're silent for quite a lengthy amount of time before he breaks it.
"Are you speechless? I didn't think that was possible."
The silence continues while I just sit here in the damn parking garage like an idiot. Not for long though, he breaks it to instruct the driver to raise the partition, and for some reason the simple command makes my blood boil.
"Are we alone now?" I snap. " Am I allowed to speak to you the way I want to?"
"Hm-hm. Go ahead, baby. The floor is all yours." His voice is gravely, with a hint of danger.
I suck in a deep breath. "If you ever embarrass me like that in front of a friend again, I will rip your mother fucking face off you arrogant, disrespectful jerk. I don't care how much money you make!"
He chuckles. "I can see."
I keep going, ignoring he interrupted me, "I don't care who you know, who knows you , what kind of power you think you have and what you feel like you can do with it. I don't care about any of it. So, the next time you fix your mouth to fucking try and tell me what to do, and how to talk to you in public, be prepared to have your face slapped! And best believe I wont hold back." I hang up on him and then exit my vehicle with a loud slam.
I raise my head to the concrete ceiling and take a deep breath as the tension from the day melts slightly. Feeling my phone vibrate, I answer it, already knowing who it is.
"Do you feel better now, Izzy?" King sounds amused, giving me a dark chuckle.
"Yes. Much," I grit out.
"Okay, good. Now, this is where I tell you that if you do hit me in public, you will be suffering the consequences."
I scoff. "See, this is what I'm talking about. What consequences? You sound crazy, King."
"You don't need to worry about that right this moment. Just ask yourself if you're prepared to suffer them."
My lips tighten as I inhale sharply at the thought of King punishing me. He picks up on it, as usual. He let's out a sexy chuckle. "You like that, huh. Tell me, do you want to suffer for your bratty behavior?" The line goes quiet again as he waits for me to respond, however, I refuse to, but it's no matter to him. He keeps talking, inching his way deeper under my skin. King's voice lowers into a sexy growl, and my arms clench to my sides as I fall victim to an unbearably hot full body shiver. "You should also ask yourself how much you think you're capable of enduring, because I love pushing limits, Izzy."
I jump as a honk sounds out behind me, snapping me out of it. Forcing myself to move so the car can drive pass, my heels clack loudly on the marble as I walk toward the door that house the elevators. I pause just inside the doorway as it hits me then, this man is flirting with me. Even after my rejection this morning.
"Hey, King… uh… Hendrix."
"Nope, just King," he interrupts.
"Didn't I tell you this morning that I was in a relationship?" I stress politely.
"You don't walk like you're in one."
My eyebrows raise. "Huh?" I slap my forehead and bite my lip embarrassed, because I mean out of all the words in the dictionary, why that one?
"I said, you don't walk like you're in one." His voice is lower, smooth, patient.
"I heard you the first time. I guess I don't get it?"
He pauses, before another chuckle comes through the phone, but doesn't stop. I'm momentarily struck mute by the sound. It's sexy, charged with some dangerous undertone that I'm not privy to. He tapers off into a hum after a couple seconds. "Are you home yet?"
I look up, still seeing the bank of elevators in front of me. "Yes."
"Does he know you're on the phone with me?" he asks, causing me to flood my underwear. In the reflection of the elevators I see my mouth drop.
"I-I…"
I can't talk. Why the hell can't I talk? My heart pounds, making me gasp for breath. This man feels like he's sucking my soul out of my body through the phone, and it's the most surreal feeling I've ever felt.
"Ahhh God, Isobel. You would be in sooo much trouble if you were mine and I knew you were talking to another man on the phone. Something for you to think about."
Holy shit.
"Well apparently according to your logic, I can do and talk to whoever I want because I'm not married. And besides, I didn't call you to talk to you! I called you to-"
"Tear into me, because you were mad at me," he says in an amused tone. "Hmhm, I'm aware. But what I really want to know is, Izzy, why do you care so much? Why can't they just be words you let roll off your back-"
"I-" I try, but he interrupts me.
"I'm not done speaking, Isobel," he says in a warning tone. I snap my mouth shut, knowing I'm going to need an extra long shower with Sensa at how dominate King is being. It's incredibly sexy. "See, you should have been able to go home to your little three bedroom apartment on the East side of town, crawl into bed with that man of yours who doesn't know how to fuck you right, and complain about the asshole architect you met with today. But instead , you're standing in front of the elevators with your legs crossed, trying to keep your fucking juices from running down your thighs because of how much I affect you."
I gasp, turning around so fast I almost fall, and as I stumble I feel it, my panties are soaked and so are the insides of my thighs.
"Tell me," King says in a low, sexy voice. "How wet do I make you, baby?"
"You always want me to tell you something," I mutter. I look around, not seeing him anywhere. "How do you know he doesn't fuck me right?" I close my eyes, further annoyed with myself. Stupid!
"Because of how you walk, you little brat." And with that, he hangs up on me.
I stand there with the phone up to my ear, shaking, trying to not have a freaking heart attack in the foyer of my building. I stand for a second contemplating his words before pushing the button to the elevators and head up to our apartment on the seventy-fourth floor, where I'm greeted by an enormous bouquet of red roses that I swear I saw at King's office.
My steps slow as I approach them and I lean down, snagging up the little card.
You forgot these. HK
My lips purse and I pull out my phone to call him back.
He answers but doesn't say anything, and it's a bit awkward as we breathe at each other down the line. "I'm not a brat," I finally whisper.
It's a bold faced lie. We both know it.
King stays silent for a few seconds. "Do you like them?" he asks quietly.
"Yes. But I'm in a relationship. I can't take these into my house, King."
"I don't think you need to worry about taking flowers into your house, Isobel. He won't mind."
I'm so shocked I stumble.
What the fuck?
My brows scrunch. "What? You don't think he'd mind me bringing in flowers another man gifted me?"
"No, I actually don't."
"King, that's beyond fucking rude. Christopher loves me."
It suddenly hits me like a ton of bricks that Christopher has never actually told me he loves me. I blink, trying desperately to think back, because….that can't be right. He's had to have told me he loved me at some point.
"Isobel," King sighs. "You don't need to worry about the flowers, take them inside."
"No. Again, I can't bring flowers inside my home another man gave me, that is so disrespectful."
"Hm. You're worried about the wrong thing. But if you're so nervous about it, if he asks you tell him 'you aren't worried about what you bring inside the apartment, so why should I be?' And see what he says… but I promise you, Christopher isn't going to say anything."
I'm standing there, blinking, perplexed. "King, what did you mean by that?"
"I have to go Isobel, call me if you need me."
"No, Goddamn it, tell me what you meant by that!"
"Goodnight Izzy." King hangs up and my arm drops. I stand there for a minute debating what to do, but then I decide fuck it. I push through the door and head inside, placing the flowers on the side table right as Christopher comes around the corner and greets me.
"Hey you," Christopher says, leaning in to give me a chaste kiss on my cheek. I stiffen at the smell of him, thinking it's familiar, but I can't place it. He turns and heads into the kitchen, grabs a bottle of water, and then walks back into the living room where there's a basketball game on the television. "Nice flowers."
He sits down and kicks his feet up, watching the game. Perplexed, I continue to stand there, patiently waiting for him to ask why I have these kind of flowers, demand to see the note attached, ask me how my meetings and my day went.
You know, care.
I frown. "Thanks, I went to dinner with Anna tonight." That gets his attention because he turns to look at me curiously.
"Oh yeah? How's she doing?"
"She's okay, same old same old."
"That's good." Back to the game.
Short, to the point, boring.
My phone pings again and I look down seeing King has texted me the date and time for the next meeting. I shake my head, walking to the back bedroom to take a shower, needing to wash this fucking crazy ass day off. Thirty minutes later I climb into bed, moaning at the feel of the nice clean sheets. Christopher's anal about the fucking bed, making sure he changes our sheets about three times a week.
Honestly, I think it's a little neurotic considering we hardly ever have sex, but it could be worse, he could have nasty hygiene.
I pop my wireless ear pods in, listening to a ted talk and counting my blessings that I don't have a gross boyfriend and fall asleep before Christopher comes to bed for the night.
He's awake and out of the house when I wake up the next morning and again, I feel a sense of relief. Rolling over to his side, I put my nose to his pillow, smelling that scent I can't place.
And it bothers me.