Chapter 11
eleven
HUNTER
It’s nine a.m., and already the July heat is making the streets of lower Manhattan steam, filling the air with an aroma of sour garbage and a stale, salty, New York-specific musk that always makes me think of that phrase on the Statue of Liberty.
Give me your unwashed masses…
I’m sure most of the people bustling back and forth in this warehouse took care with their personal hygiene this morning, but in the heat and humidity, it doesn’t matter. By noon, we’ll all smell like zoo animals. The space is too big to air-condition, and the fans positioned by the hangar openings fail to move the air in any meaningful way.
The building needs to be updated to keep workers safe in a changing climate.
I add new, energy-efficient ceiling fans and cooling stations to my mental list of necessary renovations and do my best to force my attention back to the lawyer representing the business and his borderline-insulting “hard sell.”
As if I haven’t already reviewed the financials and seen with my own eyes that Duncan Shipping Fulfillment’s bottom line has been in steady decline for the past five years.
“As you can see from the financial projections for Q4, there’s a solid customer base, and really unlimited room for growth,” Brian says, with complete earnestness, making me wonder if he’s dumb, deluded, or simply an accomplished huckster.
“I do see,” I murmur, betting on “dumb” as Brian’s grin widens. He looks relieved that I seem to be agreeing with him.
“Yeah, it’s a great deal,” he babbles on. “And this family is just salt of the earth, really good people. You’ll find their customers are super loyal and so are their workers.” He motions for me to follow as he starts toward the back of the warehouse. “Let me show you the admin offices. They’re a little old, but air-conditioned, and you can meet Midge, the manager. She’s been here thirty years and keeps this place running like a well-oiled machine.”
More like a rusty machine, in need of a long-overdue shine and service, I think as I follow him, observing at least three more high-ticket repairs that will need to be addressed if I decide to invest in the venture.
As I follow him through a pair of scuffed doors and up the stairs to the offices, my mind drifts from the task at hand, back to my apartment, where I left Elaina this morning, devouring the croissants I had delivered in nothing but one of my gym t-shirts and a pair of fluffy socks.
If you’d asked me an hour before if a woman in a plain gray t-shirt and socks was the kind of thing that flipped my switch, I would have said no.
But watching her pad around my kitchen making coffee, with t-shirt fabric twitching just below her ass, it was all I could do not to sweep her up and fuck her on the countertop.
But then, I would have been late.
But I almost didn’t care.
Which is a problem.
“Mr. Mendelssohn?”
I blink, forcing my attention back to Brian, who is now motioning toward a row of plaques hung on the wall at the end of the narrow hallway. “Yes? I apologize, I was working the numbers in my head.”
“Of course, no problem,” Brian says with a nervous laugh. “Just wanted to point out all the Better Business Bureau awards. They’ve really made a name for themselves over the years. When people hear Duncan Shipping, they know they’re in good hands.”
I grunt softly, growing bored with Brian’s schtick. Whether it’s idiocy or a fumbling attempt at deception, my time is too valuable to waste.
It’s time to remind Brian why I led one of the city’s top-performing private equity firms before launching my own and driving even greater returns.
“The awards are impressive, and you’ve done a good job advocating for your client,” I say, softening the blow a bit before getting real with the kid. “But those awards are all fifteen years old, and the operating costs are sky high for a business of this size. Your facilities are in disrepair, and in need of a comprehensive update, not only for efficiency’s sake but to avoid half a dozen OSHA violations.”
He exhales a stuttering breath. “Well, I don’t know about that, but?—”
“Well, I do,” I cut in. “I’ve turned around seventeen manufacturing facilities in the last decade. Your ventilation system alone is going to cost north of two million to bring up to code.”
Brian shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Not sure about that, either, but my client believes the brand value alone is in the high?—”
“The brand was valuable fifteen years ago. Now, it’s a liability. You’re trading on a reputation you can no longer support with your current infrastructure or performance over the past six years.” I roll my shoulders back, offering a tight smile. “But I’m still interested. I’m prepared to offer thirty-two million. Final offer. Discuss it with your client and get back to me at your convenience. The offer’s good through close of business next Friday.”
His eyes widen at the figure, a full twelve million less than their asking price. “Well, thank you, Mr. Mendelssohn, but I don’t think?—”
“That’s fine. You don’t have to think, Brian. Just deliver the message.” I lift a hand as I back down the hall. “I think meeting the office staff can wait until we’ve decided whether we’re moving forward. Have a good day. I’ll show myself out.”
Leaving Brian gaping, I stride back down the depressing hall, with its flickering fluorescent lights. At the base of the stairs, I pull out my phone, dialing my mother’s number as I move back through the warehouse.
I need to keep my focus on why Elaina’s really here. She’s not my woman of the moment; she’s the woman who’s going to help me give my mother the send-off she deserves.
The sooner we move on to that phase of the plan, the better.
And I need to get out of the apartment. The more time I spend alone with her, the deeper she gets under my skin.
“Hunter?” Mom answers after the third ring. She sounds tired but pleased. “Good morning, sweetheart. I assumed you’d be working all day today, catching up after your vacation.”
“I’m caught up,” I say, lifting a hand to the foreman I met earlier as I exit the warehouse and turn left, moving down the dock toward the park that runs beside the river. “And missing a home-cooked meal after all that lobster and chowder. Looking forward to a real dinner tonight.”
She chuckles. “You are so spoiled. Only you would complain about too much lobster. But yes, me, too. I’m so excited to see you. And I already ordered all the ingredients for those short ribs you like.”
“Fabulous,” I say. “But don’t worry about cooking if you’re not feeling up to it. I can come early and take care of it. Or feel free to ask Katie to stay and start the meal if you’d rather. I’m happy to add extra hours to her check.” Katie, the companion I hired to keep Mom company, has been every bit as valuable as the nurses, helping Mom continue to cook and visit the park and museums and other things she enjoyed before her health took a turn for the worse.
“Oh, nonsense, I can handle it, and Nurse Nina is here in the afternoon if the pan is too heavy for me to get in the oven,” she says. “And I have all day. I’ll pace myself and be fine. The pain and dizziness aren’t too bad this morning. So far, it’s a good day.”
A good day…
She doesn’t have as many of those as she used to, just another reason to move forward with the plan with Elaina as swiftly as possible.
“Glad to hear it,” I say. “I’ll be there at six thirty. And…the real reason I called. I wanted you to know that I’ll be bringing a friend. If that’s okay with you.”
“Oh, a friend,” she says, clearly intrigued. “This wouldn’t be a lady friend, would it?”
“It is, actually. She’s someone I’ve been wanting you to meet for a while. I think you’ll like her. She’s…special.”
And she is. That isn’t a lie, a fact that makes it easier to push guilt aside as Mom coos, “Oh, Hunter, I’m so happy to hear that! So happy. You have no idea. I can’t wait to meet her! What’s her name?”
“Elaina,” I say. “We met in Maine last year, and she’s just moved to the city.”
“For you? Oh, please, tell me it’s for you, and you’re finally thinking about settling down,” Mom says, so delighted I can’t help but smile.
“Well, we have moved in together.” I cut off her happy gasp with a firm, “But nothing is set in stone. I have to introduce her to you first. Make sure she has the Margaret seal of approval.”
Mom laughs. “Oh, stop. You think I don’t know my own son? You’re going to do as you darn well please, no matter what I have to say about it. You were born knowing your own mind. And I’m glad. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, better than I had when I was young, that’s for sure.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, wondering what she’d think about my “good head” if she knew just how far I’d gone to give her the happily ever after she’s always wanted for me.
Or the appearance of it, anyway…
“See you tonight,” I add. “I’m about to head into the subway.”
“See you tonight. And your special girl!” Mom ends the call, and I shoot off a text to Elaina, confirming that dinner with my mother is on, and that I’ll pick her up at six.
Just a few seconds later, she shoots back— Great. I’m already going stir crazy in here. Your house is too clean. I can’t find anything to keep me busy now that I’ve rearranged your spice cabinet and taken over half your closet.
Lips twitching, I suggest— You could head to the pool. Or the gym, work on that cardio your doctor suggested.
She sends over three laughing emojis and then— Oh, I’m not going to the gym, you silly man. I don’t “gym.” I am not that girl. I walk and frolic in the ocean and dance until midnight. I don’t gym. Besides, I think I got my cardio in last night, don’t you?
My cock stirs at the thought of everything we did last night, reminding me why I need to find an excuse to stay away from the apartment.
And why I need to stop flirting with Elaina over text…
I reply— I do. And I’m sure you’ll find something to occupy your time. You’re a creative woman. Have to run. Business calls. I’ll be at the office for the rest of the day. Too many fires to put out to work from home this afternoon.
She shoots back a thumbs up and a chipper— See you later! Good luck!— and I slide my cell back into my pocket.
I do, in fact, go to the office, and do my best to remain occupied, but I’ve done too good a job clearing away the extraneous bullshit.
When I left my old firm, I promised myself I would delegate more, clearing my calendar so that I only dealt with the parts of the deal that I loved. As a result, I have a team of highly skilled individuals taking up the slack, leaving me little to do by four o’clock except pace my office, staring out over the buildings of lower Manhattan toward my penthouse, where Elaina is waiting.
Finally, I decide to hit the gym myself, just to burn off the energy that floods through me every time a memory of last night or that evening in the lifeguard stand flashes through my head. I go to the gym in my office building, the better to avoid close proximity to the woman currently testing the limits of my control, and then shower and change back into my suit for the ride uptown in five o’clock traffic.
It takes nearly an hour to reach my building. The subway would have no doubt been faster, but I’m grateful to be spared the sticky summer heat below ground and any extra time with Elaina before it’s time to leave.
Still, when I walk into the apartment a few minutes after six, to find Elaina lounging on the leather couch where I fucked her, wearing a vintage cocktail dress in deep blue that makes her look like she stepped out of an old movie, I’m instantly hard. Her dark hair is swept up, exposing the elegant curve of her neck, and memories of dragging my teeth over her sweet skin make me ache for a taste of her.
“There you are,” she says, rising to her feet, letting the magazine in her hands drop to the cushion. “How was your day, dear?”
My lips hook up on one side. “Productive. Yours?”
“Oh, fine, but I’m glad to have someone to talk to again.” She turns, the skirt swishing around her knees. “What do you think? Appropriate for dinner and meeting the parent?”
Perfect, I think. Almost too perfect.
Mom is going to love that dress. She’s a big fan of Old Hollywood, and the kind of vintage glamour that was en vogue when she was a girl.
“Solid choice,” I say aloud. “But you’re missing one important accessory. I realized on the way home that we have yet to acquire a ring.”
Her brow furrows lightly before smoothing as she catches my meaning. “Oh, yeah. No ring… But, you know, that could be a good thing. If I were a mom, and my son brought home a woman I’d never met, and they were already engaged…” She wrinkles her nose. “I might feel a little blindsided. Like, I’d been left out or something. I think an engagement is something a mom wants to see coming, at least a little bit. My mother certainly would have. She wouldn’t have cared how rich and sexy you are. She would have wanted to know you before you put a ring on it.”
I nod. “I came to the same conclusion. We’ll see how tonight goes and evaluate from there. We can’t afford to take things too slow, but timing is important.”
She smiles. “Look at us, working well as a team and agreeing and stuff. I think we’re going to rock this dinner.”
I offer her my arm. “Agreed.”
Twenty-five minutes later, we’re across the park and pulling up to my mother’s building on the Upper East Side.
She lives in a pre-war building on Fifth Avenue, the same apartment we rented when we fled my father nearly thirty years ago, back when a paralegal could afford a two-bedroom in this neighborhood. Thankfully, the unit was rent-controlled, ensuring we were able to stay put as prices sky-rocketed around us. By the time her rent rose to the point where it was becoming an issue, I was making more than enough to cover her expenses.
As usual, Abe, the doorman greets me by name, his eyes lighting up when he sees Elaina.
“Mr. Mendelssohn so good to see you,” he says with a big grin. “And who’s this vision in blue?”
Elaina smiles and extends her hand. “Elaina Murphy. Glad to meet you.”
“Able Singleton, but everyone calls me Abe,” he says, cradling her hand gently in both of his big ones. “A pleasure, a real pleasure, Elaina.” He nods my way. “I’ve known this one since he was a bean pole in baggy skate pants getting in trouble for riding his board in the office park across the street. Any questions about his character, I’m your man.”
She laughs, glancing at me out the corners of her eyes before saying, “Good to know. So, you can confirm that he’s a big softy under that heartless, captain of industry exterior?”
Abe chuckles, his dark eyes dancing with pleasure. “Yep. Total softy and a real family man. His mama never wants for anything, and that includes his time and attention.”
I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to drag Elaina away from Abe and his too-generous view of me. Yes, I take care of my mother, but there is nothing “soft” about me, and Elaina would be foolish to believe otherwise.
“Speaking of time,” I say, settling my hand on the small of Elaina’s back. “We’re due upstairs.”
“Have a good night! And great to meet you Elaina, don’t be a stranger,” Abe says, beaming as we head toward the elevator bank.
Once the doors close behind us, Elaina whispers, “Don’t worry. I know you’re actually a very bad man. I haven’t forgotten.”
I narrow my eyes her way. “Are you patronizing me, Ms. Murphy?”
She blinks innocently. “Me? Never. Wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. M.” The doors open on the fifth floor, and we start down the hall, Elaina smoothing the front of her dress as we walk. At my mother’s door, she pulls in a deeper breath, letting it out slow. “Okay, I’m ready. We’re in love. You’re the best. And I’m determined to make a good impression on your mother. I’ve got this.”
Before I can assure her that she does indeed have it, the door opens, revealing my mother in the doorway. She’s thinner than the last time I saw her ten days ago, I notice with a pang, but she’s wearing her favorite peach pantsuit, and her green eyes are bright with anticipation.
“Welcome, welcome!” She smiles at Elaina as she extends an arm my way. I bend down to give her the usual, gentle hug, conscious as I always am these days of how fragile she’s become.
When I pull away, I motion to Elaina. “Mom, this is Elaina, my friend from Maine. Elaina, this is Margaret, my mother.”
“So great to meet you Mrs. Mendelssohn,” Elaina says, her smile warm and genuine. “Thank you so much for having me.”
“Please, call me Margaret. Mendelssohn is such a mouthful.” My mother loops her arm through Elaina’s, leading her inside. “Now tell me all about yourself and how you met my boy. I want to hear everything.”
As we move into the small dining room off the kitchen, where I used to do homework after school, Elaina fills Mom in on our agreed backstory. How we met while I was in Sea Breeze for business last year, formed an instant connection, and have been dating ever since, dealing with the distance between us as best we could until we decided we were ready to take the next step and move in together.
I serve the soup course from the covered pot in the center of the table as Mom settles into her chair. “How exciting. And such a big change of pace for you. How long were you in Maine? What does your family think about this move to the big city?”
“I lived in Sea Breeze my entire life actually. It was just me and my mom, growing up, but we had a lot of support from our friends in town,” Elaina says, thanking me for the bowl I set before her before continuing, “but I don’t have family in Maine anymore. My mother passed away recently.”
My mother’s expression softens. “I’m so sorry to hear that. That must have been hard.”
“It was.” Elaina’s voice hitches slightly, making my chest tighten. “It still is. I’ll always miss her.” She glances my way, her eyes shining. “But I know she’d be so happy that I’ve found someone like Hunter. Someone who really sees me and supports me and makes me feel so special.”
Damn, she’s good…so good I’d believe her myself if I didn’t know better.
I reach out, taking her hand and holding it for a beat, hoping I’m doing half as good a job as looking ridiculously in love.
“I’m sure she would.” Mom sounds surprised, but pleasantly so, and when I glance her way, she’s beaming. “I’m so happy for you both. I see great things ahead for the two of you.” She sighs as she sets her soup spoon down, clearly finished though she’s barely taken five bites. “So, what can I do to ease your transition to city life, Elaina? I know what a big change that can be. We lived in the country on a farm before we moved here when Hunter was in junior high.”
Elaina swallows, running her tongue across her lips as she reaches for her napkin. “It is a big change. But I like it. I just don’t know what to do with myself. It’s my first time without a job since I was fifteen. I own a café in Sea Breeze, but I haven’t sorted out what to do with myself here in the city just yet.”
Mom nods, casting a quick smile my way as I collect the soup bowls. “Thanks, honey, the ribs are in the oven. I left them in there to stay warm. And the carrots and potatoes are on the stove. You just need to give them a stir before you serve.”
Elaina pushes her chair back. “Let me help serve, I?—”
“Don’t be ridiculous, dear,” Mom cuts in. “Stay right where you are. We need to visit, and Hunter needs to remember how to use his hands. He has so much hired help, I sometimes worry he’ll forget how to wipe his own bottom.”
I arch a wry brow at the women as they laugh. “My cleaning company doesn’t offer that service at the moment, but you never know…”
Leaving them laughing, I head into the kitchen to assemble our plates, feeling good about the visit, thus far.
Good and…horrible.
My mother is so happy, which is exactly what I wanted. And it’s all a lie, which is troubling me more than I expected.
Reminding myself that her happiness is what matters most, I return to the dining room with our plates in time to hear Mom extolling on the benefits of going back to school. “I didn’t get my paralegal license until I was thirty-five, but I still had time for a wonderful career. And the bump in income changed my life.”
“I actually never went to college in the first place,” Elaina says, looking a little embarrassed by the confession. “I opened my business right after high school. I had a little inheritance and I just…jumped right in. I was too young and stupid to know what a gamble it was.”
“But it paid off,” I add before turning to Mom. “And she’s done very well for herself. She has excellent business instincts.”
Mom nods. “That’s wonderful. Then a new business maybe? What are your interests?”
“Well, I obviously love baking, but I don’t think another café is in my future,” Elaina says. “I’ve had enough of getting up at five a.m. to make scones. I’m okay with that part of my life being over for now.”
“And who can blame you,” Mom agrees. “Five o’clock is a terrible time to be awake.”
Elaina laughs. “Right? But I know I’ll miss the cat adoption part of my work in Sea Breeze. I’m thinking I might be able to carve out a space for myself in that sphere, in connecting people and animals in need. Or helping busy city people care for their animals or…something like that.”
I hum, turning the idea over as I chew my first incredible bite of Mom’s famous short ribs. “That’s worth investigating. People in the city are obsessed with their pets.”
“As they should be,” Elaina says.
My mom smiles a little sadly. “I love animals, but I’m desperately allergic. It’s a shame. Hunter always wanted a pet when he was younger, but all I could give him was a fish tank.”
“It was fine,” I assure her. “I was too busy to walk a dog anyway.”
“You were always busy,” Mom says, before telling Elaina all about my various teen side-hustles and how she knew I’d be a brilliant businessman before I was out of junior high.
The rest of the evening proceeds with similar ease, until it’s nearly nine, and Mom is clearly getting tired. And in more pain than when we arrived. She winced her way through dessert and barely touched her cheesecake.
Luckily, her night nurse will be arriving soon to help ease her discomfort, but still…it hurts to see her hurting.
At the door, she winces again as she pulls Elaina in for a hug. “Thank you for making my son smile,” she whispers softly enough that I shouldn’t be able to hear her, but I do. “I haven’t seen him this happy in years.”
The worst part is…she’s right.
I am happy.
Happily living a lie, which isn’t at all what I expected.
I’m not the kind of man who falls for a con, especially not his own…
In the car on the way home, Elaina is quiet. I watch the city lights play across her pretty face, wondering what she’s thinking, but refusing to ask.
I don’t need to get in any deeper with this woman. I don’t need to know her thoughts or her feelings or her fears. I just need to know that she’s still on board with our plan.
“You did well,” I say. “I assume you’re still on board with moving forward?”
“Yeah. Totally fine.” Her lips curve in a small smile, but she doesn’t shift her gaze from the window. “No worries.”
The rest of the ride passes in silence, and in the elevator up to my apartment, the energy is…off. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something wrong with her.
With me. With us.
There is no us , I remind myself as I step into the shower. And I have no responsibility to Elaina’s emotional well-being aside from ensuring I treat her with the same respect I’d show a business partner with whom I’m collaborating on an important project.
Only my business partners don’t slip into the shower with me, naked and vulnerable, with tears in their eyes as they say, “Sorry, I was weird. I’m just sad that she’s dying and she…reminds me of my mom. But she’s great, Hunter. Really. I can see why you want to give her as much happiness as you can.”
I pull her close, kissing her forehead. “Thank you,” I say, meaning it. “I couldn’t do it without you.”
“Make me feel better?” she asks, reaching down to stroke my already semi-hard cock. Even being reminded of my mother’s impending death can’t totally kill my insane attraction to this woman.
Insane, that’s what it is…
But I don’t care.
I claim her mouth, kissing her hard and deep, letting myself get lost in the slide of wet skin against skin, in the way she gasps when I pin her against the cool tile, in how perfectly her slick pussy grips me as I thrust inside her.
We don’t talk. Don’t need to.
Our bodies say everything that needs to be said and no more.
More would be a mistake…at least for me.
Later, when she’s asleep on my chest, and I’m staring at the ceiling, unable to deny how good this feels, I realize what a fool I was. Staying away from the apartment during the day isn’t going to cut it, not when this woman is fully capable of putting me under her spell in ten minutes or less.
I’ll have to reevaluate my approach in the morning.
But for now, I let myself enjoy the feel of her curvy little body relaxed against mine, giving me a trust I absolutely don’t deserve.