9. Power Couple
Chapter 9
Power Couple
Noah
Me: Good morning, girlfriend. I hope you have a marvelous Monday, filled with lots of fake cocks.
Me: I’m at one of Badden Apparel’s warehouses for a few days this week. I’m tempted to take a nap on a pile of Seawolves sweatpants. They are so soft. I’ll swipe a pair for you.
Me: Home from work, finally. Want to come over for dinner?
Me: Night.
Me: Top of the morning to ya, my lady. I know you’re busy building your empire, but I’m getting a little lonely over here. Want to have a drink after work? What time do you work until?
Me: I guess you aren’t home still. I was bringing you a loaf of chocolate zucchini bread that I baked. You’ll have to come over and get it.
Me: Good night.
Me: Morning! What is it going to take to get you to answer me? A dick pic?
Me: I know this is the right number because you texted me on Sunday from it. Come on, Jade.
Me: Nighty night.
Me: Good morning. I’m back at headquarters today. Did you know that your office is less than a mile from mine? Let’s meet for lunch.
I sighed, putting my phone on my desk. Jade was clearly avoiding me now that we’d crossed a line. Her not even texting me back to tell me to leave her alone was probably a sign I needed to give up on my pursuit.
Had I ever felt this bummed about a woman rejecting me? I didn’t think I ever had, unless I counted the girl who refused to marry me in first grade. My heart had been absolutely destroyed when she’d told me I had cooties and that boys were gross.
She wasn’t entirely wrong about the gross part.
My phone vibrated, and I was way too excited about hearing back from Jade. Only, it wasn’t her; it was a text from Gabriel, telling me to come to his office.
Shit.
I was surprised he hadn’t called me on Sunday to ask how things went with Jade’s parents, but he also had a girlfriend now that kept his ass in line. He would never admit that she had him by the balls, but I saw it in his eyes every time he looked at her or talked about her.
I wanted that.
As I made my way to Gabriel’s office, I felt like a kid on his way to the principal’s office after throwing wet paper towel balls on the bathroom ceiling. Trust me, it wasn’t a good feeling.
He was going to ask me about brunch, and I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share. Especially considering Jade was now avoiding me like I had the plague, and we were supposed to attend a football game together in a few weeks.
Gabriel’s assistant looked up as I approached and smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Badden. Mr. Badden said to send you right in.”
“Thank you, Ava.” I opened his door, stepping inside. He was sitting behind his desk, and if I wasn’t his brother, I’d be intimidated by him. He had this presence about him that made him well deserving of his title of CEO.
But I knew he was a big softy at heart. Hopefully, that side of him was more dominant today because I really wasn’t in the mood to have my ass handed to me.
“You wanted to see me?” I sat down in a chair in front of his desk .
“How did things go at the warehouse?” Straight to business, as usual.
I gave him a brief update on improvements underway to meet increased supply demands, and he nodded along, seeming satisfied with my report.
He slid a piece of paper across the desk before leaning back in his chair. “I take it brunch with Jade’s parents went well?”
I picked up the paper, my eyes scanning the text. It was a printout from something called the Coronado Sunset Social Club. There was a short article about the charity gala and how one of their own—Margaret—had attended. More specifically, it mentioned that Jade gave a “ravishing” keynote address and that she appeared to be in a relationship with me.
“A power couple?” I chuckled as I looked up at Gabriel. “What is this from?”
“A newsletter sent to members of an elite club of women married to the richest men in San Diego. Public relations was alerted to it.” Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose, which basically meant I was about to hear it.
I looked back down at the paper, a strange feeling settling in my gut. Did Jade know about this? Was this why she’d been avoiding me?
I slid the paper back to Gabriel. “William Dalton pretty much told us that he expected me and Jade to attend the Seawolves season opener together in a few weeks.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “Are you serious right now? Noah, this whole fake dating situation is probably going to blow up in your face and affect our business with the Seawolves. It could potentially impact our other deals too. You know how fast word spreads in this industry.”
I was frustrated business had to be part of the conversation. “I know, I know. But what was I supposed to do? Leave Jade hanging in front of her parents?”
“You should have never agreed to this charade.” Gabriel leaned forward, putting his elbows on his desk and steepling his fingers. “And now you’re taking it too far. William isn’t going to be so understanding when you two inevitably ‘break up.’ The longer this goes on, the worse it’s going to be.”
He was right, but there was more to it than that, at least for me. “Gabe, I really like her. Like, really, really like her.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. She’s... special. I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s something about her.” I couldn’t help but smile.
“Jesus Christ, Noah.” Gabriel’s voice was stern, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You barely know the woman, and I’m worried that, given what her company sells, your intentions aren’t the most honorable.”
Rage rolled through my veins, and I stood, pointing my finger at him. “You’re one to talk! Your girlfriend is your nanny, and she has a puppet sex show!”
“Your fake girlfriend sent my girlfriend a barrel of lube.” He crossed his arms over his chest, staring up at me with a smirk. “It’s really good lube, in case you were wondering.”
Was he trying to provoke me on purpose? Was this payback for all the times Lex and I teased him?
I sat back down with a huff. “My intentions are honorable. I know my track record with women says otherwise, but I can be one romantic bastard. ”
“Why do you not seem convinced of that yourself?”
Damn him and his ability to read me. “She’s ignoring me. I even made her chocolate zucchini bread.”
“Why would she ignore you?” He paused. “Noah. Tell me you didn’t.”
I threw my hands up in defeat. “I didn’t touch her.” Not a lie. Only my cum touched her... and my lips, but I wouldn’t tell him that.
“Sure, you didn’t.” Gabriel blew out a breath. He appeared to be struggling with how to handle this. “There are real consequences to your actions.”
My heart wasn’t listening to reason, despite the potential ripple effect this might have on the company. “I understand that, but I can’t turn off my feelings.” I couldn’t explain the connection I felt with Jade, and I couldn’t ignore it.
“Does she have similar feelings? You said she’s ignoring you now.”
I shrugged. “I think she wants to have feelings but won’t let herself.”
Gabriel was quiet for a moment, swiveling back and forth in his chair as he thought. “You haven’t even known her for two weeks. The simple solution here is you go to the game and then, after a respectable but short amount of time, you end things amicably. No drama, no fuss. Just a clean break.”
The idea of ending my relationship with Jade, even if it was fake, made my chest ache. “I need to talk to her first and make sure we’re on the same page.”
“Keep me updated, and don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment. Remember what’s at stake here.” His CEO mask was completely back on now .
I stood, my mind already racing with how I was going to get Jade to even talk to me. The idea hit me right in the face, and I grinned like a fucking fool. “I’m leaving the office for lunch today.”
“I don’t even want to know what that look on your face is about.”
I knew just the thing to vibrate my way into her heart.
“Bro.” Lex stopped as I reached for the door handle of Discreet Packaging. “When you said you’d buy me lunch and then there’d be a surprise, I didn’t think you’d bring me to a sex shop.”
“If you don’t want to come in with me, go get a coffee or something at Perky Squirrel.” I lifted my chin toward the coffee shop across the street.
“No, no. Now you have me intrigued.” He followed me inside.
“Welcome to Discreet Packaging!” a perky blonde employee greeted us with a smile. “I’m Sadie. Can I help you gentlemen find anything in particular today?”
I glanced at Lex, who was already snickering like a teenage boy. “Actually, yes.”
She looked between me and Lex. “Wonderful! We have a great selection. Are you looking for something specific? We have some fantastic options.” She gestured toward a display case filled with colorful silicone butt plugs of various shapes and sizes.
“Yes! Let’s get you a butt plug. You know, I never did peg you for the kinky type.” Lex bent over as his laughter got the best of him. “Get it? Peg you?”
“I got it.” I gave Sadie an apologetic smile. Thank fuck no one else was in the store to witness all of this. “I’m looking for a gift for my girlfriend. This idiot is my brother.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I just assumed... I guess I do see the resemblance now. Men usually don’t come in here together unless... Well, anyway, what kind of toy did you have in mind?”
“She has quite the collection already, so I want to get something impressive. Maybe something she can use both on her own or with me.”
“You must be such a great boyfriend!” She was practically gushing over me like I was some kind of unicorn, and maybe I was. I’d certainly never ventured into a sex store before or even considered using toys with a woman. “Are you interested in anything specific? Vibrators, dildos, bondage?”
Lex snorted, trying to stifle his laughter again. “I think we need to look at the butt plugs, honestly.”
The woman didn’t miss a beat. “We do have some great options, and all of our plugs have flared bases. She can use it solo or with you. You could also use one too.”
My ass cheeks clenched, like someone was trying to insert an unlubed one right there in the store. “Uh... I don’t know.”
“In all seriousness, you should try it.” Lex stopped at the display of plugs on our way to the back of the store and picked up a set that had five different sizes. “You can work your way up.”
“Maybe you should get them for yourself, since you’re so obsessed with the idea.” I grabbed a single one off the display that had a sparkly flower shape on the end. It was pretty, and even if Jade didn’t use it, it would look nice on her shelf. Women really did love getting flowers.
Lex held the box to his chest like it was a prized possession. “Maybe I will. I have enjoyed a finger up there a time or two.”
“Things I didn’t need to know.” I turned to Sadie, who was waiting patiently. Lex’s behavior and commentary didn’t seem to faze her, but I supposed she was used to all kinds of reactions from people. “I want something high quality and unique. Money isn’t an issue.”
She nodded, leading me over to a display of high-tech luxury toys, while Lex stayed in the anal play section. “These are some of our top-of-the-line products. They’re all made with body-safe materials and have amazing reviews.”
There were so many choices, and I had no idea what Jade might like best. She’d probably be up for anything.
A pink U-shaped toy with one thick end and one thin end caught my eye. “What’s this one?”
“This is an amazing wearable vibrator that can be controlled with a remote or an app. You can program it to turn on at certain times, have it vibrate and pulse to music, and it can also be noise activated. There are a lot of cool features.”
I picked up the display piece, and Sadie pressed a button on a small remote. “What do you mean by wearable?”
“It can be inserted and left in place for use at home, work, the gym, wherever. The thick end stimulates her G-spot, and the thin piece stimulates her clitoris. You can even control it from miles away or be in the same room.”
I grinned. “Perfect. I’ll take it and this flower plug.”
Jade was going to kill me, but at least I’d die with images of me driving her crazy stuck in my head.