[Cole]
"Is it done?" I asked, finding myself in a sulky mood the next morning.
"Yes, Mr. Hunter, it is. Ryan Summers will never work for a respectable publication again," Harmon replied.
I took it upon myself to attempt to ease my anxiety by taking a walk on the beach. No masturbation occurred when I got back to my suite last night. No sex before I got back to my room with the woman leaving me sexually frustrated either. Just more frustration, the bulk of it with myself.
What the fuck was wrong with me? Just fuck her and get it over with my dick begged.
Dawn was breaking. The sun was peeking out on the shore in the distance, painting the horizon in pink, orange and gold. Getting rid of Ryan Summers permanently felt rewarding. Still, the scowl on my face remained.
"Cupid's Isle has a guest," said Harmon, somewhat reluctantly.
It was rare to have me be in a bad mood, much less because of some shitty reporter looking for his big break. Definitely not over a woman. Yet, it was happening. The obscene banter and pointless smiles from last night's party after I walked away from her didn't help either.
Me. Cole Hunter. I fucking walked away… AGAIN.
"Satan's spouse or his spawn?" I asked, uncertain that I wanted to know the answer.
"Your fortune is too great for it to be mother. Alas, you will have to make do with me," said a peppy voice. "Harmon," she said in greeting, blowing him a kiss.
"Miss Hunter," Harmon responded with a slight nod. "I shall leave you two alone then."
"Must you?" I called after Harmon, who flat out ignored me and kept walking. "To what do I owe the displeasure?" I asked, when Olivia finally made it to my side.
"Oh admit it, you adore seeing me," said Olivia, as she draped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheeks one at a time. "Who else knows you quite like I do? Who else can you be so… Candid with?"
I removed her arms from around my neck. "What do you want, Olivia?"
"Fine, be that way. I come bearing gifts. Signed, sealed and delivered, Cole," said Olivia, pulling a folder out of her bag and handing it to me.
"It's missing Miss Chase's signature," I observed, handing the contract back to Olivia.
She reopened the folder with a pout. "Therein lies the rub. No one's seen or heard from the promiscuous princess of fashion since the nudes leaked. Hence, the signature from her agency's president."
"Watch your mouth," I said defensively, surprising myself. The words and protectiveness wouldn't stop though. "Don't call her—"
"A slut? But that's exactly what she is, Cole. Isn't that why you want to work with her in the first place? To have some fun? Word is she even swings both ways," said Olivia, licking her lips.
I turned the last few moments I spent with Brianna over and over in my head, now viewing the situation with fresh eyes. Was that why she bolted? Because she thought I was shaming her for her past indiscretions?
Was that why I left instead of knocking on her door? Because I resented being just another notch on her belt? That was fucking rich, coming from Cole Hunter, man whore of the hour.
"Who knows what the truth is about Brianna Chase? The tabloids would have me agree with you, but having met the woman… Somehow I'm not convinced."
Olivia gleefully clapped her hands together like a monkey with cymbals.
"Don't tell me you've met her?" she peered into my face, like the secrets to the universe were written on it. "She's not here perchance, is she?"
I looked Olivia up and down. Her eyes were shining as I tapped on the still open folder.
"This deal is a no go unless you can get her to sign the contract herself," I asserted.
I wanted her tied to me, with no wiggle room to get away. After last night, something in me changed. I wanted that stupid contract to say I owned her ass.
Unfortunately, having met her, I didn't think that was something she would entertain. Otherwise—
Olivia raised an eyebrow at me.
"So it's true then. You've finally found a woman that won't bed you, despite bedding everyone else. Mind if I have a go?" she asked, pushing my buttons.
"Knock yourself out. I know a harlot when I see one and she's not it," I said, resisting the urge to seethe.
Was I losing my edge? My cool? My mind? Was my judgment impaired because of a silly goodnight kiss? Sometimes I could see her so clearly and other times…well she was a complete mystery.
Who are you, Brianna Chase?
"I think I just might," said Olivia. "If you ask nicely, I might even call and share her with you once she's in my bed."
The notion of Brianna in anyone else's bed pissed me right off. I grabbed Olivia's wrist as she started skipping away and held her back.
"Don't forget, this is your last chance, Olive. If something goes wrong with this contract, I'll have you out on your ass," I said with a coy smirk, far too pleased to be making the threat.
"Then it's a good thing I won't be meeting her alone," said Olivia, before pulling out her phone and texting furiously.
My own phone went off and at Olivia's urging, I checked it. It was a text message from her with a time and place for dinner with Brianna. I snorted, knowing very well that I was Brianna's least favorite person right now.
"She won't sign if I'm there. She hates my guts right now. Don't ask.," I said matter of factly.
"Maybe she will, maybe she won't, but I'll definitely fuck her before you do if you decide to skip dinner. No sharing. Are you okay with that, Billy?" Olivia taunted me.
I heard a guttural growl for some time before realizing that it came from me.
"You're the one that suddenly gives a shit about getting her consent for this ad," Olivia supplied helpfully, unfazed by my reaction to her threatening to fuck my new amusement. "Star Agency already gave the go ahead. This—" she tapped on the folder "—is legally binding. If you want me to go the extra mile, you need to make it worth my while."
Somehow I got the feeling that the law wouldn't faze my vixen. If she didn't want to make the ad, no one was going to sway her.
Then she'd disappear permanently, a voice in the back of my head joined in on the taunting.
"I can't stand you," I said, letting go of Olivia's wrist.
Anyone was at least bi curious around Olivia. I had no doubt she could seduce the spitfire redhead.
The problem? I wasn't done playing with Brianna. Olivia could fuck her when I was over whatever little infatuation I had with Brianna. Until then, the prickly minx was mine.
No fucking sharing indeed.
"Oh boo hoo, you can't stand anyone," she said, resuming her skipping as she called over her shoulder, "Don't be late. I'll