Risking a beating, Mark tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. Holden stared him down in silent warning. “Not dating… Am I to believe she is just your new author, a mere coworker?” Mark quickly scooted off his stool and out of range of Holden’s right hook.
Holden set his mouth in a line, drumming his fingers against the desk. “Believe what you want…and there’s nothing new about her.”
“Oh, I will! I believe you like her…you want to kiss her…” Mark sang childishly, adding more to his chant for some time until Holden’s last sentence finally dawned on him. “How’s she not new? I’ve never heard of her or seen her at signings.”
“Ever hear of a pen name? She likes to do smaller signings while you like to hit the large comic-cons.”
“So?” Mark huffed. “I love my fans.”
“So? So what?” Holden gave an equal amount of attitude.
“Jackass! What’s her pen name?”
“Mary Allison is Marlon” Holden folded his arms across his chest.
Holden jumped back as Mark’s coffee cup slipped out of his hand, hitting the floor and splashing his shoes and pant legs. The runt was so out of it—he didn’t even seem to realize the mess he had made.
“Damn it!” Holden ran over to check out the storyboards. By the grace of God, they had been spared.
“That…that cute little thing writes that sick, sadistic shit?” Mark choked out between bouts of coughing.
“It’s not all sick and sadistic!” Holden retorted defensively as he grabbed the cup off the floor.
“No, I know…it’s amazing but the parts that are…they’re brutal. Mad respect!” Mark’s eyes were wide, and his lips parted. “Do you think she’d go out with me?”
Holden cut his gaze at Mark before he screamed, “Hell no!”
Mark, who was already roaring with laughter, stuck out his tongue at Holden and then took off running. “I need to change my pants!”
“Arse!” Holden muttered with a sigh before going to get some paper towels and a plastic bag to clean up the coffee stain on the floor. He wanted to smack Mark, but he’d been just as shocked when he’d learned of the discrepancy in Mary Allison’s appearance and demeanor versus what she put on paper.
As he sat on his knees and worked on the stain, Holden memories of the first day he met Mary Allison filled his head. When he’d insisted on working with Marlon, he had thought Mr. Kramer’s expression seemed oddly patronizing, but Davis agreed to set up a meeting between Holden and “Mr. Gates.”
When the day came, Holden dressed in his best suit, slicked back his hair, and brought his game face when he headed into the office, excited to meet his new favorite author. Initially, when he laid eyes on the hot dish in the waiting room, Holden thought Marlon must have been running late and had sent his assistant ahead. Sexism hadn’t played a part in his misconception. He just hadn’t understood how an angel with sparkling green eyes, alabaster skin, and a mane of long, red hair sitting over a body carved by the hand God could possibly comprehend much less write about loneliness and despair the way Gates did.
It hadn’t helped that Mary Allison hadn’t exactly dressed for a business meeting. Her breasts were straining under a red t-shirt with a Star Trek symbol followed by the phrase: “Nice knowing you…” printed across the front while her tight jeans showcased her shapely legs and round bubble butt. When they shook hands, Holden’s mind had been filled with enough carnal thoughts to fuel a hundred wet dreams. If it hadn’t been for Davis Kramer’s shameless snickering, he might have glossed right over the part of the introduction where he learned Mary Allison was actually Marlon.
As he went to throw away the coffee-dripping paper towels, Holden passed Mary Allison’s workstation and noticed she had left her Facebook messages page open on her iPad. He didn’t mean to snoop but before he realized what he was doing, he had read the message she’d left open.
Hey Boo! We haven’t had a slumber party in a hot minute. I miss you. I’m taking you shopping tomorrow because next week we are going to be the hottest couple there!
The word “couple” knocked the wind out of Holden but “slumber party” crawled up into his throat and started choking the life out of him. According to the name and picture, the message was from a good-looking man named Donnie.
Holden balled up his fist, his short nails biting into his palm as he gritted his teeth. His chest ached, and his stomach roiled. Who the hell is this prick and why had Mary Allison done those things with him earlier when she already had a man? What the fuck is going on? I finger fucked her. We were going to have sex…could she have been using me for a bit of fun or for revenge over something her man had done to piss her off?
He grimaced, rubbing his temples. I spent all that time holding back, staying professional, and let it all fall away the minute she showed me a little attention. What was I thinking? Mary Allison is a grown woman. She doesn’t owe me anything. Just because I’ve wanted her for so long didn’t mean she feels the same way.Someone like her would only be passing time with someone as boring as me.
His chest felt as if someone had ripped it open, smashed his ribs to bits, and squeezed his heart into a splatter stain. He took a seat and a moment to pull himself together. What was important now was to take a step back to protect himself. So stupid and reckless.
