Mr. Big Shot (Mr. Big 1)

"Mother," I said, my fists clenched. "She is not white trash. Her father was a career fighter pilot in the Air Force. She's doing her Master's degree in International Relations. She's beautiful, she's smart and she's got a good heart. She is the farthest thing from white trash ever. And anyway, even if she was white trash, if I love her, you should be supporting me and welcoming her into your arms." I turned to leave, unable to hold back my anger and needing to get away. "I'm going back into the city."

"But Felicia—"

"I'm not interested in Felicia Blake," I said and turned back to her. "Get it through your head. I'm not going to ever be interested in Felicia Blake. I'm not going to get back with Jenna. That's it, mother. That's all you have to know."

She came over to me. "Don’t go. Stay and visit with the Thorpes, at least. You know how he always enjoys talking to you. He was so looking forward to talking more about the negotiations…”

"Sorry. Not going to happen." I shook my head. "Give my regrets to everyone."

"But the Thorpes—"

"Goodbye, Mother."

Then, I left, duffle bag in hand.

I hopped in my car and drove off, leaving the whole bunch of them behind. I felt incredibly disappointed that the weekend didn't turn out the way I wanted. I had hoped to spend it with Alexa, lying in the sun and relaxing. Even if we were only pretending to be a couple, I was enjoying myself. She was so easy to be with…

The sex was great.

Instead, we had one great night and morning and then BAM. It was all over and I was alone again.

I wanted to spend time with Alexa, so I could watch her enjoy herself. I wanted to take her to my bed again that night and enjoy her body the way I had the night before. Being with her felt totally natural. We laughed easily, and we talked easily. The sex was better than great.

&nb

sp; But she was just acting. She didn’t really feel anything for me as a man although she definitely enjoyed the sex.

Strangely enough, that didn't feel like enough for me anymore.

I wanted more.

That surprised me. I hadn’t felt so comfortable with a woman for a long time. Not since with Jenna.

I had to push that thought out of my mind, because we all knew how that turned out – a disaster that took me a good six months to recover from. No, I wasn't going to let myself get hooked back into the whole relationship thing only a month before I was scheduled to take the catamaran and sail down to the Caribbean and then through the Panama Canal to the South Pacific.

I had to keep that in the front of my mind. Once the deal went through, and I was sure it would, the ship would be finished and the guys and I would sail away for what I hoped would be the greatest year of my life – so far.

* * *

I arrived back at my building just as the sun had set and walked into an empty apartment, throwing my duffle bag and keys onto the table in the entrance. Then I went to my living room and stood at the sliding door to the balcony. I opened it and went to the railing, looking out over the city at the lights from the Hudson. A light breeze blew in from the water.

I thought once more about Alexa and how Jenna's presence had ruined everything. My adoptive mother just couldn't resist trying to control my life. I really had to make a clean break with her and my adoptive father once the deal went through.

Then, I could finally live my own life the way I wanted.

* * *

I sat on my sofa and watched the late local news, my mind only half-focused on the report on some crime committed down some dark back alley. I took out my cell and checked my messages once more, in the vague hope that Alexa might have a change of heart and text me, asking me to come to her place so we could spend the evening together, but no luck.

I was tempted to send her a message and suggest it. The hour was late but I hadn't eaten dinner and could have used a late supper.

LUKE: Look, I know that there's no future for us, because I'm leaving in a month for the Panama Canal, and you're starting your PhD and want to live in Europe, but I'm craving some pizza and was hoping you might feel like joining me. I feel like I owe you a fun night after what you did for me at Cipriani's and after coming out to the beach for the weekend. I can't talk you into a slice at Familigia's? It's close to your place… Afterwards, I could bring you back to my place for a wild night of really great sex… ;) But if you're not into really great sex, I could use company for a slice or two.

I should have just let things be, but I couldn't. I wanted to talk to Alexa. I wanted to see her smile and hear her laughter as I told her tales of my adoptive mother's meddling. I wanted to fuck her again and again, watching her face in pleasure.

I read my text over and then sent it, throwing caution to the wind.

Then, I waited. I checked my watch. It was now close to nine and I knew the streets would be busy along the Hudson as Saturday night revelers would be out, and Familigia's would be busy with customers. I wanted to walk down Broadway with Alexa and sit on a bench, watch people for a while.