Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

There goes that idea.

I look outside the window and see a small brown building. It’s not the high-rise I’d been expecting, nor does it even look like an office. It’s nestled between two large modern buildings, prompting me to recheck the address.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” I question Kate while searching for the address on the email Lex sent me.

“It sure is. Just remember, don’t judge a book by its cover,” she says wisely. “I’d love to come out and introduce you to Haden, but I have a meeting to get to. Japanese businessmen do not like tardiness.”

“It’s okay. We can leave the hand-holding for later.” I raise my eyebrow and follow it with a smirk.

“Sure.” She turns her body to face mine, positioning her legs carefully so they don’t expose what I’d love to have a look at. “Nothing like a good hand job. So, tonight?”

“Tonight.” I grin, breaking out in a small chuckle as I open the door of her car.

She leans her head as close as possible to the passenger window, and with her lips cracking into a smile, she says, “You’re a heartbreaker, Mr. Mason. And someone out there is definitely going to get their heart broken.”

***

Kate’s right. You don’t judge a book by its cover. So you shouldn’t judge a building in the same way. As soon as I step inside, I’m astonished to see such an architecturally well-presented office space.

The reception area has dark wooden floors and crisp white walls. The back wall, where the receptionist sits, is old brickwork restored to its original condition. Hanging on the wall are various book covers sitting in large frames with an autograph at the bottom of each print. Moving closer to the reception desk, I notice that each book on that wall is a New York Times bestseller.

The sconces in the room are modern, illuminating the area and giving it a warm and inviting feel. And positioned in the corner is a vintage brown leather couch with a bookshelf beside it housing many books. There are more books positioned on the oval-shaped coffee table that sits on a huge, off-white shaggy rug.

The receptionist is wearing an earpiece and motions for me to wait a minute. The second she hangs up, she asks me who I am.

“Noah, Mason. Your new Marketing Director,” I state, keeping my tone flat.

When it comes to work, I don’t screw around. Perhaps, back in my younger years, I landed myself in someone’s pussy which equated to hot water. Yet over the last few years, I focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Marketing often attracted younge

r girls looking to mix business with pleasure. Unfortunately, for them, I didn’t tolerate such immaturity. When you’re under my watch, you better deliver.

My personal life, however, is a completely different story.

There’s work Noah and fun Noah.

The two never mix.

“Right. You’ll want Mr. Cooper,” she replies with a cute I-want-you-to-finger-me type of smile.

She stands and walks around the desk, careful to adjust her tight-fitting skirt. She requests I follow her, and I try my damn hardest not to look at the way her firm ass shakes from side to side as she leads me through the office.

I could do so many things with that firm little ass. Clear your dirty thoughts. She looks young. You like your women with a little more life experience, anyway.

We stop at the glass office at the end of the hallway. Opening the door, the man, who I assume is Haden Cooper, motions for us to come in.

“Mr. Cooper, this is Noah Mason.”

He stands from his desk, extending his hand to shake mine. He appears noticeably young to be running a publishing house—he’s almost my age. Tall with a muscular build, he’s wearing thick-framed reading glasses. Irritated by his beard, which he seems to be repeatedly scratching, I can notice the wedding band on his finger—poor fella.

“Noah, pleased to meet you. Sit.”

I take a seat in the plush chair as the receptionist leaves. His office is nothing special, scattered manuscripts all over his desk with barely room for anything else. There’s a mug next to his desktop, which has a picture of Homer Simpson in his briefs with the caption ‘The last perfect man.’

“So, Noah, Lex has only good things to say about you. But then again, that man could persuade anyone to do anything.”

“He does have a way with words. Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Cooper.”

“Call me Haden. It’s weird, you seriously look like you could pass as my twin brother.” He chuckles.