“I don’t…” I shook my head as I realized I had been fantasizing about Aubrey the entire time.

“You’re not even going to beg for it?” She smiled, bringing her head closer.

“Stop.” I grabbed her by her hair and gently pushed her away.

“Is something wrong, Thoreau? Did you want to do me first instead? Should I get on the bed or the chair?”

I couldn’t make out the rest of her questions; images of Aubrey were clouding my brain, invading all my senses. And the more I stared at this woman, a woman who was nowhere near as beautiful as Aubrey, the more I felt my c**k softening.

Fuck…

I pulled my pants up and zipped the fly. “I no longer feel like f**king you. You can leave.”

“Excuse me?” She sucked in a breath and crossed her arms. “What did you just say?”

“I said that I don’t feel like f**king you.” I spoke slowly. “And that you can leave. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“You’re going to put me out? Just like that?”

“Would you like me to reserve another room for you?”

“What happened to the man I met online?” She stood up. “Was that all a front? Is this some type of game where you take out women, say sexy things you’ve probably read off the internet, and then make them get naked knowing damn well that you don’t know how to f**k?”

“I definitely know how to f**k.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I just don’t feel like f**king you.”

“I can’t…I can’t believe…” Her jaw dropped. “You’re a f**king ass**le!”

“Asshole? Yes. Fucking? Unfortunately not. Can you make sure that the door is completely closed on your way out?”

She pulled her dress over her body and picked up her purse. “I’m putting a flag next to your profile on Date-Match. And you know what else? I’m going to leave a review of our encounter, too. I’m going to make sure—”

“Do you normally talk as you get dressed?” I cut her off and took a seat on the bed. “I’m pretty sure it’s something that doesn’t require conversation.”

Fuming, she slipped into her shoes and rushed out of the room—slamming the door behind her.

I waited until I heard the ping of the elevator and lay across the mattress. I tried my best to think of something or someone other than Aubrey, but she was all that came to mind.

What the f**k is happening?

I stared at the ceiling for another hour, unable to take my mind off of how her mouth felt against mine at the office earlier today. Even if it was only for a few seconds.

Needing to get to the bottom of this, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called her.

“Hello?” She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Why did you buy me that watch, Aubrey?”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t, but I read the inscription on the back.”

Silence.

“I need to ask you something,” I said.

“Only if I can ask you a few things first…”

“Go ahead.”

“How can you possibly be so adamant about honesty when you haven’t been completely honest with me?”

“I have been completely honest with you.”

“I’m starting to believe that your name isn’t really Andrew Hamilton…”

“So you’re still stalking me and my past online? Do you not have any other hobbies?”

“Who is EH?” Her voice cracked. “Why are those two letters hanging on all your walls? Why are they engraved in all of your cufflinks?”

“Aubrey…”

“What’s going on with you and Ava? I saw her walk out of your office last week, and she smirked at me.”

“Is this a bad time to talk?”

“Yes.” She was breathing hard. “This is a very bad time. Why don’t you just hang up and go to the Marriott so you can f**k someone else?”

“I am at the Marriott, and I was actually about to f**k someone else.”

She was silent for several seconds. “I don’t… I don’t want to hear from you anymore, Andrew.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said I don’t want to hear from you anymore. Don’t you ever f**king call me again.” She hung up.

Impasse (n.):

The inability of two parties to reach a negotiated settlement.

A few days later…

Aubrey

My heart was still aching—reeling, and although I’d told Andrew never to call me again, and that I didn’t want to hear from him, I couldn’t move on until I received an apology.

I needed it…

I felt sick to my stomach after giving him that watch, and I’d foolishly expected for him to call and say, “I love you, too,” but he acted as if it meant nothing.

Without knocking, I opened the door to his office and shut it behind me.

He raised his eyebrow as I stepped over to his desk, but he didn’t hang up his phone.

“Yes, that will be fine,” he spoke into the receiver.

“I need to talk to you.” I blurted out. “Now.”

He motioned for me to take a seat, but he continued talking. “Yes. That will work as well.”

I sat and crossed my arms, trying not to stare at him too hard. He was utter perfection today—looking more f**k-able than usual with a fresh hair-cut and a brand new grey suit. His eyes regarded me intensely as usual, and I noticed he was actually wearing the watch I gave him. He’d even paired it with matching cufflinks.