***Dek's POV***

Weeks have gone by since I stepped foot in Elik's office. It feels like a prison to me. I am unable to enjoy the benefits of my significant other owning his company due to unnecessary strain.

Jamie has managed to make me loathe his existence. That alone shocks me. I am not that type of person. I absolutely hate that a single being has been able to stir these types of feelings within my relationship.

Avoiding Jamison altogether has definitely worked. However, I can't help but feel like I need to know the underlying reasons for his actions. I find it hard to believe that anyone just likes me so deeply upon first sight.

I mean there is Elik. But, he's the exception and the feeling is mutual.

So, being me, I decide to face my problem head on. Without alerting anyone, I offered Jamie to go to lunch today. My treat. Is this a mistake? Probably. Will their be repercussions? We shall see.

I head to my own restaurant for the umpteenth time. The fact is, the atmosphere is calming, the food is delicious and it's away from wondering eyes. But, I also have the comfort of knowing the staff will not allow Jamie to step out of line. It's a big win all around.

I exit my vehicle after parking. I immediately spot the ostentatious yellow Bugatti that Jamie drives. He steps from it brooding in douchebaggery. (Not a word? Sue me! LOL) I walk thru the parking lot without making eye contact and seek the entrance to The Palm. It's difficult not to fall into a lazy path of friendliness. I have to keep my guard up.

The hostess greets me with familiarity and I smile generously at the sweet girl. She takes me to my seat and places my usual gin and sprite in front of me. I peruse the menu for the lunch specials. Every day a few different entrees are offered. It's a good way to add variety.

I look up as I hear Jamie's greeting.

"Dek, this is a pleasant surprise." Jamie beams a killer smile my way.

"Don't make me regret it." I smile lightly in return.

"Ah, don't be that way." Jamie chuckles while he takes his seat across from me.

The server comes and offers Jamie a drink. He accepts with a small nod. He places his order for a whiskey sour. I lift my brow incredulously. Hitting the hard stuff early on, I see.

"What brings us to this lunch?" Jamie cuts straight thru the red tape.

"You." I offer in response.

"What about me?" Jamie feints stupidity.

"Your presence at Elik's company has been bittersweet to say the least." I curtly disregard his play.

"Nothing wrong with friendly competition." Jamie smirks.

The server takes our orders and removes the menus from our table.

"No competition. Friendly is questionable. What I want to know is, why?" I ask dryly.

I'm not exactly amused by Jamie's arrogant attitude. If I was being honest, he rubs me completely the wrong way.

"When I see something I want, I take it." Jamie begins.

"What exactly is it that you think you saw." I press for confirmation.

"Easy." Jamie smiles evilly. "You."

"I apologize that you are visually impaired, however, I am fully marked, claimed and satisfied." This time I smirk. I worded my response perfectly.

"I don't see a ring." Jamie chuckles.

"Would that even matter?" I question doubtfully.

"Sure." Jamie lies.

"I have a hard time believing your arrogance could be deflected by a circle of shiny metal." I continue while our plates are set in front of us.

"You think lowly of me." Jamie states his response as a matter of fact. He is neither wrong nor right.

"I'm disappointed in myself, honestly." I start.

"I'm confused. What have you done wrong?" Jamie asks as he lifts his pasta to his mouth.

"I allowed you to make me question my outlook on people in general. I always give each person the benefit of the doubt. I believe humans are inherently good, until something causes them not to be. I tried, or at least I thought I had. Now, I can't remember if I did or not." I admit easily.

"Do I make you doubt yourself?" Jamie sends me a satisfied grin.

I cough on my gin. He is so fucking deluded it is shameful.

"What the fuck happened in your life that makes you feel successful by breaking up other people's relationships?" I angrily spit my words like the acid they are.

"People will always fail one another. I find it gratifying to prove my theory. I will admit, you seem to be more attached than I originally observed. But, given the proper circumstances, anyone will fold. Whether it be accidental, purposefully, right place/right time or beyond their control. No one is exempt." Jamie spews the largest geyser of bullshit I have ever been witness to.

"Care to elaborate, or do you chose to state hypotheticals that make you look like the douche you are?" I ask. My vision is blurring thru the angry haze this dumb fuck in front of me has brought on.

"Let's just say I too once was in a committed relationship. One moment of weakness, alcohol or pure neglect changed my perspective." Jamie continues to speak in philosophical conundrums that would have Ghandi taking a swig of the strong shit.

"I was angry at you. Now, though, I'm just disgusted. You are an unnecessary villain in your own story." I begin as I stand. I leave my plate untouched. I throw two hundred dollars on the table and grab my cell phone. "Get over whatever mistake you made. Find peace. Ask for forgiveness from the man you are apparently hung up on. But, whatever you do, do me one favor. Stay the hell out of my way. I don't want you. And, frankly I have a hard time believing you would want yourself."

Jamie stares at me as if I slapped him across the face. Truth be told, I feel like doing it. I walk off, waving at the adorable hostess and stroll to my car.

I waste no time heading to Elik's office. I glide thru the doors without removing my shades or interacting with anyone. I barge thru Elik's office door, propping my sunglasses on my head.

"Dek, baby, what's wrong?" Elik worries as he stands to face me.

"Not a damn thing. I'm tired of feeling like your work place is off limits. You own this shit. I should feel welcomed. I'm sick and fucking tired of that shitbag getting between us. I won't stand for it a second longer." I huff out.

"Whoa, whoa. Baby, calm down. Sit." Elik snaps his fingers at his couch.

I throw my weight into my ass as I lower myself to the seat.

"Sweetheart, can you explain why you look murderous?" Elik runs his hand soothingly across my jaw. I lean in to his touch and kiss his palm.

"I just miss you so damn much. I want the freedom to be us." I whimper. His touch melts my anger.

"What can I do?" Elik requests an answer.

I can't think of solutions with my heart pounding. My head throbs. My breathing feels like drums against my lungs.

I pull Elik into me and take his lips. I softly lick his bottom lip, begging for entry. Elik pulls me across his lap and leans down. His hands cradle my face and he sensually opens for me. I slither my tongue into his warm cavern and explore. Our tongues tangle and warm saliva washes over the soft muscles. I deepen the penetrating kiss and fight my way down his throat. I am so unbelievably needy. I feel fragile.

Elik pulls away and smiles at me. It touches his eyes as he looks down at me like I am the greatest treasure in his life.

"I love you so fucking much, Baby." Elik kisses my nose.

"I know. I love you as well." I confirm.

"Jamie is a fucking monster." I giggle.

"I know that. But, why do you bring this up?" Elik chuckles.

I explain the bullshit excuse the filth uses during lunch. My stomach grumbles in the middle of my story.

"You didn't eat? Did you?" Elik chastises me.

"A pity too, I was looking forward to the chicken Florentine." I laugh.

"Let's go. Me and you. The rest of the day. Fuck work." Elik grabs my hand and pulls me thru the halls and to his Porsche. He buckles me down and assaults my lips, cheeks, neck and forehead with kisses.

Fuck, I love this man!

We head to lunch. We see Jamie's car in the parking lot as we exit. I try my hardest no to be the child I am and salute his vehicle with a bird.

Elik chuckles as he turns onto the road.

"Baby, don't let him do this to you. I know I have no right to claim maturity. But, you are better than this. I hate that you went to lunch with him. However, I trust you. I'm glad you called him on his shit. No more hiding away from the office. Just go back to showing up freely. Who knows? Maybe, Jamison will take your advice. If he doesn't, fuck him. Not literally tho." Elik laughs.

I lace my fingers thru his as our hands sit over the gear shifter.

"Regardless of Jamie's theory, I would never betray you. Elik, my love is real. True love doesn't hurt the heart that completes them." I softly promise.

"Such a sweet man I have." Elik kisses my fingertips after he lifts them to his mouth.

Lunch is good but, honestly, I'm not in the mood to be in the public eye. I voice that very thought to my personal Adonis. Immediately he heads home.

Once we arrive, Elik leads me to the pool and strips us both down to our Calvin Klein's. We fall together into the deep end of the salt water. When we break the surface, we are a mess of wet hair and tangled lips. Elik covers my soaked flesh in kisses. His lips are soft and divine.

I wrap my legs around his waist and drop my head to his shoulder. He wades in the water, me snuggled against him like a baby sloth. The embrace is everything I need.

"Baby, you are so very important to me. Please believe I would never step out on you either. I am yours. Only yours." Elik coos as he snuggles me closely.

"I have no doubt." I whimper.

I have no clue where my emotions have run to. Surely I must be on my period. I just feel like I need his reassurances.

We stay intertwined in the water until the sun sets. Kisses are shared. His hands lazily trail up and down my back. I just refuse to let go.

"Baby, it's gonna get cool. Let's go take a bath." Elik offers.

I nod my head into his shoulder and allow him to carry my wet body up the stairs. He runs a bath, strips us bare and lowers us both into the hot water. I sigh in content.

Elik wraps his arms around my torso and pulls my back into his chest. He pins my calves down with his ankles.

"I don't want to move." I breathe out.

"Then don't." Elik kisses my neck. I roll my head to the side to give him more flesh to claim. His open mouth kisses land down the stem of my neck, my collarbone and then my shoulder.

"Um, babe." I whisper. His large friend pokes my back.

"Can't help it." Elik moans into my ear.

I spin around and wrap my legs around his torso. I adjust myself and slide down his shaft. He is extremely hard and when he fills me I throw my head back in elation.

Elik doesn't bother moving. I just slowly roll my hips back and forth. He kisses my lips as I ride him sensually. Tingles climb up my spine and fill my heart. Elik takes his time marking me with his lips.

I push my head into his neck and suckle on the taut flesh. My hips never stop moving. I feel the familiar tightness form. My feet dig into his lower back as the pressure builds.

"Dek, I can't last. This is so fucking erotic." Elik pleads with me.

I push down on his cock and move my hips in circles. Elik pants into my shoulder. My fingers grip his hair and I pull his head back. I smash our lips together in a searing assault of hungry need.

Elik moans into my mouth as I feel his warm seed fill me. It sets my own climax off and I dirty the water with streams of pleasure.

"Shower?" Elik chuckles.

"Yeah." I breathe out.

We hop into the shower and clean properly. We both dress in our pajama pants and leave the room. We kiss like teenage lovers, down the stairs. We finally make it to the living room.

We both plop down on the sofa. Elik pulls me into his lap and wraps a blanket over us. His hand splays across my stomach. The other hand flips through the tv channels. He settles on some show. I am not paying attention.

"I needed this." I whisper as I play with his brown locks.

"I know baby. Me too." Elik promises between delicious kisses.

The other members of our crew join us. I'm great with that. They order Chinese food and we all sit around watching tv and unwinding. Yeah, I needed this.