POV: Raven
“What do you want me to do?" Julie stares at me, picking up on my trepidation.
"If he is not out of my office in ten minutes, notify building security....and next time, call me to let me know before I get to the office. Okay?"
"Sorry ma'am."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL4EAJOczQ
Nodding my head at Julie before confidently walking into my office…not really prepared for anything that is about to happen.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTrhcgcjGY
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When I walk in, Dexter is sitting in my chair facing the huge window that displays the city of New York beautifully. I slam my MacBook on the desk to get his attention. and sure enough, he swivels the chair around to look at me with an unrecognizable expression on his face; before his eyes meticulously scours my entire body.
"Mm...Mm...Mm, Nothing is as I remember. Hugh was right, you have changed."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbrQp1kGbS
I frown at the mention of Hugh's name because I don't like the idea of Hugh and Dexter talking about me. I accepted that they were still friends a long time ago, but what I wont consent to, is being the topic of their bravado driven conversations. I make a mental note to discuss these perimeters with Hugh; that is if, I ever see him again. I refocus my attention on my ex-husband who's mischievously smirking at me with a slight twinkle in his eye.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHy1W0Z4zK
"What can I do for you Dex?" I asks, as his condescending attitude and lopsided smirk suddenly makes my blood boil. It takes all the willpower within me not to respond the way I really want to; I am not going to let him push my buttons, because I know that is exactly what he wants. That's why my response is casual, removed and steady( which catches him totally off guard. He raises his eyebrows, surprised by my calm demeanor.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bVv9hEdVn
“You know...you really embarrassed the hell out of me yesterday Raven. Ordinarily, I might try and exact some type of punishment for the defamation you spewed on your blog; but I thought about it and decided that maybe a different approach might be more rewarding...that maybe, anger isn't the answer. Perhaps a chance to disprove your allegations might satisfy me more. I would love to try and make you come...just for old times sake. My flight doesn't leave for another 3 hours so..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1yy33lgPe
A stunned giggle escapes my lips, as I stare at him; not really knowing what to think about the lustful proposal he just made. My laugh quietly fades away, as the contours of Dexter's face change. I stand awkwardly in front of him for a moment, waiting for the other shoe to drop, until I realize that this bastard is serious. "Excuse me? You're joking right?!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzLG0kdPPn
He has the nerve to blush, as his eyes seer through me. His body eases up slowly from my desk chair, and he walks around my desk until he is standing directly behind me. He presses his body into me gently, trapping me against the desk and his firm erection. He leans his head close to mine to whisper in my ear. "I assure you that I am not...It wasn't all bad between us, was it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaor2YJQgcs
I shiver at his words because I remember the way he use to make love to me. During the first year of our marriage, he was patient with me...loving... fun even. But my inexperience began to frustrate him...he needed more. So he started using intercourse as a means to punish me for my sexual ignorance, instead of something that two people in love share. He also used sex as a tool to satisfy himself, and didn't worry about whether or not he pleased me ...hence my lack of orgasms.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuvYDHwUPT
Shaking the memories from my head, i take a deep breath, before pushing him away with my ass, turning around to face him. 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2elhTzhtLp
“Dexter, I am flattered...no wait let me start over. I am appalled that you would come here and proposition me like this, when you have never bothered to apologize for the way you treated me. For this reason, if you were the last man on this planet, I would never allow you to touch me again. I loved you and was willing to do anything for you. Yes, I was a virgin and inexperienced, but if you loved me, you would have taught me to please you in the ways you needed; and I would have happily obliged. Instead, you decided to throw me away, to humiliate me every chance you got. You cheating on me and told me that it was my fault. Not to mention, I haven't seen you in almost three years; So instead of humbling yourself and seeking forgiveness, you come into my office, trying to intimidate me just because I hurt your feelings? Everything I said was the truth Dex and the fact that you are here today pulling this crap , means that you haven't changed one bit. Now, if you don't mind, I need you to step away from me and get the hell out of my office. If you refuse, I will scream bloody murder, and then two big ass men will be here in two seconds flat to haul your ass out of here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr95GFz5ea
So much for keeping my cool, I think to myself as Dexter stands in front of me, with a forced smile on his face, before taking a couple of steps away from me. But he doesn't leave. He sits stubbornly in a chair in front of my desk, motioning me to sit down.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTEK95bBOl
“Please allow me to begin again." He asks, scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I am sorry for the way I came here today...please sit down so we can talk, I promise I'll be on my best behavior from now on."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbjFDders7
My eyes look him over skeptically, not really wanting to give in to his request because Hugh's warnings from last night comes to mind. I shake my head defiantly, as he releases a frustrated moan.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6eUiOwZlU
“Please." He begs, smoothing back his blond hair, before toying with the ring wrapped around his pinky finger.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo5g9f68px
"You have 5 minutes." I sharply reply, as I walk around to my desk chair to sit down. 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoqJxIJyoV
“I think what I have to say might take —-"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX5lYicQbW
“5 minutes Dex—"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvZ64bvxsP
He looks up at the ceiling, rolling his eyes in frustration, before turning his attention back to me. 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwulds4GgHV
“Fine...5 minutes."He says, crossing his arms over his chest. "I came by because I think you are making a big mistake with this bucket list. You are better than this; I am sorry if my actions, and the way that I have treated you in the past is a contributing factor to this behavior...Hugh made it perfectly clear to me last night that I have to come to terms with my culpability in all of this foolishness..." He says, as if he is reciting a script that's be written out for him. His voice quietly trails away as if he has suddenly realized that his statement, despite the words coming out of his mouth, sounds like a condescending condemnation. 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV14f3EHWTm
I smirk, because despite his best efforts, his true self always emerges. My insides warm up a little bit though, because despite our massive agreement at the restaurant last night, Hugh is still defending me; and I cant help but feel protected and cared for even though he has this ludicrous allegiance to Dexter. I close my eyes and inhale...trying to remember that Hugh is the enemy...I can't afford to let him back in. Dexter notices my distraction and calls my name.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6yzN3PQfD
"Raven?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRf84R2XjS
"I am still listening...3 minutes Dexter. Get to the point." 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvTfG3I6sE
He clears his throat before continuing. "Like I was saying...Despite everything that has happened between us, If you insist on doing this, I want you to be safe; and I want you to do this with someone you know...someone like me." 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynCrkh5PKH
Now, this statement gets my full attention. I lean forward in my chair, drawing my eyebrows together in bewilderment, as he gives me a faint smile.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZf1YlPHtQ
"You heard me correctly, I want you to mine again. So...I was wondering if you would allow me to help you complete your list and consider giving us a second chance. We can even translate our connection to me business opportunities. We can merge in more ways than one. You were a great asset to Cunningham Sports Management group and I would like you to come back and work for me...I mean with me...What do you say?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek5ZmEGHdu
I suck in a shock breath as I slam my back against my chair in disbelief. My heart is beating so fast...no, it is fluttering around viciously in my chest, like a flock of flying birds, eagerly fighting to retrieve the last piece of bread thrown on a sidewalk. I can't believe what I am hearing and honestly, I don't know how to respond. These last three years have been torture for me because Dexter's rejection of me made me feel worthless and unwanted. When I received the final divorce papers, I was crushed because I lost everything that night; I lost my confidence, my self worth, and most importantly, I lost Hugh. Now he is telling me that he wants me back and that he wants to merge his company with mine...something is not right here. I just look at him, stunned into an involuntarily silence. 166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiQjroCCmN
He begins shifting uncomfortably in his chair, looking at me anxiously, as if he's really expecting me to answer. As my silence persist, my eyes narrow at him. He swallows hard, trying to regain the confidence he arrived with. He leans forward in his chair, placing his elbows on his knees.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo7sBHF1AE
“What do you say Raven?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7AiCnfJAV
