Owen

 

I need a drink, and quick. I haven’t been back in Manhattan in what feels like forever. As I step through the door of my high-rise apartment, I make my way to the kitchen before anything else.

Bourbon is the only thing that can relax the tension in my shoulders. Slipping out of my jacket, I hang it on the back of the bar stool. I yank my tie, loosening it as I make my way downstairs to my office.

Firing up the computer, I lean back in my leather chair. An email pops up that peaks my interest Looks like I’m sticking around longer than I thought. Not that I had any intentions of going anywhere, but this email, it’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. A small smile creeps onto my face and I pick up my bourbon.

“Cheers, asshole.”

I spend the rest of the night putting documents together and drinking. I’ll be ready when it’s necessary.

 

**

 

Waking up in my own bed after being gone for so long is a damn dream. I have one meeting today and after that I’m taking a few days for myself. I’m going to have fun and not think about anything for a while. It’s been too long since I’ve let that happen.

After a quick shower, I toss on my power suit complete with my favorite red tie. I take a second, staring at my father’s gold Rolex watch. I secure it around my wrist and head off downstairs.

The warm morning sun beats down on me as I walk to Starbucks to get my morning energy. I should have left earlier because standing in the line waiting is going to make me late and that’s something I never am. The minutes tick by and as I reach the front and place my order, I realize I have fifteen minutes until my meeting starts.

Grabbing my coffee, I rush outside racing for the cab that just pulled over across the street. Opening the door I get in. “Uptown,” I say.

“Downtown.” I hear at the exact same time. A brunette vixen turns her steely blue eyes on me and raises an eyebrow. “What the hell are you doing?”

“This is my cab, blue eyes. I’m late for a meeting, so you can grab the next one.” Looking at the driver, I hold up some cash. “Uptown.”

“Whoa. I hailed this cab, it’s mine. I need to get downtown, so get out,” she says, crossing her arms in defiance.

“I don’t have time for this petty bullshit, blue eyes.” I grab a hundred out of my wallet and hold it out to her. “I’ll cover your ride downtown, but in a different cab.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Cocky son of a bitch. I don’t need or want your money. Get the hell out of my cab.”

Running my hands through my hair, yanking slightly out of aggravation I toss the hundred at the cab driver. “Take me uptown and if blue eyes here wants to come for the ride, you can take her downtown after.” Before she can even say anything he’s pulling out into traffic.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she says under her breath.

I laugh a little at her annoyance. “I gave you a chance to get out, you didn’t want to,” I say, looking down at my phone.

“Are you always this arrogant or just with women?”

Putting my phone away, I cross my arms. “Are you always this condescending or just with guys?”

She laughs and puts down the gym bag she is holding. “Listen, Mr. Entitled Prick. I’m many things, condescending isn’t one of them. I’m smarter than you think, stronger than I look and know more than you’d imagine.”

“Condescending and confident, good for you blue eyes,” I say with a small grin.

“What the hell makes you believe you’re time is more important than mine? Because you wear a suit and have an expensive Rolex on you think you’re better than me? That I couldn’t possibly have somewhere as important to be because I’m in jeans and a T-shirt.” When she’s done with her long ass rant, I look her up and down, simply shrugging my shoulders. “Pull over,” she shouts at the cab driver.

“You couldn’t have done this before and saved us both time,” I say, adjusting my tie. She grabs her bag, shaking her head and it causes her long brown hair to fall into her face.

The cab pulls over and she pushes open the door. Turning her head to look at me, I can see the anger in her eyes. “Entitled prick.” Getting out she slams the door shut.

Damn, what a pain in the ass. She’s worse than some of the guys I end up doing business with. Looking down at my watch, I shake my head. “Hey, can you hurry up,” I say to the cab driver.

After a long meeting, that I was late for thanks to blue eyes, I’m looking forward to having some fun. It’s been awhile since I went out and enjoyed myself. I’ve been too busy for that, but tonight I need it. I need a distraction, something or someone to get me out of this dark place. It’s a temporary fix, always has been, but I need it. Only problem is, I have a feeling no matter who I screw I’m going to be picturing those piercing blue eyes.