Unmatchable (5 page)

BoxPup: How was your day?

BlazeGenie: Interesting. How was yours? Anything big happen today?

I hint at the takeover of Full Hearts Matchmaking Service.

BoxPup: The only thing big happening today was in my pants. What was interesting about your day?

BlazeGenie: Did you shit on yourself? Because I doubt you're referring to your dick. I'm sure you had to take a lot of steroids to get a body like that. You know what happens when you take steroids.

BoxPup: Your balls shrink. Luckily for you, I'm all natural.

I let out a short laugh, unable to hide my amusement.

BlazeGenie: Why would that be lucky for me?

BoxPup: If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?

BlazeGenie: Starting with the cheesy lines now, I see.

BoxPup: I'll do what I have to do to get closer to you, baby.

BlazeGenie: I'm not your baby.

BoxPup: Are you someone else's?

BlazeGenie: I'm on a date right now.

BoxPup: Apparently, it's not a good date.

BlazeGenie: What makes you say that?

BoxPup: Because you're texting me.

BlazeGenie: I'm texting you because I'm in the bathroom and have nothing better to do.

BoxPup: Did you shit on yourself, because you've been in the bathroom for a while?

I can envision a smug grin spread across Colton Larsen's handsome face from successfully throwing my words back at me. Am I even talking to Colton Larsen? The thought that this is just a faceless stranger bothers me. Would I really want it to be Colton? That would be a little creepy. It would mean that he was, in fact, stalking me. I'm not sure if I find that flattering or disturbing.

BlazeGenie: Touche. And on that note, I have to get back to my date.

I close the app, but almost immediately it dings with a response, and I can't resist the urge to open it again and see what he said. To be honest, this is far more amusing than sitting across from Richard listening to his vacation stories.

BoxPup: Wouldn't you rather tell me what was so interesting about your day?

BlazeGenie: Why do you care?

BoxPup: Because I'm interested in you. I want to know more about you.

Isn't that some bullshit. He knows everything already. Still, I decide to be honest. Oddly, thinking that he is Colton Larsen makes it easier to voice my concerns.

BlazeGenie: Actually, it was kind of a shitty day. I just found out that someone bought out the company I work for. I've been working there for three years—the vast majority of my adult life. I'm worried that when new management comes in on Monday, my position might be at stake.

BoxPup: Why would your position be at stake?

BlazeGenie: The guy who is buying the company came in and did an undercover internal investigation. I didn't give him the best customer service. I was just doing my job, though.

BoxPup: If you were doing your job, then what are you worried about?

BlazeGenie: My job is kind of the opposite of my job title.

BoxPup: That doesn't make any sense. What do you do for a living?

BlazeGenie: I'm the client retainment associate for a matchmaking service.

BoxPup: So your job is to...what?

BlazeGenie: My job is to get rid of delinquent clients so that no one else has to deal with them. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it. What do you do for a living?

BoxPup: I'm a bodybuilder. Can't you tell? ;-)

I roll my eyes but wonder if I've got everything all wrong. This guy sounds completely clueless about my predicament. Maybe he did steal Colton Larsen's photos off of the internet and used them to make a profile.

I take a few minutes to pull up Google and do several image searches. The first is for hot shirtless men, the next is for shirtless men in Houston. I try anything that I think will bring up pictures of Colton, but all I get are random guys that I've never seen before.

With a sigh, I decide to cut to the chase.

BlazeGenie: Show me your face.

BoxPup: Why? We've already established that I'm hideous.

BlazeGenie: I don't care. I want to see who I'm talking to.

BoxPup: Show me your tits.

My mouth falls open at his bold request.

BlazeGenie: No! What in the hell is wrong with you?

BoxPup: I thought we were playing I'll Show You Mine, You Show Me Yours.

BlazeGenie: I want to see your face, not your dick.

BoxPup: Pity. I have a whole folder of dick pics with your name on them.

BlazeGenie: You can keep your inchworm to yourself. I'm going back to my date.

With a scowl, I turn my phone off and shove it back into my purse. Lord knows that if it beeps again, I'll want to look at it. For as much of a jerk as this guy is, I'm actually beginning to enjoy our crude exchanges.

I wipe myself, though I've pretty much dripped dry. Then I wash my hands and return to the table. Richard makes a joke about how he thought I had flushed myself down the toilet and that he was just about to come to my rescue. The joke was half-expected considering how long it took me.

The remainder of the date is pleasantly dull. While Richard continues to regale me with tales of his adventures, I think about my conversation with BoxPup. He was somewhat normal this time. I can't help but wonder if he actually cares. I'm mostly sure that he doesn't. This is all probably just some sick, twisted game to him. I'm interested enough to keep playing, though.

CHAPTER FOUR

COLTON

The flash of jealousy that raced through me when I found out that Ember was on a date was totally unexpected. Almost the entire time that we've been talking, she's been a bitch to me. I goaded her, though. I can't forget that. And to be honest, it's nice to see someone stand their ground for once. Most people wouldn't dare speak to me the way she has. She probably wouldn't dare speak to me like that if she knew I hold her job in my hands.

She doesn't know. To her, I'm just some random stranger. Some internet creep.

The thought of destroying her world makes me feel unpleasant. Perhaps I can use my BoxPup account to comfort her while she looks for another job. That would mean allowing myself to get close to her. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. If she found out who I am, it could cause problems. The smartest thing to do would be to delete my dating profile and be done with it. But I'm just so addicted to talking to her. She keeps me on my toes wondering what amusing venom she's going to spew at me next. I'm really surprised she's even still talking to me.

All throughout the morning, thoughts of Ember aren't far from my mind. I find myself checking the dating app way more frequently than I should. She hasn't responded, but I suppose I shouldn't have expected her to. I never messaged her back after she told me that she was going back to her date.

By lunch time, the urge to speak to her again is overwhelming. I sit in my office and unwrap the turkey sandwich that I had my secretary bring me for lunch before I fire up the dating app and tap out a quick message. Ember isn't currently online, but I figure she'll get the message eventually.

BoxPup: So how was the date last night?

I set down my phone and take a bite of the sandwich. Before I even have time to swallow it, there's a notification that someone has messaged me on the dating app. I open it back up and grin.

BlazeGenie: It was boring, if I'm being honest.

BoxPup: That's because you weren't on a date with me.

BlazeGenie: What on God's green earth makes you think I'd want to go on a date with you?

BoxPup: You're still talking to me, aren't you? Besides, I promise you'd have a great time.

BlazeGenie: I don't even know your name.

I give pause, taking a few minutes to enjoy my lunch while I think of a response. I could lie to her, but what harm is there in sharing my real name. It's not like she'll ever make the connection.

BoxPup: It's Colton. What's yours?

BlazeGenie: Amanda.

Liar.

BoxPup: You don't look like an Amanda.

BlazeGenie: What do I look like to you?

BoxPup: A beautiful girl that I'd like to kiss.

BlazeGenie: Is that so?

BoxPup: It is so.

BlazeGenie: I didn't think I was your type.

BoxPup: I'm pretty sure you're every man's type. Most guys are suckers for redheads.

BlazeGenie: I'm not really a redhead. I dye my hair. Sorry to disappoint you.

BoxPup: I'm not disappointed at all. What's your natural hair color?

BlazeGenie: Blonde.

BoxPup: My next favorite. ;-) Seriously, though, you're a knock out.

BlazeGenie: Thanks...But I still want to see if you're a knock out.

BoxPup: We've been over this already.

I shake my head at her tenacity.

BlazeGenie: I don't think this is quite fair.

BoxPup: Life isn't fair.

BlazeGenie: No, it's not. But people can be.

Unsure of how to respond, I decide to leave the conversation alone for now. I stare at my phone while I eat, wondering what my end game will be, knowing this can't go on forever. About five minutes later, another notification flashes across my screen.

BlazeGenie: Give me something to show me you're real.

I wipe my hands on a napkin and pick back up my phone.

BoxPup: We're talking, aren't we? That should be proof enough that I'm real.

BlazeGenie: I want to hear your voice. For all I know, you could be a woman.

BoxPup: And for all I know, you could be a man.

BlazeGenie: And you're okay with that? I guess now I know you swing both ways.

BoxPup: Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not into dudes. Are you one of those girls who likes gay porn?

BlazeGenie: I don't watch porn.

BoxPup: Liar! Everyone watches porn.

BlazeGenie: Let's kill two birds with one stone. A phone call will clear up the gender mystery for both of us.

BoxPup: Can't. My lunch break is almost over.

BlazeGenie: I won't keep you on the phone for long. My next client is in fifteen minutes.

I glance at the clock on my computer. Now that she's put the offer on the table, I really do want to hear the sound of her voice. Not the smug, stiff voice that she uses when she talks to clients. Her real voice.

Giving in to my own curiosity, I send her my cell number. A few seconds later, my phone vibrates.

“
Do you like what you hear?” I try to make my voice sound deep and seductive.

“
You sound just like your pictures.”

I smirk, feeling my ego inflate. “And how is that?”

“
Like a stuck-up prat.”

“
Oh, you are full of piss and vinegar, aren't you?” I laugh.

“
I call them like I see them.”

“
But you haven't seen all of me.”

“
I can imagine the rest.”

“
What is it that you envision?”

The line goes silent for a moment.

“
I bet you have dark brown hair and light blue eyes. Maybe a five o'clock shadow. I bet you walk like you own the world and think that every woman on the face of the planet should fall to their knees before you.”

A shiver rolls down my spine at how close to my actual description she got. Now paranoid, I pull my phone away from my ear to make sure I didn't accidentally press the button for video chat. Thankfully, I didn't. Still, her guess hits far too close to home. Maybe she's just good at telling what people look like by the sound of their voice.

“
Wrong. I'm blond with green eyes and freshly shaven.” I scrub my hand across the stubble on my chin. “And the only woman I want on her knees before me is you.”

“
Such a charmer, you are.” Sarcasm is thick in her tone.

“
You bring out the best in me.”

“
And you bring out the worst in me. It looks like we're at an impasse.”

Even though she's being rude, I can sense her amusement. It's the same banter we've been passing back and forth online. Hearing the smile in her voice makes me want to get closer to her. It's irrational, but the feeling is definitely there.

“
What are you wearing?” I lean back in my chair and cross my leg over my knee.

“
Are you seriously asking me that right now?”

“
I am.”

“
I'm at work. What do you think I'm wearing?”

“
Not one of those flashy, little tank tops, I assume. If you were, your clients would probably rather date you than whoever they were matched with.”

“
No. I'm not wearing a tank top.”

“
Then what are you wearing?”

She pauses, presumably looking down at her attire. “I'm wearing a black pencil dress with a white polka dot collar and sleeves.”

“
And what are you wearing beneath that?”

“
Wow! You have no shame, do you?”

“
None whatsoever.”

She's quiet for a moment. “Well, thanks for the chat. I've got to go.”

I'm surprised she's the one who wants to hang up first. With as insistent as she was on hearing my voice, I figured she would have wanted to talk all the way up until her client walked through the door.

“
Did I bore you already?” I tease.

“
No. I've just gotten everything I want from you for now,” she sounds oddly smug.

“
Did hearing my voice satisfy your curiosity?”

“
Something like that. Try not to get too worked up over thoughts of me as you go about your day.”

I chuckle. “Oh, you know I will.”

“
Goodbye, Colton.”

“
Not goodbye. Talk to you later.”

She hangs up the phone, and I wear a smile on my face for the remainder of the afternoon. I'm enjoying this way too much, these flirty exchanges that are full of so much resistance. I wonder what would happen if we ever ended up face to face, our identities revealed. She'd probably hate me. The fantasy would be over, and that would be the end of it. The thought makes me frown.

I was a pig when I went into her office to do the undercover investigation, purposely pushing her to her limits to see just how nasty she can get. When I reveal myself as the guy who bought out her company on Monday, I'm sure she'll feel the heat of her actions. She'll probably know what's coming.

When my workday is done, I sit at my desk and open her employee file, staring at it. My fondness for Ember is clouding my judgment of what's best for the company. Maybe the same thing happened to Freddie Montanez. My situation is different, though. I won't be the one who is in the office with her every day. I won't have to feel the loss of her presence. I'll just know that my management team did their job, and Full Hearts Matchmaking Service will be better off for it.