CHAPTER NINE
ADAM JONES
The moment they walk out my office, I breathe a sigh of relief. I sink down onto the couch in the waiting room and take a deep breath. My body feels like it is sizzling with tension and I don’t know what I should be doing first. I usually feel quite focused, but at the moment, I feel almost at a loss.
I should feel triumphant – there are definitely gaps in their relationship, things I can use to slowly pull apart the fabric of their lie. I’m happy about that – happy to know that I will undo a lying bastard like Cade and put him in his place where he belongs.
The triumph is still dulled by the burning anger that has lodged itself in my heart. I don’t usually feel this way, but everything about that man has turned my anger up to full blast. His arrogance, the way he looked at his fiancée, the way he treated me with contempt.
I want to put him in his place and I cannot wait to do it. I swear nothing would give me more pleasure right now. Nothing that is, except for Ellen.
She looked gorgeous in that dress. It was cut just right and fit her body like it was tailor made. It hugged all the right curves and the subtle sparkle on her neck was just right. The way she moved, her hair shimmering down her back. Her eyes meeting mine, locking and not wanting to let go.
I can feel a stirring below my belt and I bite my lip. This is not the time. The intelligent sparking behind her eyes and her naive act, the way she sauntered out of the room, her hand in Cade’s. The way she had looked at me when she should have been looking at Cade.
I have all the ammunition in the world to bring the two of them down, but the only one I want to hurt is Cade. I have a whole different list for what I want to do with Ellen.
Desire surges within me and I push it down, stamping it into the dirt. I have a job to do and I will be damned if one pretty girl ruins that for me. I have plenty of women interested in me and I will not be distracted by the one who happens to walk through my door today.
I have just composed myself, standing to head over to my desk, when there’s a knock on my door. I frown, surprised. I am sure I have no more appointments this morning. I specifically blocked out time so that I could focus on Cade Harlow.
Confused, I head to the door and open it. To my surprise, Ellen is standing there, Cade nowhere to be seen. She smiles and it seems to open up her whole face, “Hi. Uh…” She shifts, looking awkward, “I left my purse. Sorry to trouble you…”
“No, no… it’s no trouble at all.” I smile and step back, allowing her into my office. She looks even better alone and I watch her bend over to grab her purse. She smiles and holds it up.
“Got it.” She smiles, sounding relieved, “My life is in this thing.”
I smile graciously, “It’s no trouble. Really.” I look her over and an idea sparks into my head.
“Say, Miss Cassidy…” I tilt my head, “Do you mind coming in within the next week or so?”
She looks confused and I can’t blame her. “Isn’t that what you and Cade were talking about?”
“Well, yes…” I concede, “But I meant a meeting with just you.” I smile apologetically. “I know it would be a bit of an inconvenience… but I’d like to discuss wedding dates and so forth… the family would like to know.” I shrug like this is all out of my control.
“I know us men aren’t great with that, so I thought it would be quicker if it was just you.” I look at her quietly, “You’d really be doing me and Cade a favor. Get some of that stress off his shoulders and just handle it, you know?”
She seems to be mulling this over, considering my words and I hold my breath.
“Okay.” She eventually replies, “Here.” She grabs something out of her purse, jotting something down and passing it to me.
I glance at it only to find her number scrawled onto a piece of paper. For some inexplicable reason, I find my heart stopping.
“Out of business cards.” She smiles in apology, “Let me know when, okay? I’ll have to arrange something with work.”
Then she turns and saunters out of the room. It takes all the strength I have not to take her by the hand and pull her close. I find myself wondering if Cade has kissed her. I wonder if he’s done anything more.
And when she glances back at me, I see fire in her eyes and I know that I’ve made the right choice.
A meeting along with Ellen Cassidy is exactly what I need.
Strictly business, of course.