CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ADAM JONES
By the time I reach Ellen’s apartment, I feel a mess. I feel giddy with the revelation I’ve just had and sick with the decisions I made. The feeling of Cade beneath me sends confused bursts of color into my world, and I’m not sure why it’s affecting me so badly. My world is spinning, turned completely upside down.
But I’ve done the same to Ellen, and in all the wrong ways. I feel a pang in my chest. No wonder she is with Cade. I’ve done nothing to earn her love or respect. I should be held in her contempt, as I am sure I am. I take a deep breath as I stare at the door.
When I finally knock, it seems frustratingly hesitant. I can feel the redness on my throat where Cade grabbed my tie, and I adjust it, hoping that Ellen doesn’t notice. After a few moments she opens the door.
Her face is a little red, like she’s been crying. I feel my heart ache at the thought of causing her pain and distress. I never, ever wanted that. When she sees me, her features harden and she makes to close the door.
“Wait.” I catch the door in my hands, “Ellen, I’m sorry.”
Her expression is guarded, but she stops trying to close the door on my hand. Suspicion is written on her face and I can’t say that I can blame her.
“Why are you here?” Her voice is cagey.
I take a deep breath and look at her with sincerity, “Because I’m sorry.” I murmur, “What I did was wrong – all of it.”
She looks at me for a long moment before she turns and walks into her apartment. She leaves the door open, and glances at me when I don’t immediately follow. I step into her apartment and close the door behind me. She’s sitting on her couch and I join her, hesitantly.
She’s still looking at me expectantly and I clear my throat, “I’m going to recall the proof.” I take a deep breath, “Your relationship with Cade is valid, and I shouldn’t have burst into your apartment, nor should I have sent it off in the first place.”
“Damn right.” She looks at me with a hard glare for a long moment, before sinking back into her couch cushions with a sigh, “It was my fault anyway.”
I shake my head, “No, it was mine.” I glance out of the windows and into the distance, “I was… jealous.”
“Jealous?” She sounds surprised, a curious lilt to her voice.
“Yes.” I don’t meet her eyes as I contemplate what I’m about to say. “You are a very attractive woman, Ellen.”
When I finally glance at her, I find her blushing, a smile on her face, soft and low. “I am, huh?”
She smiles and shifts a little closer to me. Her leg brushes mine and she looks at me earnestly, “You could have just said that, instead of dragging this to the trust fund.”
“I know.” I smile, relief fluttering in my chest, “But I didn’t want things awkward between us. I know you care for Cade.”
“I do…” She’s smiling, her hand resting on my knee, “But I’m attracted to you too.”
My heart soars at her words and I feel like I am lighter than air. Ellen shifts and her lips press against mine. The kiss is sweet and lingering and perfect.
I feel my heartbeat pick up, my pulse pounding against my skin. She tastes incredible and I want to pull her close and never let her go. My hands slip around her waist, and pull her in. She happily complies and I catch a scent of her perfume.
Her curls tumble around us and I can’t breathe. Her tongue finds mine and I lift my hands, tangling them in her hair. She moans and the sound is so sweet. Her hands are on my shoulders. I can feel my arousal stir and she must sense it too.
Ellen moves her hips just a little, grinding lightly against me as we kiss, our tongues colliding, our clothing rubbing together, the friction sending me insane with desire for her. It floods through me and makes me feel a bit dizzy.
Then she slowly pulls away and the smile on her face is so naughty that I want to melt. “Well, don’t you have proof to recall?” She kisses me chastely.
“That’s not fair.” I smile, still trying to catch my breath.
“I’ll make it up to you later.” She murmurs in my ear, before standing up and sauntering to the door.
I join her and she adjusts my shirt and tie for me, “Look…” She says, “I’m going to invite you and Cade to dinner tonight, to celebrate.” She looks at me honestly, “Do you want to come?”
I consider it, the truce that has blossomed between Cade and me, the thought of being around Ellen, and I nod, “Sounds great.”
“Good.” She smiles, looking relieved, “Around seven, okay?”
“All right.” I lean in and kiss her, relishing the way she blushes, her eyes sparkling with what I am hoping against hope is desire.
I leave the apartment feeling a lot better than when I arrived, and I have a feeling Ellen is feeling better too. Recalling the mail won’t be hard – seeing as I only just sent it.
I head off to do just that, a hopeful feeling buzzing in my chest and making itself known. Things are finally looking up, and I don’t even care about losing the clients. They can go to hell for all I care.
This is worth it and I wouldn’t change it for the world.