We stare each other down for a long moment, “I don’t believe you.” I murmur.
“No?” Anger ignites in his eyes and he grips his desk tightly. “Then I suppose you also don’t believe that I was sent emails of the whole thing?”
I go pale. There is no way that he could have gotten his hands on those.
“Ellen sent them to me.” He stares at me darkly, “Probably a mistake, but who cares? I got my hands on it and I’ve already sent it all off.”
I hear a gasp behind me and realize that I’ve forgotten all about Ellen following me in. From the way Adam looks up, it’s clear he didn’t notice her either. There’s a moment when his eyes widen and I see Ellen’s hands fly to her mouth.
Her eyes fill with tears and she looks horrified.
“Ellen—” Adam calls out, but she’s already turned and ran down the hall, away from the room, away from the both of us.
I hear the elevator rush down and I know that I will never catch her. Anger spikes through me and I lean over the desk. The next thing I know, I have Adam’s shirt in my hands.
I push myself over the desk and we slam into his neat little filing cabinet. There’s a crash as everything tumbles down around us and I hear Adam gasp. It’s a satisfying sound and I tighten my hands on his shirt.
“How dare you?!” My voice is low, “What the hell has Ellen ever done to you, huh?” I can’t think straight.
For a moment, Adam just stares at me with wide eyes. He’s so close that I can see the pulse fluttering in his neck. Then his hands find my arms and rip me away from him. I refuse to let go and we’re thrown onto the floor.
I grapple hard with him as he lands on top of me with a force that leaves me winded. He’s a solid guy beneath those suits. I grab his tie and relish at the way it makes him react, his hands leaving mine and grabbing the fabric around his neck instead.
Still, I don’t let go. I didn’t happen to put my tie back on at Ellen’s. Lucky me. I pull harder and his body tenses against mine, “Listen here.” His eyes flicker to mine.
“Ellen hasn’t done anything but work hard every day of her life.” I tighten my grip, “Understand?! She’s done nothing to deserve this, even if I have. You didn’t need to do it like that.”
My grip slackens for a second, and that’s all that Adam needs. His knee finds my stomach and I try not to throw up, feeling winded. He pushes his knee firmly into my chest now, and I’m left gasping.
“Well, if you hadn’t enlisted her help, she wouldn’t be caught up in your lie!” His words are harsh and I can see the flush rising to his skin.
“She needed the money and who else was I supposed to ask?!” I want my words to be harsh, but instead they sound pathetic and I glare at him, daring him to challenge me.
I can smell his scent. It invades my senses and overwhelms them. It’s a good scent, I can’t deny it, unlike the softly feminine ones that I am used to. I can feel his heart beating, see the beads of sweat on his brow.
The pressure on my chest lessens and I take in a deep breath, but I don’t move. Neither does Adam. For the longest time, the world seems to stop, to slow down. Nothing else exists but the rumpled front of his shirt and the scent of his sweat and cologne.
Then he pushes himself off me and slumps back against the wall. He sighs and rubs his face, and I move to sit beside him. Everything aches and I’m sure he feels the same way. We sit in silence for a moment, before he speaks.
“I’ve been an idiot.” He doesn’t look at me.
“Yes.” I sigh and glance at the door, “But you’re not the only one acting stupid. I started this mess.”
Adam shakes his head slowly, “Your relationship seems pretty real to me.” He looks regretful.
I nod slowly, smiling a little, “Maybe… but I’ve seen the way she looks at you. I think she fell for you before she did for me.” I give him a knowing look.
“I need to talk to her. Apologize.” He glances at me and seems to debate his next words heavily.
“I’ll recall it.”
“What?” I’m confused, my heart thudding in my chest.
“The information. The proof. I’ll recall it.” He doesn’t look at me but I can’t take his eyes off me.
“Why?” Is all I can think to say.
He shrugs, “Because there’s nothing to gain by sending it.” He smiles at me.
I sigh in relief and shut my eyes for a long moment. It’s odd. I hate this man, I have since I first met him, and yet…
“If I don’t get the money, I lose my father’s company.” My voice is soft and low.