Overlooked(1)(168)
Adam looks at me in surprise and I sigh. “I need it to close a few deals, a few deals that will really bring the company up again.” I smile at the thought, “My uncles ran it into the ground after my father passed, but I’ve been working to bring it back up since I inherited it at twenty one.”
I sigh and rub the back of my neck. “But I haven’t been perfect either.”
“That must be tough.” He looks at me with what seems like genuine concern.
“It is. So… thanks.” I murmur.
He glances at me with a nod, before he moves straightening his shirt and loosening his tie. He smiles at me and I can see stress behind his eyes, “I better go and see Ellen.” He sighs and squeezes his eyes shut, “If she’ll see me, that is.”
“Good luck.” I murmur, and I mean it. I want things to work out, not only for me, but for Ellen, for Adam. I smile, “I’ll let myself out, shall I?”
“You do that.” He makes his way to the door, “Thanks, Cade.”
“Don’t mention it.” I say.
Then he’s gone and I am left sitting against the wall in the wreck of a lawyer’s office. I sigh as I look around. I guess I had better get some cleaning up done. I think I might just owe this guy a favor. After all, he’s helping me out a heck of a lot more than I’m helping him.
Maybe he isn’t quite as bad as I first though he was.
Maybe.
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.