Overlooked(1)(169)

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.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN





ELLEN CASSIDY





When Adam leaves, I’m left feeling giddy. I sigh and rub my face, the tension crackling in the air. I don’t know what to think, or how to feel. All I know is that relief is coursing through me and leaving me breathless.

It’s all going to work out. Adam will help us and I will get the money I need. Cade will get the inheritance that he deserves. I feel relieved, almost drunk on the sweet reality that everything is going to be okay, everything is going to be just fine. I smile and grab my phone, giving Cade a call.

My anger has receded and I just want to celebrate, “Hello?”

“Hi.” I answer with a smile, “Cade, do you want to come over tonight? I hear we three have reason to celebrate.”

“Ellen.” He sounds relieved, “So Adam told you?” I can hear the happiness in his voice, the relief that is tangible, “Isn’t it fantastic?”

“I know.” I’m beaming, “Come over and bring something bubbly.”

He chuckles, “I will.”

I check the time, glance around my apartment and get busy. I start with a good old fashioned clean of the place, really working hard and making sure everything sparkles. I even change the sheets and clean up the bathroom and bedroom, just to be sure everything looks great.

A quick trip to the store garners the ingredients that I need for a dinner, plus candles and fresh flowers. I want tonight to be perfect, so I feel it is okay to splurge a little.

I set up the flowers in vases and begin to cook. Dinner doesn’t take long to prepare and I put it in the oven on very low, to keep it warm and finish off the last little bit of cooking. There are ready-made desserts waiting in the fridge and I couldn’t be happier.

I jump into the shower next, doing the whole nine yards, just like I had done for the first meeting. I use masks and scrubs, polishing and moisturizing my skin until it shines and glows. I style my hair, putting it up in a lovely, elegant up-do.

I put on a little more makeup, keeping it tasteful, and slip into one of my best dresses. It’s more revealing than the ones I have been wearing lately, but I am in my own home and I’m in the mood to feel good about myself.

A quick spray of perfume and my killer heels, and I feel great. I light the candles, closing the heavy drapes of my curtains and throwing a few extra scatter cushions on my couch. It looks good, polished and elegant and just right.

I glance at the clock and take dinner out of the oven, feeling relieved that I’ve gotten it all ready. I set the places and grab out my best Champagne flutes. The lights glitter across the glass, the food smelling delicious. I check myself in the mirror and smile.

Not bad, not bad. I feel ready, I feel good and I am bursting at the thought of everything finally going right, after all the fighting and the stress.

Cade is the first to arrive, prompt and on time, flowers in hand. He grins when he sees all the vases of flowers already in the room, “Seems you beat me to it.” He sets down the flowers and kisses me until my knees feel weak.