Chapter Six
DREW
After my father left, we returned to our work, but I struggled to concentrate.
I glanced over at Ellie, sitting at the desk Grace had chosen for her.
Watching her face light up when she saw it did funny things to my insides.
Working side-by-side with her had been effortless so far.
Even though our communication hadn’t been in person, we were in sync with whatever next moves needed to happen and how to handle tasks.
With Ellie in my corner, I didn’t have to worry about things falling through the cracks. She anticipated what I needed before I did. I may have hired her through an agency, but she was a perfect fit for me.
In more ways than one, a tiny voice in the back of my head whispered, still fixated on that kiss earlier.
It had been her idea to visit Ruby River so that she could better understand the operations side of it all and to meet the staff she worked with.
What I didn’t know when I agreed to the visit was how difficult it would be to have her in such close proximity.
Sure, I appreciated her mind, her quick wit, and her dedication to the job.
She was the model employee. She understood my long hours.
My drive. The desire to make my mark on this company just like my ancestors had done before me.
But having her here in person, a few feet away, made me fully aware of all the things about her I didn’t know.
Like the way her faint honeysuckle scent wafted over to me so often. I’d read the same email at least five times before I finally comprehended what it said. Or the soft sounds she made as she smiled, smirked, and mumbled to herself as she worked. It was distracting and crazy—in the very best way.
Things like the faint sigh that escaped her lips when she was thinking had me wondering if she’d make the same sound in bed.
Or the little hum that I recognized as an indication she was happy, since she often smiled while making it.
Or the tiny growl that told me she wasn’t pleased with someone or the outcome of something.
When she stopped typing and stretched, her blonde hair fell over the back of her chair. I watched, captivated and hoped she didn’t notice.
As her boss I should not be staring at her. It didn’t matter that we were fake dating.
I was going to force myself to look away.
Like now.
Right now.
I was going to look away any second …
But … When her body shifted first to one side and then the other, my mind flooded with images of her arched over me with her mouth parted as moans fell from her swollen lips. My eyes flicked to the clock in an effort to throw me out of my fantasy.
It was well after lunch time. “Why don’t we cut out early?” I asked. “We can grab lunch at the diner in town and I can show off Ruby River.”
Her gaze flicked over to the clock, too. “You don’t have to. I know you don’t like leaving until late. I brought snacks to tide me over, and I can take a walk around town after work.”
“Now what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t take care of my girl?” I dared, waiting for the panic or awkwardness of calling myself her boyfriend, but it never came.
Her breath hitched at the mention of “my girl” and I didn’t miss how her cheeks flushed. I also didn’t miss the urge of possession that roared to life within my chest. It was like the word mine beat a steady rhythm right alongside my heart.
When she bit her lower lip, I had to fight the urge to go to her to soothe the spot with my thumb. Or better yet, my mouth. Since we declared our fake relationship, the desire that surged through me since our first meeting appeared to think it had free rein.
A shy smile stretched across her face. “Okay. You’re right. If we’re going to pull this off, we need to be seen around town together. And it’s like research for work to get to know the town.”
I didn’t like the sharp stab of pain at the reminder that we were only doing this to get her family off her back.
Although, realistically, our fake relationship didn’t have a chance to be something real.
I wasn’t interested in a long-distance relationship or moving to her hometown in Maryland six hours away. Ruby River was my home.
We left the office and made a plan for the next day.
More than one head popped up from their cubicle or their office as we passed.
Either people were teasing me about leaving early, which I hardly ever did, or saying how happy they were to meet Ellie.
She was like a mini-celebrity. Their smiles and offers to grab coffee with her were genuine and a testament to how incredible our staff was and how easy it was to work with Ellie.
As we neared the exit, I reached for Ellie’s hand and was surprised when she pulled away.
“Drew, we’re at work. In front of your employees.”
I shrugged, not understanding the problem. “They’ll find out soon enough. And this is a subtle way of showing everyone we have another layer to our relationship. The faster we get the word out, the better chance we have of convincing your family.”
She pursed her lips. “Right, but I don’t want to compromise my position here or have people think this is the only reason I have this job.”
We exited the main doors that led to the parking lot.
I guided Ellie to the side of the building so we’d have a little privacy.
“I’ll always respect your wishes. And please know I’m not dismissing your fear.
I should’ve asked when it’s appropriate to hold your hand and discussed your comfort level with PDA in front of our co-workers. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I don’t mind you holding my hand or the typical PDA like in your office. I just don’t want people here to think badly of me.”
I needed her to know I took her concern seriously and that I wouldn’t tolerate any disrespect like that from anyone. “I want you to understand that no one here will question why you have your job. And if they do, they can answer to me.”
She sighed, clearly not fully convinced.
I tipped up her chin so she’d look at me.
“Ellie, consider the dynamics of our company. I have aunts and uncles working here, cousins, and friends and no one questions their ability to do their job. We don’t hire them because of our relationships, but because they’re the right person for the position.
People who work here know that’s true because we’ve proven it time and again. ”
“I get it, but it’s hard to believe that people won’t think differently about me. I’m an outsider. A stranger.” She bit at her lower lip.
“Hey. There’s not a single person in this company that hasn’t sung your praises to me about working with you. They know why you have this position, and it’s not because you’re with me. Okay?”
“Okay. You’re right.” She shook her head. “You’re right. I was just freaking out. Holding hands is fine and I know we’ll have to show some PDA for people to believe we’re really together.”
I gave in to my desire to rub my thumb along her chin.
“Nothing to be sorry about. You had a valid concern. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to share it with me.
” I let go, feeling the loss of her already.
“Is there anything you could think of that’s off the table?
I don’t want to ever make you feel uncomfortable again. ”
“I don’t think so,” she paused, and then shook her head. “Although, I am ready to see the town you love so much.” She tentatively stuck her hand in mine, and I closed my fingers gently around hers.
“Anything in particular you’d like to visit first?”
She grinned. “How about your favorite spots?”
“There are probably more places that are my favorite versus the ones that are not,” I admitted. I loved my town.
“Well, let’s get started, then.” She flashed a devastating smile and it took every ounce of self-control for me not to whoop in victory.
We set an easy pace down the sidewalk and turned onto Main Street.
Ellie’s steps slowed as we passed the first business, The Ruby River Mercantile.
She peeked into the general store’s large front window, currently decorated with a hand-drawn scene depicting our local apple orchard and a flyer for our upcoming Ruby Night.
“Who drew this? It’s so realistic.” Ellie whispered, her fingertips tracing the lines of the tree in the air over the glass.
I stopped to admire it with her. “One of our high school seniors, Mia Thompson, is an amazing artist. She works part-time at the store. She was one of those kids that was drawing life-like pictures for everyone in kindergarten.” I waved to the manager, Mary Thompson, Mia’s grandmother, who was at the register just inside the window.
She’d worked for the store for as long as I could remember, and even though she was a manager now she stepped in wherever she was needed, including the checkout counter.
As we passed by the bank, my third grade teacher stepped out the door.
She was impeccably dressed as always with her short gray bob held back with a headband, crisply pressed slacks, and a sweater combo underneath her open coat.
The small pup in her arms was dressed in the doggie version of Ringo Starr’s Sgt.
Pepper outfit. Its pink satin military-style jacket was adorned with blue rope and gold details, including fringed epaulettes and shiny buttons.
“Drew Kingsley. How lovely to see you. How have you been?” Her brown eyes flicked over to Ellie before settling back on me.
“Great, Mrs. Knapp. And you?”
“Can’t complain. I have the grandbabies coming to visit this weekend.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “And who do we have here?”
I threw my arm around Ellie’s shoulder. “This is my girlfriend, Ellie. Ellie, this is my favorite teacher, Mrs. Knapp.”