Chapter ten
~ELANA~
His hands around my wrist are gentle yet firm.
His thumb is tracing delicate patterns on my skin, igniting a fire that courses from my arm to my tummy.
I’m locked in his gaze, our chests almost touching.
I should be getting used to him being so close to me, but I’m not.
Every look pins me in place, and every touch sends electricity through my body.
I fight to keep my breath steady, knowing that I’m failing.
My eyes are on his lips that slowly curl upwards.
The world disappears, and there’s nothing but him.
Why isn’t he moving or doing anything? He’s just staring at me, something dark playing in his eyes.
A sharp knock on the door shatters the moment.
Shit. Adrian releases my wrists, his expression shifting from intense to composed instantly.
How does he do that? I step back, my heart still racing, as he moves away from me.
I immediately miss the feel of his hands on my skin and lift my hand to my other wrist.
“Come in,” he calls out, irritation lacing his voice.
The door slides open, and Melissa pokes her head in, a stack of papers in her arms.
“Apologies for the interruption, Mr. Morgan.” She pushes the door a little more but stays in place. “I just wanted to remind you of your lunch meeting with Ms. Duchamp.”
Who is Ms. Duchamp? An unfamiliar feeling tugs at me.
“Cancel it.” Adrian glances at her for a split second before looking back at me. Melissa’s still standing in the doorway, probably unsure what to do. Considering her reaction, I would guess Adrian rarely cancels meetings.
“Yes, sir.” Melissa finally nods and closes the door.
“Why did you cancel it?” Not that I’m not relieved he won’t be seeing whoever Ms. Duchamp is, but a little irrational voice tells me it’s because he’s still not done with me.
“Because I asked you a question.” As Adrian’s intense gaze meets mine again, I fight the urge to step back. “And you still haven’t answered.”
“What question?” My voice is a little above a whisper. I mentally go over the whole conversation, trying to find the question he’s referring to.
“The message on your phone.” He points at my phone in my hand and steps towards me. “It didn’t seem like nothing.” His piercing stare is drilling into me as if searching for answers. There’s no harm in telling him, right?
“Okay.” Reluctantly, I retrieve my phone and pull up the message.
This time, it’s a photo of me having lunch with Ryan.
I hand him the phone, hoping he won’t somehow open my messages with Lilly.
His eyes narrow at the sight, a flicker of rage flashing across his features.
I see his thumb play across the screen, probably to reveal the previous message stating that the sender’s always watching.
“What is this?” The intensity in his voice reverberates through the room, his anger more than obvious as he absorbs the message's contents.
“I don’t know.” I shrug hesitantly. “They sent the first one this morning.”
His jaw clenches, his fist tightening at his side, the other one clutching my phone as he processes my words.
“Have they threatened you?” He lifts his gaze to mine.
“No, not directly.” I shake my head and gently slide my phone out of his hands. “They just said that they’re watching me.”
He runs a hand down his face. “Do you have any idea who it could be?”
I hesitate before responding. “It could be my ex-boyfriend. He’s been… persistent about wanting to get back together, but I never thought he’d stoop to this.”
“He’s harassing you?” His question comes out in a growl, low and menacing.
“I’m okay.” I don’t think my attempt at reassurance will work, but I try anyway. “He likes to bark but never bites. I’ve dealt with him before. I can handle this.”
“I want you to send me the number he’s texting you from.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Nothing he doesn’t deserve.” He stares me down in a way that tells me I should listen.
“Okay.” I swallow. “But I don’t have your number.” I realize how stupid that sounds. I’ve been living in his home for a few days, and I don’t even have his number.
“You do. I took the liberty of saving it for you.” He points a finger at my pocket. That’s what he was doing with my phone while he had it? He runs a hand through his dark hair. “One more thing. There’s an event I have to attend tonight—”
“That’s okay—”
“I’m not finished.” He raises a hand, cutting me off. “I want you to come with me.”
“Come with you?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. As like… his date? Don’t be ridiculous. “To an event?”
“Good to know your ears work fine.” Adrian’s expression remains stoic.
“Why do you want me to come?” He’s silent, so I rephrase my question. “What if I don’t want to come?”
“I wasn’t asking, little duck.” He cocks his head to the side, and I can already feel my cheeks turning pink. This shouldn’t be making me blush.
“But why do you want me to come?” I narrow my eyes at him. Surely, he has other women to take with him. The thought is surprisingly unpleasant. I don’t want him taking anyone else, but that doesn’t mean I want to go with him, either.
“I don’t need a reason.” His chin lifts a bit as he looks down at me.
“But I do.” I fold my arms across my chest with my newfound courage.
“Then maybe I’ll give it to you.” His voice drops to a low murmur. “If you agree to come with me.”
His words catch me off-guard, a flush creeping onto my cheeks as I struggle to formulate a response. “That’s unfair.”
“Is it?” He lowers his gaze to my lips and takes a deep breath through his nose. “It’s simple, Elana,” he says, looking back into my eyes. “Come with me, and you can ask me about my reasoning again.”
“You don’t play fair.” My hands fall to my sides, and Adrian takes the opportunity to close the distance between us once again.
“I’ve never played fair, and I’m not planning on starting anytime soon.” He lowers his head until his forehead almost meets the top of my head. “Especially when it comes to you.”
Especially when it comes to me? Heat pools low in my belly as I fight the instinct to look up at him. Fuck. He definitely noticed my change of breathing because his chest shakes gently with a silent chuckle.
“You really don’t take no for an answer, do you? I have nothing to wear,” I breathe out in an attempt to laugh. I hope a joke can get rid of this feeling in my chest spearing down to my lower half. “I might have to borrow one of your suits.” I slowly peek up at him.
A satisfied smirk plays at the corners of Adrian’s lips, a glint of triumph in his eyes. “I’ll have Melissa arrange for suitable attire to be delivered.”
“Do you always talk so funny?” I furrow my brows. “Very proper.”
“Would you like to see just how improper I can get, Elana?” His grin widens, a mischievous spark dancing in his eyes.
That familiar electricity strikes my belly again. Flashbacks of my dream flood my mind, and the butterflies in my stomach threaten to break free. I can do nothing to slow the rush of sensation his question ignites in me except to leave it unanswered.
As Lilly and I step into the boutique, a surge of nervous excitement comes over me.
Adrian gave me his card earlier, despite my protests, insisting that I shouldn’t worry about the expenses for the event tonight.
I had never seen a black AMEX before. I look down at the card between my fingers.
I probably shouldn’t wave this around. I slip the card into the inside pocket of my purse and try to ignore the discomfort of spending Adrian’s money.
“Lilly, I really don’t know about this,” I mutter as we browse through racks of dresses worth more than my tuition.
“Come on, Elana. It’s not every day you get to dress up like a movie star!
Adrian clearly wants to make sure you don’t go in that duck dress again.
” I gently push her with a laugh. I shouldn’t have told her about Adrian’s nickname for me.
“All I’m saying is that you have to look stunning, so let's make sure you do!” Lilly chirps, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Alright.” Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself smiling despite my reservations.
As we continue our search, I notice the judgmental glances from the saleswoman.
I don’t know if it’s the stick up her ass or my less-than-fancy outfit making her glare at me like that.
Either way, it’s making me feel self-conscious.
I know I don’t belong here, but I don’t need her to remind me each time our eyes meet.
But then, I spot it—a stunning red velvet dress. The thin straps seem to go below the shoulders and the neckline is lower than what I’m used to. “Lilly, look at this!” I exclaim, rotating the dress for her to see.
“Now, that is why we’re here!” Lilly dramatically points to the dress. “You’ve got to try it on.”
“I think so, too,” I breathe out. I carefully take the dress off the rack and lift it so it doesn’t touch the ground. I’m afraid the slightest touch might ruin it.
It’s just a piece of fabric, Elana. Yes, a very expensive piece of fabric.
As I make my way to the fitting room, the saleswoman’s eyes burn holes in me.
“That dress is from our newest collection, darling. It’s probably a bit out of your budget range,” she comments snidely. “There’s a Forever 21 down the street. I’m sure they have something more fitting for you.”
Before I can say anything, Lilly reaches into my purse and pulls out Adrian’s black AMEX.
“Come again?” She waves it around, and the woman’s eyes widen for a split second before she regains control of her expression.
“Please, accept my apologies.” The woman gives me a nod that I don’t return. “Feel free to try anything you’d like. Do you need any help with the dress?”
“No, thank you.” I give Lilly a look and snatch the card away from her. I look down at it between my fingers and scoff before returning it to my purse. It’s absurd how a piece of plastic holds so much power.
I close the dressing room door and hang the dress on the golden hook on the wall.
I take off my clothes, feeling more exposed with each item I take off until I’m sitting there in my underwear and shoes.
I quickly slip the dress on, careful not to stretch it or do something that would unlock an unfortunate series of events.
This isn’t a rom-com, Elana. Just put the damn thing on.
A small gasp escapes my lips as I look into the mirror. I’ve never seen my body look like this. It hugs my curves in all the right places, and despite the revealing cleavage, it screams opulence.
“What do you think, Lil?” I step out of the dressing room to show her.
“Oh, El!” She gasps in awe. “Adrian won’t know what hit him, I’ll tell you that much.”
I giggle and go back to the dressing room to change back into my jeans before I change my mind. After I’m done and the dress is back on the hanger, I walk back out, holding it up in the air. I carefully place it on the counter and turn towards the cashier.
“How much is it?” I almost don’t want to ask.
“Three,” the cashier chimes in with the price tag.
“Three hundred?” I ask, puzzled, and she shakes her head with a giggle.
“Thousand.”
“Oh,” I mumble, feeling guilty. I turn back to look at Lilly. “Lilly, I can’t. This is too much. It’s stupid.”
She, however, isn’t having any of it. She storms up to me and places a hand on her hip and the other on my shoulder.
“If Adrian insists on dragging you to this event, he can foot the bill for this dress too.” She looks at me long and hard. “Do you even know how much money your babysitter is making? That dress isn’t even pocket change for him.”
“But it’s definitely not pocket change for me, Lil.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Elana. For once in your life, live a little. Adrian Morgan gave you his fucking black American Express. You would do it injustice by not spending three grand on a dress.”
Lilly always knows what to say. I feel the corners of my lips rise and my hand already sliding into my twenty-dollar purse to retrieve the billions of dollars casually resting inside one pocket.
I turn to the cashier and flash her a smile. “I’ll take it.”