Chapter 24
Ian
After I left Gina’s, I headed back to the office. All I could think about was Ellie.
“This was one of the most productive project implementations in the history of my company,” Brian said.
Dylan and I were with one of our biggest clients in the meeting room.
My mind wasn't in the game, but it didn't need to be.
It was just about wrapping up a project and schmoozing.
Even though it wasn't my brother's favorite activity, he instinctively seemed to realize that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it, so he took the reins.
"We're very happy that the project rolled out the way you wanted it," Dylan said. "If there's anything else we can do, we'll be happy to collaborate on another project."
"I do have something else in mind," Brian said. "And I would like to do it with Gallagher Solutions."
"Do you have a brief?" Dylan asked.
"Not yet, but I'll send it to you as soon as I do. Well, gentlemen, I think this is all. Thank you for taking your time to go through this wrap-up with me." We all stood up and shook hands.
After he left, Dylan sat back in his leather chair in the meeting room, looking at me. "You're totally off your game."
"My mind is somewhere else. Thanks for noticing and stepping up."
"Does this have anything to do with your meeting with Isabelle?" Dylan asked. I nodded, pacing the meeting room. I brought him up to date. I was curious about what he’d have to say.
Dylan didn't miss a beat. As soon as I was done, he straightened in his chair. "Okay, now we have all the facts. I think you need some sort of big gesture."
I cocked a brow. "Some sort? And Isabelle thinks you're romantic."
Dylan ignored me. "Would you rather I suggest a meddling brother getting in between?"
"We can skip that part. And I did it by accident anyway."
Dylan laughed. "You accidentally answered my phone?"
Back when he and Mel had a falling out, I'd butted in a bit too much. "Okay, no, but you were down. I thought a prank would cheer you up. I'm great at that. Can we get back on track now?"
Dylan relaxed in his chair, keeping his eyes fixed on me and drumming his fingers on the desk.
"Be decisive in what you say. Don't leave any room for interpretation. That can backfire quickly. And for the love of God, whatever you do, act now. If you’re planning to waste your evening at the office again, I’ll personally kick you out. "
“I’d like to see you try. But don’t worry. I have other things to do.”
I'd been working on a plan ever since I was out with Isabelle earlier. It solidified in my brain during the meeting with Brian. Once in a while, Ellie went to that spa she loved on the Upper West Side. I knew exactly what to do. She had an appointment there, but she was in for a surprise.
Two hours later, I was sitting behind the mahogany reception desk, looking straight at the entrance, waiting for Ellie to step inside.
It had taken a considerable amount of persuasion to get the staff to cancel all other appointments tonight and leave early, but I could be very persuasive. And I compensated them generously.
I stood completely still when the front door opened and Ellie stepped inside.
For a few seconds, she didn't seem to realize that something was different, but then her eyes widened as she looked around the room.
There were dozens of flowers everywhere.
Her eyes got even bigger when she saw me, and I couldn't resist. I walked around the reception and straight to her.
She lit up when I approached. Up close, I could see that she was paler than usual.
She lacked that inner joy I loved so much about her.
Fuck, no. I was going to bring it all back.
“Ian,” she whispered. “How… what is happening?”
"I wanted to see you. I wanted to surprise you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “So, you hijacked my appointment?”
“Exactly.”
She looked confused.
“Listen, Isabelle and I met with the event planner today. She told me about your conversation with her."
Her shoulders dropped. "Yeah, and you don't owe me an explanation."
"Yes, I fucking do. Listen to me. I told her that months ago, Ellie, before I met you. Of course I want you at all events right next to me."
She looked up at me with a hint of a smile. “You're serious?"
"Yes, of course I am."
"So you just never thought to update her?"
I groaned. "Isabelle asked about this too.
Look, this stuff is not really on my radar, okay?
That's not something I actively think of.
" I cupped her face with both hands, looking into her beautiful blue eyes.
"I need to know what you want, Ellie," I said.
“Do you want a future with me?” If she said no, I really didn't know what I would do.
“Yes, yes I do. Of course I do.”
Relief swept through me. "Do you want to take the job in New Orleans and move there permanently? I’ll move with you."
"Oh, Ian. I can’t believe you’d do that.
But I don’t want the job. It's just that, when my boss asked, I didn't want to say no.
And anyway, after the call with the planner, I felt a bit lost, honestly.
I should have brought it up before, but I'm just not good with conflict.
I tried, but I didn't know how to do it without sounding insecure and weird, like now. "
She was blushing, and the color was returning to her skin.
"Ellie, I know you. I know how you are. You'd rather keep things to yourself, I get that. Just like when you were being bullied at school, you never told your mom, afraid she’d worry.
You never talked with her about how hard it was for you to hear about her issues with your dad, but you did listen even though it hurt because you wanted to be there for her.
You're strong that way—for yourself and others—and you keep everything inside, but you don't have to do that with me. I want to be there for you through everything. I love you.”
Her eyes were a bit watery. “Now what?”
“I've been told by my brother to lay my cards on the table." I slid one hand to the back of her head, burrowing my fingers in her thick hair. "I love you, and I want you in my life. When you told me about the job offer here, I wanted nothing more than to tell you to take it and stay with me."
She grinned. "That was kind of what I hoped you would do. Why didn't you?"
"Because I didn't want to be selfish. And then I saw that email, and all I could think about was that I want you here. With me. I know I overreacted. And that I am selfish." I stroked her lips with two fingers, bringing my other hand to her waist.
"That's not selfish, it's possessive, and I like that about you. You’re always decisive when you want something, Ian."
Ellie
Ian was looking at me with so much warmth that I felt like I was about to burst. "Well, here is me being balls to the wall. I want you, Ellie. In any way I can have you. You mean so damn much to me."
"And you to me," I whispered. He wanted me here. I was over the moon. I couldn't see anything except him, my gorgeous man who wanted me so much. "I love the flowers," I said, glancing around the spa.
"I'm glad you do. I came here determined to first ask you what you wanted before going balls to the wall, and I thought the flowers might sway the odds in my favor."
My face widened in a grin. "Was that Isabelle's idea?"
"No, it was all on my own. And speaking of siblings, I'm surprised Henry isn't here, trying to throw me out a window."
"Oh, I saved you from that. I asked him not to call you, and he listened."
"My, my, someone has softened."
I skimmed my hands down his torso, pressing myself closer.
I loved feeling the heat of his body, his muscles beneath my fingers.
His delicious smell was home for me, pines and forests and leather.
Ian was my home, and I never wanted anything else.
I wanted to make this man happy for the rest of my life, just as happy as he was making me.
“I can’t believe you did all of this.”
"It's just you, Ellie. I'm a different person since I met you."
"So am I," I whispered. "You know, I never believed I could feel about anyone the way I feel about you."
"Tell me more. I like where this is going."
“Before, I never wanted to settle down anywhere. I never felt the need to, but you changed that.” Lacing my arms around his neck, I jumped in his arms. He caught me, laughing, and walked with me back toward the reception area. He hoisted me up onto the counter.
"I'm not in the mood for a massage anymore. I want to be alone with you."
"We are alone," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"What?”
“You see anyone around here?”
“No, but I thought maybe you'd just cleared out the reception area."
He tilted his head. "Are you kidding? I didn't want to risk anyone ruining our big moment."
“How did you manage to send everyone away?”
“I can be convincing like that.”
Oh, this man, I loved him so much. I cupped his face with my palms, loving the way his five o'clock shadow felt against my skin.
I couldn't believe it. He wanted me here. He wanted a future for us. I bit my lip, and this time his groan was more of a growl.
The next second, he leaned in, capturing my mouth in a deep kiss. It electrified every cell in my body until I rose on my toes, placing one hand on the back of his neck and the other on his chest. He was mine. He was all mine.
I kissed him back desperately, needing more, needing to feel close to him. He brought an arm around my waist and placed the other one on my back, as if feeling that I needed more contact. We both laughed when we pulled apart.
He was looking at me intensely again. There was a fierceness in his eyes I'd never seen before. He touched my face with both hands, tipping my head, so I looked right at him.
"I love you, Ellie. You're so damn important to me. You've changed me. I've told you that. It's a privilege to be with you now and in the future. I love everything about you."
“Let’s go home,” I whispered.
“Hell, yes.”