Chapter seventeen
~ADRIAN~
I’m going to hell for betraying my best friend’s trust. It’s what I deserve. I lost my head. I’ve wanted to fuck Elana senseless from the moment I saw her at the cafe, and now, after tonight, I’m one look away from losing my heart.
I know these feelings aren’t too surprising considering the woman on the receiving end, but fuck, does she have to be my best friend’s little sister?
It feels just as wrong as it does right.
And what can I offer her? A workaholic who doesn’t know if he’s ready to give her the commitment she deserves?
If I fuck her, she’ll expect me to stick around. When I fuck her, she’ll want more. More of me, more of my time, more of us. Ethan’s always been the person I’d talk to when it comes to these things, but I’d be lucky to get away with a few punches if I told him what’s happening.
I waited for Elana to fall asleep before moving back to my room, unable to fall asleep myself with her next to me. She’ll most likely be disappointed to wake up to see the bed empty, but last night, me staying with her even for a bit, was more than I’ve ever offered someone after—
After what? You didn’t fuck her. I certainly had other plans for her, but learning about her inexperience, I made some last-minute adjustments.
And a part of me knew that if I buried myself in her, there would be no going back to trying to keep my distance.
No excuse for my, no doubt, confusing behavior.
But it’s not too late to try, not too late to fix this.
Keep telling yourself that.
I park my car in my usual spot and slide out of it.
I told Mac to wait for Elana at the penthouse and drive her in once she’s done with her exam.
I drove all the way to the office, my body on autopilot while my mind was all over the place.
Fortunately, I could make the drive from my place to my office blindfold.
Walking through the sliding doors and into the main building, I bypass the usual greetings, heading straight for the elevator.
There’s no time for small talk today. My mind’s too busy replaying last night’s events on repeat.
I just need to get to my office. The paperwork I had to go through last night has been added to the pile of shit I have to take care of today.
As the elevator doors open on the top floor, I step out into the sunlit waiting area. Melissa and Bethany are waiting for me behind their desk, as usual.
“Good morning, Mr. Morgan,” Bethany chirps, batting her eyelashes and flashing a smile that’s meant to be charming. Melissa remains professional, offering a polite nod of acknowledgment.
Ignoring Bethany’s attempts, I turn to Melissa. “Melissa, get Victoria on the line for me, please.” Then, turning to Bethany, I add, “Coffee.”
“Of course, sir.” Melissa nods and sits back down.
With that, I step into my office and close the door behind me. I can still feel the remnants of last night on my body, begging for release. I should go for a run once I find the time.
As I settle into my office chair, Melissa’s voice comes through the intercom. “Mr. Morgan, Ms. Duchamp is on line two. She’s expecting you.”
“Thank you,” I reply, pressing the button to switch to line two.
“Good morning, Adrian,” Victoria's sultry voice comes through the phone.
“Morning, Victoria,” I respond, not matching her tone. “I understand there are some details you’d like to review regarding the deal with Mortimer. I’ve got some time in about an hour.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Bethany pokes her head in after waiting for me to invite her in. She silently sets my coffee in front of me and gives me a look through her lashes before walking away, making sure to sway her hips as much as possible.
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to it.
” With a quick bye, I hang up and recline in my chair.
There was a time when Victoria and I had been friends.
Perhaps she still thinks we are. But mixing friendship and business is like trying to mix water and oil.
I learned that the night we indulged in too much brandy to celebrate a deal.
Something changed in Victoria that night, and it's lingered ever since.
Victoria’s knock interrupts the steady hum of my office. Glancing at my watch, I realize time has passed faster than I’d thought.
“Come in,” I call out, my tone neutral.
As she enters, the familiar sound of her heels on the floor fills the room. I watch her walk straight towards the armchairs with her usual elegance.
“Hello, Adrian.” Her crimson lips curve into a knowing smirk as she greets me with practiced charm. She moves with the fluid grace of a cat, settling into the armchair opposite me. I don’t bother greeting her back as I recline back in my chair.
“So, you wanted to talk about the deal with Mortimer?” I prompt, already anticipating her response.
Victoria shakes her head, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes. “That’s not why I’m here,” she purrs.
I arch an eyebrow. “It’s not?”
“No,” Victoria continues, her tone lowering conspiratorially. “There have been… rumors circulating in the socials about you and a certain girl.”
My mind flashes to the paparazzi photos taken at the recent launching event, capturing me and Elana as we walked in. Of course, she knows about it. I shift subtly in my seat, maintaining my composure.
“And?” I prompt, my voice steady.
“People are talking, Adrian,” Victoria states bluntly. “It’s not every day you're seen with a girl like this.”
My jaw tightens slightly, but I keep my gaze steady.
“Times change,” I reply coolly.
Victoria’s gaze lingers on me, assessing.
“Clearly,” she remarks with a hint of amusement.
My patience wears thin. “I fail to see how this concerns you,” I state firmly.
Victoria chuckles, a sound that grates on my nerves. “It concerns me when it affects the office environment,” she counters smoothly. “Your personal affairs reflect on the company, Adrian. Especially when it involves someone so… junior.”
My temper flares, but I rein it in. “Elana is not an employee,” I remind her sharply. “And my personal life is none of your concern.”
Victoria’s expression darkens, her facade slipping for a moment.
“I work with you, Adrian,” she retorts, her tone edging towards defiance. “That makes it my concern.”
My jaw clenches, my patience reaching its limit. “You work for me,” I emphasize, my voice firm. “Remember that.” With a dismissive wave of my hand, I gesture towards the door. “If you have nothing else to discuss, I suggest you leave.”
Victoria bristles visibly at my dismissal. Her pride stung. “You’ll see,” she warns, her tone tinged with bitterness. “You’ll see that I’m right about this.”
“I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow,” I dismiss her.
“I only want what’s best for you, Adrian.
You can’t be mad at me for that.” When I don’t reply, she rises from her seat and strides out of my office, closing the door behind her.
What the hell was that? Victoria has always been more than a little curious about what I do in my free time.
Her little birds, as she calls them, always chirping in her ear, but this?
She’s never dared to be so open when it came to her distaste of who I’m seen with.
More than half an hour later, I’ve gone over most of the paperwork I neglected yesterday when there’s another rap on my door. This better not be Victoria again. I’ve had enough of her for one day.
“Come in,” I call out with a sigh. Instead of Victoria’s dark mane, a cascade of golden locks appears at the door, followed by a pair of green eyes. “Elana.” I narrow my gaze at her. Not the warm welcome she likely expected, judging by her reaction.
“Hi.” She closes the door behind her and clasps her hands in front of her. “Your—Melissa said that you told them I could stop by anytime.”
“Indeed, I did,” I say as I rise from my chair and shorten the distance between us. “Has something happened? How did your exam go?”
She shakes her head and takes a tentative step towards me. “The exam went well. I just wanted to say hi.”
I blink at her, unsure of how to respond. That’s a first. She’s already coming to my office unannounced just to “say hi”.
“I wanted to see you.” She steps towards me, her small hands raising to touch me.
I still as she slides her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. She smells divine.
All I want to do is lift her into my arms and kiss every inch of her.
Fuck. It takes everything I have not to raise my arms and hold her.
When I don’t return the hug, she slowly releases me and looks up, her green eyes filled with worry.
“Elana.” I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “I have work to attend to and a meeting shortly. So, it’s not the best time.” And I gave my word to your brother. A promise I feel like I’m breaking each time I look at you.
“Oh.” Her face falls, devastation written all over it. “I’m sorry, I’ll go. I won’t bother you.” Nothing has ever made me feel like a bigger asshole. Stay. Bother me all you want. She’s already turning around.
“Elana, I—”
“I understand.” She turns to face me, eyes glistening with tears. “I won’t bother you anymore.” Wiping a cheek, she opens the door and exits quietly. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving me standing in the silence of my office, staring at the empty space she’s left behind.
I’ve made her cry. I was the first man she felt safe enough to experience her first orgasm with, and I’ve just brought her to tears.
Now, I’m definitely bound for fucking hell.
This, her anguish, is precisely what I wanted to shield her from.
And now, I’m the cause of it. I never want to be the reason for her pain.
Since she’s been here, she’s made me come alive.
I need to make her see herself through my eyes.
I need to make her feel… I shake my head before I can finish the thought. Ethan be damned.
Forgive me, brother.
As I step out of my office, I see Elana in front of the elevator.
Melissa and Bethany glance up from their work, their expressions questioning as they catch my gaze.
Rightfully so. A girl just ran out of my office crying.
I say nothing, instead making my way swiftly to the elevator.
Elana walks in, her steps heavy with emotion.
Without a second thought, I quicken my pace and slip into the elevator just before the doors close.
She turns towards me, her eyes still filled with tears. As soon as she sees me, she breaks down completely, her sobs echoing in the confined space.
“Elana.” I have never been in this situation before, never wanted to say so much that I end up not knowing where to begin.
“Leave me alone,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “Please, leave me alone.” I wince at her words. Not that I didn’t expect to hear them, but it still feels like a kick to the chest.
Ignoring her plea, I press the stop button on the elevator, halting our descent. I then pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as she cries, her face buried in her hands.
“I’m so sorry,” I murmur softly, my heart aching at the twitching of her body.
She pushes me away, her tear-streaked face searching mine.
“I knew,” she says bitterly, “I always knew I would never be enough for you. But I hoped. After last night, I thought I could at least hug you. Clearly I was wrong.”
“Elana, I fucked up,” I say earnestly, taking her hand in mine and stepping closer. “I’m so sorry.” I lift my hand and gently wipe away her tears, relieved she doesn’t pull away from me. “I want to make you happy.”
Elana laughs bitterly through her tears. “And look how well that’s going for you,” she says, her voice filled with pain.
I wince, squeezing her hand gently, pleading with her. “Forgive me.”
She looks at me through tear-filled eyes, her gaze searching mine. “Is this about Ethan? Because I’m his sister?” she asks, her voice trembling.
I’m silent for a moment, gathering my thoughts. Yes.
“I didn’t want to betray Ethan’s trust,” I admit, “and I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping my distance from you. But now, I see I was wrong by doing it, and I hurt you.”
Elana stares at me for a moment, her tears still flowing, before asking the question that weighs heavily on both of us.
“Forget Ethan. How do you feel? What do you feel?”
“Like I never want to be away from you,” I confess. “Like I’ve been stuck in a storm, and you’ve brought the sun with you.” I close my eyes for a moment. This is more than I wanted to admit, even to myself.
When I open my eyes again, Elana is staring at me. She’s silent, but at least the tears have stopped.
“I didn't know you were a poet,” she murmurs, her voice still weak.
I smile softly, brushing away a stray tear from her cheek.
“I’ll be anything you want me to be, little duck.”