“I’m so glad.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Well. May I come over?”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“Um. Sure. I was just making coffee.”
“I’ll bring tea and we’ll share.”
She laughs softly. “Okay.”
After walking inside, I clear my throat and grab my kettle and bag of tea, and then walk the short distance, where she’s already cracked the door for me. I enter, announcing my presence. Avery comes from down the hall and smiles.
“Had to brush my teeth.”
I laugh softly. “I appreciate that.”
“Did you want to talk?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll just grab my coffee and meet you on the couch.”
“Perfect.”
“Oh.” She pauses. “Did you want to try some coffee again?”
“Why not?”
“Cool. Be right back.”
I sit down, waiting patiently for her to return. Already the place has a different energy to it. No longer is it a museum of nice furnishings. It’s a home. Her home. The fireplace is on and as I look around the space, she’s set her coat down on an armchair, her handbag sitting next to it. I smile when I see that she’s already set out her bottle of scotch on the small table near the fireplace.
She returns a few minutes later carrying two cups and saucers. “Do you know where I can buy legit coffee mugs? These delicate tea cups are too dainty for my caffeine fix.”
I laugh. “We’ll locate legit mugs.”
She smiles sitting next to me as she hands me a cup. “You sound hot using slang.”
“Do I?”
“I think so.” She sips her coffee. “Although to be clear, you would sound hot talking about a pile of shit with that accent of yours.”
I chuckle. “Thank you, I think.”
“It’s a compliment.”
I nod lightly. “I appreciate that.”
“Why did you come over?”
“I wanted to talk about our new arrangement.”
“Okay.” She sips her coffee, and it takes me a moment to speak again, after being stunned to near speechlessness by the beauty of her eyes. You think I’d be used to them now, but they thrill me every time.
After clearing my thoughts, I find my words. “I was thinking on the days you wish to come into the office, we can go in together. I’ll drive.”
“That sounds good.”
“And perhaps a few nights a week, we can have tea together, as friends and colleagues.”
She smiles. “I’d like that, Ellis.”
“I have an extra key, just in case of emergency, but I assure you I won’t enter without your express permission.”
“Okay.”
“If you want to change anything, you are welcome to. If anything is missing that you need, I’ll rectify it immediately.”
“Great.”
“Wonderful. You wanted to talk about Paris?”
“Yep. Now or in the office later?”
“Now is good unless you’re not prepared.”
“No, I am. Let me grab my planner.” She smiles gesturing to my bare feet. “Aren’t you cold?”
An impossible feat with her so near. “No.”
“Good. I’m still adjusting to the weather.” She tilts her head. “Weird.”
“What?”
“You have really nice feet.”
“Why is that odd?”
“I’ve never thought that about a man before.” She grins. “You get pedicures, don’t you?”
“I do. Why should women be the only pampered humans amongst us?”
“Fair enough. Be right back.”
I watch her walk away and sip my coffee whilst I wait for her return. I actually like this. It’s surprisingly pleasant. Or maybe it’s just because Avery made it. Who the fuck knows anymore. Who the fuck cares.
When she comes back, she’s wearing black stretch pants and an oversized grey sweatshirt that says ‘cold as fuck’ on it causing me to laugh. She grins.
“What?”
“Cold as fuck?”
She glances down at it. “I saw it online last year and had to have it.”
“It’s bloody fantastic.”
She grins, sitting next to me and tucking her sock covered feet beneath her. “I like it. I love winter and baggy sweatshirts, thick socks, and scarves. I especially like that I can get away without wearing a bra and no one knows.”
“Except I do now.”
“No you don’t. I admitted nothing.”
“Your body betrays you, love.”
She looks down again, seeing her hardened nipples pressing against the fabric of her sweatshirt, and laughs softly as her cheeks turn red. “You got me. Sorry to be distracting.”
“You always are. This is nothing new.”
She smiles and opens her planner. “You like the coffee?”
“I do actually.”
“Good. Okay, ready to talk about Paris?”
“I am.”
“I was thinking one thing you should really try to do is find an influencer. A person whose reputation is spotless and stronger than diamonds. Find that person and associate yourself with him or her. Get your photo taken. Get some press. If you can get them to endorse you in some way that would help a lot.”
“Right.” I nod. “I understand.”
“Genuinely though. Don’t manipulate anyone. Let it happen naturally, but be strategic, if that makes sense.”
“It does.”
“Okay. Also, during your acceptance speech…” She pauses, smiling. “Stay with me, okay?”
My brow furrows. “Okay.”
“I know how you protect your private life, but you see how well it worked out when you went out with David.”
“Yes.”
“So, perhaps you could mention in your speech some of the people who influenced and encouraged you in your life.”
“Like?”
“Eleanor would be a good start. David is another.”
“You want me to exploit my personal relationships to what end?”
“Not exploit, Ellis.” She takes my hand in hers, causing my eyes to shift to our entwined hands, before looking back at her. “Is it true or not that your mother’s encouragement is a large part of why you’re the success you are today?”
“True.”
“How is it exploitation to say so?”
I consider her words for a moment. “Won’t it be a shock since I never reference my family life?”
“Yes.” She smiles. “That’s the goal.”
“Perhaps they’ll take it as artificial.”
“Not if you deliver it honestly. I can talk to your speech writer for tips.”
“You are talking to my speech writer.”
“Oh.” She smiles, releasing my hand. “You’re so eloquent with your words, I’m positive you could share a little bit of yourself authentically. You do it with me all the time.”
“Because it’s private and I trust you.”
“That’s why you should do this. Because you trust me and you know that all I want for you is to be free from this nonsense.”
I nod. “What if I don’t win?”
She shrugs. “Well then we had a fabulous three days in Paris.”
“I’ll do it. I’ll compose a speech that allows people a peek into my private world. I’ll do it because I’ve done everything else I can do, and it hasn’t worked. I’ll do it because I trust your judgment.”
“Thank you for trying. I know it’s hard, but I want people to know who you really are. You’re not an arrogant arse.”
I laugh at her use of our word. “Are you sure about that?”
“Okay, you can be, but you’re not all the time.”
“A fair assessment.” I look down at my near empty coffee cup. “I always have the upper hand. In work, in romance. It’s so easy to let it go to one’s head.”
“I get it.”
“But I don’t have the upper hand with you. As you demanded early on, we stand on equal footing, and if I’m honest, I like it.”
She watches me for a moment in silence. “If we weren’t colleagues, you would’ve fucked me and been gone in a matter of days, right?”
“I’ve been known to linger. Depends on how exquisite the pussy is.”
Her eyes open wide. “Oh my god.”
“What?”
“I can’t believe you just said that word.”
“Pussy?”
“Stop.” She laughs. “Just stop.”
“Why?” I grin, poking her in the ribs to tickle her. “Does it embarrass you? Does your dirty mouth have a limit?”
“No.” She tickles me back, causing me to squirm. “You’re just so proper all the time. It’s strange to here you talk like that.”
“Oh, my darling, Avery, the things I could say to you right now. I am no more proper than you are a blonde.”
She giggles, softly, evoking my surprise at her sudden girlishness. “Say it again.”
“Say what?” I lean close. “Pussy?”
She laughs. “Say something else dirty.”
“You want to know the extent of my vocabulary?”
“Kind of.”
“Rest assured, love, I can keep up with the best of them if properly inspired.” I smile, taking her planner and setting it on the coffee table. “Now you say it.”
She shakes her head softly. “No way. Out of context it’s just awkward.”
“Then say it in context.”
She bites down on her bottom lip for a moment, searching my eyes. “If we had fucked, you would’ve lingered. Believe me, my pussy is exquisite.”
“I have no doubt as everything about you is, including the scandalous gleam in your eyes when you use such words.” Exhaling slowly, I smile. “I’m so glad we didn’t fuck early on though. I needed you, in the exact way you’ve entered my life. For many reasons, the least of which is this annoying scandal.”
She looks at me as though she wants to say something, but instead she smiles. “Want another cup of coffee? Or I can make some tea?”
What I want is to spend the day staring at her, just being in her company. “No, but thank you. I have a few things to discuss about Paris as well.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to have fun and not be constantly worried about me.”
“I’ll try.”
“Friday, we’ll get in and have a bite before preparing for the cocktail reception.”
“Got it.”
“I want to spend Saturday afternoon out in the city just being tourists, and I want to do it with you. We’ll need to be cautious, but it’s what I want.”
“I’d like that.”
“Saturday is the ceremony then the ball afterwards.”
“Right.”
“Sunday, we’ll have a proper Parisian breakfast, and then head back to London.”
“Perfect. I plan to follow the same protocol I did before. If asked about the accusations, I’ll redirect it to the purpose of the event.”
“And if they persist?”
“I’ll tell them to go fuck themselves in French just as soon as I learn how to say it.”
I smile. “I would love to see that.”
She tosses her hair back in laughter, then fixes her gaze on me. “I’m gonna make this right for you. Very soon, Ellis. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m gonna make this right.”
“I know. Are you coming into the office today?”
“I was planning to unpack a little unless you want me there.”
“No, please, take the day to yourself. Get comfortable. Make it yours.” I stand up, walking over to the bottle of scotch and study the label. “Selfishly,” I start as I look back at her, “I hope I’m part of the celebration when you open this.”
“Perhaps you’ll be the entire celebration. We’ll toast to our success in restoring your name and reputation.”
“Perhaps.” I smile at her. “Well, I’ll go and let you get on with your day.”
“Before you go can I confess something?”
“Absolutely.”
“I think you’re a stunning man, Ellis, and in your suits, you leave me near breathless, but standing there like that in your shirt and sweatpants, it’s like seeing a new person.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know. You told me once that I was beautiful all stripped down, and I have to say, so are you, Ellis.” She grins. “You know, beautiful in a super manly way.”
“Thank you, Avery. I suppose this is who I am when no one is looking.”
“I’m looking.”
As much as I am tempted to pull her close, to strip my clothes off, and carry her to bed, I resist the desire. I want her, and me actually, to enjoy what exists between us when the sexual tension isn’t overbearing. She makes me feel good, in more ways than I ever anticipated.
“Have a wonderful day.”
“Thanks,” she says. “You too.”
Chapter 22 Avery
Hours later, around eleven I head into the office to get some of my files I wanted for research. When I get up to my floor, I glance in Ellis’s office as he speaks with some members of his staff. He hasn’t noticed me, and from this vantage point, I can watch him undetected. He’s all buttoned up again, in his tailored charcoal gray suit, crisp white dress shirt, and gray and blue tie. His dark hair, perfectly styled, frames his face, making the vibrant blue of his eyes pop. He’s standing, pacing in front of the three people sitting before him, and as he speaks, he gestures with his hands, looking up periodically as he makes points. I have no idea what the topic is from here, but I can feel the sexy timber of his voice penetrate my core. Ellis Worthington is an exquisite man, and as I’m learning, that description extends to more than just his orgasm inducing appearance.
Before I can go in my office he glances up and his eyes meet mine as a stunning smile spreads across his lips. As his coworkers turn to see what he’s looking at, I quickly disappear into my office, taking a deep breath once I’m out of sight. The last thing I want is for his employees to get the wrong idea, or more accurately, to get the right idea. That line Ellis and I agreed to mind, is fading more and more each day.
A few minutes later, I see the people leave, and Ellis taps softly on my door.
“I thought you weren’t coming in today?”
Looking up, I smile. “Forgot some files.”
“Ah. Would you like to grab a bite with me? I was about to head out and get my favorite kebabs.”
“Kebabs?”
“Yes. Don’t you have those in the states?”
“Like, meat on a stick, kebabs?”
He chuckles. “Yes, meat on a stick.”
I shrug. “Sure. I’m kind of hungry.”
“Wonderful. Do you need a few moments?”
“No. I can do this when we get back.”
“Excellent. Is it cold out?”
“No. The sun stayed out, and it’s actually kind of nice.” I stand up, slinging my handbag over my shoulder. “Ready?”
“I am.”
We head down the hall to the elevator, and once inside, Ellis turns in my direction, towering over me with his hands in his pockets.
“I must know, what is the perfume called that you wear?”
“It’s called Flowerbomb. Do you like it?”
“I think, perhaps, I’m obsessed with it. It’s so feminine and elegant, but you are so sexy and edgy. It’s a compelling contrast and unexpected in the best way.” He leans close, brushing his face just barely against my neck, then pulling back just enough to let our eyes meet. “I definitely like it.”
“Thank you.” My voice sounds hoarse as the words leave my lips. “You smell really good too.”
“Masculine and elegant or sexy and edgy?”
“Yes.” I clear my throat. “All of those things.”
He smiles, leaning in as if he plans to kiss me, bu
t just as he gets close, the elevator doors open to something I never could have expected. Ellis grabs my arm, pulling me slightly behind him in protection as the lights of flashing cameras flood the space where we stand. I hear my name called as questions are launched at lightning speed.
Are we dating?
Are we a couple?
Does it interfere with our work?
Do I think he did it?
In response, Ellis presses the door closed button several times until the doors close and we start to move up again. My head is spinning from the sudden onslaught of media attention, but what’s got me most confused is the emphasis on me, especially with Ellis standing right next to me.
We step out into the level three foyer, both of us stunned into silence. I immediately walk to a window and peer down to see a crowd of journalists in front of the building.
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “What the hell is going on? Why are they so interested in me?”
Ellis shakes his head. “I can’t answer with certainty, but I can think of reasons.”
“This is not good, Ellis. Someone is watching me, which means they’re watching us.”
“Yes, I see that, but we’re not doing anything wrong.”
“No, but that doesn’t mean they won’t make it look like we are.” I pace with agitation in front of the window deciding on my next action. “I have an idea.”
“Listening.”
“We need to be seen with other people. Or more specifically, I do. I need to go out with some guy and throw them off.”
Ellis’s eyebrow raises. “Throw them off what?”
“Off of us, Ellis. If they think there’s even a tiny chance we’re romantically involved, we’ll never get a moment’s peace. It’s the wrong kind of attention. You heard them? They immediately asked me about the accusation. Plus, if they think we’re together, they won’t trust me anymore.”
He nods. “I understand.”
“Do you have someone you can go out with?”
“Do you?”
“I’ll find someone.”
“So will I then.”
“Okay. Let’s try to make it happen soon. For now, we’ll go down again, and just ignore as we walk past them, but if anyone speaks, it will be me. Are you good with that?”
“Let’s just skip lunch. It’s not worth it.”
“No, it is worth it. If we don’t go, they’ll think we’re hiding. We have to face them, but a stern warning about private property wouldn’t be bad either.”
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