I try Addison again, and when she doesn’t answer, I call it quits for a while. If I can’t get answers from her, I’ll get them any way I can.
* * *
I walkintoGusto’sand see Landry already seated at a booth with a beer in front of him. He looks at me as I slide into the booth. The waitress comes over, and I order a beer as well. I have a feeling I’m going to need something after this conversation.
“How’s Aliana?” I ask. I might as well get the pleasantries out of the way now, and who doesn’t love talking about their kids.
His face lights up. “She’s getting big, really big. You should come by the house more often to see her.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and swipes through a few pictures, showing me. “She looks like Lia. I’m sure I’m going to have to keep the boys at bay when she’s older.” He smiles again looking at a picture and puts his phone away.
“Congrats, man, she’s beautiful.”
He sighs. “Spit it out, Ethan. Ask your questions. I’m sure you’ve already figured it all out anyway.” He takes a sip of his beer, and I wait for him to place it down before I talk.
“You knew Addison was Ember, and you never said a damn word to me. You listened to me bitch about how amazing she was. I’ve told you the same about Addy and how I was hard for my damn assistant.”
He shakes his head and leans back in the booth, crossing his arms over his wide chest. “It wasn’t my place to tell you shit, and if you remember correctly, I told you to go after Addison.”
I ball my hands into a fist, trying to channel the rage growing inside me. “I can’t be fucking my assistant. I told you there are rules on interoffice dating, especially for me.” I scrub my hand down my face and rub the stubble on my jaw.
He smirks and shrugs. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve already fucked her.” My face pales, and I take a good long swig of the beer to gather my thoughts. “She came by last night to talk with Lia, and I could hear some of their conversation this morning.” My eyes light up, and he groans. “Man, I know that look. Leave her alone for a while. Give her a few days to figure everything out.”
The asshole’s right. I know I should leave her be, but she left my house in the middle of the night without saying a damn word to me.It never would have happened if I wasn’t chicken shit and made her sleep in my bed with me.I could have woken her up with an amazing orgasm, then we could have showered and talked things through over breakfast.
I still have her dress and shoes in my room, which means she left in my boxers and t-shirt. I’m not sure why, but that makes me a happy man. I process what Landry has told me, and know I have to leave her be. I know Addison well enough that if she wants to avoid a subject, she will.
I spend the rest of the time talking with Landry about inconsequential things, and before long, he starts getting text messages about coming home. If the smile that spreads across his face is any indication, he’s going to get lucky again tonight. Maybe they are trying for another kid, who knows.
All I know is I’m jealous as fuck of him right now. He’s got the girl of his dreams, and mine keeps running away from me.
Chapter 17
Addison
This was by far the longest weekend of my life. I walked intoRISESunday night fully anticipating to dance out some stress, but when I walked in, I was told he was there, waiting for me. I’m not ready to face him. Not after what we did this weekend, and certainly not after the bomb I dropped on him. I got one of the new girls to cover my shift and walked out just as quickly.
My talk with Lia turned into a pow-wow Sunday night with all the girls, and needless to say, they weren’t happy he now knows. It’s not like this is the first time, though. Lia went through this with Landry after sleeping with him once and miraculously getting pregnant.I’m still convinced he has magic sperm or something.Luca stumbled upon Everleigh's secret identity atRISEand kept his mouth shut. So, why should Ethan be any different?
I can trust him... right?
Lia and Everleigh were okay after our talk, but Eden was still worried and upset by the whole thing. I know Ethan, and he won’t say anything to anyone. He wouldn’t risk my safety or the other girls like that. He’s a good man.
I’ve ignored Ethan’s texts and calls all weekend, but as I walk through the door to the office Monday morning, I know there is no way to avoid him.I seriously considered taking a sick day and hiding out just a little longer.It wouldn’t have done much, but I would have felt better… maybe.
I show up extra early, so he can’t catch me off guard. I flip on the lights around the office, and as I reach my desk, he’s standing there, waiting. I slow my steps as I approach and keep my head held high.
“Do you always stand in the dark like a creep?” I ask, putting my bag in my bottom drawer.
He holds out my dress and my shoes with a smirk. Friday night flashes through my memory, and my face heats up as I reach out to take my clothes and shoes from him. He pulls them back out of my grasp, and I narrow my eyes at him.
“Let’s talk.” He turns and takes my stuff with him into his office, placing them on his desk.
Damnit!
I follow behind him and close the door, giving us a bit of privacy. I stand by the door, and he walks over, flipping the lock behind me. He places his hands on either side of my head and lowers his face until it’s inches from mine. My heart races, and my palms start to sweat. I know he’s not going to seduce me right here, right now, but that doesn’t stop my mind from playing through the fantasy.
The number of times I’ve pictured being bent over his desk or pressed against the floor to ceiling window overlooking Atlanta as he pounds into me is unreal. It’s only gotten worse the longer I work directly under him. Especially during those late nights when he is working on something. I’ve pictured crawling under his desk to help ease some of his stress.
And after last night? Yeah, my fantasies are in overdrive. He was so much better than I remember. I’m sure he could makeevery damn oneof my fantasies come true.
