Page 12 of Chic Steel

“It’s long hours. When we started the business, I didn’t imagine it would become so big.”

She tilts her head up. “This is your company?” I nod. She stares at me with wide eyes and blinks. “So you’re not only the CEO, but you createdthe company?”

I fight to keep my confusion from showing. Why is she so surprised? “With my best friend, but it’s no different from what you do.”

“No different? I shove holes in people for a living. This is entirely different.” She twists her body to face mine, and her knee presses against my thigh.

“You run your own business. How is it different?”

“A small business, not all this.” She flings a hand behind her at the glass panelling.

“Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s less of a business. Don’t minimise what you do.”

“I’m not, but I don’t have offices and?—”

I cut her off. “And what? Your business doesn’t need it. At the moment, anyway. You could if you wanted to expand.”

“I know I don’t need it. Or want it, really. It’s hard sometimes…thinking of myself as a business owner while not in a traditional business.” She averts her gaze and bites her lip.

I frown and duck my head, trying to catch her eye. What does she mean not in a traditional business? She owns a store. Can’t get more traditional than that.

“Ella, what’s the matter?” She still doesn’t look at me. Her hands are fisted, nails digging into her flesh.

“I should go.” She lurches off the desk without looking at me.

Fuck that. I’m not letting her leave. Especially not thinking she doesn’t have a ‘real’ business and feeling bad about herself. No way. The anxiety of having her here, and attempting to figure out conversation, evaporates. Instead, panic that she’ll leave fills me.

My hands snap out and snag around her waist, and she lets out a small scream when I yank her onto my lap. Her legs sprawlacross me, knees on either side of my hips, body taunt, and arms crossed over her chest.

“What’s the matter?” I demand.

“Nothing,” she squeaks. “I came to drop off your wallet and I have. I shouldn’t take up more of your time.”

“Take up my time. All of it. I don’t care. I’ve already told Charlotte to move my meetings.”

“What?” Her hands drop from her chest and brush my stomach, which sends sparks of sensation through my body.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

She sighs and her cheeks flush. “Nothing, but it’s weird being in a traditional business.” I take a breath to correct her, but she continues in a rush. “It’s not that I’m not proud of what I’ve achieved, but seeing this and comparing it to what I do, it’s…”

She can’t find the words to explain what she’s feeling. I glance around the office and notice details that are second nature to me. Comparing it to her store, yes, they are different. But one isn’t better than the other.

“Ella, we’re in completely different businesses. We do completely different jobs. And you’re young, your business will grow. Besides, I’d leave if I could.” My comment causes her to lift her head and look at me for the first time since I dragged her onto my lap.

Her eyes are tight and filled with an emotion I can’t name. But she’s on my lap, looking up at me, and all I want is to erase her doubts and kiss her. Ignore the age difference, drag her home and keep her there. Apparently, all I needed to get over myself was to see her vulnerable and force her onto my lap.

“You would?” Her brow furrows. “Why?”

“Because all I do is work. And I’m not saying you don’t work long hours, but I don’t enjoy what I do. You love your clients. I don’t want my whole life to be in these four walls. I want to seethe world.” I nod to the photos. “Travel it with someone and build a life together.”

Ella leans back on my lap. “Oh, I’ll?—”

Now that she’s here, I’m not letting her go. My arm loops around her, low on her back, and I haul her close until our chests press together. Pull her until her hands land on my shoulders. “Say you’re a businesswoman.”

“I’m not going to say it.”

“Say it.”

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