Page 43 of Found By Him

Laughing, I hug the older woman back. I didn’t fully explain my relationship with Gisella to Alice, but I knew she suspected something.

Releasing me, she swats my chest. “I thought she was just a client. You should have told me it was more.” She turns to Gisella, who’s looking slightly uncomfortable and embarrassed. I probably should have told her that Alice didn’t know about whatever this is between us. But I’m done holding back, and I’m certainly not hiding it. Not that I will ever admit this to Nate, but I’m ready to embrace my inner romantic and see where this goes.

“Happy retirement, Alice!” Gisella stammers as Alice pulls her into a hug as well.

“Thank you, Ella.” She loosens her grip on Gisella, but holds on to her arms lightly, smiling at her warmly. “But I don’t care about that. I care about whatever this is with the two of you. That’s the best retirement present I could ask for.”

Gisella holds up the gift bag with a smile and a quirked eyebrow. “So, should I just throw this away, then?”

Alice and a few of the people she had been talking to break into laughter, and Alice pulls the bag from Gisella’s hand. “Absolutely not. I can get more than one present from someone.”

After Alice introduces us to the group, which includes a neighbor and some family, Gisella settles back into my side, and my hand finds its way to her hip. Pulling her into me, I lean over and say quietly against her ear, “I’m going to go get a drink. Do you want anything?”

“A white wine, please.” She smiles up at me. Some of the nervousness that tormented her earlier has melted away.

I take advantage of everyone being lost in conversation to press another kiss on Gisella’s hair and inhale her intoxicating scent before heading to the bar with my chest filled with satisfaction that she’s here with me, celebrating someone so integral to my life.

23

Ella

As I watch Jack walk away, contentment radiates through me. After a few more moments, Alice draws me back with a probing tone. “So, I know I just met you a few days ago, and this might be a bit forward, but I didn’t realize you and Jack were together.”

I blush. “Well, it’s very new. And we really haven’t put a label on it. But since I’m also kind of a client…” I trail off.

Alice has a sympathetic look lining her face when she reveals, “I could tell something was up when he told me about what has been happening to you after you came in the other day. I have never seen him so”—she gestures vaguely into the air—“emotional about a client. Makes much more sense now.”

My heart starts to race. “Really?”

She grasps my arm lovingly. “Really, my dear. He’s not someone who shows emotion easily unless it has to do withsomeone he cares about.” Her sad gaze finds Jack at the bar. “He had a hard life, but he’s worked so hard to be the wonderful man he is.”

Her love and concern for Jack move me. My chest tightens with emotion. “He’s pretty wonderful.”

Alice’s face is stern when she says, “I understand this is still new, but all I can ask is that even if it doesn’t work out, you do your best not to break his heart.”

Just the thought of unintentionally breaking Jack’s heart makes me feel distraught. “I promise I won’t.”

A hand slides around my waist. “What are you promising not to do?”

I glance over my shoulder as Jack hands me my glass of wine.

Before I can think of what to say, Alice speaks up. “Don’t be so nosy, Jack. It’s unbecoming.”

A laugh pops out of me, which earns me a teasing glare from Jack. We stay a few more minutes for them to tease each other good-naturedly. I can imagine he’s going to miss working with her every day.

“You want to go get some food?” Jack smooths his hand down my waist to my hip.

My breath quickens, and goosebumps slither down my arms at the caress. “Sure,” I croak.

Leading me to a table, we set our drinks down to join the buffet line. The line moves quickly so it isn’t long until we are back at our table. As we settle in and start eating, we fall into easy conversation. I’m transported back to that first night at dinner before it was ruined. It’s shocking how easy it is to talk to him, even if it’s about nothing. He’s so engaged and listens intently to everything I have to say.

As he finishes eating, he leans back in his chair and drapes his hand over the back of mine. His fingers lazilyskim over my back, nearly making me purr. The only thing I would change about this dress is to make it backless so his fingers would be on my skin rather than the dress.

His eyes track my every movement as I shift subtly in my seat and meet his gaze. A small smile plays across his full lips as he says, “I cannot get over how sexy you look tonight.”

A hum crawls up my throat, and I slide my hand down Jack’s thigh, stopping a few inches above his knee. As I lean my shoulder into his chest even more, his body heat creates a comforting blanket around me. He moves my hair behind my shoulder, causing a shiver to run down my spine. My stomach dips as he moves closer and places his lips on my neck, right below my ear. The sensation of his facial hair tickling my skin has my thighs clenching. It takes everything in me not to moan. My grip tightens on his thigh, nipples peak, and with every movement, the shift of fabric against them heightens every sensation.

He laughs softly, his lips grazing my ear. “Everything okay over there, baby? You’re squirming.”

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