Page 16 of Suddenly Desired
“Sorely tempted,” he said. “But after this double-shot, a hit of sugar might have me on top of the table belting out Celine Dione, and I’m supposed to be lying low.”
Ellie laughed again, the sound soft and infectious. He decided in that moment that he loved making her laugh
Slow down!Blake ordered himself.Better yet, stop.
Her laugh, her smile, the easy rhythm of their conversation. Blake had spent years drowning in stiff, transactional interactions. Dinners with Michelle had been all business, usually while dining on an eye-wateringly expensive meal in an upmarket restaurant. Michelle had always demanded one hundred percent perfection everywhere she went — anything less was a failure in her eyes. If Blake had so much as used the wrong fork, or worn the wrong socks to complement his tie, she would berate him about it all night. It had been miserable.
The contrast now was intoxicating. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d just sat and talked like this, with no agenda, no pressure to impress or perform. It was as if he’d known Ellie for months,years, not half a day. There was something so natural about the way they spoke with each other, something so effortless. Ellie knew who he was, knew what he was worth, but there was none of that fake flirting he was so used to, the blatant body language, the sickening insincerity.
But he wasn’t entirely free of his thoughts. His company was sinking, and the board were getting ready to throw him overboard. Every single move he made was being scrutinised and sitting here with Ellie like this felt like walking a tightrope. It wasn’t a date, not technically, though Blake kind of wished it was now he was here. But being like this — happy, smiling, relaxed in the company of a gorgeous woman — might be enough to drag the whole thing down to the bottom of the ocean.
Still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Not yet.
“Are you okay?” Ellie asked, her head tilting slightly, a genuine curiosity in her eyes.
Blake smiled, but he could feel that it wasn’t quite reaching his eyes. “Not exactly,” he said, honestly. “I mean, this day hasbeen . . . interesting, to say the least. One minute I’m just a guy running his own company. Next thing I know, I’m public enemy number one.” He finally took a sip of his espresso, savouring the bitter edge. “It’s a bit surreal, to be honest. I feel like I’m living in a TV series, and not a very good one at that.”
Ellie leaned forward, her expression still soft, but with a trace of humour laced through it. “So, you’re telling me the big, bad billionaire in the show has bad days too? I thought he was just there as comic relief.”
“Plenty of bad days.” Blake leaned forward too, his elbows on the table. The gap between them narrowed and he could see the scattering of freckles on her nose under the frames of her glasses. This close she smelled of strawberries and cream and Blake didn’t want to admit that was probably the sprinkles. “Though, to be fair, this one is shaping up a little better than planned.”
Ellie arched an eyebrow. “Really?” she teased. “And why is that?”
Well,” Blake whispered, pulse spiking as her eyes flickered to his lips. “I don’t often get rescued by mystery women who also happen to have impeccable taste in drinks.”
Ellie laughed and sat back in her chair, throwing her head back in glee. “You’re just lucky I didn’t bring the full works — marshmallows, syrup, the whole sugar coma in a cup.”
“I wouldn’t have complained.” He sat back too, missing the scent of her already. “Honestly, I’m just glad I have someone who I can talk to who doesn’t want to throw coffee in my face or write the next headline about me.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Ellie said with a grin. “I’m saving my coffee throwing for our next meeting and it’ll be a flat white because there’s no way I’m wasting good toppings on teaching someone a lesson.”
Blake chuckled. “Noted. I’ll bring a spare shirt.”
Ellie rolled her eyes, but she sounded serious as she placed her hands on the table in front of her and looked him right in the eyes. “You’ll figure it out. People love a scandal, but they love a good comeback even more. You’ll just have to ride out the storm for now.”
He glanced at her hand, so close to his on the table. Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers brushing hers lightly. “Thanks for saying that. It helps.”
Ellie’s smile softened as she turned her hand, letting her palm meet his. He felt the heat travel all the way up his arm and shoot like a bolt to his groin.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “And, for what it’s worth, you don’t seem like the type to stay down for long.”
Their eyes met, and for a beat the world between them buzzed.
“Maybe I just needed a little reminder of who I am,” he said, his thumb grazing her palm almost absentmindedly. “And maybe someone to tell me I’m not completely doomed.”
“Doomed?” She shook her head, her smile wide. “You? You’ve got more resources than most people combined. You’ll bounce back. Probably quicker than you think.”
“I guess I’m going to have to keep you around for motivational speeches,” Blake said, his smile teasing.
Ellie’s eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips. They looked delicious, like ripe strawberries. “Careful,” she whispered. “You might not be able to afford me.”
Blake’s gaze locked back on her eyes. His pulse quickened. Afford her? He wasn’t sure he’d survive her.
Chapter 10
ELLIE
What are you doing?
