Page 35 of Suddenly Desired
“Darling Blake,” she said, her voice soft. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Sophie,” Blake said, his voice losing some of its usual tension. “How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful,” Sophie said, her smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Still free and clear,” Nate chimed in, stepping behind his mum and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
Blake beamed. “That’s great news.”
Sophie turned her attention to Ellie, her smile widening. “And who’s this lovely young woman?”
Blake’s lips twitched into a smile. “Sophie, meet Ellie. She’s been keeping me sane the last couple of days.”
“Sounds like a full-time job,” Sophie teased, extending a hand to Ellie. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Ellie said, her tone warm but slightly shy.
“Right—” Nate clapped his hands together — “let’s get down to business. Coffee, water, or straight to the good stuff?”
“Just water for me,” Blake said, sliding a glance at Ellie.
“Coffee for me, please,” she said, her lips twitching into a grin. “But thanks for the offer.”
“Suit yourselves.” Nate grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and tossed it to Blake before pouring Ellie a supersized mug of coffee. “Let’s head to the lair. Time to fix this mess.”
Blake nodded, his jaw tightening. This was the moment he’d been waiting for — the first step towards reclaiming everything that had been taken from him.
And somehow, having Ellie by his side made it feel just a little less daunting.
He led them into a large office where three huge screens were sitting on a curved beech desk. Nate’s boxers were threadbare and the rear view of them left even less to the imagination. Ellie gave a little giggle and threw her attention deliberately in the other direction, which Blake was glad of.
“Sorry,” he whispered, and Ellie gave him a little grimace in return.
“Please, sit,” said Nate. “Make yourselves at home. I’ll be right back.”
He scampered from the room, and Ellie perched on an office chair. Blake sat next to her, running a hand through his mass of thick, dark hair. He looked almost pained.
“I forgot just how weird he was,” he said.
“They’re lovely,” Ellie replied. “Good people, you can tell.”
“The best,” said Blake. “Even though they don’t always wear trousers.”
“Good people without trousers are still good people,” Ellie said, laughing.
“Pants are overrated,” he said. Fortunately, he was now wearing some — green combat slacks with bulging pockets. He slid into his chair, spinning it around so that he was facing Blake and Ellie. His smile had vanished, and he looked dead serious. “You’re in trouble, Blake. This whole business smells rotten.”
“It is,” Blake said. “You know it wasn’t me who—”
Nate held up a hand. “I know, I know. Nothing in the universe would ever convince me that you had anything to do with this. I’ve seen few people in my life who treat women — who treat anyone — with the respect that you do. God bless your parents, they brought you up right.”
“Thank you,” said Blake.
“Which is why I was so surprised to discover that you did it,” Nate said.
Blake’s heart lurched, and Ellie gasped. Somehow, his hand found its way into hers and she held it tight.
“No,” said Blake.
