Page 43 of Never Fake Date the Financier
I’ll take a shower. Get dressed. And by the time I’m done, I’m sure Ella will be back from wherever she went. I take a few moments to collect myself and then head into the bathroom.
The warm water does wonders, but I still can’t push the uncomfortable thoughts from my head. I’ve been making things complicated for her. I’ve been pushing too hard. Shit, I damn near mauled her the last time we were in this room because I couldn’t control myself. Some primal part of me took over, and I kissed her.
I brush fingertips across my lips, tingling as I remember her sweet taste. Those moans. Her irresistible body. I can’t be imagining her response to me. The way she was looking at me last night. The way she invited me into bed. If she didn’t feel anything, she’d have no problem shutting me out. Shutting me down. There’s an exit clause in the contract that allows her to leave at any point if she’s uncomfortable, no questions asked. She gets paid. Sent home. Everything.
I swallow hard.
Maybe she exercised it.
I guess I should check my phone to see if there’s a message from my assistant since she’d be the one booking Ella’s flight out of here.
I shut the water off and hop out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist as I make my way to the living area. I left my phone on the table last night. Ella almost caught me staring at the photos I’d snapped of her.
I couldn’t help myself. I needed to see her face again.
I open the bedroom door and stride to my phone. Before I have the chance to unlock it, the door to our suite unlocks, and in walks Ella.
She freezes when she sees me. Eyes wide. Deer in the headlights as she stares at me. Continues to stare at me. Her gaze travels the length of me before snapping back to my face as her cheeks explode in color.
“I-you’re—” She wanders awkwardly through the room, turning around, walking, retracing her steps, bumping into the couch, her gaze everywhere but on me.
Finally, she sets a few bags on the table, humming to herself and still refusing to look at me. “Are you alright, Ella?”
She turns, blush deepening as her gaze makes direct contact with my chest, abs, and then bulge.
“Sausage,” she blurts, before shaking her head and meeting my eyes. “Breakfast sausage. Hot. Right there.” She points to the bags. “I got us breakfast. Food. Eat.”
I bite back a smile, amused by her flustered response. For someone who makes her living performing, she’s surprisingly transparent when caught off guard.
“Thanks,” I say, making no move to cover up anymore. “That was thoughtful.”
She nods, clutching the bakery box like a shield and maintaining eye contact. Mostly. Her gaze drifts a few times, but I don’t mind. Take a good look, Ella. It’s all yours. All you have to do is ask. I won’t make you beg.
“You’re very welcome. And very…” She waves her free hand vaguely in my direction. “Naked. Fit and naked.”
She turns, setting the box down with the rest of the food. The paper bags crinkle as she removes the sandwiches, laying out napkins and forks and refusing to turn back around.
“I’ll get a shirt on,” I offer, finally taking pity on her now that she’s arranged and rearranged the food on the table twice. If I don’t, she might attempt dusting or vacuuming or reorganizing the minibar.
“No!” she blurts. Her face somehow turns an even darker shade of red as her expression transforms into pure mortification. “I mean, yes. Of course.” She clears her throat. “Good idea. Shirts are good. Great. Important. Essential, really. I’m going to eat this box of pastries now.”
She turns around as I try not to laugh. “Save one for me.”
Ella mumbles something, and I retreat into the bedroom to change. When I re-emerge fully dressed, Ella has composed herself somewhat and has once again rearranged breakfast, setting it on the small table by the window.
“Coffee?” she offers, holding out a cup.
I walk over to her. “I’d love some.” Our fingers brush as I take it from her, and even that brief contact sends an electric current through me. “Sleep well?”
“Yes,” she says, not quite meeting my eyes. “Better than I have in a while, actually. You?”
“Same.” I take a sip of coffee to hide my expression. “I haven’t slept that deeply in years.”
She smiles and then sips her coffee. “Must be all the fresh sea air from last night.”
“Or the gelato and pizza. My body’s not used to food that heavy.”
Ella hums, her cheeks blushing. “Definitely.”
