Page 42 of A Mutually Beneficial Proposal

I toss the condom to the corner of the shower to be picked up once I’m done, then I lather up while Ella gets her hair wet.

Her eyes are closed, the water running over her face and chest. Watching her, I know I’m fucked. Letting her go isn’t an option I’m going to be able to accept easily.

She steps out from under the water and grabs the shampoo before she realizes I’m staring. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

I shake my head with a grin. “No, but if I’m lucky, you’ll have my dick there later.”

She glances down at my still-hard cock. “That can be arranged.”

I huff, wishing that moment could be now, but I don’t want everything we do to be sexual. “I have some free time this morning before I need to head out for the days’ events. Did you have anything planned?”

She thinks for a moment. “Only the pedicure at eleven that I’m hoping Cammie will join me for.”

I raise my hands to help Ella finish rinsing the soap from her hair. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

It’s not really any of my business, but I don’t want to see Ella get hurt by getting too close to the past that hurt her.

She nods. “Seeing her upset last night triggered a sense of…I don’t know what, but I feel like I have to make sure she knows the truth. I’m not Blake’s old friend like he told her, and I doubt he’s being faithful to her even though she’s beautiful.”

I pull her close. “He’s a selfish idiot, Ella. You can’t change men like him. You are stunning and he stupidly cheated on you. There’s nothing you can do to change him. You only need to know that his actions were no reflection on who you are.”

Her eyes water and her lips tremble, but she sucks in a deep breath and nods. “I’m trying to remember that, but I also think that Cammie needs someone to tell her the same.”

I won’t argue with her. I can see her reasoning. I just hope it doesn’t bite her in the ass.

“You’re a better person than I am,” I say before switching spots with her in the shower and rinsing myself off next.

She waves off my compliment before opening the shower door when I turn off the water. “What do you want to do this morning?” she asks.

I consider several options, but the one that stands out the most is staying in and getting to know her more. Though, I know she didn’t fly all this way to be cooped up, so I give her options.

“We could stay here and play board games that I saw under the TV, or we could get out and see more of what the hotel has to offer.”

Ella dries off with her towel. “I did a lot of walking yesterday. I’m good with staying in if you are.”

I ease into a smile. “Sounds perfect since I’m sure I’ll be doing a lot of hiking for ziplining.”

“At least your business trip isn’t full of meetings,” she says before wrapping the towel around her hair.

I nod. “Though, I’d like to have one with Bill.”

“That’s the board member who showed up at the mixer?” Ella asks.

I wait to answer until my white shirt is pulled over my head. “Yeah, I heard he’s looking into some shit Jack has done. Things that will give the board grounds to fire him. I didn’t want to get involved, but after five years with the company, I can’t help from being a little curious. Harrington Enterprises could do a lot of good if we had someone running the business who isn’t only out to make a profit.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Is that someone you?”

I shudder. “Hell no. I don’t want to run a business that huge and feel married to my work, but I wouldn’t say no to a role that allows me to make more of a difference,” I answer honestly.

Ella finishes getting her shorts buttoned and then says, “My friend told me Jack got into some trouble a while back when he failed to come through on some retirement accounts.”

I’m surprised she knows that considering how much money Jack paid to keep that lawsuit quiet, but I don’t show it. “Yeah, that’s why we have the board of directors now. Jack no longer has full control of his company. It was either that or bankruptcy. He screwed with the wrong people.”

“Well, hopefully Bill being here is a good sign,” she says.

“I’ll quit otherwise.” And for the first time, I truly mean it. I’m ready for more positive changes in my life.

Her brows raise. “Really?”

“I meant what I said before, Ella. I don’t enjoy working for him, but I see potential in the company under the right leadership. I’ll give it some more time, but I’m ready to be done and put my skills to use somewhere that will do more good in the world.”

Something flashes over her face, but before I can figure out if the look is good or bad, I pull her into my arms. “But enough of my work. You finish getting ready for the day and I’ll get the first game set up.”

Her eyes brighten and she nods. “I just need five minutes.”

I smack her ass when she turns back for the bathroom. “I’ll be counting.”

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