“The irony.” She smiles. “Christopher has filled me in on your and Elliot’s history, you haven’t always liked each other or gotten along?”
“No.”
She smiles as she watches me. “Why is that?”
Fuck.
I stare at her, lost for words.
She reminds me what it was like to have a mother figure pry for information: it feels nice. Familiar.
She takes my hand in hers once more. “I hold honesty in the highest regard, Kate.”
Shit, that was code for . . . lie to me bitch, and you’re done. Oh hell, I brace myself to tell her the truth. Here goes nothing.
“I thought he was a self-absorbed, self-righteous womanizer.”
She chuckles in surprise. “Elliot is all of those things.”
I smile too.
“But if you get underneath all that, and not many people get the chance to, he is kind and warm and generous.”
I well up; she’s completely right. “I know.” I sip my drink. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Mrs. Miles,” I whisper. “But I wish Elliot was a plumber.”
“Why?”
“Because then we would come from the same world and I wouldn’t have to share him. And he could just be whoever he wanted to be.”
She puts her hand under her chin as she stares at me.
Shit . . . I shouldn’t have said that. I crossed the line.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“That’s okay, dear,” she cuts me off. “Can I ask you a question, Kate?”
I nod.
“What don’t you like about Elliot?”
“Um.” I pause. Fuck . . . he told me not to go there with her and here I am having a deep and meaningful. I’ve fallen for her trap. You idiot, Kate.
“Umm . . .” I pause again.
“Be honest with me. What don’t you like about Elliot?”
“His arrogance, his money, his temper . . .” I pause as I try to articulate my words. “He’s closed off and cold, reserved, and can be mean—”
“What do you like about him?” she interrupts.
I think for a moment. “His kind heart.”
Her eyes hold mine and eventually, she smiles softly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Kathryn,” she whispers.
“I’m so sorry about this morning,” I whisper back. “You can’t imagine how horrified I am that we met that way.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” She laughs. “I know what my son is like, I’m not delusional. He’s definitely no angel and his nickname was well earned.”
She seems happy and I’m not sure, but I think I answered her questions right.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Emily and Claire tonight.”
I put my hand over my stomach. “It makes me so nervous.”
“Don’t be.” She smiles. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
I arrive at the top floor of the Miles Media building and the elevator doors open into a huge swanky space.
It’s all white and complete luxury, with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall and view over New York.
“Kathryn?” The receptionist smiles as she stands.
“Yes.”
She shakes my hand. “I’m Sammia.” She turns to her colleague. “And this is Lindsey, from HR.”
“Hello.” I smile as I shake their hands; well, this is awkward. Elliot failed to mention that the female employees here are shit-hot.
“Elliot is expecting you, his office is the last on the right.”
“Thank you.” I walk down the long corridor over the white marble and knock on the last door on the right.
“Come in,” his strong voice calls.
I open the door tentatively and he raises his chin as if defiant. “Miss Landon,” he snaps. “Do you have that report I’m waiting on?”
I roll my lips to hide my smile; he’s playing pretend. “Yes sir.”
“Come in,” he barks.
I walk in and close the door behind me.
“Lock the door.” He stands.
I frown and slowly turn the lock.
“I’ve worked out what I want for my birthday, Miss Landon,” he says as he walks around his desk. “I’ve been wanting it for about seven years now. The time has come for you to deliver.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, what’s he talking about?
He knocks hard, twice, on his desk and my eyes widen.
Oh no, a hard surface.
His dark eyes dance with arousal and he pushes everything off his desk.
“Elliot,” I whisper.
Then he is on me. He pushes me up against the back of the door and kisses me hard.
“Elliot.”
He bites my neck as his hands slide up my dress and down the front of my panties.
“They’re just outside,” I whisper.
“I didn’t give you permission to speak, Miss Landon,” he growls in a whisper.
His fingers circle the lips of my sex, he slides in one finger, and my eyes flutter closed.
“Elliot,” I whimper as he slides in another.
His eyes hold mine as he begins to work me hard, thick pumps of his fingers as he pins me against the wall. “Open your fucking legs, Landon,” he hisses.
His harsh words bring a rush of arousal and he smiles as he bites my ear. “I want it wet, swollen.” He adds another finger and I throw my head back against the wall.