Unexpectedly Yours (Private Relations 3)

“Well that really depends,” Elle said. “Did you say that because you actually want me to be your girlfriend or because you wanted to frighten off Tom?”

“Both of those reasons,” he said without hesitation.

“Oh,” Elle said, not really sure how to respond.

Jim turned to fully face her now and said, “I want you to be mine, Elle. I want to be yours. That doesn’t have anything to do with anyone but us.”

Melting just a little bit, Elle said, “I want that too.”

Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers and said, “I’m seriously considering making a break for the door now. Can you run in those heels?”

Elle grinned and said, “C’mon. Let’s go be social. That’s what we’re here for.” She tugged him gently back toward the main ballroom.

A few minutes later they were circulating through the crowd again when one of the women from the bathroom approached them. Elle tensed. Jim must have felt it because he looked over at her questioningly.

Elle watched as she came to a stop in front of her and raised her hands, saying, “I come in peace. I swear. I wanted to apologize. Viviana was incredibly rude. I’m sorry. Not that it’s an excuse, but I think she was just jealous.”

Elle relaxed and said, “Thank you. I appreciate the apology.”

“That’s really all I wanted to say. Have a good night.”

“You too,” Elle said as she watched the woman walk away.

“Uh,” Jim said, “what the hell was that about?”

Sighing, Elle said, “When I was in the ladies’ room earlier, her friend said some pretty nasty things.”

“Like?” Jim asked.

“She said she recognized me from a job I worked recently, and said she hadn’t realized you were into fucking the help. She figured that was why she’d been striking out with you,” Elle said bluntly.

Jim blinked at her and then asked, “Are you serious? She actually said that to you?”

“They didn’t realize I was in the bathroom with them. They both had the good grace to be embarrassed by it. The woman who just stopped by told her she was being rude. So that was something at least,” Elle said.

Jim shook his head in disgust and said, “Please tell me you put her in her place.”

Her lips twitching now, Elle said, “I may have suggested that the reason she was striking out with you was because you were picky and that being a presumptuous bitch wasn’t going to help her case.”

“I’m sure that felt good,” he said, grinning.

“You have no idea,” Elle said.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he said squeezing her against his side.

“Not your fault she’s a jealous bitch,” Elle said with a shrug. “Let’s just try to have a good time.”

Jim snorted.

A few minutes later, Jim had to go up on stage. They presented him with a plaque and he gave a brief speech. The rest of the evening passed without incident, but Elle didn’t truly relax until they’d made their way back to the car.

She’d been mulling over the exchange from the bathroom. The woman had been saying it out of pure spite, but she made an interesting point. Did they really have enough in common to make something work between them? She really hoped so.

Chapter Twelve

Jim reached over and put his hand on Elle’s leg. “Doing okay over there? You’re pretty quiet,” he said.

Risking a glance over at her while he drove, he saw her turn to look at him.