The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,37

him through the silk of her pajama top. His hands curled around her hips as he urged her closer. His dick was long and thick, so hungry for her. She was kissing him with a hot passion, and the little moan she gave in the back of her throat was—

She jerked away.

His breath sawed in and out. In and out. I want more. His hands fisted so that he would not reach for her. But, God, he wanted her so much. So badly.

Her hand lifted. Touched her mouth. Antony thought he saw her fingers tremble. Was that a good sign or a bad one?

Her shoulders stiffened. She shoved her hand down. “What did that prove?”

“It proved I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. We kiss, and my control wants to shatter.” He waited a beat. “What did it prove to you?”

She spun away.

“Ella?”

Her steps were fast. Almost as if she was running away from him.

“I can give you anything you need,” he called after her.

Her hands flew up and curled around the doorframe. Her head turned toward him. Their gazes held. He—

“We shall see about that,” Ella told him.

Then she was gone. A moment later, he could hear the sound of her steps on the stairs. She was heading upstairs. Going to bed.

He marched for the small bar in the corner. Grabbed himself a drink. “I think that went well,” he muttered. “Could have been worse.”

Who was he kidding?

And what in the hell could he do to get her back?

Chapter Ten

“We just need a few more signatures. Here. Here. And here.” Ross Vale pointed to the lines on the contract.

Ella watched from her position near the edge of the desk. They’d gone in for an early morning meeting at the new location for Shark Gaming and Design. Antony had told her that he had some business that needed clearing up. She’d thought it would be a perfect time to investigate the facility—and the people there.

She’d donned her business clothes. A sleek, professional gray dress. Matching heels. She was even wearing her reading glasses. She intended to thoroughly review the contract once Antony was done. She’d discovered early in her corporate career that enemies could often be disguised as friends…or potential partners. She wanted to see the names of all the parties involved in the transition of a new Shark office and factory to the area. As far as Ella was concerned, any deal that Antony was working could be related to their current mystery.

“Ella, it’s, uh, good to see you again,” Ross told her as he angled his body closer. His voice dropped a little as he added, “Didn’t realize you were back to working for Antony.”

Antony froze with the pen poised over the contract. His head lifted. He was wearing gray, too, but the coat was darker, deeper than the color of her dress. His gaze seemed extra sharp behind the lenses of his glasses as his stare swept from Ross to Ella. Then back to Ross. “She’s not working for me.”

Ross blinked. “Oh, then, this is just a…friendly visit?” He seemed confused.

“Super friendly,” Ella murmured.

Ross’s brow crinkled.

“Ella is with me,” Antony clarified, his voice hard.

But Ross obviously didn’t get it. “She’s not the head of security any longer.” Ross scratched his cheek. “She’s—”

She had a role to play. Ella knew it. She moved around the desk. Put her hand on Antony’s shoulder.

“Ella and I are involved.” Apparently, Antony was in the mood to spell things out.

Ross laughed.

Antony didn’t. “Is something funny?”

“Well, I mean…” He gestured toward them. “I thought you were making a joke.”

“No joke.” Antony’s tone had hardened even more. “Ella is here because I want her to be with me.” His hand rose and curled around hers. “Any other questions?”

It appeared that Ross had a million questions, but he wisely just shook his head. “Nope.”

Her path had crossed with Ross’s many times. Tall, with jet black hair and bright blue eyes, most of the ladies in the office had fallen prey to his charm.

He hadn’t been Ella’s type. So she’d turned down his repeated offers for drinks. The Vice President of Sales and Development could use his charms on someone else.

Antony kept his hold on her wrist. With his other hand—because he was ambidextrous—Antony finished signing the paperwork. He pushed the contract toward Ross.

Ross flipped through the pages. “All right. This should be good for now.” He looked up. “Are you going out to the factory site later? I had some logistical issues