“Thank you for explaining,” I say.
“That’s it? That’s all I get?”
“What do you want me to say? I don’t forgive you.”
“I don’t expect you to forgive me right away, but I was hoping we could work on things.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“What has gotten into you?” he asks, not hiding the animosity in his tone.
“Nothing. I’m just being honest with you.”
“Well, you’re not being yourself.”
I don’t think he knows me at all.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I’m just tired. I’ve been working a lot.”
“My father does tend to suck the life out of people.”
“People at his company are very happy,” I argue.
“Money does that to you. All Elliot Caldwell knows how to do is make people happy with his money.” He sighs heavily. “Get to sleep, Sera. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Night.”
I end the call, not liking the way I feel right now. Uneasy. Gross. I stare at my phone, wanting to call Elliot. Why do I want to call him? To rant about his son talking badly about him and talking down to me? That isn’t nice. I get comfortable on the couch and find a movie to watch. When I wake up the next morning, I put on the shortest dress I own to thank Elliot for sticking up for me.
Chapter Nineteen
Elliot
“I know what you’re doing,” I growl into her ear, stepping as close to her as I can. I get a whiff of strawberries and suck the scent in greedily. My dick brushes against her plump ass and it takes every ounce of control to not push her over my desk, lift her skirt, and bury myself inside her.
“What ever do you mean, Mr. Caldwell?” Her tone is smooth, more confident than I’ve ever heard her before. She looks up at me from over her shoulder, her green eyes popping with the dark makeup around them.
“This could hardly be considered decent at a nightclub,” I answer, tugging at the fabric of her dress that rests against her ribs. It’s a soft, stretchy material in black. Her hair falls down her back in waves, the front pinned back with a shiny diamond pin.
“It was put into the business casual section of my closet. If you want to blame anyone, blame the person who delivered it all and put it away.”
I take a deep breath, resting my hand on her hip. She’s warm, soft, and so fucking small, but thick in all the right places.
“It has taken everything in me to stay in control around you. I’m worried about everything you’re dealing with and have wondered if you regret what happened at my house. Now?” I give her hip a squeeze, pressing my erection against her body. “Now, it seems you’re ready to play, too.”
She slips her hand between us, cupping my balls and biting on her bottom lip, still looking up at me from over her shoulder. I let out a groan when she squeezes.
“Maybe I am.”
There’s a knock on the door.
“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.” I step back and move around my desk to take a seat. “Come in!” I call out, taking in the way Seraphine’s cheeks have turned that beautiful shade of pink. She takes a seat in front of my desk, crossing her legs and showing off way too much skin. Skin I want to touch, taste, lick, and suck on. Bruise and claim. Fuckingown.
“Do you have a second to look at this?” Jonathan asks when he steps into my office, leaving the door open behind him. He’s oblivious to the tension in the room, thank God for that.
He hands me a folder, and I flip it open to look over the pages inside. They’re plans for the new development, a very rough sketch of what it’ll look like.
“Is this what the city asked for?”
