Page 19 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

As I descend the stairs and make my way into the kitchen, my thoughts still linger on Adrian. Is he here? I open the fridge, contemplating my breakfast options, when I’m startled by Mac’s voice behind me.

“Good morning, Miss Elana.” It took me our entire drive home yesterday to make him call me Elana. I guess “Miss Elana” is the best I’m gonna get.

I turn to face him, offering a smile. “Good morning, Mac. Is Adrian around?”

“Mr. Morgan has already left for the office.”

“He’s already gone?” But Mac’s still here? I thought he’d be driving us both.

Mac nods, seemingly understanding my confusion. “Yes, he drove himself to the office today.”

“Oh, well, I’ll be ready in a minute, Mac. I’m just looking for some breakfast. I won’t be long.”

“I’ll be waiting by the elevator.”

I thank Mac and watch as he disappears from the kitchen. I take one last look at the fridge with a sigh. It’s full of ingredients but nothing I have the time to prepare. I guess I’ll get something from the restaurant later.

“Alright, Elana, now this part here is crucial.” Ryan is standing over me, pointing to a spreadsheet on his computer screen. “This is where we separate the financial wizards from the mere mortals.” We’ve been at this for an hour now, and his humor is the only thing keeping me from zoning out completely.

This is so boring.

“So, you and the rest of us.” I chuckle at his dramatic flair. “No pressure, right?”

“None at all,” he replies with a grin. “But the fate of the entire company rests on your ability to master this spreadsheet.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I play along, pretending to wipe sweat from my brow.

Despite his position as the head of the financial department, Ryan has such an easygoing nature that it’s hard to picture him ordering someone around. His humor is infectious, and I find myself laughing along with him more often than not. Adrian definitely made the right choice when he asked him to show me around. He’s like the embodiment ofa golden retriever—friendly, approachable, and always ready to help. In stark contrast, there’s Adrian.

Perhaps it takes a certain level of callousness to helm such a formidable company. Adrian has always had a brooding aura about him, but there used to be moments of levity, glimpses of a mischievous grin that hinted at a playful, boyish side. Now, all I see is a man who commands authority, can kill with a look if he tries hard enough, and can make you dream about the feel of his hands on you—

Stop.

I hear my tummy rumble, reminding me I missed breakfast. Before I can check the time, Ryan is already glancing at his watch.

“Hungry?” he asks, lowering his hand into his pocket.

“I’m okay,” I lie, and I hear another sound of protest from my stomach.

“The sound that just came out of you tells a different story.” He chuckles and reaches to save the progress I’ve made on the spreadsheet. “Come on. My treat.”

The invitation catches me by surprise, but I’m quick to accept, mostly because the only thing on the menu I can afford is to walk right out of there.

“Thank you.” I quickly grab my phone and purse and follow him to the elevator.

The courtyard is buzzing with people having lunch and conversations about topics I probably need a dictionary to decipher. Ryan leads me into the restaurant opposite the café, and the hostess is quick to greet us.

“Mr. Stevenson!” She smiles at Ryan, and he offers a curt nod. “Table for two?”

“Yes, please.” Another nod from Ryan gets the hostess going through a digital map of the restaurant on the large touch screen next to her.

“Great! Follow me.”

As we make our way to the table, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out and tap the screen to find a text from an unknown number. I furrow my brows and open it. A photo of me entering Morgan Investments is staring back at me, and it is accompanied by a message: “I’m always watching.”

Chapter nine

~ADRIAN~