Page 25 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

I won’t extend the courtesy of closing the door if I find her in that state again. Heat spreads through me and pools deep within my lower half. Oh, I definitely won’t be as nice.

What the hell is she doing up there? Impatience gnaws at me. Were it not for the notification confirming the use of my AMEX, I’d suspect she hadn’t found a dress. Three thousand dollars was spent in a single transaction, followed by six hundred more just twenty minutes later. A smirk playson my lips as I take another sip of wine. She sure knows how to spend money.

The sound of hesitant footsteps in heels echoes through the living room, drawing my attention—finally.

“Adrian?” Elana’s voice is soft as she calls my name before she enters the kitchen.

Holy. Fuck. I’m momentarily speechless, my eyes going over the woman before me. She’s wearing a sleeveless red velvet dress that clings to every inch of skin it can reach. Three thousand dollars well fucking spent. My gaze drifts down to where her cleavage plunges. No bra.

I narrow my eyes, and my hand twitches to slip in a finger and yank the fabric down. I finish my wine as I struggle to keep my thoughts in check. I am most definitely in the mood for reds tonight.

“I’m ready.” Her voice is tentative, almost as if she’s unsure if she should disturb me. Right now, I’m not sure she should either.

“Late is what you are,” I manage, my voice huskier than intended.And fucking breathtaking.

Her eyes flicker down to the floor, a blush coloring her cheeks as she apologizes, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t decide on a clutch and jewelry.”

I walk over to the counter, pour myself another glass of wine, and take hers from where I’d left it. I watch from the corner of my eye as hers travel up and down my body before she takes a sharp breath. She’s checking me out. I fight the urge to want to touch her.

“I allowed myself the freedom to pour you a glass of wine.” I turn to face her. Fuck, she’s glowing. Her hair is in an elegant bun, a wavy strand spilling across her face. I hand her the glass and brush my fingers against hers on purpose as she takes it. Her breathing betrays her, immediately picking up pace as our fingers touch.

“You look lovely, Elana.” I mean it with every ounce of blood rushing to my cock right now. My hands itch to feel the dress, to lift it over her hips and bend her over the kitchen island. Her cheeks turn rosy pink, a grin spreading across her face.

“You look really nice too.” Her giggle surprises me as she lifts a hand to her lips.

“Something funny?” I raise a brow, prompting anothergiggle from her.

“We’re matching.” She points to my neck. Oh, the bowtie.

“It seems we are.” I cock my head to the side as her eyes sparkle with amusement.

“I guess I should return this,” she says, opening her clutch and digging through it. “Oh, no!” Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. “The card! I’ve lost it.”

“You lost my card?” My brows shoot up.

“It’s not here.” She continues to dig through her little purse as I pinch the bridge of my nose. Countless appropriate punishments flash through my mind as I try to push them away. One, two, three… I breathe through my nose and count to ten. No new transactions have been made after her last one, which was hours ago.

“When did you see it last?” I keep my voice as calm as I can. I don’t give two shits about the card. It’s her irresponsibility that’s the problem. I look at her, but she’s not looking back at me. She has her back to me, her chest shaking gently. What is she doing? “Elana, look at me.” I take a couple of steps towards her, but she simply buries her face in her hands. “Elana?” Is she crying? It takes everything I have to stop myself fromjerking her chin towards me. A tight pain squeezing my chest like a python at the thought of her being this upset.

Suddenly, she jumps and looks up at me, holding the card. “Gotcha!” She laughs, clutching her belly.

“What?” I furrow my brows and take a step back.

“I’m joking!” Her eyes sparkle with amusement as she looks down at the card. “But seriously, you should really take it before I actually lose it.” She hands it to me with a smile, and I slowly take it from her.

She was fucking with me? I’m so dumbfounded that I don’t even notice when my lips turn up in a grin.

“You’re smiling!” She claps her hands and bends her knees. “I got you so good.”

You have no idea. I cock my head to the side, my grin subsiding into a smirk. “Are you proud of yourself?”

She’s taller because of the heels, but she still hardly reaches my neck. She looks up, and her vibrant green eyes meet mine.

“Very.” Her smile is sweet, and her eyes are filled with that same fireI remember.

I gesture for Elana to climb into the backseat of the car before me, and I smile to myself. If only she knew the magnificent view of her ass I’m getting. I follow suit, giving Mac a nod before settling in beside her.

“I hope we’re not too late because of me.” She lets out a breathy laugh as one hand fidgets with her clutch before setting it down beside her. I can sense the tension radiating off her, the subtle tremble in her hands as she clasps them in her lap. The playful Elana is gone, replaced by the same nervous girl who walked into my office.