Page 26 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

For a fleeting moment, I hesitate, uncertain how to ease her nerves. Nothing I say seems appropriate, even if I knew how to comfort people. Then, almost instinctively, I reach out and take her hand in mine, gently squeezing it. Her hand is small, and my skin glides along hers like a feather. I feel her fingers tense at the contact, her breath catching in her throat as she looks up at me.

Yes, I know you feel it too, little duck. I see the flicker of nervousness give way to something deeper. Shelooks at me the same way I’ve looked at her when she doesn’t know I’m watching—with lust-filled eyes. My heart quickens at the realization, my hand lingering on hers for a moment longer than intended. I slowly slip my hand off hers and place it on her thigh.

Elana’s lips part, and she sucks in a breath, but she doesn’t stop me. I feel the softness of her flesh through the dress, and I fight the urge to squeeze it, to slip my hand down her inner thigh and part her legs. I want to glide my hand between them and tell her to keep quiet as I gently rub her through the fabric. Heat travels straight to my cock, and I feel blood filling it. Luckily, this tuxedo doesn’t allow me the luxury of a hard-on.

Get your hand off of her.The voice of reason breaks through the haze of desire, reminding me of the situation that we’re in. I can’t touch her. I can’t have her the way I want to. And in this moment, I admit to myself that I want all of her. But I’m threading a fine line, and if I move an inch, I’m crossing boundaries I shouldn’t.

Fuck!With a sudden jolt, I withdraw my hand as if it’s been scalded, my gaze turning awayfrom hers. I can still hear her shallow breaths, no doubt confused by what’s happened. You’re not the only one.

“No reason to be nervous about the event,” I murmur, the words coming out more abruptly than intended. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

Chapter twelve

~ELANA~

His touch vanished as quickly as it arrived, leaving my skin tingling in its wake. The memory of Adrian’s hand lingers on my skin, a sensation I can’t shake off, especially where his touch lingered a moment longer on my hand… and thigh. The electric current from my belly down to the place between my legs prompts me to press them together instinctively.

Adrian’s eyes flicker briefly to my legs before returning to the vacant space he’s been staring at for over a minute now. I observe him as he squeezes his eyes shut and then opens them again. He’s affected. The way he touched me, the intensity in his gaze, it’s undeniable that he must be experiencing the sameelectric pull as I am. So why isn’t he acting on it? What’s holding him back?

I glance down at my hands, unsure what to say or do next. I’m tempted to ask why he withdrew his hand, why he stopped, but deep down, I already know the answer. I’m not stupid; I understand his promise to Ethan.

While I wasn’t certain if he felt the same attraction towards me, his touch and his reaction when I revealed the harassing messages I’d been receiving were telling. It’s clear he’s not indifferent.

A small voice in my head whispers that it’s solely because of the promise he made to my brother, but another voice reminds me of how he touched my leg and the look in his eyes. No, this goes beyond mere obligation to Ethan.

I’ll admit, a part of me hoped for a reaction from Adrian when I slipped into the dress. As I looked at my reflection, the only question that echoed in my mind was whether Adrian would find it fitting, and he did. Initially, it thrilled me to see his eyes roam over my body in the dress. Yet, there’s a stark reality I’ve overlooked. Perhaps it’s because all my past loveinterests were just boys—boys whose only concerns revolved around graduation and securing a job. But now, as I glance at Adrian beside me, reality hits me like a ton of bricks.

This is no boy. This is a man; a man of significant power and responsibility far beyond my grasp. He’s not a college student who will take me to the movies, hoping to make out with me. It’s like transitioning from serving imaginary tea to your parents with little plastic teapots to brewing real tea in an actual pot, where the risk of burning yourself is all too real. I’m used to being surrounded by rabbits, and now I’m sitting next to a wolf. Realization hits me, causing me to sink back into my seat and fold my arms around myself.

He’ll never take me seriously.

As Adrian helps me out of the car, I take a moment to take in the scene. Huge lights illuminate the entrance, casting a warm glow on the well-dressed crowd gatheredoutside.

“Good evening, Mr. Mogan,” a gentleman in a tailored suit greets us with a warm smile. “Right this way, sir.”

Adrian shoots me a quick, reassuring look before stepping out of the way to let me in first. The foyer is adorned with chandeliers and the atmosphere is buzzing as guests chat with champagne flutes in hand.

“Adrian!” A woman suddenly approaches us, her dark hair perfectly styled and piercing blue eyes gleaming. She’s dressed in a sleek black dress, her lips painted a bold shade of red. She called him Adrian. Are they close? She plants swift air kisses on Adrian’s cheeks, and just as swiftly, I already dislike her.

“Victoria,” Adrian responds with a curt nod and turns to me. “Elana, this is my COO. Victoria, this is Elana—”

“Ah, our new intern you were telling me about. Isn’t she sweet?” Victoria’s high-pitched voice cuts through my ears. “Pleasure to meet you.” She extends her hand towards me.

“Hello.” I force a smile and take her cold, bony hand in mine. She retracts her hand before I can even shake it properly and turns back to Adrian.

“Adrian, Father is dying to see you. He says he has a proposal you won’t be able to refuse.” She wraps an arm around his, and I feel a pang of relief when I see him subtly slip away from her touch. He doesn’t like this.

“Should I wait here?” The image of me standing awkwardly while Adrian talks to Victoria and her father about business is enough to make me stay where I am.

“Yes, I think it’s better for you to stay here.” Victoria’s chuckle sends a wave of unease through me. It makes me feel like an intruder—like a kid invited to a birthday party, only knowing the friend who invited them, unsure of where to go.

“I’ll just wait here.” Just as I’m about to step back, I feel Adrian’s hand slip around my waist. It takes all I have to keep still and not react to his touch. I look up at him, but his eyes don’t meet mine.

“She goes where I go.” His voice is firm yet calm. His simple statement fills me with comfort. He wants me next to him.

“Very well, then.” Victoria purses her lips in a way that tells me it’s far from ‘very well’, butAdrian’s reassuring hand on my waist brings a small smile to my lips.She goes where I go. With his touch and silent reassurance anchoring me, I follow him into the heart of the event.

As the evening wears on, the discomfort in my feet becomes unbearable. I’ve never been one for wearing heels, and standing for so long in them is taking its toll. I shift awkwardly, trying to ease the pressure on my aching feet, but it’s no use. I’ve stood by Adrian’s side, feeling more like a lost puppy than anything else.