Page 4 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Yes.” I give Melissa the go-ahead with a nod.

The door swings open, and in walks the girl with honey-blonde hair, green eyes, lush lips, flushed cheeks, and a coffee stain on her blouse. Well, I’ll be fucking damned. Time seems to freeze for a moment as my mind struggles to catch up.

It’s fucking her.

Chapter two

~ELANA~

I step into Adrian’s office, the nerves in my stomach forming a tight knot. There’s a small coffee stain on my blouse from earlier, and I hope it’s not too noticeable. Out of all the days I could’ve spilled coffee on myself, I had to spill it right before the meeting. I look up and into Adrian’s dark, narrowed eyes, and my breath catches in my throat.

Oh, God! Adrian Morgan, the man who’d featured in my girlish dreams since childhood. The same Adrian who’s now morphed from a handsome boy to a diabolically gorgeous man.

As my eyes take him in, I’m momentarily paralyzed by the sight. Tall and broad-shouldered, his presencecommands the room. I glance over his dark wavy hair, a jawline so sharp it could cut glass, and those stormy-gray eyes that always seem to pierce through your soul. I gulp, taking in the way his well-fitted suit accentuates every inch of his sculpted body. This is not the boyish figure I remember. This is a man who could make even the most composed woman stumble over her words, let alone me.

“Elana.” I hear my brother’s voice break through my thoughts. I hadn’t realized he’d been calling me. Jesus, how long have I been staring? I turn to look at Ethan momentarily, his familiar face like a lifejacket amidst the ocean of unfamiliarity. “There you are. Welcome back.” Ethan laughs. “See? I told you she’s grown up.” He turns back to Adrian.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize quickly and force a smile. “Hello…” my voice trails off. How should I address him? I’ve always called him Adrian, but that was before. Now, he’s technically going to be my boss, so… Mr. Morgan? The thought of not being able to use his name doesn’t sit well with me.

“She’s still a bit nervous, but she’ll come around…” Ethan’s voice echoes in the distance of my mind, my attention laser-focused on Adrian, who is staring at me intently. His eyes linger on me, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. There’s something almost painful in the way he looks at me like he's grappling with a difficult thought.

“Elana,” he says, his voice smooth and deep. My name on his lips sends shivers down my spine and into my stomach. He’d always call me “kid” when we were younger. I force myself to focus, realizing I’m standing there like a deer caught in headlights.

“It’s really nice to see you again,” I manage to squeak out, my voice betraying none of the internal chaos. Internally, I’m grappling with the fact that Ethan, in all his infinite wisdom, has thrust me into the lion’s den with my long-time crush.

My dear brother thinks it’s a brilliant idea for me to intern here while he’s away. Me, the girl who could barely keep her wits about her whenever Adrian was in the same room when I was a teenager. My heart drums wildly in my chest, threatening to expose my secret crush. At least, I hope it’s a secret one.

Why isn’t he saying anything? I glance around the huge office, attempting to distract myselffrom the daunting presence of Adrian. Through the still-open door, my eyes meet those of one of the receptionists—Bethany, according to the nametag I’d seen earlier. She eyes me up and down and scoffs.

What the heck?Is this high school? I thought I’d left those theatrics behind.

I look away from her and try to muster the courage to walk up to where my brother is. I force one leg in front of the other until I’m standing right in front of Adrian, who’s leaning back against his desk. “So, um, Ethan says you’ll be my… mentor here?”

The corner of Adrian’s mouth lifts, and he gently pushes himself away from the desk, standing at his full, intimidating height. Looks like I’m not the only one who’s gained a few inches.

“Mentor, guide—call it what you want.” He takes a slow step towards me, and I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “It’s been too long, Elana. Welcome to Morgan Investments.”

Great. Welcome to the lion’s den, indeed.

Ethan has made his famous trout with capers, which means he’s trying to make it up to me for putting me through the horror of seeing Adrian again. It’s his way of apologizing without actually apologizing.

“So.” Ethan grins and takes a sip of wine. “Not as terrifying as you thought?”

“No.” I smile.Waymore terrifying than I’d thought. “It was just odd seeing Adrian again after all these years.”

“Yeah, I suppose odd is the right word,” he says, still chewing. “What do you think of him?”

“Well, he’s way more,” I pause, choosing my words carefully, “successful now. Taller, more intimidating, handsome, I suppose.” The last one slips out before I can stop it.

“More handsome?” Ethan raises a brow.

“No, it’s not like that.” I wince, my gaze dropping to my plate. “He’s just grown up, that’s all.”

“Yeah, he’s done a lot of growing over the past few years. Built quite an empire.” He nods, looking at the TV.

“Empire is right,” I mutter under my breath.

“Oh,come on, El.” He rolls his eyes with a dramatic sigh. “Don’t tell me you’re nervous about the internship.”