Page 42 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Elana.” I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “I have work to attend to and a meeting shortly. So, it’s not the best time.” And I gave my word to your brother. A promise I feel like I’m breaking each time I look at you.

“Oh.” Her face falls, devastation written all over it. “I’m sorry, I’ll go. I won’t bother you.” Nothing has ever made me feel like a bigger asshole. Stay. Bother me all you want. She’s already turning around.

“Elana, I—”

“Iunderstand.” She turns to face me, eyes glistening with tears. “I won’t bother you anymore.” Wiping a cheek, she opens the door and exits quietly. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving me standing in the silence of my office, staring at the empty space she’s left behind.

I’ve made her cry. I was the first man she felt safe enough to experience her first orgasm with, and I’ve just brought her to tears. Now, I’m definitely bound for fucking hell. This, her anguish, is precisely what I wanted to shield her from. And now, I’m the cause of it. I never want to be the reason for her pain. Since she’s been here, she’s made me come alive. I need to make her see herself through my eyes. I need to make her feel… I shake my head before I can finish the thought. Ethan be damned.

Forgive me, brother.

As I step out of my office, I see Elana in front of the elevator. Melissa and Bethany glance up from their work, their expressions questioning as they catch my gaze. Rightfully so. A girl just ran out of my office crying. I say nothing, instead making my way swiftlyto the elevator. Elana walks in, her steps heavy with emotion. Without a second thought, I quicken my pace and slip into the elevator just before the doors close.

She turns towards me, her eyes still filled with tears. As soon as she sees me, she breaks down completely, her sobs echoing in the confined space.

“Elana.” I have never been in this situation before, never wanted to say so much that I end up not knowing where to begin.

“Leave me alone,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “Please, leave me alone.” I wince at her words. Not that I didn’t expect to hear them, but it still feels like a kick to the chest.

Ignoring her plea, I press the stop button on the elevator, halting our descent. I then pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as she cries, her face buried in her hands.

“I’m so sorry,” I murmur softly, my heart aching at the twitching of her body.

She pushes me away, her tear-streaked face searchingmine.

“I knew,” she says bitterly, “I always knew I would never be enough for you. But I hoped. After last night, I thought I could at least hug you. Clearly I was wrong.”

“Elana, I fucked up,” I say earnestly, taking her hand in mine and stepping closer. “I’m so sorry.” I lift my hand and gently wipe away her tears, relieved she doesn’t pull away from me. “I want to make you happy.”

Elana laughs bitterly through her tears. “And look how well that’s going for you,” she says, her voice filled with pain.

I wince, squeezing her hand gently, pleading with her. “Forgive me.”

She looks at me through tear-filled eyes, her gaze searching mine. “Is this about Ethan? Because I’m his sister?” she asks, her voice trembling.

I’m silent for a moment, gathering my thoughts. Yes.

“I didn’t want to betray Ethan’s trust,” I admit, “and I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping my distance from you. But now, I see I was wrong by doing it, and I hurt you.”

Elana stares at me for a moment, her tears still flowing, before asking the question that weighs heavily on both of us.

“Forget Ethan. How do you feel? What do you feel?”

“Like I never want to be away from you,” I confess. “Like I’ve been stuck in a storm, and you’ve brought the sun with you.” I close my eyes for a moment. This is more than I wanted to admit, even to myself.

When I open my eyes again, Elana is staring at me. She’s silent, but at least the tears have stopped.

“I didn't know you were a poet,” she murmurs, her voice still weak.

I smile softly, brushing away a stray tear from her cheek.

“I’ll be anything you want me to be, little duck.”

Chapter eighteen

~ELANA~

I stare at the gray storm in his eyes. It takes me a few seconds for the words to actually sink in.Like I never want to be away from you. Like I’ve been stuck in a storm, and you’ve brought the sun with you.