Chapter 310
Trying to hide the flutter in her heart, Elissa shot Rowan an exasperated look. “So what exactly do want? ”
“Tonight- ”
you
Rowan’s gaze lingered on her, his eyes tracing the delicate lines of her face. A curious glint flickered in his eyes before he leaned in, lowering his voice until his lips brushed her ear. “I want you to help me… personally p>
As he spoke, his breath danced across her skin, and his lips grazed her earlobe–light and teasing, soft as a feather. The sensation made Elissa forget to breathe. The moment she heard the last three words slip from his lips, her face went crimson, her fingertips trembling at her side.
She never imagined words like these would ever come from a man so elegant and reserved.
“I–I have no idea what you’re talking about!” she blurted, eyes darting away from him. She shoved him back, stammering, “And even if I did–I wouldn’t know how p>
When she’d signed that contract, all she’d cared about was getting Tanya Foster out of trouble. If Rowan wanted to sleep with her, so be it–it was a thousand times better than making a deal with Slate. But she hadn’t realized that, when it came to what happened between adults, things were never as simple as they seemed.
That night when they’d almost gone all the way, she’d nearly backed out at the last second. And now he wanted her to… take the lead? That was just too mortifying.
Sensing she was about to bolt, Rowan caught her wrist. “If you don’t know how, that’s fine. I’ve got experience. I can teach you p>
He sounded so matter–of–fact, it was as if they were discussing a business proposal.
Elissa’s heart was pounding so hard she thought he’d hear it. Teach her? With experience? She didn’t even want to imagine what kind of situations a man like him would have been “experienced” in–or what those scenes might look like. Just the thought made her cheeks burn.
For heaven’s sake, this was supposed to be a celebration dinner, and here she was, dying of embarrassment, completely lost for words.
If they were talking about anything else, she might have had a chance to come out on top. But when it came to this–she was absolutely outmatched.
“Elissa?” someone called from outside, the voice familiar.
She struggled to pull free. “Let go! Someone’s coming this way p>
“And what about what I just asked you?” Rowan’s grip loosened, his tone casual. “No answer? I’ll take that as a yes p>
Who wasn’t answering? Elissa opened her mouth to protest, but just then, the fire door handle rattled.
Startled, she instinctively pushed Rowan behind the door, smoothed her dress, and stepped out.
“Cliff? What’s up p>
1/2
18:36
Chapter 311
“What are you doing here?” Cliff looked relieved, as if he’d been worried something had happened to her. “The professor sent me to find you. He wants you to take a look at a lady who needs medical attention p>
“A lady p>
“Yeah.” Cliff grinned. “Pretty well–connected, too–from the Wilkinson family of Cresthaven p>
Elissa blinked, surprised.
The Wilkinson family of Cresthaven. Rex Wilkinson was their youngest son. Their status in Cresthaven was on par with the Murphys in Vistapeak City–maybe even surpassing them, thanks to their sprawling family network. More importantly, Rex’s eldest sister was steadily rising in both politics and business, wielding considerable influence.
With that in mind, Elissa’s thoughts raced. She quickened her pace and followed Cliff into a lounge just off the ballroom.
Inside, about six or seven people had gathered. Right away, Elissa spotted a middle–aged woman in a wheelchair–poised, elegant, and striking despite a hint of fatigue around her eyes. She looked to be just past fifty.