He couldn''t possibly want to sleep with her, could he? Was Vanessa not enough for him tonight?
They''d already been to a hotel-what reason did he have toe back here and disgust her all over again?
"I''m used to sleeping alone. There''s no need for us to share a room," Eleanor said, brow furrowed, her entire posture radiating resistance.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he pressed his palm to the wall; the room was instantly swallowed by shadows.
Eleanor''s breath hitched. "Ian, go back to your room. I don''t want—"
A strong hand reached out from the darkness, mping tightly around her wrist and yanking her forward. She struggled, but lost her bnce and tumbled against his chest. Even in the dim light, the hard lines of his face were sharp and unyielding.
She tried to push herself up, butn''s arm shot out, pinning her securely in his embrace.
"Let me go," Eleanor snapped, her cheeks now flushed with anger.
"Have you been drinking?" His question was sudden and pointed.
She''d only had half a ss of wine, and more than two hours had passed, yet somehow he still noticed.
Eleanor turned her face away, refusing to answer.
On instinct, Eleanor pped her hand over her mouth and darted to the side, neatly dodging his kiss.
Apparently annoyed, he suddenly pushed her down, pinning her wrists above her head with a forceful, unyielding grip.
Eleanor realized what might happen-the worst-case scenario. She simply shut her eyes and stopped struggling, ready to ept her fate. But then, abruptly,n froze. His interest seemed to vanish in an instant.
In the darkness, his voice was cool and detached. "Don''t think I''ll ever beg you for this."
Eleanor let out a silent sigh of relief. Begging? He''d never have to. She wouldn''t give in, not in this lifetime.
Even if he did beg, she''d never say yes.
The next morning, Eleanor was still eating breakfast when her phone rang. It was Jude Vaughn, sounding a little rushed.
"Ellie, do you have a minute? We have an investor meeting on Wednesday-I need you to give a speech."
"Of course. I''ll prepare my notes ahead of time," Eleanor replied.
"Are you feeling any pressure?" Jude asked, concern in his voice.
The analysis she''d written recently had stunned everyone, so it made sense for
her to present this time. Still, he knew public speaking wasn''t her usual arena.
"Not at all, don''t worry! I''ll be ready," Eleanor answered with confidence. "See you Wednesday."
After breakfast, Eleanor headed upstairs to work. Since this would be a presentation to investors, she was determined to be prepared.
Over the weekend, Eleanor yed with Princess in the living room when the front door opened. Ian walked in carrying their daughter. Evelyn clung to a brand-new toy, her cheeks still streaked with dried tears-a signn had just bought it for her. "Princess! I missed you!" Evelyn slid down from her father''s arms and dashed over to hug the dog, who wagged her tail in a joyful wee.
But whenn entered the room, Princess immediately tucked her tail and scurried to hide behind Eleanor''s legs.
Clearly, she was terrified of the man of the house.
That night, Eleanory in bed listening to her daughter chatter about everything that had happened at her grandmother''s. Her heart warmed. Despite her mother- inw''s obvious dislike, the woman''s love for Evelyn was real.
Three days passed in a blink. Every morning, Eleanor dropped Evelyn off and hurried back home to work on her speech. Wednesday arrived almost before she knew it.
She''d sent her speech to Jude Vaughn for review the previous night, and he''d been thoroughly impressed. He had no idea when Eleanor had be so well- versed in her field, but her presentationbined theory and practice with severalpelling insights.
After dropping Evelyn off at eight, Eleanor''s phone rang again.
"Ellie, the meeting starts at ten. Try toe early so you can get settled," Jude said.
"I''m on my way," she replied.
Half an hourter, she arrived at the Ashford Medical Tower, conference room on the third floor.
Joel and Jude were already there when she walked in, bag in hand. "Joel, Jude."
"Ellie, I can''t wait to hear your speech. With your notes, I''m sure we''llnd the best investment opportunity," Jude said admiringly. Then, curiosity got the better of him. "Ellie, when did you be so knowledgeable in medicine? You''re even better than I am!"
Eleanor smiled. "After I left school, I didn''t give up on my field. My dad left me a lot of textbooks, and I taught myself."
"Impressive, impressive. A daughter of Dr. Sutton was bound to do great things," Jude praised.
When he stepped away, Joel leaned in, intrigued. "Ellie, why don''t you ever mention your work at the Montirb?"
Eleanor shook her head. "I never graduated from college, at least not back home. Without a formal degree, it''s hard to bring that up."<fnc743> Latest content published on Find~Novel</fnc743>
Joel had also read her speech-it was nothing short of brilliant.
Eleanor was about to ask whichpanies were attending today when Jude got swept away withst-minute tasks. She and Joel wandered through the downstairs courtyard, chatting about the newb, and watched as business professionals began streaming in through the main doors.
She was just unscrewing a bottle of water when her gaze sharpened. A group of a dozen or so men in tailored suits rounded the corner from the parking lot. But what made Eleanor tense was the man at the center of the crowd.
Her husband. Ian.
Amidst the crowd, he was tall and striking, his presence cool andposed. Even making small talk, he managed to look utterly aloof.
Without thinking, Eleanor ducked behind Joel.
Joel squinted inn''s direction, watching as the group made their way toward the conference suite. Only then did he say, "You cane out now-he''s gone."
Eleanor stared aftern, lost in thought.
"What''s the matter? Your husband doesn''t know you''re involved in this project?" Joel asked, surprised.