Page 25 of King

Ella glanced up at him hesitantly. “Why’d she come back?”

King’s jaw ticked. “Hell, if I know. She tried to pull the wholeI miss you, I made a mistakeroutine, but I shut her down immediately. The only reason I listened to her at all was because I didn’t want to cause a scene at work. I didn’t touch her or return any of her advances. I told her to leave.”

“Oh.”

His eyes softened. “The only person I want, Ella, the only one I see, isyou.”

Her lips parted slightly as his words sank in. He looked so sincere, his expression open and raw. The doubt that had clouded her mind began to clear.

“You really mean that?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

King nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Yeah, baby girl. I really mean that.”

Ella breathed out slowly, letting the tension in her shoulders ease. He wasn’t lying. She could feel it, see it in the way he looked at her.

“Okay,” she murmured.

His face relaxed, and he let out a deep breath, too, as though he was relieved. “Does that mean you’ll still go out with me tonight?”

A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

King grinned, wide and perfect. “Good.”

He stood then, making his way around her desk. Ella’s pulse spiked as he leaned down, bracing his hands on either arm of her chair, effectively caging her in.

“The only person I think about is you,” he whispered, his words warm against her temple. “And if I’m lucky enough, maybe one day I’ll earn the title of yourDaddy.”

Ella’s breath caught, her entire body tingling at what he’d said. Before she could respond, he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head, his fresh scent surrounding her.

Then he pulled back, a smug smile on his lips as though he knew exactly the effect he was having on her. “I’ll pick you up at seven, dollface. Text me your address.”

With that, he was gone, leaving Ella sitting at her desk, her heart pounding, her cheeks burning, and her core aching with need.

TEN

KING

King inhaled deeply as he stepped up to Ella’s front door, rolling his shoulders in an attempt to shake off the unfamiliar nervous energy coursing through him. He knocked twice, and within moments, the door cracked open, revealing Ella wearing a soft, flowy dress that made her look even smaller than she already was. Her hair was down, curls tumbling around her shoulders, and she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her big eyes flicking up to meet his. She looked adorable.

“Hey, Little one,” he murmured, a slow smile tugging at his lips.

“Hi,” she replied softly, shifting on her feet.

King leaned against the doorframe, his gaze flicking over the tiny but cozy space behind her. “I like your home. It suits you.”

Ella’s cheeks pinkened, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. It’s still a work in progress.”

“Well, from what I can see, it’s perfect.”

She ducked her head, and he swore she was trying not to smile too big. He liked that. Liked knowing he could make her shy with just a few words.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

She smiled, grabbing her small purse before stepping outside. He guided her toward his truck with a hand at the small of her back, opening the passenger door for her. Once she was settled inside and he’d reached over her to buckle her in, he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“Where are we going?” she asked as they pulled out of her driveway.

“You’ll see.”

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