Page 32 of Man Seeking Woman

Now my hand was being forced into the life I swore off. Seeing those words on the paper, learning that my fate in this company relied on producing a child, it really pissed me off in the beginning. But that wasn't what I felt anymore, I didn't feel angry, I didn't feel upset and frustrated with my father's voice in death.

It had become a challenge I wanted to conquer, a middle finger at the sky to prove to him he hadn't won. I could and would do this, nothing was going to stop me.

Walking around my desk, I checked myself over in the mirror hanging on the wall across the room. Running my fingers through my beard, I took in a deep breath, tugging on my jacket lightly.

Start over with her, August. This is your chance.

A soft knock on my door made my head snap up. "Come in," I called out as I took a step into the center of the room. I had the need to stand taller, to be larger than life so she would see me for the powerful man I was.

The door opened slowly, and Ella took a short step in. Holding a grin on my face, there was this desire screaming deep inside me for her to feel my presence, but also to sense that I wasn't a threat, I was gentle and kind, a man she could trust.

Because I meant every word I said when I told her I would take care of everything. I wasn't the type of guy to just wash my hands and walk away once I got what I wanted.

Our eyes connected, hers glistening with a hint of fear. Tilting my head a hair, I deepened my stare, trying to read her. Maybe that wasn't fear I was seeing, maybe it was her just being coy and guarded.

Staying quiet, we both stared at each other for a long second. I couldn't help but notice how different she looked in the bright light of my office. She wasn't all dressed up, with heavy black makeup thickening her lashes or bright blushed cheeks.

Ella's natural beauty was more than enough to showcase her features. Her hair had deep strips of strawberry blonde, her skin was glowing like she sun had softly reached out and fanned her face, with her round cheeks highlighted in a subtle pink hue. Her lips were plumped and glistening, her eyes that appeared blue last night were now a shade of green.

She was simply stunning.

And in that brief second my desire shifted from just want into need as my chest constricted and my body filled from head to toe with electric sparks.

Ella is it, she's definitely the woman I've been looking for.

With a thin smile, she removed her eyes from mine and glanced down at her arms. "I—I brought you back your jacket," she said with hesitance in her voice, taking the jacket off her arm, and holding it out to me. "Thanks for letting me borrow it."

"Of course." Taking a step forward, I took the coat. "But, I'm pretty sure I told you to keep it."

"You did, but I can't keep what's not mine." Holding out open palms, she gave me a weak smile. "So, here I am."

Nodding, I lifted the coat up and bowed my head. "Thank you." Moving my eyes to the small bar against the wall, I asked, "Can I get you a drink?"

"No, that's alright, I'm not staying."

"You came all the way here just for this? To bring me a coat I don't really need?" Smirking, I placed the jacket on the back of the chair, letting my eyes dance around her body.

She was shifting on her feet nervously, her eyes frantically scanning anything and everything that wasn't me. "Is that so hard to believe?" she asked, her lip curling up to one side.

She didn't just come here for this.

After how last night ended, I was surprised she even kept the jacket and didn't throw it out the window on her ride home. Ella had been so upset, the fact that she held onto it said something.

"Why did you really come here?"

Rolling her eyes, she rocked her head on her shoulders, her voice low and strained. "Alright, maybe there's more."

"Maybe—no, there's definitely more."

Stuffing her hand into the back pocket of her jeans, she pursed her lips. "Okay, I also wanted to know what you were going to do about this?" Pulling out a small square of folded up paper, she opened it and handed it to me.

"You saw that, huh?" Ella cocked her brow, her eyes boring a hole into mine. "Stupid question?"

"Stupid question—you think?Of course I saw it, how the hell wouldn't I have seen it? It's on the damn front page." Folding her arms across her chest, her hip kicked out. "I'm wondering what you're going to do about it. You need to fix this, August, I can't have my face plastered on the front page of the paper."

"Why not? I thought women loved attention?"

"Wow, that's not being a dick in the slightest."

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