Page 50 of Suddenly Desired
Ellie’s trainers padded softly on the tiled floor as she walked, her eyes scanning for any indication as to where she might find the boardroom. A few steps later, she spotted a glass-mounted map of the building posted on the wall.
“Perfect,” she muttered, stepping closer. Her finger traced the layout of the floors, her pulse quickening when she spotted the boardroom was on the tenth floor. That had to be where the meeting was happening. She’d just have to figure out how to get there without running into too much trouble.
She followed the corridor until she reached a stairwell. The lift was too risky — someone might stop her if she was stuck in a confined space and had to talk to them for long. Taking a deep breath, Ellie started climbing.
At about floor five, the doubt started to creep in. What exactly was her plan? Was she just going to burst into the board meeting and start shouting? Demand they listen to her? Tell them what she knew?
What if Blake didn’t want her there?
She gritted her teeth, gripping the cool metal railing as she pushed forward. She had spent too long second-guessing herself, waiting for the right moment,playing it safe. Not this time.
Blake had helped her when she needed it most. Now, she was going to help him.
She picked up her pace.
By the time Ellie reached the tenth floor, her legs were burning, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She pressed her back against the wall, willing herself to calm down. The corridor was quieter here, the thick carpet swallowing every sound, but tension crackled in the air like static before a storm.
She edged forward, her eyes locking on to the glass-walled conference room at the end of the hall. The blinds were partially drawn, offering glimpses of movement inside — shifting silhouettes, sharp gestures. She crept closer, pulse hammering, straining to hear.
A man’s voice, clipped and precise. Blake’s deeper tone, steady but tight.
She couldn’t make out the words, but the slow, suffocating energy in the room was unmistakable.
A sudden laugh echoed from further down the corridor, making Ellie jolt. She turned to see a group of employees chatting as they headed towards the lifts, oblivious to her presence. Pressing herself against the wall, she held her breath until they passed.
When the corridor was empty again, she inched closer to the conference room. Through a small gap in the blinds, she caughtsight of Blake. He was standing at the head of the table, his hands planted firmly on the polished wood. His expression was intense, his jaw tight as he spoke. Ellie felt a rush of admiration. Even in the midst of this storm, he looked completely in control.
Then her gaze flicked to the woman standing opposite him.
Ellie stiffened.
The woman had the kind of carefully curated appearance that screamed wealth — glossy hair, tailored clothes, a smile sharp enough to cut glass. Even without being able to hear her, Ellie knew exactly who she was.
Michelle.
The woman who had betrayed Blake. And the man who had helped her was right there too.
Ellie’s blood boiled as she watched Michelle lift a hand in a dismissive wave, as if swatting away an inconvenience. David was seated beside her. He wasn’t as obviously smug as Michelle, but there was still something cold about him. His movements were precise, controlled. His fingers tapped against the table once, twice, then he spoke.
Blake flinched.
Whatever David was saying, it wasn’t good, and Ellie could see the way his jaw was grinding even from out in the corridor. His words seemed to hit Blake like a physical blow.
Ellie’s stomach twisted as she watched Blake stagger slightly, his grip tightening on the chair. Then, as if the weight of the room had finally crushed him, he sank heavily into the seat, his head dropping into his hands.
Michelle’s lips curled into a knowing smirk and David leaned in just slightly, the two of them together a condescending pile of crap that she had recognised the moment she’d seen them on the TV. Because she’d been on the end of their derision before, when they’d swanned into the Bookworm Café and made ridiculous demands. Blake had said David hated Michelle, but David waslying. Because David and Michelle weren’t just colleagues. They weren’t even enemies pretending to tolerate each other.
They were a couple. And Blake had no idea.
Steeling herself, Ellie stepped forward and went to open the door. She barely had time to grip the handle before the sound of a throat clearing behind her made her freeze.
“Excuse me,” said a security guard, less built than the one she’d sneaked past at the front door, but ten times more intimidating. “This area is restricted. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Ellie turned, her cheeks heating. “I need to get in there, I’m—”
“I know who you are.” The guard’s gaze was impassive, but his words hit like a punch to the gut. “You’re Blake Fielding’s . . . friend.”
Before she could respond, two more guards appeared, flanking her ominously.
