Page 61 of High Rise Secrets

“Ethan…”

He looks at me, a smile still on his face, but it hasn’t reached his eyes. I study him for a moment. He looks tired. So tired. I reach my hand out and touch his cheek. He presses his face into my hand and holds it against him, snuggling into my palm.

“I’ve missed you so much, Addy. It’s been hell staying away from you,” he says quietly before dropping my hand and taking a step back.

I don’t want him to. I step closer again, as if my body is reaching for his. As if my body knows I belong with him and can’t be apart anymore. My heart hammers in my chest, and water fills my bottom lid as I watch him.

“I miss you too, Ethan.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “I’ve thought of calling you so many times, but I’ve been too afraid.”

He steps into my space and tucks my hair behind my ear, then gently places his hands on my cheeks to lift my eyes to his chocolate ones. “Afraid of what, baby?” he whispers as if it’s a secret among lovers.

“That you’ve moved on,” I whisper back.

He wraps his arms around me and presses my cheek against his chest. “No, baby. Not a chance in hell I’d move on from you.” His heart is beating frantically as I wrap my arms around his slender waist. He rubs his hand up and down my back, and a few tears slip free.

“I’m so sorry, Addy. I can’t say it enough times.” He kisses the top of my head, and for the first time in months, I feel whole again. I’ve missed him so damn much. He took a piece of me when I pushed him away.

“I forgive you, Ethan.”

Chapter 40

Ethan

She fucking forgives me. I’m so happy I think I’ll burst. Those three words leaving her sinful lips is like heaven to my ears. I stick my finger under her chin and tilt her head back so she’s looking at me, and then my lips come crashing down on hers. My tongue swipes the seam of her lips, and she doesn’t hesitate to open for me.

Home.Having her beneath my fingertips, exploring her mouth, it feels like I’m finally coming home after being lost for so long. She moans into the kiss as I walk her backward toward the wall. I press my weight into her and nudge her legs apart to fit mine between us.

When she starts rocking over my leg, I know I need to stop. We aren’t doing this here, not like this. I don’t want her to think I just need a good fuck, even if I do. I pull back to look into her eyes and smile as her chest heaves.

“I believe you’re here for an interview, Ms. Snyder,” I tease. She blinks at me a few times before she finally nods, and I allow her to step away from the wall. “Have a seat and we can discuss why you want this job.”

She smiles and shakes her head. She would have to be an idiot to know she’s not a shoo-in already. The role is for a marketing position. Where she has worked with the other girls to makeRISEso successful over the years, and she was always good with clients atEmulation,it would be the perfect position for her.

She didn’t even apply for the job. I created a fake email address and sent her an interview request. I know she has been looking for a job lately; Aiden told me after they went out for drinks last week. He’s leavingEmulationto come work for me, too, but I made him promise not to tell her. I know they were close.

I managed to drag a lot of old employees with me, but that’s another reason I need to keep my name out of things—for now. It’s better if the board doesn’t know I’m stealing employees until it’s too late for them to do anything about it.

I go through the motions of telling her what the job entails, asking about her experience, and where she sees herself in a few years. All the standard questions. Then I open it to her to ask anything she wants to know.

“Are you the one who sent the email to bring me here to this interview?”

I grin wide and nod. “A little birdy told me you have been looking for a job, and I knew we had the perfect position here for you... if you want it, of course.”

“I’m going to kill Aiden,” she mumbles as she shakes her head. Her cheeks flame under my gaze. “I’ve been waiting for you to seek me out at the club.”

“They revoked my membership. I’m sure if one of the owners would vouch for me, though, I could get back in their good graces to be able to see a show.”

“You’re not mad?”

I shake my head. “RISEis part of who you are, part of what made you. I won’t take that from you.”

“What are the rules here on interoffice dating?” she asks with a sly smirk.

“Allowed. Why? Is there someone who works here you are interested in?” I tease.

She stands and walks behind the desk, stopping between my spread legs. She reaches her fingers down and runs them through my hair. I close my eyes and relish in the feeling of her fingers as they dance over my scalp, a quiet hum of appreciation leaving my lips. I lift my hands to her hips, holding her in place, and open my eyes to look at her again.

“Can we start over?” she asks. I see the fear of rejection in her eyes as she bites her lip and waits for my reply.