Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 164: Chapter 164

"Adrian," Elara countered, "when did I ever say Alex was my boyfriend?"
"You never denied it either," Adrian pointed out. Their eyes locked, a storm churning in Adrian's gaze.
"Does it matter now?" Elara asked softly. "We're here."
"It matters," Adrian stated.
"How?" Elara pressed.
"If I'd known you were free," Adrian said, a thread of frustration in his voice, "I'd have taken you home the minute you returned. We wouldn't have wasted a second."
A faint smile touched Elara's lips. "Good things come to those who wait, don't they?"
"I'm done waiting," Adrian said, a hint of roughness in his tone. "I'd have dragged you home."
Surprised by this raw intensity, Elara met his gaze, mischief sparking in her eyes. "Since when did you master the art of taking what you want?"
He buried his face in the curve of her neck, nuzzling softly, his voice thick. "And you? You begged me for him. Tried to seduce me. Remember?"
"My fault," Elara conceded softly.
His lips trailed a path from her earlobe to her collarbone. "So tell me," he murmured against her skin, "exactly what was your fault?"
"My fault," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice, "was not being crazy enough back then. I should've just told you—the stranger spying on me in the shower, threatening lawsuits—that I was single."
Adrian realized she was dredging up the past, and this time, the fault lay squarely with him.
"Why so quiet, Mr. Hartley?" Elara teased, sweetness dripping from her words. "Do enlighten me further about my failings."
She's impossible to out-argue,' Adrian thought, conceding defeat. "My fault."
Elara beamed triumphantly, mirroring his tone. "So tell me, what exactly was your fault?"
"I shouldn't have misunderstood things with you about Alex. I shouldn't have bullied you. And I shouldn't have refused to help Dylan." Adrian listed.
Elara gave a satisfied nod. "Better late than never. Apology accepted."
Adrian lifted his head, his gaze sharp. "If I'd helped Dylan then, if Alex hadn't married Nancy, would you be with him now?"
Elara froze. The unspoken answer hung between them: Yes. She knew Alex had felt the same. His plan after graduation had been to marry her. If not for Dylan's trouble, they likely would be together now.
But life hadn't worked that way. And perhaps it was better it hadn't.
"It was just a crush on my side back then," Elara said, sidestepping the full truth to spare Adrian's feelings. "It wouldn't have worked out."
She saw the skepticism in his eyes and offered a tentative smile. "You don't believe that?"
"Elara," Adrian said, his voice low, "I heard your conversation today."
Elara tensed. "What did you hear?"
"Alex said," Adrian replied, his gaze steady on hers, "that when this is over, he'd take you away. Live abroad."
"Those were his words," Elara countered quickly, "not mine."
"And you didn't deny it," Adrian pressed.
"It wasn't that I didn't deny it," Elara rushed to explain. "Mom was so hysterical. I didn't even get a chance to say anything."
Adrian's eyebrow arched. "So the thought never crossed your mind? Running away with him?"
Elara brushed a quick kiss against his lips. "I won't lie—I wanted that once. But when I learned he was with Nancy, I cut him out. Completely."
"Really?" Adrian challenged. "Then why did you try to win me over?" His gaze sharpened. "Wasn't it just to get my help for Dylan?"
Elara met his gaze squarely. "There were two reasons I tried to stay on your good side. First, for Susan's job. She's divorced, raising a child alone. I couldn't let her lose her livelihood because of me.
"Second," Elara admitted, her voice softening, "was Dylan. I wanted to give him a safety net. They'd crossed the Heatons. Alex marrying Nancy—the least influential Hartley daughter—wasn't shield enough. Only you could truly protect them.
"Adrian," Elara said, her voice softening, "I wanted to help them not because of my feelings for Alex. Dylan practically helped raise me. I ate more meals at his table than my parents'. He's a good man. That's why I—"
"I know," Adrian said, twirling a strand of her hair. "I'll see Dylan through this."
"Thank you," Elara replied.
And Alex?" Adrian asked. "What do you think of him now?"
"I don't think about him," Elara replied, her gaze steady on Adrian's. "We're not in touch. He has his family now. And I have someone far more important." Her lashes lowered for a moment before meeting his eyes again, sincerity shining in them.
A playful glint lit Adrian's eyes, though he knew perfectly well. "Someone more important? Who might that be?"
Elara's eyes crinkled with mischief. "My Puppy Adrian, of course."
Adrian pinched her waist playfully. "No nicknames."
"I'll call you what I like," Elara sing-songed. "Puppy Adrian!"
"Not hurting anymore?" Adrian's voice dropped lower. "If you're recovered, we continue."
Elara shrank back slightly, though a smile played on her lips. "It still hurts."
Adrian shifted over her, his weight settling gently but possessively. "You'll feel good. Soon."
Feeling his growing arousal beneath the sheets, Elara scrambled back. "Oh no! Give me a break, and I'll tell you a secret."
Adrian eyed her, suspicion warring with curiosity. "What secret?"
"Then promise you'll give me a little more time," Elara bargained.
"How long do you need?" Adrian asked.
"Just... half an hour," Elara answered.
Adrian relented. The night was long. "Alright. What's the secret?" he asked.
Elara leaned close, her breath warm against his ear. "You had my first kiss too."
First kiss?' Adrian replayed the memory and laughed, a low, warm sound. "I thought you were a bold seductress. Turns out you were a rookie who'd never even been kissed?"
Elara's eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh? So, Mr. Hartley, you've kissed your way around the globe?" She poked his chest. "Confess. How many?"
Adrian surrendered, helpless against her teasing. "Only you."
Elara drew the word out, dripping with skepticism, "Ooooh reeeally?"
"Damn right," Adrian affirmed.
"So you were the first-timer?" Elara poked him, triumphant. "And you dared laugh at me?"
Utterly unrepentant, Adrian raised an eyebrow, a wicked gleam in his eye. "Plenty... in my dreams."
Elara frowned. "In your dreams? Who? Your classmates?"
Adrian laughed, exasperated. "Who else? You."
The unexpected words stole Elara's breath. A flush crept up her cheeks.
Adrian leaned closer, his breath warm. "Only ever the eighteen-year-old Elara."
Elara's flush deepened. "Y-you fantasized about me? When I was eighteen? Adrian, that's..." Words failed her. "Shameless!"
Adrian feigned deep thought. "Oh? So sleeping with 22-year-old you makes me a beast?"
"Not a beast," Elara mumbled. "Just... the age gap feels... significant."
Adrian's gaze sharpened, dangerously amused. "Elara. Are you baiting me?"
"No!" Elara backpedaled frantically. "You're incredibly handsome, Mr. Hartley. Incredibly fit. Far more impressive than any college boy. Not old. Perpetually youthful. Ageless."
Adrian fell silent. A beat of silence stretched between them.
Elara changed the subject. She poked his chest with her finger. "Anyway, you need to get me some medicine later."
"Medicine for what?" Adrian asked.
Elara stared at him, incredulous. 'Is he serious? He finished inside me. Safe days aren't foolproof. He refused condoms. The morning-after pill isn't optional.'
"The morning-after pill," Elara said, her voice tight. "After you just—"
"You won't get pregnant," Adrian stated calmly.
"Huh? Why—" Elara began, then broke off, overcome by a sudden, harsh cough.
Adrian noted her flushed eyes, recalling her unusual warmth. Instinctively, his hand went to her forehead. His expression darkened. "You're burning up. How did you not realize you were sick?"
Elara frowned. "A little, yeah. I guess getting drenched finally caught up with me."