Read Online Possessing Eleanor by Tessie Bradford - Free Book Online Page A

was head over heels in love with Jackson. How could it have happened in such a short time and without her realizing it until this moment? The three days he had been gone had been the longest three days of her life. She thought about him constantly and missed his companionship. Why the hell hadn't she called him and explained herself?
    “Oh my God,” Ellie whispered as she cradled her head in her hands and leaned on the table. “What if I've ruined everything? We haven't talked since I stormed out of the house. I kept figuring he would call me once he saw the error of his ways. I'm such an idiot! He's not going to call me first after what I said to him. But if I make the first move, it's as if I'm admitting it was wrong to get mad, and I wasn't, because he didn't trust me and he should and—”
    “Deep breath, Ellie,” Ted chuckled. “When's the Marquis due back in town?”
    “Tonight, actually.” Ellie checked her watch. “He's probably already home.”
    “Well then, let's get down to the business at hand.” Ted signaled for another round of cocktails. “This situation calls for serious damage control.”
    * * * *
    “This is absolutely ridiculous,” Jackson grumbled as he pushed the blueprints across his desk and turned to stare out his office window. Four days! It had been four days since he had heard Eleanor's sweet voice and, more importantly, felt her melt in his arms. Each day he'd been gone he'd waited for her to call, to explain what the hell had happened between them that morning. He had every right to be upset. Just the mention of her spending time with another man had gotten his blood boiling, and when she'd refused to elaborate on the situation, he'd feared his head might explode.
    Fine, if she wasn't going to call him, then so be it. Her stubbornness was cute at times, but this wasn't one of them. They were going to hash out this little bump in the road and move on. Whatever the hell was going on with this Ted person couldn't possibly be a threat to their relationship. Eleanor wasn't capable of that kind of deception. He would stake his life on it.
    She was the woman he'd been waiting for forever. Beautiful, smart as a whip and passionate beyond belief. They were destined to be together. She was his, damn it. She had proven that every time she'd given herself so completely to him. Could he be wrong, though? Maybe she didn't feel as strongly about him? His gut clenched painfully.
    “Bullshit.” He slammed his hand down on the desk simultaneously with the knock on his closed door. “What?” he barked loudly at the interruption.
    “I was getting ready to leave, Mr. Royce,” Linda, his secretary, poked her head cautiously into his office.
    “Sorry, Linda.” He ran a hand through his hair and tried not to scowl. “I didn't mean to snap at you. Go on home. I'll see you Monday.” When she didn't move and stared at him with concern, he managed a feeble smile. “Everything's fine. I'm just in a foul mood.”
    “Well, if that's the case, maybe I should go home, too?”
    Ellie stepped into view behind Linda. Jackson's pulse rate increased instantly at the sight of her. God, she was breathtaking, dressed to the nines in a silk blouse, a narrow, black, knee-length skirt and peep-toed pumps. He slowly eased back his chair then stood. He nodded to Linda who, after glancing warily at the two of them, silently left.
    “Eleanor. What a pleasant surprise.” He held her gaze with his but didn't move as she entered his office and closed the door. She walked slowly across the carpeted floor to stand behind one of the leather chairs positioned in front of his desk. After dropping her purse, she smiled shyly at him.
    “I missed you.”
    “And I, you.” His cock thickened at the sultry tone of her voice.
    “Ted is gay.”
    Jackson coughed briefly in surprise before recovering himself. “An interesting way to start a conversation, I must admit.”
    He moved slowly around the desk to perch on the front edge.