William set the phone down and kneeled beside Addie. “Where were you headed? Is there anyone we can call for you?”
Addie gasped, unconsciously drawing her hand to her mouth. “To a job interview at The Carlisle Agency.”
William nodded, and Addie noticed a look in his eyes she couldn’t place. “Thomas, call Ms. Sheehan and explain that Mrs. Greyer is stuck in an elevator in the building.”
Addie couldn’t help staring, noting the way William abruptly barked orders at whomever was on the other end of the phone. He was arrogant and rude, yet the magnetism she felt toward him was undeniable.
William hung up the phone and sat close down beside Addie. Too close. Addie noticed how amazing he smelled. Had a man ever smelled that heavenly before? She was faint, out of breath. It felt as though all of the air had been sucked from her lungs. William ran his fingers through his thick black hair, removed his suit jacket, loosed his tie, and patted her thigh as if he’d known her his whole life instead of having just met her a few minutes ago. “They’ll have us out of here soon.” Addie glared at him, speechless.
He laughed. “You really have no idea who I am, do you?”
“Should I?” Addie asked, trying to hide her disdain.
William eyed her impassively. “Only if you want to.”
Caught off guard, Addie looked away. She stared at her shoes until William gently placed his hand beneath her chin and lifted it. Before she knew what was happening, his lips were on hers, and, for a moment, Addie was lost. William pulled her closer. As she realized what was happening, Addie pushed his chest to no avail. Either she was powerless to stop or he was incredibly strong. She pushed again; William released her but didn't take his gaze from hers.
Addie stood, smoothing her skirt. “What the fuck was that? Didn't I tell you I was married?” Addie said, thrusting her ring hand towards him.
He grinned at her, clearly amused. “Excuse me, if I didn't read anything in your kiss that said, ‘I’m married.’”
Feeling flustered, finally noticing how hot it was getting in such a small space, Addie picked up the phone. Nothing.
William’s hand covered hers and placed the phone back on the receiver. “I’m sorry. It won't happen again.”
Addie said nothing and backed away from him instinctively. The two of them stood silently in opposite corners until, uncomfortable, even in the silence, Addie spoke up. “What a day.”
“It’s not so bad. It led me to you.” Addie never would be sure if it was the genuineness of the way he said what he said or the glint of sadness in his eye that led her to cross the tiny space and place herself his arms. She kissed him with a passion that she hadn’t felt in quite a while, maybe ever. He matched her style, kissing her back harder than before. All at once, they were tangled up in each other, tearing at each other’s clothes. William pushed Addie’s skirt up and pinned her against the wall with his body. He lifted her slightly, his piercing blue eyes staring into hers as he pushed himself inside her. Addie dug her nails into the hard muscles in his back as he bit her lip. They made love ruthlessly, primitive instinct taking over.
After he climaxed, still inside her, William sank slowly to the elevator floor. He kissed her bare shoulder. “Damn, Addison.”
Addie smiled faintly and pulled away gently. “I . . .I . . . I’m sorry.”
William reached for her hand, reading her mind. “Hey, no apology needed.”
Addie rubbed the back of her neck. Oh God. Shit. Fuck! What in the hell just happened here? She had never been unfaithful. Had never even considered being unfaithful. And yet here she was, stuck in an elevator with this man for less than half an hour and had managed to commit one of the biggest sins possible. How in the hell had she let this happen? She had just made the biggest mistake of her life.
Sensing her unease, William squeezed her hand and released it. He traced his finger across her lips, sending chills down Addie’s spine. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Addie studied his face as though she were trying to place it in her mind forever and forget it all at the same time. He was so beautiful it made her stomach turn.
William pulled away, releasing her. “Blame it on the concussion. You weren’t in your right mind.”
Feeling as though she could finally breathe for the first time, Addie dressed and straightened her clothes. William stood too, watching her but saying nothing. Finally, he, too, fixed his attire. Addie, sated, found herself drifting off to sleep: a sleep deeper and more restful than she had had in a long while.
She woke to William stroking her hair, her head in his lap, whispering softly in her ear “Addison, wake up. Firemen are going to be busting through the door in about sixty seconds.”
Addie panicked, realizing where she was and what had happened.
She sat up just as one of the men slid the door open. Soon another grabbed her by the arm, and they lifted her out, placing her on a stretcher. Addie was dizzy. There was so much commotion going on around her. She searched the faces for William’s until finally she heard his voice in her ear. “These men are going to take good care of you, ok?”
She blinked away tears until William’s face came in to view. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but the words wouldn’t come. He smiled, stroked her hair, and then he was gone.
Six
Addie came to in the ER with Patrick by her side. “Hey there, sleepy head. Sounds like you had quite the day.”
“Yeah. You could say that,” Addie said, picking at her hospital bracelet.