Page 6 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Oh, I bet he’s already packing,” Lilly giggles and hangs up.

Yuck!

I return to the living room, expecting to find Ethan cleaning up. To my surprise, he’s engrossed in a hushed phone call, and curiosity gets the better of me. What is this about? As I approach, I catch a snippet of Ethan’s conversation.

“This is really bothering me, Adrian. God knows what this bastard might do next. I was thinking,” Ethan pauses and takes a deep breath, “maybe she can move in with you while I’m away. Temporarily,” he quickly adds.

My eyes widen at Ethan’s suggestion. The mere idea of living with Adrian sends a shockwave through me. He has to say no. Please, say no.

Chapter three

~ADRIAN~

“Maybe she can move in with you while I’m away. Temporarily,” Ethan suggests. My mind reels. What the fuck?

“You want Elana to move in here?” I’m sure he hears the disbelief in my voice.

“I know it’s a very serious request, and I don’t want to push it, but I don’t want this prick harassing her even more once I leave. I don’t know what he’s capable, especially when I’ll be so far away.”

“Give me a second, Ethan.” As loud as my mind screams,fuck no,I have to agree with Ethan. Leaving Elana exposed to whatever that fucker from her college is thinking of doing is out of the question. Irun a hand through my hair and look around. The idea of Elana in my apartment sends an unexpected jolt through my system. I quickly try to suppress any stray thoughts that might betray the boundaries I’ve established.

“I understand that this goes beyond what you’ve signed up for. I just don’t know what else to do. She won’t tell me much about it, but I know the guy’s been following her around, sending her messages, and God knows what else that she’s not telling me. I just need to know that she’s safe. I’m torn, Adrian.” Despite saying my name, I feel like he’s no longer talking to me. I feel like I’m listening in on his internal monologue. “I might have to reconsider LA, now that I think about it. I don’t think I can leave her alone.” He coughs, and his tone shifts to a lighter one. “Hey, don’t worry about it, man. I’ll sleep on it and figure it out.”

Reconsider LA? Hell, it’s been his dream ever since he started pursuing marketing. He’s been working towards this his entire career. I can’t let him walk away from this. It would crush him, but so will leaving Elana by herself, possiblyin danger.

“Ethan, I’ll do it.” There’s silence on the other side of the phone. “Do you hear me? I’m saying yes.” My tone is as measured as I can manage. I know he heard me, but I want him to know I’m serious. “And don’t ask me if I’m sure. You know I wouldn’t say it otherwise.”

“I don’t know how to thank you, brother,” he finally says, the relief clear in his voice. He’s genuinely worried about her, and I can’t ignore that.

“By going to LA and making this worth it,” I respond, a mix of hesitation and acceptance in my voice. “Go show them how it’s done.”

Ethan then utters a simple, “Elana,” signaling that she’s overheard our conversation. Well, let’s see how well she handles it.

Ethan clears his throat. “I’ll call you back,” he says before hanging up abruptly.

I’m left alone, the quiet of my apartment amplifying the internal chaos. Hell. As my eyes scan the familiar space, I can’t escape the vivid image of Elana’s presence in every corner. I shut my eyes abruptly. I always figured Elana would grow up to be… decent-looking, but why the hell does she have to throw a wrench into things by being downright—downright stunning, making me imagine her lips around my cock?

What the fuck is she doing to me? The damn self-control I’ve carefully honed over the years now teeters on the edge of collapse at the mere thought of her. Why in the hell is this clumsy, chaotic girl occupying my thoughts when I’m surrounded by beautiful women daily? Hell, I’ve fucked more women than I can keep track of, so why the hell is she so irresistible?

Ethan’s fucking sister. Controlling myself around her at Morgan Investments was already going to be a daunting task, and now, the prospect of her living with me magnifies the challenge to an unbearable level.

A small, cynical smile creeps onto my lips. If only Ethan knew the real challenge wouldn’t be protecting Elana from an adolescent boy; it would be keeping her safe from the godforsaken thoughts brewing within my own mind.

I walk to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine. I need a distraction. Anything. I remember Victoria asking me about the exhibition tonight. I said I wouldn’t go, but I can’t stay here. Icontemplate calling Ethan, but he’s probably arguing with Elana about her moving in with me—or not? I don’t know her enough to know how she might have reacted to the news. I know myself well enough to know that I can’t stay here another second.

The exhibition is going to be a bore, but there are some people in attendance that I’d like to talk to.

As I approach the entrance, already having talked to a couple of people outside, I spot the hostess. And she has definitely spotted me. She smiles, and her eyes skim over my body.

Not so subtle, Ms. Sparkly Dress.

“Good evening, Mr. Morgan. We’re glad you could make it,” she tells me and looks down, probably ticking my name off the guestlist. I address her with a nod and make my way inside.

“Mr. Morgan!” I hear my name from behind me and turn to look at the curator. She’s the daughter of one of my partners. Her father owns a restaurant chain, the same one I’d built in the courtyard ofMorgan Investments. He’s a good man and an excellent partner. “It’s so good to see you! We were so sorry to hear that you’d declined the invitation. I’m glad you changed your mind.” She beams as she reaches for my forearm. Always so touchy.

“Ms. Larson.” I give her a slow nod. Her eyes glisten as I lift her hand up to my lips. “I would’ve come sooner if I’d known you were holding your breath for me.” I shoot her a smile but quickly stop myself. I’m not here to flirt; I’m here to… What am I doing here? Definitely not to flirt with the curator. But it’s too late. She’s taken the bait.

“I would host exhibitions every day if it would give me the pleasure of your company.” She’s all smiles, fuck-me eyes, and long legs. On any given night, I might have lingered, enjoyed the exhibition a bit longer, and taken her to my apartment. But not tonight. Tonight, it seems the only woman I desire to take home is the one I’m forbidden to have and, oddly enough, the one who will be moving into my apartment in just a week. The irony is not lost on me.