Chapter 83 DETERMINED
POV: ELISABETH
Patrick's phone kept ringing, and my head pounded with each echo of the ringtone. I groaned, pulling my legs off him and nudging him to wake up.
“Patrick... your phone...” I grumbled, turning to the other side, only to be wrapped in his spooning embrace again, his legs intertwined with mine.
“Let it ring. I don't want to deal with anything today,” he said sleepily.
“Stop being a baby. It could be important about the publisher.” I stroked his strong arms, snuggling deeper into his secure and warm embrace.
“Doing that won't convince me to get up and answer it,” Morgan chuckled. “It could be those vultures from the newspaper wanting a statement.”
“All the more reason to get up. We can't let Heloise ruin Biel's gift.” I kept a serious tone. “Let's do it for him!”
“You sure know how to get a man out of bed.” Patrick buried his nose in my neck, planting a kiss on my bare skin, giving me goosebumps. “Lis, don't react like that, or I'll devour you all morning.”
I slapped his leg, scolding him.
“Watch your language!” I laughed, turning to face him. “But I wouldn't mind that.”
I bit my lip, catching his gaze. Patrick wiped the pout off my face with his finger, then cupped my neck and pulled me into an intense, dominant kiss, which was cut off too soon by a knock at the door.
“Damn it!” he muttered, resting his forehead against mine. “Can't a man spend the day in bed with his lovely fiancée?”
“Your fiancée?” I grinned, raising an eyebrow. “I haven't accepted any proposal, and you're not just any man, Mr. Most Coveted Billionaire CEO of Seattle!”
“Even being sarcastic, young lady, I already have your 'yes.' You just need to stop deceiving yourself with all this charm.” He bit my lip as the knocking continued. Sighing, Patrick yelled, “Greg, this better be important!”
“How do you know it's him?” I looked curious.
“Who else would be so bold at six in the morning?” Rolling his eyes, he glanced at the door over his shoulder.
“Sorry to interrupt, but it's urgent!” Greg's voice came from the other side of the door, urgency clear in his tone.
“You better go see what's up...” I gave him a quick kiss and got up.
“Where do you think you're going?” Patrick sat up, frowning.
“Get ready for work, boss!” I teased, watching him lick his lips.
“It's not safe, Elisabeth. Work from home.” Patrick walked toward me, pulling me by the waist and caressing my side sweetly. “Or you can wait for me naked in bed, writing your naughty scenes for our star film.”
“Patrick, I'm tired of hiding from them. You need a competent executive assistant, and I'm the best, you know that.” I stood on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I'll be by your side. We have brute Greg as security. I'll be safe with you, soldiers!”
“If things get out of hand, I want you to take your grandma and disappear, got it?” Patrick's eyes grew darker and more intense. “There's a good savings account in your name, passports, and contacts to keep you safe.”
“What do you mean?” I held his hands to my face. “When did you...”
“Since I found out about your ex, Elisabeth, I promised to keep you safe, and that's what I'll do!” He kissed me sweetly, his hand gripping my neck lightly and his fingers playing at my collarbone. “You're addictive, apprentice.”
“And you're a charmer who needs to get ready before Greg breaks down that door.” I smiled, running my hands over his abdomen. “Although...”
“Although what?” He raised an eyebrow, curious.
“We need to shower to get ready for work. I'll go ahead in case you want to join me.” I ruffled his silky hair. “Do you know what you'll say in the press statement?”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” Patrick pressed his erection against me, sliding his hand to my butt and squeezing. “You like to tease me, don't you?”
“Me? I have no idea what you're talking about.” I feigned innocence.
Taking a step back, I slipped off the thin robe covering my naked body, threw it at him, and slowly walked toward the bathroom, feeling his eyes roam my curves wickedly.
“Patrick, I can almost hear the dirty thoughts in your mind from here,” I teased, amused.
“I'll make you feel those dirty thoughts. Let me just get rid of Greg.” I looked over my shoulder, seeing him put on his pants and smile. “You have a beautiful ass!”
I laughed, shaking my head, and entered the bathroom as I heard the door open. I left it slightly ajar, turning on the shower and standing behind the door. Patrick had been gone for days, and I knew he kept many things secret from me.
“Are you sure about this?” Patrick asked, his voice rising.
“Yes, that's what my contact's reports said,” I heard Greg reply.
“Damn it, we need to be cautious...” Morgan sighed. I noticed he glanced at the bathroom door, and I subtly moved back to avoid being seen when he lowered his voice for a few minutes. “I'll be down in half an hour.”
“But Patrick, we need to...” Greg tried to argue but fell silent immediately. “Alright, just don't be late!”
“Yes, Dad!” I heard Patrick say playfully, heading toward the bathroom.
“You're a complete idiot, you know that, right?” His friend shouted. “Elisabeth, don't let him be late.”
I blushed under the shower, hiding my face in my hands when I felt Patrick's hands gently pulling mine away.
“Why are you trying to hide?” He raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile on his lips. “You look even more beautiful when you're shy.”
“I'm still not used to the idea of sleeping with my boss...” I sighed. “What will people think of me?”
“First, you didn't sleep... We were very much awake for what we did,” he said, grumbling as I poked his ribs. “Ow, and second, they'll think how lucky you are to have such an incredibly perfect CEO in your arms.”
I crossed my arms, sizing him up and down, and rolled my eyes.
“You're not all that!” I teased, laughing as he pressed me against the wall, bracing his arms on either side of my head and sliding his knee between my legs, spreading them slightly.
“I'm going to make you moan loudly, shouting everything I am, you rebellious apprentice!” Patrick smiled wickedly, taking my lips with hunger and voracity, leaving me breathless with just one kiss.