Chapter 7: Mack

I said this pointing at the beautiful angel standing in front of me, who looked like she was already plotting how to kill me. I should have told Claire to wait until at least seven to leave, but no, she insisted on leaving early, hoping to find out if Pollock had moved in yet. Panic and shock were colliding with my outburst of sudden desire. When I stared at the woman who had woken me up from my deepest fog, I was ready to forget about my duties and take her away to the place where she belonged-my bed.

The beautiful angel had decided to leave the apartment at the same time as us, ruining our carefully prepared plan. Since losing Charlotte, I had stopped paying attention to women. It was easier to blame it on work, although my father kept telling me that I needed to start dating again. Now, I was experiencing these hidden emotions while she stood close to me, looking shocked, and I had to keep my mouth shut about who I was. That one fucking night would cost me a lot and only in this moment did I begin to realise that.

"Hi, I'm Ellie Frasier, moved in two weeks ago," she said, sounding tense.

What a fucking mess! I wanted to smash my own face with a brick. Ellie-that name alone was making my dick twitch again and this was not the time or place for shit like that.

"Adrian Lurkin."

"Well, it's superb that we all finally know each other," Claire said, laughing. I wished that she would just shut up. We had been forced to get back together and she knew how I felt about her. "How about drinks at our place on Friday night? I hope both of you, Ellie and Adrian, can join us?"

Ellie shot me a bold, surprised look while I nearly lost it. I was ready to explode and drag Claire back to our apartment. Drinks? Was she out of her mind? We were supposed to engage with Lurkin, but not like that, not while another neighbour stood next to him. She was messing up this carefully prepared plan.

"I'm sure they are both very busy, Claire," I said, shooting her an annoyed look. She wasn't getting it. This whole thing wasn't about social interactions anymore. That was the main reason that I stopped trusting women. They had no idea how to follow the rules.

"I would love to, but only if our pretty new neighbour agrees," Adrian said, winking at Ellie, and I instantly wanted to crush his gut with my fists. Fuck. What the hell was wrong with me? I had this woman for one night. We fucked and then I left. That's all there was to it, so why did I care all of a sudden?

We all looked at Ellie, who opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked amazing wearing a white silky blouse and tight black trousers. I liked women that made an effort and she obviously had a good sense of style, but then my internal voice roared at me to get a grip. I had to stop lusting after someone that I couldn't have. My relationship with Claire was much more important than Ellie. We had to put our differences aside. Pollock was dangerous and I had to keep myself in line. Only a few experienced, high-level people knew about this operation and I hoped that one day I would see him rotting in prison.

"I'm kind of busy Friday. I'm sorry. Maybe another time," she replied.

I imagined those lips around my cock, sucking and teasing me.

"Come on, you have to show up. We're all new here," Lurkin insisted.

She glanced at me, swallowing hard and gripping her folders under her breasts. "But I-"

"Oh come on, Ellie. Mack and I insist. It'll be fun to get to know each other. You should have a night off work," Claire said. Then she winked and added, "I've been told I make a mean Sex on the Beach cocktail," putting me in a state of complete unease. Women could be clueless, and of course she had no idea that I'd had the most memorable and euphoric sex with Ellie just two days ago. That was none of her business as she was married herself, but I was putting all the parties involved at risk and that wasn't my style.

I saw curiosity and lust in Lurkin's eyes for Ellie. This wasn't good. I hated that he was looking at her like she was just another easy lay.

The silence stretched for several moments and I was praying for her to say no.

"Okay, I guess you're right," Ellie said and gave us all a fake smile, tossing her brown hair over her shoulder. "Friday night at your place it is, then. I'll make sure to bring something strong. Nice to meet you all. Sorry, but I have to run!"

Then she jumped straight into the lift, leaving me baffled and fucking furious with a semi-hard cock. Claire laughed and Lurkin kept staring at Ellie until the door to the lift shut.

"Friday night, then. Thanks, Claire. I just can't wait to get myself acquainted with Ellie. She seems nice," Lurkin said, then picked up his box and walked inside his apartment, leaving me and Claire alone. It took me a second to realise that I was screwed, completely and utterly, because I had spent the night with a woman that I had expected to never, ever see again.