Breaking Bedrock (Book Two) (11 page)

Addie crossed her arms. “I get what you’re saying, Jess, and I
appreciate your concern, but I love him.”

Jessica leaned in close and reached for Addie’s hand, catching
her off guard a little. “That’s what I was afraid you were going to say and
also why it kills me to have to show you this, but Addison, please, wake up.
You want to divorce Patrick? Fine, I support you. But please, honey, really
give this thing you’re getting yourself into some thought. I just want to be
sure you’re ready for it.

Addie took the phone from Jess and hesitantly read what was on
the screen.

WILLIAM HARTMAN, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ELIGIBLE
BACHELORS, ATTENDS GALA WITH MYSTERY REDHEAD. SAID TO FINALLY BE READY TO
SETTLE DOWN.

Addie handed Jess the phone back, stood, kissed her on the cheek,
and walked out the door without another word.

Addie decided she needed fresh air and left her car in
the parking garage near the coffee shop. It was a cold dreary day, especially
for a place like Austin, Texas. She hadn’t considered the temperature when she
took off, but the cold practically forced her to speed walk the few blocks it
took her to get to her office. In heels, no less.

Addie’s mind raced.
Damn it. How could she have been so
stupid?
All she knew was that she had to stop the letter from getting to
William. Seeing him in the latest gossip rag smiling smugly with some busty
redhead draped over him literally made her sick. She’d be damned if she were
going to let him make a fool of her. And that’s exactly what she was: a damned
fool. For so many things really. For not only believing that a man like William
Hartman could love her but also for believing that he could be anything other
than what he was.

Addie dialed Carl and asked him to call William’s guys and
intercept the letter. He assured her he’d do what he could only to call her
back a few minutes later, his voice solemn. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Greyer. Mr.
Hartman has the letter in his possession. He’s also asked to see you and wants
me to set something up with you.”

“You tell Mr. Hartman I said that he can go fuck himself. Tell
him I’m done.”

When Patrick arrived home to an unexpectedly mostly
empty house, he’d been too overwhelmed by everything that happened over the
weekend to really do much about it. Had he not just been forced to swallow the
news he had, he likely would’ve rushed over to wherever his wife was and
demanded that she come home. But now, he wasn’t sure what it was that he should
do. He’d dug himself in deep by knocking Michele up; that much was certain.

He needed to talk to his wife. He needed her to make this better
the way she usually did, so Patrick cancelled his morning and headed to Addie’s
office with a plan.

How stupid of him that before now he’d never stepped foot in his
wife’s office building. He was so wrapped up in his own world that he hadn’t
given a crap about what was going on in hers. Patrick knew he’d made mistakes,
but he didn’t see how things could have gotten this out of hand. After sitting
in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, a receptionist ushered him
back to his wife’s office.

He entered the spacious office to find Addison on the phone. He sat
watching her as she wrapped up the call. The woman in front of him seemed
nothing at all like the Addie he knew. She looked all grown-up here in this
fancy office, using fancy words, in her fancy dress. Patrick wondered how he’d
missed this much.

Addie placed the phone in the cradle and eyed Patrick
suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”

Patrick looked around the office anxiously. “This is impressive,
almost as big as mine.”

“I assume you didn’t come to check out my office, Patrick.”

Patrick cleared his throat. “How did we let it get this far,
Addie? I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Trust me. I know that. But we don’t
even talk anymore. And then you up and move out, just like that? Perhaps I
deserve this. I don’t know. I just don’t want everything that we’ve worked for
to end this way.”

Addie leaned back in her chair and brushed the tears from her
eyes. This was just too much: his showing up here, now, like this. She’d
already had a shitty morning, and this just sent her over the edge. “I don’t
need this right now, Patrick.”

Patrick stood and walked over to her, perching himself on the
edge of her desk. “Come away with me this weekend, Addie, the way we talked
about. We can stay in separate rooms, whatever you want. Please? We’ll talk
everything over. It’s pretty obvious you want a divorce. Okay, but let’s not
end on this note.”

Addie traced her eyelids, clearing the tears. “I can’t. We’ll
discuss everything tomorrow night, okay? But now, please, I need to get back to
work.” The door burst open, cutting her off. “Addison,” William’s deep voice
called.

Patrick stood. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see him
showing up now, should I? Is that what
this
is all about, Addison? Is
this asshole in the picture again? Because hopefully, I’m not mistaken, but I
thought you were through with this piece of shit.”

William lunged towards Patrick as Addie swiftly stepped between
the two of them, placing her hand on their chests. She looked back and forth
between the two of them and then stopped at William’s gaze. “I am.” Addie
sighed. “Now if you’ll both excuse me, I
really
do have work to do.”

“All right, I’ll leave you to it.” Patrick frowned, walked
towards the door, and stopped. “But, please, give my request some thought.”

“I have and I’ll come. Addie replied, so softly Patrick wasn’t
sure he’d heard her correctly.

William sat down in Addie’s chair and propped his feet
on her desk. “So you wanna explain what that was all about?”

Addie walked over to William and shoved his feet off her desk.
She crossed her arms and hovered over him. “Get out, William.”

William chuckled and put his feet back in place on the desk.
“Last time I checked, my name is on the title of this building, and I’m not
going anywhere.”

Addie squeezed her temples and walked to the window.

“I said I needed to talk to you.”

“And I
said
to go fuck yourself.”

William lowered his voice as he made his way over to the window.
“Why are so you angry, Mrs. Greyer? Your letter didn’t seem so angry, so tell
me what changed?”

“Fuck you, William,” Addie spat as she tried to back away. Her
attempts proved futile as William pinned her in position against the glass
effortlessly. Addie pushed back against him again, harder this time, but it was
of no use. His hard body easily held hers in place. She winced as she felt all
of him press into her.

“I asked you a question, Addison. Why are you so angry?”

“I’m not angry. I’m done. There’s a difference.” Addie groaned.

William pushed her further into the glass. “Is there? Because
your body says otherwise.”

Addie rammed her elbow into his ribs, gut-checking him the way
that she’d been taught. Addie knocked the wind out of him but didn’t knock him
to the ground as she’d hoped. “Hmmm. I beg to differ.” She called over her
shoulder as she took a seat at her desk and looked through her email.

“God damn it, Addison.” William choked out as he attempted to
catch his breath. “I think we both know what this little episode of yours is
about.”

Addie snorted. “Oh, please. So . . . I assume you’re here to
enlighten me.”

William walked to the desk and placed both palms on it, towering
over her, and looked her straight in the eye. “You saw that BS from the gala
and you’re jealous.”

“Is that all you’ve got, Mr. Hartman? Because if so, I’d
appreciate it if you’d get out and let me get back to work.”

William reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind
Addie’s ear, causing her to flinch. “Nope, you have no idea how much more I’ve
got, baby.”

Addie rolled her eyes and buzzed Sondra, requesting she come to
her office ASAP. William smiled wryly and raised his eyebrows. “Smart girl.”
William turned to go and but stopped. “Addison, you know you’re lucky I don’t
just take you right here on this desk. You like to pretend, but I think we both
know that you want it just as much as I do. Play hard to get all you want, but
just so I’m making myself clear,
thi
s is far from
done
.”

Addie deadpanned. “Two things, Mr. Hartman. One: You’re wrong;
I’m not the jealous type. I like to think of myself as more of the get-even
kind. And two: Don’t
ever
fucking call me baby, again, got it?”

William stood at the door, unable to wipe the smile off his face
as Sondra looked from Addison to William and back again with a hint of
annoyance.

Damn that girl was good for him.

Ten

William made it to the elevator and stepped in just as
Sondra rounded the corner and stuck her hand through the closing doors.

Sondra looked him up and down. “You mind if I ride up with you?

“It doesn’t appear as though I have a choice,” William chided.

“I saw you at the gala with the redhead.
Everyone
saw you,
William. What exactly are you thinking? Because I just don’t get it?”

William turned to face Sondra. “Remind me how any of this is your
business.”

“Remind me how it isn’t. You asked for my help. I helped you, and
then you go and fuck it all up. What in the hell is wrong with you? She’s just
a girl in love, William, and a naive one at that. She’s not used to this
lifestyle,
your
lifestyle. You can have anything when and where you want
it. You say jump and people ask how high. Sometimes, I think you forget it
isn’t like that for everyone else. You know you’re going hurt her in the end,
don’t you? My question is why? Better yet, please fucking explain to me why you
talked me into being a part of this? Because what you’re doing here is a
disaster waiting to happen. You know it, I know it, and I sure as hell hope she
knows it.”

William pressed the emergency stop button. “Look. Not that I need
to explain myself to you but I have a pretty good handle on the situation. This
really
is between Addison and me. But . . . if you must know, the
redhead was nothing, a decoy to get the press off my back so they’ll stop
hounding me. I’m trying to protect Addison too, only she’s so fucking stubborn
she can’t see it. If this is what it takes to get her to see things my way,
then so be it.”

“You’re joking, right? Are you telling me you didn’t sleep with
that girl who’s clearly been photographed hanging all over you?”

William pressed the emergency button once again, and the elevator
lunged upward. “I’m finished answering questions today. I am, however, glad to
see you have so much faith in me, Sondra. Oh, and by the way, Mrs. Greyer says
I’m not to see you anymore, so I’m going to have to cancel our seven o’clock.
Tell me, though, who does it sound like is calling the shots here to you?

The doors opened, and William stepped off the elevator as he
nodded in Sondra’s direction.

“William,” Sondra called after him with a hint of desperation in
her voice before retreating a little and continuing in a more formal manner.
“Mr. Hartman, please reconsider the tactics you’re using. It’s very obvious
what it is you’re doing, and it isn’t healthy.”

William turned and winked. “Says who?”

When three dozen red roses were delivered right before
lunchtime, Addie didn’t even have to guess who they were from. She sat staring
at them for a moment, before opening the card. She took a deep breath, exhaled,
and began reading.

Dearest Addison,

I know you’re angry with me, and I’m sorry for that.

You can tell me we’re done, if you want. But I know
you better.

Just as some people prefer orchids and others roses,
there is an undeniable magnetic draw that attracts certain people to one
another.

It’s that way with us, Addison. You can try and deny
it, but we’re two of a kind, you and I.

I need to see you. Now.

Carl will take you down through the private exit to
the garage and drive you to my place for lunch. I’m already here, so there’s no
risk of us being seen together.

If you don’t come, both literally and figuratively,
I’ll be forced to keep my scheduled appointment with Sondra this evening.

I don’t think either of us wants the second-case
scenario. First case always tastes so much sweeter, now doesn’t it? And as we
both witnessed in your office this morning, coming shouldn’t be an issue.

Getting here is more than half the battle. ;)

See you soon.

Yours truly,

William

Addie brought the letter to her nose and inhaled. She could smell
William on the stationery, and it infuriated her. She flung the letter down on
her desk and searched for her cell. Why?
WHY?
Did she let him do this to
her? One letter, one phone call, the sound of his voice, his scent and suddenly
she was reeled back in. She was nothing more than prey caught in a spider’s
web. She despised the fact, but he was right. There was something about William
Hartman that she couldn’t resist. She was drawn to whatever game it was he was
playing, and she couldn’t quit even if she’d tried. She knew it, and clearly,
he sure as hell knew it. But love, that was a different matter altogether.
Sure, she’d slipped up once. But no one knew how to wear a poker face and mask
love better than she did. No one.
Game on.

Carl walked Addie to William’s front door and offered
up a slight smile. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Greyer. I can assure you that no one saw
us on the way in.”

Addie smiled genuinely. She wanted to tell him that wasn’t what
worried her at all but thanked him instead. As Carl held the door for her, she
inhaled the aromas coming from inside. She made it halfway down the foyer
before changing her mind and turning back. She shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be
giving in to him like this, she told herself before the familiar deep voice
interrupted. “Leaving so soon?”

Addie turned and eyed William cautiously. She took him in for a
moment before she spoke. Dressed in faded jeans slung low on his hips and a
fitted black T-shirt, he looked markedly different from the William she was
used to seeing. “Yeah, well, you know getting here was half the battle.”

William strode over to her and took her hand. “Stay a while,” he
said as he bent down, kissing her cheek.

Addie exhaled sharply. “Look, I really can’t stay long. My
afternoon is pretty hectic, and I just remembered I left my car in the garage
around the corner from the office. I gave Kelsey the afternoon off, so I’m
going to have to hustle to get back to it after my last meeting as it is.”

William pressed his finger to her lips. “Whoa. Whoa. Easy there,
girl. Don’t worry. All of that can be worked out.”

“Easy for you to say.” Addie scoffed as she headed towards the
kitchen.

William stood back, watching as Addie kicked off her heels. He
leaned against the stove, taking the sight of her in. “I didn’t know what you’d
want, so I ordered several things off the menu.”

Addie nodded towards the bedroom. “Like I said, I can’t stay
long. I’ve gotta get back, and I really didn’t come here to eat.”

William rolled his eyes, strode over to Addie, and kissed her
hard before pulling back, searching her eyes. “All right, have it your way,
then.”

Addie grabbed William’s arm and ushered him over to the couch,
gently nudging him backwards. He reluctantly sat down as Addie straddled him.
“Don’t you even want to talk about why we’re done first?” William whispered
wryly as he slipped his hands underneath her skirt.

“Nope.” Addie replied as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse, her
eyes never leaving his. William smiled as she pulled his shirt over his head.

“Are you sure?” he teased, feeling her up.

“Yep,” Addie murmured as she kissed his neck then sunk lower,
sucking and biting all the way down. When William couldn’t take it anymore, he
swiftly lifted her up off his lap with one hand as he quickly undid his pants
with the other. Once he’d pulled himself free, he forced Addie’s skirt up,
unfastened her bra, and grabbed her hips, slowly lowering her down. Only she
surprised him when she abruptly pushed herself all the way down. He gasped as
she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled. He settled her by grabbing her
wrists and holding them behind her back as they moved in unison, hurriedly licking
and biting at each other until they simultaneously found their release.

William released her hands and grabbed her face between his palms,
kissing her as Addie searched blindly with her hands for his T-shirt. Finding
it, she slowly stood and pulled down her skirt. She tossed it on William’s lap.
“I’ve got to get back. Thanks for “lunch.”

“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”

Addie bent down to retrieve her shirt as William grabbed her
wrist. Her eyes met his. “No. I’m not kidding.”

“Addison, I didn’t invite you here for this. We need to talk.”

Addie walked to the bar and slipped her feet into her black
pumps. “Yeah, well, I didn’t come here to talk.”

William stood and fastened his jeans. “Cancel your afternoon.”

“I’m not canceling anything.” Addie huffed.

“I said cancel your afternoon, Addison. We need to talk.”

William walked to the bar and grabbed Addison’s phone before she
could get to it. “I’m only going to ask nicely once more. Please cancel your
afternoon.”

She tried to wrestle the phone from him to no avail. His hands
were too big and too strong. William picked Addie up in one fell swoop and
carried her to a room she hadn’t seen before. “This isn’t funny, William. I’m
not playing anymore.” Addie laughed nervously as he set her down and cuffed her
to a chair in the dark room. William lowered his voice and smiled at her all
disheveled and cuffed in his house. “Neither am I.”

“Damn it. This isn’t funny. Seriously.” Addie’s tone grew pissed.

William undid a few more buttons on her shirt and kissed her
cheek. “I’m going to go make a few phone calls on your behalf, and then I’ll be
right back. You stay put, okay?” William winked.

Addie threw her head back and exhaled. “If you don’t un-cuff me
right now, I swear this is the last time you’ll ever see me set foot in your
house again. Do you understand?”

William laughed as he slowly closed the door. “Oh, somehow I
doubt that.”