Taming The Wild CEO novel Chapter 51

C H A P T E R 4 9 : W H E N H E S L O W L Y R E A L I Z E D

J A V I E R S U M M E R S

“Tell me, brother, did you fall for her?”

Javier rolled his eyes then took a sip of his whiskey. “I did not fall for anyone.”

“Oh, really now?” Clarabelle sliced the chocolate cake with the spoon and put it in her mouth. “Damn, this cake is so good. Are you sure you don’t want to try?”

“No. Also, I thought you want to get some advice from me?” He placed his glass on the table and leaned back, the back of his shirt rubbed against the leather of his chair.

“Nah, I would go to Maxon or Reed or Dex for that,” answered her, clearly proving him to be right. Clarabelle would not go for his third older brother if she needed an advice. That fact oddly did not bother him. There were eight of them and one did not just come to everyone for advice. He himself would always go to Piers and when Piers was not around, he went to Thorton, their oldest.

“I know that already but I am still curious as to why you asked for me anyway. Thus why I came and now I have found the reason.” He finished his whiskey and adjusted his tie. “I should go now that my curiosity is satisfied.”

“Oh, no. You are not running away from me now,” she caught his hand before he stood. “Do you love her, Jav?”

He gave her a look of boredom. “I do not love her, persistent little sister.”

“Really?” Clarabelle lifted one brow. “Then why did you two get engaged?”

“If you must know, it was just an act to throw Mom off my back. She has been pressuring me to have a relationship. Something other than casual flings.”

“Oh, wow. You went to that length to get away from Mom’s pesterings, huh.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Javier shrugged his shoulders without a care.

“Okay. You do not love her and it is just a ruse. So there is nothing between you two, right?”

“Precisely.”

“Then are you okay if I set her up with Max?”

A frown formed on his forehead as he asked, “Max?”

“Maxon. Our brother. He is single and I think it is time for him to settle down with someone nice.” She shrugged one shoulder, her eyes fixed on his. “I just happen to think that that someone could be Ella.”

“Mom does not like her,” he reasoned.

“Maybe for now,” said Clarabelle as she took the last bite of her chocolate cake and wiped her mouth with the napkin. “But I am sure if Maxon really likes her, he could reason with Mom. He could tell her how much he loves her and convinces her that Ella is the one for him. You know how our mother is. She believes in true love, mostly because she has found it with Dad. If Maxon convinces her that Ella is his true love, I am pretty sure Mom will be on board.”

Javier suddenly felt the need to order another glass of whiskey. Or perhaps something stronger.

“You have not answered my question, Jav.”

His jaw tightened. “What question?”

“Are you okay if I set her up on a date with Maxon?” reiterated her earlier question.

Javier did not say anything for a minute. His mind were filled of thoughts of Ella and Maxon. Would he be able to see them together? Would that be okay? He wanted her for himself. Fuck, he could not let them be together. But what could he say? They were not dating. There was no strings between them. He had absolutely no right to say no. Even when that was all he wanted to say.

“Javier? Brother?” Clarabelle’s voice put his train on thoughts to a stop. “What do you say?”

“Ella,” said Clarabelle after finishing her croissant. “I think I did you a great disservice by simply judging you and labeling you without trying to get to know you. And truly, I am so sorry.”

“That is okay.” Ella shook her head. “I was humiliated that night but after that, I took a moment and realized that if I were you or any of Javier’s family members, I would have thought the same thing if he suddenly introduced a stranger and claiming that she was his fiance.”

Clarabelle let out a sigh. “Still though, I should not have been so judgy. My sincere apologies, Ella. I hope you can find it in you to forgive me.”

“Do not worry about it, truly. All is forgiven.”

“I know my mom has not been very welcoming to you and I feel that I should tell you what her deal is. she was not like this before. She had found true love with my father so she was a believer of true love. But then things happened with my brother’s marriage and then, I am not sure if you know this, but Javier had his heart broken as well by a girl who claimed to be so in love with him but then fell into bed with one of my other brothers.”

Ella took a sip of her coffee then tilted her head. “Let me guess. Piers?”

Clarabelle looked shocked. Her blue eyes widened as she gasped. “Oh, wow! So my brother did tell you!”

“Not exactly. We happened to meet Piers back when we were in Sicily.”

“Oh, shit!” Clarabelle bit her bottom lip and cringed. “That must have scarred you for life.” When she noticed Ella looking every bit confused, she explained, “I mean seeing the two of them together. I imagined they would either throw punches or awkwardly quiet and ignored one another.”

Ella laughed, shaking her head which caused her simple ponytail to bounce around. “Actually they hugged and talked and teased each other like they were old friends.”

“They did?!” Clarabelle gasped for the third time that morning. “How did that happen?”

“It is a long story,” answered Ella with a small smile.

“Well, you have to tell me nonetheless!”