I Think I've Had Enough

Chapter 96:If I Could Only Taste Your Lips and This Adrenaline

Lorelai was astonished. She leaned back in her chair. A small smile pulling at her lips, "This woman is good for you." He pulled her file back in front of her, "You have my attention." Loreali looked back up at him "Are you going to sit down?"

"Do you have a legitimate plan?" he asked firmly.

"I have a plan," she softened. "It will get you your end result." She shook her head, "but you're not going to like the process."

Hours later Patrick sat across from Ellen who was curled on the loveseat. He was hesitant to explain what Lorelai had suggested, "She wants it to be over a period of six months. She thinks we should focus on your courage to give Emilee away and my forgiving you."

"I'm sorry," Ellen stuttered slightly, "But wouldn't us being together do just that?" She sat up on the loveseat. 

"She thinks it will come off forced and destroy our careers in the process. Three months I build my image with my family while supporting you. Then I leave Jill. Three months after that we come out as together."

"So you are telling me we just put our life on hold for six months?" Ellen tossed her hands in the air. "Don't you think we are in a little too deep for that?"

"I think your misunderstanding," Patrick sighed, "I did too." he paused and then continued, "She wasn't saying that we stop seeing each other. She asked for it not to be so public."

"Meaning?" Ellen expression changed. She huffed an ironic laugh, "She's saying we have an affair for six months while you amp your family man image and I focus on my daughters."

"It's ridiculous," Patrick exhaled, "We're not doing it."

The room was silent before, "It's kind of brilliant," she shrugged hesitantly.

"It is?" He responded immediately.

"Probably," she began, "We said we needed more time to let things settle with Emilee." Ellen paused again and huffed the same laugh as before, "It's just ironic," her voice light, "the very thing we avoided for years is the only plan to have a future together."

A smile broke on Patrick's lips, "It is ironic." 

"It could work," she shrugged.

She watched stress cross Patrick's face again, "That means no dates," Patrick said softly. "Endless secrets..." He didn't look up at her. 

"Real dates are overrated," Ellen began, "Plus we have a child together... isn't it a little late for dating?" She stood abruptly and paced a little, catching Patrick's eye, "And secrets..." Ellen tossed her hands up, "Secrets can be fun," her tone changed to forced enthusiasm.

At first he didn't believe her, the plan sounded ridiculous, and secrets sounded painful. Then, on a quiet afternoon in his kitchen Patrick decided to do something stupid. He stared at his computer and looked up at Jillian who was in the kitchen washing her make up brushes, "This script is killing me." Patrick shook his head, "I have to call Chuck." Chuck was a friend that was writing an indie film. Patrick had agreed to read it. He turned down the volume on his phone. Jillian nodded. "I may meet up with him later tonight." Patrick sighed, "I just can't commit to this if I don't understand where he's going with it."

He dialed the number and pressed the phone against his ear, "Chuck," he said with a smile as he started to pace towards the living room, "I'm sitting here with your script and I just can't get a grip on it."

"What are you talking about?" Ellen's voice was confused, "Who the hell is Chuck?"

"Yeah," Patrick answered. "I could meet you for coffee tonight."

Suddenly Ellen realized what he was doing, "Are you actually sitting in the same room as Jillian and calling me?"

"You said it could be fun," Patrick said smoothly, "I'm just trying to figure out how to get there."

"There is something wrong with you." Ellen laughed. "Do you really want to have coffee later?"

"Yes," Patrick nodded though she couldn't see him. "I can meet you around 6:30."

"At the house?" Ellen was baffled by his boldness.

"Yeah sounds good," He answered, "I'll bring the script."

"Goodbye," He could tell by Ellen's tone that she was rolling her eyes.

Patrick would continue to play with fire on a regular basis and it did indeed start to become fun. It was a rush of adrenaline. The same rush that he had been hiding all of these years but now it came with a reward.

Patrick and Ellen had sat in meetings at Warner Brother's all day. They were about to launch a huge press tour for the films and the advertising campaign for the third and final film in the series.

As the analysis and slide show of predictions flashed on the screen Patrick felt a tickle on his ankle. He glanced to Ellen who was staring at the screen. He noticed she had a small smile on her face. Her foot trailed up his leg and to his inner thigh. He cleared his throat and tried not to look at her. The presenter flipped on the lights just a she crossed the line. Ellen withdrew her foot leaving Patrick hungry for more.

"We are going to be straight forward with you," this was directed at Patrick and Ellen. Patrick looked back hoping his face wasn't flushed. "You two have a lot of baggage and we have a lot of money invested in you and these films. Is this going to be a problem? Are you on speaking terms?"

Ellen couldn't resist the urge to slide her foot against him again as she spoke, "Well we have a daughter together so we are on speaking terms. Our relationship is very cordial," Patrick was trying desperately to hold it together. "We obviously have our differences and are not denying baggage but we are professionals." They looked to Patrick because he had been quiet.

Patrick caught Ellen's foot so he could think clearly. He cleared his throat again, "Yes, this is something that we have been dealing with in private since we started this filming process. It's not something that is going to affect our work together."

"Ok," they nodded, "That's a relief to hear. Let's keep up the good work."

They shook hands with the team and pretended to share an awkward hug. Patrick held the hug a little too long and ran his hand down Ellen's back.  He pulled away and said, "I think your earring was stuck on my collar."

"Oh," Ellen shot him an odd glance knowing he was lying. "I'm fine."

"Good," he nodded.

They departed from the executives and walked together to his production office. Patrick locked the door behind them. "You are trouble," he spoke quietly as he closed the space between them. His breath shallow in his chest. The desire she sparked inside of him was hungering to be fulfilled.

He kissed her neck and she giggled, "See, this is very cordial. They have nothing to worry about."