Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“This is just fun, Eli. No promises. No expectations. No one is getting hurt.”
He wants to argue with me, and a part of me wants him to. I wish this could be more, but I’m trying to be realistic about it all. He huffs. “Okay, whatever you need. I’m just asking you to give us a chance.”
I put my hand on his chest and play with the button of his shirt. “Fun… that’s all this can be, okay, Eli?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “Okay, yeah, sure, whatever you need.”
He backs away from me, and I know I’ve disappointed him, but he forces a smile to his face. “Have a seat in the living room. I’m going to clean up the kitchen, and I’ll be right in.”
He picks up the plates from the table, and I pick up the serving plate and salad bowls, following behind him.
He looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. He gives me some plastic bags to put the food in and washes the dishes.
We work together in silence, and I hate that I’ve turned this night into this. Needing to hear his voice, I ask, “Talk to me, Eli. How are your mom and your brothers?”
He puts the last dish into the drainer and is wiping his hands off on the towel. “Mom is somewhere in France. She sends me texts and pictures every few days. She’s living her best life. My brothers are good. They’re all staying busy and out of trouble.”
He gestures to the living room. “Want to watch a movie?”
I nod, even though I can’t imagine staying awake for a whole movie, but I’m determined to give it a try. “Sure. I’m going to use the ladies’ room first.”
He nods, and I disappear down the hallway. When I come back, he has the television on, the lights low, and he’s standing next to the couch.
He holds his hand out to me, and I reach for him, putting mine in his. He pulls me toward him, and then we sit on the couch next to each other, his hip against mine, and I’m surprised when he doesn’t let my hand go. He brings it between the two of us, and his fingers caress my skin, stroking back and forth.
It feels so good that my nipples pebble just from the hand play. I can feel my cheeks heat just from his touch.
“I put on the new action flick that just came out. Are action movies still your favorite?”
I nod. “I’m surprised you remember that.”
He squeezes my hand. “I remember everything about you.”
I lean my head against his shoulder and snuggle into him. I know I said no promises and no expectations, but I am going to try and enjoy this as much as I can.
CHAPTER 13
ELIJAH
She’s asleep.
It’s past midnight, and she fell asleep in the first half hour of the movie.
I haven’t moved an inch, wanting her to rest, loving that she felt comfortable enough here with me to give what her body obviously needed.
But I know if I don’t move her, she’s going to be really uncomfortable in the morning.
As gently as I can, I position her so that she doesn’t fall when I stand up. As soon as I do, I lift her up into my arms, and she wakes up enough to slide her arms around my neck. Her voice is a mumble against my chest. “I’m too heavy.”
I kiss the top of her head. “No, you’re not. You’re perfect.”
I carry her down the hall to my bedroom. I could have easily taken her to the guest room, but there’s something inside me that wants her in my bed. I’m already imagining jacking off tomorrow with her scent surrounding me.
I softly clear my throat, trying to clear my thoughts. I shouldn’t be thinking this about her, not yet. We’re not there yet, but I hope we will be.
I pull the covers back and lay her down in my bed.
She doesn’t look comfortable in her jeans, but I don’t trust myself to remove them. I debate with myself until I convince myself that I should at least loosen them. I undo the button and then look at the marks on her skin. Don’t women usually wear pregnancy pants? These seem really binding.
I want to smooth the marked skin, but I know if I do, I’ll wake her.
I open her pants a little, giving her room to breathe, and then I quickly bring the cover up to cover her.
My eyes travel up her body, and that’s when I see her staring back at me. “Hey,” I whisper.
She looks soft and vulnerable, and a protective side I’ve never felt before comes over me. In this moment, I know I’ll do anything to make her mine.
She searches my face. “Are you the one that has been sending me the notes, the flowers and the candy?”