“Pen?”
His tone is questioning. Almost pleading.
I hold up a hand as I try to catch my breath, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
I take comfort in the fact my breathing is not the only one laboured. Elijah seems to be struggling too.
I drop my head to my knees, closing my eyes as I wrap my arms around my legs.
I stay still despite feeling him move to sit next to me. No part of him touches me, but my body is filled with an awareness I never thought possible. Every nerve ending fires as my womb contracts with unmet desire.
We sit in silence as I try to gather my thoughts.
“That was not what I expected,” I say eventually.
He wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. His head resting against mine.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, although I’m not sure what for.
“Are you?” I say, looking up, our faces millimetres apart. “Are you sorry?”
His brow furrows as if he’s trying to work out the correct answer.
I bite my lip, his eyes track the movement. My heart rate picks up again.
“No,” he says quietly. “Are you?”
I shake my head, my stomach somersaulting as his lips break into a smile.
“Good,” he says, one hand coming up and cupping my chin, his thumb caressing my cheek. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
I suck in a breath.
He continues, his eyes scouring my face.
“I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since you left...”
I close my eyes, my breath catching in my throat.
“I’m supposed to be concentrating on Lottie, on my company, but you’ve got me tied up in knots, Penelope Dawson. You’re the only thing I can think about.”
“Elijah,” I all but croak.
“If you really want me to leave. I will,” he says, pushing himself up.
I press the palm of my hand against his chest, holding him in place.
He freezes.
“After that kiss?” I say. “You walk out that door, and I’ll rugby tackle you to the floor.”
I look up into sparkling dark brown eyes.
“Sounds tempting, just to see you try.”
He drops back down, his legs outstretched along the kitchen floor.
He leans over, gripping my waist as he positions me until I’m straddling his thighs.
