Her blinks have been getting longer and longer. The day has been a long one, it’s in her movements and the exhaustion written on her face.
As I guide her out of the bathroom, she steps toward the door. I don’t let her get far. My arm shoots out and hooks around her to pull her back against my chest.
My breath ghosts over the delicate curve of her neck and I’m mesmerized by the way the red of her hair has darkened where it got wet and lays across her milky skin. Unable to help myself, I kiss up until my lips ghost the shell of her ear.
“You’re sleeping in my bed tonight, Sweet Girl.”
“Not sweet,” she murmurs, a yawn contorting her face as her knees falter.
I catch her in my arms easily, scooping her up and carrying her to bed. I’m wrapped around her, the warmth and softness of her body giving me peace, before she can even consider protesting.
As we fall asleep, I know I don’t want to fall asleep any other way.
I’m not sure how to get her to stay, but I’ll have to figure it out. She belongs here.
CHAPTER 7
HOLLYN
I’ve been walking around and exploring Storyville for most of the morning and I’m a little shocked no one has asked me why it looks like I’m floating on cloud nine. People really should be more curious, but instead of probing questions, people have simply smiled and waved. Can they not see how I’m levitating over here?
It’s all because of Elwood. The man woke me up in the middle of the night last night with his mouth traveling down my naked body before he buried his face between my thighs. It was disorienting with the darkness still surrounding us, but I didn’t mind at all.
Trust me, it didn’t take me long at all to become fully awake and for my fingers to tunnel into his hair and hold him in place. Not like he was trying to escape or anything. Still, I wanted to make sure.
It was only after the second orgasm when he crawled up the length of my body, pushed my knees up to my chest, and plunged his rigid length into me. Desperation was swirling in his eyes, and I could see just how on edge he was. The relief that crossed his face when he was buried inside of me made me feel wanted in a way I’m not used to.
Part of me hopes I never get used to the feeling. I want the freshness of it. I want the newness of it. I want the passion.
By the time I fell asleep for the second time last night, I was exhausted. And I’ve never slept better. Was it being in Elwood’s arms? Was it the orgasm?
I don’t know and I don’t care.
What I do know is that I woke up in the morning with lips being pressed to my forehead and a contented feeling flowing through me.
Elwood murmured, “I left breakfast for you, all you need to do is heat it up. Everything here is for you to use. Please make yourself at home.”
When all I did was let out a contented purr, he chuckled and pressed another kiss to my forehead. Then he was gone.
I should have been embarrassed or self-conscious about being in a man’s home I hadn’t even known a whole 24 hours. But I wasn’t. There was something natural about it that I wasn’t ready to recognize or question.
Now, hours later I’m still not ready to examine why this feels so right.
Finding a set of keys, a handwritten note, and a parchment wrapped breakfast sandwich—which was delicious by the way—didn’t even make the whole thing awkward. It felt sweet. It felt intentional. It felt like acceptance.
And the feeling hasn’t faded as I’ve meandered through Storyville to check out all the little nooks and crannies.
It’s a beautiful town and everyone has been friendly with a big side of curiosity. I’ve walked into the shops to check everythingout and I’ve eavesdropped on conversations. If you want to really learn about a town, listen in on the conversations going on around you. People don’t always realize what they’re saying.
But nothing scandalous has come out in Storyville so far.
When I see a sign for Green Mountain High, I’m curious. Elwood told me his sister is one of the owners. The moment I step into the lobby, I’m instantly comfortable with the chic rustic vibe. It’s not overly feminine and very cozy.
I can’t say I’ve been in a lot of dispensaries, but this isn’t what I was expecting at all.
Even the holiday decorations have a homey feel to them without being too over the top. It’s a nice blend of industrial and farmhouse which appeals to me. I would put the metal snowflakes hanging from the ceiling up in my own house and I’m not someone who looks forward to decorating for Christmas.
The woman behind what has been set up as a reception desk looks up at me and smiles. “Hi,” she chirps. When she tilts her head to the side, I can see the wheels turning in her mind.
