Elwood lets out a growl as we step over the threshold of his home. The moment we’re inside, Elwood kicks the front door closed and then spins around to face me. I’m left staring up at him as my nipples harden because of the look of pure desire on his face.
“No,” the word is like a whip, and I press my lips together, wanting to argue, “there’s no reason for you to stay anywhere else, Sweet Girl.”
“But I don’t want to hurt you,” there’s a plea in my voice as I look up at him.
Unable to help myself, I press my hands against his pecs and slide them up until my fingers curl over his shoulders. I shouldn’t be touching him. But he’s so warm under my palms.
I could easily sink into his warmth.
I could easily give myself over to him.
But I shouldn’t.
He’s not the only one who will be hurt when this ends.
“You’re not going to hurt me,” Elwood’s words are soft.
Can he hear the lie in them the same way I do? As he takes a step closer to me, I step back. He does it again and I give up ground I don’t need to give up. The only thing that stops me from keeping distance between us is my back hitting the door.
“You’ve already given me a place to stay. I’m invading your home,” I try to protest, but the words have no real heat behind them.
Elwood’s smile is filled with understanding, his eyes seeing far too much when he looks at me.
“I’m not going to hurt you either, Hollyn,” he whispers while his mouth hovers right above mine. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to trust me.”
I do. I already trust him. And it scares the hell out of me.
My mouth wants to form the words; I want to tell him the truth. But they get stuck somewhere in my throat.
As his lips ghost over mine, I melt against him. Our bodies mold together and then I’m up and in his arms. He easily carries me through his house until we get to his room. My hair fans out over the sheets as he lays me out on the bed, his eyes turning almost feral while he looks me over.
Even with the possessiveness I see in his eyes, he undresses me with gentle touches and careful fingers. It’s intense and hasme riding the edge of pleasure with him barely touching me. It’s too much.
And not nearly enough.
The only words whispered between us are fueled by desire and bliss. When I fall asleep in his arms, the last thing on my mind is finding somewhere else to live while my car is being worked on.
I guess he won this round.
CHAPTER 9
ELWOOD
This has been the best day. After surprising Hollyn in bed with breakfast, we snuggled in bed for a long time just talking. I learned a lot about my woman. I’m not entirely sure if she realizes just how much of herself she shared because she’s so used to being closed off to people.
She hasn’t been in Storyville very long, but the magic of the town is already taking effect. Or maybe she feels safe with me.
I don’t really care about the why. I’m simply grateful for the outcome. I want to know everything about my Sweet Girl.
This morning, she told me all about the virtual assistant business she built from the ground up and the ways she automated most of her tasks while on her memorial road trip.
Does the thought of her being out on the road by herself piss me off because she could have been in danger? Yes, but I’m not stupid enough to say it. I don’t need her narrowed eyes which can be sharp enough to cut me. No, thank you.
I’m not too proud to admit that with every step I take while showing Hollyn around town, I’m hoping she can see herself here. It’s where she belongs. I’m sure of it and feel the truth of it all the way to my marrow.
But can she see it?
Can she see herself in this small town? What happens to her road trip then? Is she willing to walk away from the life she had in Seneca Falls, even if it was mostly filled with Hillary and her illness in the last few years? Is even asking her to consider it fair of me?
