“Or people will start mistaking you for Milo.”
“Who?” I whisper, praying she won’t stop touching me.
“He’s the marine biologist who came into Salty Jo’s the other day when you were there. The guy with the ornaments hanging from his beard. He works as the marine vet at the local refuge,” she says, her voice sounding gravelly as she continues to stroke my jaw. I swallow hard. I’m not sure I caught a word she just said, completely distracted. My dick literally has its own heartbeat right now.
With that, she places a kiss on my cheek.Sweet Jesus, what kind of torture is this?“Good night, Matt.” Her breath dusts over my whiskers, fanning the flames of this fire.
Fuck. I want to kiss her. To wrap her in my arms and kiss her until the sun comes up. I’ll just have to tell her to ignore the steel pipe in the bed between us. I start to throw caution to the wind and reach for her when thunder booms, shaking the walls of the inn.
Her eyes fly wide, either at realizing what we’re doing or Mother Nature’s intrusion. Either way, she drops her hand from my face and swiftly rolls away from me.
I can’t help but scoot closer. But only to comfort her. I’m not taking advantage of her like this. No matter how much I want her. Placing my hand gently on her shoulder, I lean into her now dry hair. It smells like Christmas spice and sex. Okay, everything about this girl does that to me. She’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just a little rattled, I think.”
“I get it.” I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. “Ellie?”
“Yeah?”
“If I promise, nothing else will happen… can I hold you?” I swear I hear her gasp. But that could’ve been my conscience exasperated by my brazen question.
“Yes.”
Relief washes over me, and I instantly pull her close, hoping she won’t change her mind when she feels how hard she makes me. “Goodnight.”
* * *
I awaken to bright light streaming through the tacky, floral Christmas drapes, birds chirping like they’re auditioning for the next animated Disney movie, and Pops standing over our bed as I lie with my limbs entwined in Ellie’s. I attempt to pull back slowly. “Mornin’, sir.”
“Good morning,” he whispers, his face unreadable.
The two of us just blink at one another. This is awkward as hell.
“Don’t hurt her.”
I can’t help but shudder at the enormity of his words. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt Ellie. But I’m returning home in a few more weeks while she’s staying here. If I’m not careful, we’re both liable to get hurt. So I respond honestly. “I don’t ever want to see her hurt, sir.”
With that, he gives me a pat on the shoulder and returns to his bedroom. He’s right. I need to tread very carefully with this woman. Because the very last thing I want to do is cause her any pain.
Chapter 18
Matt
“Good morning.”
I look over to acknowledge Ellie’s greeting. “Good morning.” I smile.
“What time is it?”
Checking my watch, I’m stunned it’s so late. “It’s eight-thirty. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.”
Ellie springs up from the bed. “Oh, no. Jo is going to wonder where on earth I am.”
“After that storm, I’m sure he won’t be surprised you’re a little late.”
She gives me a blank stare. “I’m never late. And Pops…” She hops up from the bed as if she’s about to race to his room.
“He’s fine. I checked on him earlier.” I leave out that he actually checked on us. “Why don’t you give Jo a call? Let him know you’ll be in as soon as you can. I’ll drop you off and check on Harry and my mom. Then I can come back and get you after work and drive you and Pops back to your place if the power’s back on.”
