“Why would your sister do that to us?”
“She––” I shake my head. “Can we not talk about her? I promise to tell you everything about her, but I want to do that later. Right now, I just want you to keep doing what you’re doing right now.”
“Holding you?”
“Yeah. And kissing me.”
“Kissing you, huh. Like this?” Eli moves in closer.
When our eyes meet, I smile. “Yeah. Like this.”
After a long and sensuous kiss, Eli pulls me over to the bed. He sits first, then pulls me with him until I’m standing between his legs. His hands slide around me until one is on my lower back, the other resting on my bottom. I love Eli’s hands on me.
I bend down until our lips are almost touching. I feel like I need to say what’s on my mind. “I’d never cheat on you, Eli. Nobody has ever or will ever make me feel like you do.”
“And how do I make you feel, Em?”
“Alive.”
I guess my words have impact because Eli stands quickly. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay. Can you send Cody a text? Ask him to tell Carley we’re leaving.”
Eli looks confused, so I clarify, “I don’t have a phone.”
After the message is sent, Eli takes me by the hand and leads me back out the door, down the hallway, up the steps, and out the back door. We round the house and practically run to his parked SUV.
Sliding up into the passenger seat, I wince at the chill from the leather, thanks to the beer that seeped through my dress. And then there’s the fact there isn’t much to said dress.
“Where are we going?”
“My place.”
I visibly shiver.
“You cold, Em?” I watch as Eli reaches down to the bottom of his sweater. As it rises up and off, I see he’s wearing a Wisconsin hockey tee beneath. “Here. Put this on. Your seat’s gonna warm up quick, but the sweater will get you there faster.”
He places the neck opening of his dark blue sweater above me. I lean forward so he can pull it over. I lift my arms until he’s tugging the sweater down over my top half. “Thanks.” The thing is warm, soft, and it smells like him––amazing.
We’re silent on the ride to his house. I stare out the window as Eli pulls into the driveway of his large ranch-style house with a three-car garage. The largest door rolls open and Eli drives slowly into an open parking spot.
My door opens and Eli’s hand appears. I take it and scoot out of my seat. I let Eli lead me through the one and only door in the huge garage that opens to that kitchen I could only dream about.
“You hungry?” he asks without even looking at me.
“Um…” I am. Starving actually. I didn’t eat before the party––too nervous. “A little.”
“Good.” He turns his head. When he sees me, the smile on his face is unbelievable. It’s the first real Eli smile I’ve seen all night. It’s also the first time I’ve felt like things are going to be okay with us.
“I’ve got leftover pad Thai from Taste of Thailand, or I can make us a turkey sandwich.” He looks back at me, expectantly.
“Turkey sandwich.” I’ve never had pad whatever, so if I say yes to that and don’t like it, I’ll look like an idiot.
“Turkey it is.”
Moving closer to the kitchen, I pull out a stool and sit. One by one, he’s setting down sandwich toppings like they have at the fancy sub shops. It’s unbelievable. “Do you need help?”
“Nope. Just tell me what you like.” He holds up a loaf of wheat bread and a french loaf. I point to the french bread.
