I shrugged because I couldn’t explain it. It was just difficult for me to open up, even to people I loved and trusted. I could be honest, and often was, but emotions made me feel vulnerable in a way I didn’t like. The idea of telling Chelsea how hopeful I was and how disappointed I would be if this didn’t work out, well, it made my skin crawl. I knew she would keep it to herself, even if I told her that it was Elijah I was seeing.
I didn’t understand how I had no problem setting boundaries for myself or stating my opinions, but I balked at letting someone see my emotions. It was something I still struggled with in therapy. My first instinct was to mull over my problems and feelings myself before I shared them with anyone else. It was a little ridiculous considering that therapy was supposed to help me learn how to do that anyway.
“I know,” Chelsea said, interrupting my train of thought. “But I’m here if you need me. That’s all I’m saying.”
I nodded, biting my lip. Chelsea pulled me in for a tight hug.
“Is this a bad time?”
I snorted at Landen’s question and released Chelsea as we turned to face him, our arms still around each other.
“If it is?” Chelsea asked, arching a brow at him.
“Then, I guess I’ll have to wait.”
“Oh, my God. Quit giving him shit, woman,” I said to Chelsea, dragging her toward his SUV. “He’s driving our tipsy butts home.”
He smirked at us. “Maybe just Grier’s if Chels keeps it up.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Rude.”
“You knew that when you started dating me,” he retorted.
“And I’m beginning to regret it.”
“Flirt after you drop me off,” I interrupted before they could devolve into more bickering.
I swear, Chelsea and Landen bickered as foreplay. With every snarky one-liner, the sexual tension increased bit by bit.
I loved that my friend had met her match, but I couldn’t help but wish I had the same for myself.
Chapter Eight
I put the finishing touches on the meal cooking in the crockpot. It would have to cook for another forty-five minutes to an hour, and I knew exactly how I would pass the time.
Elijah was on his way up from the parking lot, which meant I could show him the new lingerie I bought with him in mind. I’d never done anything like this before—buying and wearing racy undergarments to seduce the man I was dating.
Nerves shimmered in my stomach as I smoothed a hand over the lacy one-piece. The clerk in the store called it a teddy. It was a gorgeous teal green lace that was cut so low between my breasts that it was only a couple inches above my navel. The lace curved high over my hips and became a thong in the back, and it was completely see-through. My nipples were on full display.
There were strips of solid fabric sewn in three rows at the waist, almost like a harness. They were the reason I’d bought the teddy because they nipped me in and gave me the illusion of a waist, which emphasized the curve of my hips. I felt sexy when I wore it.
Elijah tapped on the door, which made my heart beat even harder. I took a deep breath and arranged myself so that I had one hip leaning against the counter that ran between my tiny kitchen and the living area.
“It’s open,” I called out.
Elijah came through the door and stopped short when he saw me. His eyes widened as he came further inside. Muffled voices came from behind him. Before I could freak out and dive behind the counter, he slammed the door shut and flipped the deadbolt.
In an effort to calm my racing heart, I took another deep breath and blew it out slowly. Then, I noticed the way he was looking at me, which only made my heart beat even faster. His bright blue eyes wandered over my body, starting at my face and moving down over my torso and all the way down to my toes.
Just as slowly, his gaze moved upward again, pausing when it reached my chest. A shiver ran down my back, and my nipples tightened as he stared at me, unmoving. My nerves increased, and I felt the sudden urge to grab the throw blanket off the back of the couch and wrap up in it. Before I could act on it, Elijah moved, closing the space between us.
“Is this for me?” he asked, gesturing to my teddy.
“Yes,” I murmured.
He stopped right in front of me, so close that the tips of his shoes nearly brushed my bare toes. His eyes were locked on my face. “I like it.”
I couldn’t hold back my smile as I looked up at him. “Good.”
