Chapter 16
Dawn
Iwas laying partiallyon top of Elijah when I woke up. He had one hand on my hip, holding me to him. He was snoring slightly, still fast asleep. I was surprised I’d been able to bring him pleasure, expecting him to wake up before I ever got my mouth around him. I didn’t even think he’d give pleasure in return, but hedid.
His hands on me were amazing, and that kiss was even better. The only thing I didn’t get trained in was kissing, since most men wouldn’t even put their faces close to mine, or any of the girls, as we were constantlysick.
His kiss was gentle and sweet, the first of something I hoped there would be more of. His lips were soft, yet hard and so warm. I didn’t know what to do; I was frozen. It was simple, but meant so much to me at the sametime.
I knew I was slowly falling in love with him, and that wasn’t a good thing. What would he do to me if he found out? Would he send me away? Ignore me again? I hoped that wouldn’t happen, as I had grown closer to him more in this week than I had the pastmonth.
All the stories of us growing up showed me how close we’d been once, and I wasn’t sure if Elijah expected that of me now, since I wasn’t the little girl I once was. I almost wished I’d gone to someone else, so I wouldn’t feel such a pull to thisman.
The sun was shining through the curtain that didn’t get closed all the way. I had trouble sleeping most nights, so I’d taken to opening the curtains and watching the sky or the woods instead, since Elijah hadn’t made his way to the bed often until thisweek.
I briefly glanced at the clock on his side of the bed. It was just after nine in the morning. I was surprised—I guessed the sleepless nights had finally caught up tome.
I was sure he was just as tired, if not more, since the past week he had been making sure he was up way before I ever was. Maybe after this morning, he would be more willing to stay and sleep in the bed withme.
I couldn’t stop looking at him. He looked so relaxed as he slept. He looked younger than he was, and I had to wonder how long he was going to be taking offwork.
“Enjoy staring at me?” he asked, opening his eyes inslits.
I blushed at being caught but didn’t look away. I did like looking at him; he was easy on theeyes.
He groaned as his phone began to ring and he twisted to grabit.
“Hello?” he asked grouchily. I almost wanted to laugh at him but thought better ofit.
Since I had to pee, I got up and used the bathroom, deciding to take a shower while I was in there, too. Once I was finished and dressed in my usual yoga pants and simple black top, I brushed my hair out, letting it airdry.
Once downstairs, I found Elijah waiting in the kitchen for me. A bowl of cereal sat at my normal place, and I took my seat. He stood behind me and began to braid my hair into a French braid off to theside.
“Thank you,” I said. I loved it when he took the time to do my hair, even though it made it so he wasn’t able to run his fingers through it aseasily.
“My pleasure,” he said with a warmsmile.
Once I was done, he took my dishes away and put them in the dishwasher. He seemed half lost in thought, and I didn’t want to ask, but had a feeling that it had something to do with the phone call. Instead, I just watched him, hoping he would at least let me know if it was about me or not. Most likely itwas.
While Elijah went and made a few more phone calls, I did my normal housecleaning, which didn’t take long. Not knowing what to do next, I looked through the cookbooks Joslyn had brought over, wanting to try to make some sort of cookies, hoping it would get my mind off Elijah and the mood he seemed to bein.
Plus, Kelly said the way to a man’s’ heart was throughcooking.
Elijah stepped into the kitchen right as I put a sheet of cookies into the oven. He seemed worn out when I turnedaround.
“What kind of cookies are you making?” he asked, leaning up against the counter beside theoven.
“Peanut butter,” I answered. “I wasn’t sure what kind you liked best, and they were my favorite when I wasyounger.”
“I remember,” he said, watching me. “You loved almost any kind of cookies,though.”
“Still do,” I smiled, looking down at the floor for a moment. “I haven’t had cookies for a longtime.”
“I’m glad you chose to make some,” he replied, grabbing my hand and bringing me closer to him. I let him, meeting him half way as one hand came up to his chest. “Galvin called me.” His voice was calm butsad.
“Oh?” I said, not sure what I was tosay.
“He wants to see you,” Elijah went on. “I’ve put it off for a number of reasons, the major one being that I don’t want any of those men around you if I can do anything about it. But if I keep doing it, he’ll know something is up and it could cost me my undercoverjob.”
