“Well, you don’t seem in the mood for company.” She shrugged.
She was right. Well, in a way. I hadn’t wanted to deal with people tonight, but Elise wasn’t people. She was something else. Something more.
“I’m sorry. I’m an arse. Please stay.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.”
When I tugged at her wrist, my towel dropped to the tiles, leaving me naked as the day I was born. I didn’t know what to do. In one hand I held the pizza box, in the other, Elise who still looked like she was on the verge of jumping into her car and driving away. I heard the sharp intake of her breath as she took in my body, and when her eyes settled on my cock, it jerked appreciatively.
“Want me to take that?” she asked.
When her free hand reached towards me, I stepped back. The last thing I needed right now was her touching my dick. One touch was all it would take and I’d lose what little control I was clinging to.
“Luca!” She snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Give me the pizza.”
“Oh.” That’s what she was reaching for. After handing her the box, I bent down, retrieved my towel and covered my hardening cock. Elise slipped past me, headed for the kitchen, the sway in her hips exaggerated. “I’ll just go put some clothes on,” I mumbled, slamming the door and racing towards my bedroom.
“Don’t get dressed on my account,” Elise smarted back as I crossed through the kitchen, groaning as the scent of gooey cheesy pizza hit my nostrils.
This woman was going to be the death of me. Hurrying into my bedroom, I pulled on a pair of grey sweatpants and a t-shirt. By the time I made it back out, Elise had grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the fridge and was perched on the corner of a bar stool taking the biggest bite I’d ever seen. I couldn’t help but snicker. She wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met before, and I liked it. I really, really liked it.
“Wanna sit on the couch?” I offered, grabbing a couple of napkins from the pantry. She mumbled an incoherent answer before picking up the pizza, tucking her drink under her arm and heading towards the lounge room. “Good?”
“Mmm, so good.”
With a chuckle, I helped myself to a slice and took a bite. As soon as the flavour hit my tongue, all judgement I was throwing in her direction vanished. It was bloody good pizza. No wonder she was chomping down as fast as she could.
After popping the last bite in her mouth, Elise stole a napkin and wiped her hands before turning towards me. “So, how was your trip?”
“Long,” I groaned.
“Surely you’re used to it though?”
“You’d think, but based on how tired I am, it proves I made the right call.”
“So, you’re still convinced it’s the right thing to do? Retire I mean.”
Her question surprised me. Since the press conference, and maybe even before, the only other person who’d asked that was my mum. I liked that she cared.
“Yeah, I really am. It’s time.”
“Have you even had a chance to think about what’s next?”
“Yep!”
“Care to share?” Elise probed.
“My first weekend of freedom, I’m having a party.”
“A party?”
“Yep. A purple unicorn-themed blow out.” I watched the confusion cross her face and took the chance to snag another slice.
“You’re having a unicorn party to celebrate your retirement?” Elise clarified.
“Not to celebrate my retirement. To celebrate Princess Phoebe’s third birthday.”
