I couldn’t help teasing him. I’m completely aware that I didn’t laugh much but he was acting like my laugh was a sip of water and he had been stranded in the desert. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not, sweetheart.” One hand palms my ass before turning me so his front is pressed against my back and I couldfeel him getting hard, his erection poking me in between my cheeks. “I need to get my energy back so I can show you how weird I can really be.” His voice was deep and full of promises causing a shudder to roll through my body.
“I need you to go and pick something to watch before I take a bite out of this sweet ass.” I didn’t hate that idea. A swift smack to my bottom makes me jump and release a shocked giggle as I shuffle to the front room. As much as my curiosity was piqued by the promise to find out how weird he could be, I had burned a lot of calories and could admit I was hungry.
Chapter Fifty-One
PATRICK
Afterglow Elle almost makes me come in my sweats. She’d done something to her shirt that pulled it up slightly, a sliver of her pale skin exposed above the band of her shorts. Combine that with her actuallygigglingand I was a goner. I had to get my hands back on her.
Refractory period, who?
I had to threaten Elle to get her to settle and keep myself from showing her how much of an ass man I could be. God. Would that be something she would be interested in? I need to stop that train of thought. Elle and I had a marathon workout and we both needed the calories to keep us going.
As I dish up a plate for each of us, I get lost in thought. The things Elle had told me about her ex and how he treated her made me see red. Elle was a goddess, perfect in every way I could imagine. I’d joked about falling for her when I first met her but my feelings for her were continuing to grow and it was starting to feel like less and less of a joke.
Considering my past and the promise I made to myself after my parents died, the thought of being serious with Elle should have frightened me but when I thought about a future with her something settled in me. Tension that had coiled in my bodythat I hadn't been aware of loosened as I let myself sink into the fantasy of a life with Elle.
Once both of our plates are piled high with more than enough food. I call upon my past as a dishwasher turned food runner turned waiter, I’m able to carry both of our plates to my front room without dropping anything.
My grumpy goddess relaxed on the couch, the remote in her hand and pointed at the tv like she was picking something for us to watch, but her pretty face showed confusion that sent a shot of anxiety through my chest. Quickly placing our plates on my coffee table, my focus returns to her. I kneel in front of her and study her beautiful, confused face.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Her eyes won’t leave my entertainment system, I’m tempted to turn and see what she’s looking at but I’m too focused on how she’s returned to a tense frown on her face.
I cup her cheeks and shift completely in front of her, breaking her gaze and forcing her to make eye contact with me. “Where'd you go?” My question comes out in a whisper like I’m afraid of her answer. Elle tips her head to the side, pressing against my palm and it calms my racing heart.
“I was looking for something to watch.” She cuts herself off and rolls her lips. I turn my head slightly and see that my TV is showing off the queued up screen of her show. I haven’t been able to watch much because I’ve been spending my nights with Elle, going out to dinner with Paul and Bennett, exploring this small town I’ve decided was going to be home. I drop my hands from her face and keep my gaze focused on the tv screen.
“Oh, uh, yeah. Mabel recommended it to me.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. I like it.” Trying to be casual, I shrug my shoulders but I can feel my ears start to turn red with embarrassment. “It’s myfavorite show.” The confusion is gone from her voice but I’m still nervous to turn back and look at her.
Arms snake across my shoulders, hands run down my chest and circle me into a tight hug. Warm breath tickles my neck and soon enough, Elle’s chin is resting on my shoulder. “You’re making it too easy, you know that, Intruder?”
“Making what too easy?” My heart is racing. This all feels too right, the only thing that would be more correct would be to have my arms around her or being inside her again. “You make it too easy to like you. Get on this couch, I’m hungry and want to watch my favorite show with my guy.” Elle kisses my cheek and grabs one of the plates before pressing play on the next episode.
As the opening credits play, she starts to hum along and I’m awestruck. This woman, my woman, has no idea that she just rocked my world—the foundation of locking away the need and promising never to care about another person crumbles around me.
I don’t think I’m going to be able to let her go.
Chapter Fifty-Two
ELLE
There was nothing I wanted more than to stay at Patrick’s and let him screw my brains back—he’s already screwed my brain out—but my panties were ruined from messing around by his front door, I had no change of clothes and we both had work tomorrow. Patrick was not helping either. He kept teasing me with neck kisses and roaming hands. I tried to act annoyed that he wasn’t watching our show but he quickly solved that problem with the pause button.
He offered me a hoodie when I grumbled about having to put my bra back on. He also folded my skirt and panties into a reusable grocery bag. A warmth spread on my chest when he handed me the bag. He walked me to my car, holding my hand. He had tried to wrap his arm around my waist but I had a big ass and I wasn’t going to awkwardly shuffle down the stairs so he could be touching me a tiny bit more.
Another kiss good-bye at my car door and I was on my way home. There’s a dull ache as I drive the almost empty streets but I couldn’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips each time my body makes me aware of it.
It was late but I sent a quick text to Mabel asking her to come over. She responds with a bunch of emojis that I assumed meantshe would rush over because before long my door is swinging open and my sister stands in front of me, red faced and panting. “Tell me everything!” I don’t even get a chance to put my walk of shame bag down before Mabel had her arms wrapped around me, jumping up and down. This was a mistake, I should have just gone to bed and given Lola and Mabel this update together.
“I’ve changed my mind. I want to sleep before I talk.” Mabel lets out an exaggerated gasp and releases her death hold. “That’s fine, I’m already in my jammies, we can have a sleepover.” Mabel lets out what can only be described as a satanic giggle and walks to my room. “That’s not even what I kind of meant.” I grumble but still follow her to my room.
Now that I’ve made up my mind to not spill my guts to my sister tonight, I refuse to change in front of her. Of course, she can smell my discomfort in the air and makes obscene noises as I pick up a pair of pajamas and scurry into my bathroom.
“I already texted Lola to tell her we are having breakfast here. Bright and early.” Of course she fucking did. Little shit.
