Taking a deep breath and leaving those thoughts behind, I hop out of the truck and make my way to Ellie’s apartment. I take the stairs instead of the elevator to herfifth-floor apartment. The movement loosening up the tightness in my legs from the game. I go to knock on the door and realize she left it unlocked for me so I go right in. It’s neater than it was the night I brought her and Sadie home from Salsa Casa. Her sectional still has all her pillows on it and the blankets are neatly in the basket. She has her tv onto the Grizzlies-Chimeras game and she lit a pumpkin scented candle. It’s cozy and warm and honestly, it's a perfect reflection of Ellie.
“So, I know you suggested delivery.” Ellie says as she hands me a glass of ice water. “But on my way home I remembered that I made way too much chili last weekend and froze the leftovers, so I have that on the stove right now reheating. I figured you would enjoy that a little more than take-out. I’m going to make cornbread muffins to go with it.”
I drink half the glass in one go. “Can I help in any way?”
Ellie thinks for a minute. “Well, I mean the cornbread comes from a box so there isn’t much to do. But if you wanted to order us some dessert from somewhere I wouldn’t say no.”
“I know just the place.” I order pumpkin pie ice cream to go with our fall themed dinner from a local ice cream parlor.
After the meal Elle and I are on the couch. I have my arm around her and we’re watching the second half of the game. The Grizzlies are making the Chimeras work for every point. It’s going to be a tough game when we play them. “I didn’t even ask,I just had the game on from where I was watching the pre-game stuff for your game last night. This is probably like work for you isn’t it.”
“Well yeah but I don’t normally get to hang out on a couch and eat ice cream when I’m working. Not to mention, you’re way better looking than anyone in that locker room.” I grin at her.
I’ve made myself at home in Ellie’s little apartment. My shoes are off and my feet are on her coffee table. She has the curtains to her balcony open so you can see out to her garden; the string lights are on and casting the balcony and living area in a golden glow.
Ellie switches off the game and onto her Disney+. I’m confused until she pulls up Pirates of the Caribbean and I immediately grin. “Pirates?”
“The first one is the best.” She says matter-of-factly. Hitting the play button.
“The originals are always the best. Sequels tend to suck.” I say as I settle onto her couch, pulling her close.
“Except forShrek 2.” She comments as she surprises me and curls up against my side. Grabbing a blanket, she drapes it over both our legs. She’s warm and smells like lemon and vanilla which must either come from her shampoo or perfume but wherever it comes from, it smells heavenly.
The movie has been playing for a while now and she’s settled into me as the movie’s gone on. Her legs are tangled with mine, her hand resting lightly on my chest and I can’t help but notice how natural this all feels. It’speaceful. The soft light of the apartment casts us in a comfortable glow.
“You’re not even watching,” Ellie murmurs. Giving me the side eye. Not wanting to stray too far from Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. She told me earlier that Orlando Bloom was her childhood crush and I can’t help but feel a little jealous of how the movie can still command her attention after all these years.
I smile back. “I’ve got better things to look at.” She rolls her eyes, a smile creeping at the corners of her mouth. “That was so fucking cheesy” she giggles. “Was that a line?” Her attention is now all on me.
I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, my thumb stroking her cheek. “I don’t know, did it work?” I smile, I know it was cheesy, but I’ve come to realize Ellie enjoys cheesy. She doesn’t pull away from my touch, I take the initiative and I kiss her, soft at first, just the brush of lips. When she doesn’t pull back, I deepen the kiss, slowly, confidently, she’s given me this confidence back, the spark I’ve been missing and I plan on showing her just how much that means to me. She tastes like the ice cream we shared earlier. Her fingers curl into my shirt, and I shift to face her fully, pulling her in closer.
??Chapter 13??
Elle
Archer Bell is one hell of a kisser. He started off unsure, but damn. He kisses like he does everything else, passionately.
We moved from the couch to my bed once we realized anyone could see us from the balcony. The gossamer curtains I bought are aesthetically pleasing but do nothing for privacy. Our lips don’t lose contact except for the briefest of moments. Once we are in my bedroom, Archer guides me onto the bed.
“I’m clean.” Archer says as he breaks our kiss. “I had my mandatory physical and that includes a laundry list of blood work.” He says his strong arms caging me beneath him.
“I am too; I have them check every year at my annual.” I add looking up at him, “I’m also on the pill.” That was all Archer needed to hear as he takes control. I reach up and draw him closer, running my fingers through his short hair.
I press my body into his wanting more contact. The desire in Archer’s jeans is evident as it rubs against my thigh. Archer lets out a breathy sigh, and I slip my tongue into his parted lips. Our tongues dance, savoringthe taste of each other. Archer’s hands slowly run up my body, bunching up the jersey with his name at the bottom. His touch sends my body alight and a pool of heat low in me.
Archer’s mouth leaves mine as he moves to the shell of my ear, his voice thick. “As much as I love seeing you in my jersey, I much rather see what’s beneath.” He gently pulls the jersey off me the rest of the way revealing my floral lace bra. “Fuck, Ellie.” Archer groans as he takes the sight of me in. After he has his fill, he peppers open mouthed kisses across my body. His mouth finds my breasts. He takes a nipple in his mouth through the lace as he massages the other one making it pebble. I arch my back, abandoning his body, I claw at the clasp of my bra, desperate for his tongue on my skin. Breathy sighs leaving me as Archer massages and sucks. He finally ceases his touches long enough for me to shrug my bra off before going back to worshiping me.
He continues to venture down my body, his fingers leaving goosebumps in their wake on my skin. He meets the waistband of my pants, he looks up through his lashes. His tongue is still drawing lazy patterns on breasts. I give him a quick nod, and he has the fabric of my leggings and panties down by my ankles and off in a matter of seconds. Cool air grazes across my heated core causing me to shiver in anticipation.
I watch as he grabs the back of his shirt and tugs it off over his head. His muscles cast valleys of shadows from the light in the hallway. I instinctively reach out to touch him. Running my hands along the evidence of his hard work and dedication to years of training. Archer smirks as he takes my mouth in his once again, using his knee he parts my legs, sliding hisbody in between them.
Skimming his fingers over my delicate skin, Archer groans as he presses his fingers into me. My eyes flutter close as his long finger curls and hits my spot just right as he continues to kiss me slowly and languidly.
Archer slides two fingers into me as his mouth leaves mine and peppers kisses down my body. His tongue meets my core and my back arches off the mattress. Moaning, my hands find his hair to keep him there.
I moan as Archer laps harder and faster. His fingers curling inside of me bringing me to ecstasy.
“Breathe, baby.” Archer kisses the inside of my thigh as I come down from my orgasm. He kisses me and I taste myself on him. Kissing him until my heart rate slows, I allow my hands to roam him, cupping him through his jeans.
