Just as I reach her bedroom and step across the threshold, the bathroom door swings open and out comes Ella in nothing but a towel.
She jumps. “Jesse!”
“Sorry.” I back out of the room. “I was worried you fell or something.”
“Why … ?”
I turn around only slightly. “Because I was gone for a while and didn’t think you took that long of a shower.”
“It was an everything shower, so they take longer.”
“An everything shower?” I look to her. My eyes get caught up on the towel and the thought of her naked body under it. The memory I have of it is still so vivid.
“Yeah, it’s when you—”
I hold up a hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“It’s not bad!” She laughs, taking a step closer, and I swear she’s doing it on purpose. The way the towel shifts, the look in her eyes. She’s making her move.
“Ella,” I warn, my voice low.
“What?” She tries to act innocent, her smirk giving her awayas she steps closer.
“You know what,” I murmur.
She tilts her head, standing not even a foot away from me, her gaze locking on mine. “Tell me what I know, baby.”
That’s all it takes. The seduction in her voice, the term of endearment, the pressure snaps like a rubber band. I close the distance between us in half a step, my hands grabbing her waist over the towel. Her breath hitches just as my mouth comes down on hers.
She brings her arms up around my neck, leaving the towel to loosen. She doesn’t seem to mind, and I certainly don’t either.
Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as our mouths move against each other’s. There’s fire burning in my chest and soon enough it’s moving through my entire body.
As our bodies get closer, our kiss is undeniably turning into more. Our breathing is getting heavier, more needy. The touches become more urgent, my hands smoothing over her skin with purpose. Her fingers pulling my hair, desperate for me to be closer.
My hands are starving to touch every inch of her, I want all of her. Right now. I know where this is going. She knows where this is going and yet neither one of us is stopping it.
“Tell me to stop,” I breathe, fully prepared for her to say the word.
“No,” she urges and lets the towel fall to the floor.
My hesitation flies out the window. I scoop her up under her legs. They wrap around my waist as I carry her to her bed and come down over her.
The rest of the world doesn’t exist, and for the first time in years, everything feels right.
Chapter 23
Ella
My eyes blink open, the sunrise shining through the edge of my curtains just as it always does. I’m in my bed, where I always wake up. But when I shift slightly, I feel the warmth of a body behind me.
Jesse.
The memory of last night sends a mix of emotions through me. Comfort, love, some disbelief, I suppose. Do I feel shame? I don’t think so.
Jesse stirs, his fingers brushing against my skin. I hold my breath, anticipating him waking up. Will he be filled with regret? I hope not, but I’ll understand if he is.
“I need coffee,” he mumbles. I flip over to face him.
