He growls when I tear away and get out, running to the next, my laughter echoing through the garage.
“What is this one called?”
“That’s a Lambo, baby,” he shouts. “What exactly are we doing?”
“If you’re selling them, I want to know what it’s like to be in them with you. Just one time.”
We get in and he captures my mouth with his again as we settle into the softest leather seats yet, but it isn’t enough. We need to be closer still.
“Come here,” he growls, bringing me over the center and onto his lap. The space is confined, perfectly containing us as we grow more needy of each other.
His hand dips down into my leggings, under my panties, finding me slick and waiting for him. He strums my clit, growling more. “Fuck. Maybe I’ll keep one car just to have these passionate moments with you when we can steal away from Aiden.”
“Mm. Might be useful,” I breathe, and moan his name on a sharp inhale as he thrusts two fingers inside of me.
My back arches, my head supported on the driver’s window. He grazes on my neck, sucking at my pulse, driving me crazy until I’m squirming in his hold. The higher I climb, the more I push aside anything but this moment with him. No exes, no studying for my upcoming finals, no worries about money.
Just us. Eli and Stella… Not a mistake. Meant to be.
When I crash, it’s quick, my quaking body shaking the car. He holds me sweetly through the waves and then licks his fingers clean when I’m done.
“So beautiful for me, Stella. Life with you in it again is so right,” he whispers. “I have everything I want here in my arms. You need to believe me when I say you and Aiden are my world.”
We hold each other until we calm again, and the mood turns serious.
“All of this is too much for Aiden to grasp; the money and—” I begin.
“You don’t have to say another word. Aiden is perfect the way he is. We can keep my financial status away from him for now, however long you want.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course. You’re his mother, and I respect the way you want to raise him. Now, since it’s a little too complicated to take care ofmyneeds in this car…” He wiggles his brows and his cock twitches in his lap beneath me. But then he sighs. “And before Aiden wonders where we are, we should head in for some pumpkin pie. But if you’re offering a rain check for later tonight, I’ll take it.”
“Happy to,” I confirm, laughing as we unfold ourselves from the vehicle. I put myself back together the best I can, and he points me to where the bathroom is down the nearest hall once we’re inside. Only when I get there, Mason and Michelle exit.They stop like two caught deer in headlights. Clearly she’s having fun with her brother’s best friend. With a knowing smile, I don’t say a word, ducking into the room and closing the door.
I lock it and admire myself in the mirror as I try to refashion my hair so it doesn’t scream, “Guess what we just did in a Lambo?” Words I never thought I’d ever say.
Thinking back over the things Eli admitted to me, about his ex, about his money and worries, about falling for me—so vulnerable and open—I need to be the same and tell him about Jerrod. My stomach ties in knots about it, but Eli deserves to know what’s coming, and this time, I’m brave enough to stay and face everything with him.
CHAPTER 16
THE DOOR BETWEEN US
STELLA
It’slate Thanksgiving night when we drive back to Boulder, but Aiden chats away about how cool the day was, about the games he got to play “on the huge TV”, and about he and the guys all playing a game of football in the wet and snowy yard before we left.
“I’m glad you had fun, buddy. But you know, this is Thanksgiving Day, and the tradition is that we have something to be grateful for,” I explain. “Why don’t you start? Is there anything you want to say?”
He pipes up. “I’m grateful for hockey. And Zammie. And Coach Eli.”
“Hey what about me?” I cry. I birthed him through excruciating labor cramps for nine hours. That should be worth some gratitude.
“I’malwaysthankful for you, Mom. I don’t have to say it just one day a year.”
“Oh, yes, you do,” I insist, ruffling his hair.
“And I’m thankful for… this,” Eli says, voice cracking, piling mine and Aiden’s hands on top of his at a stoplight. “For the two of you being in my life, and I hope for many more holidays of the same.”
