I woke up this morning to breakfast. Somehow, almost miraculously, I had my toiletry bag and a change of clothesat Elijah’s house, and he insisted he needed my help shopping today. He failed to mention what we were shopping for.
He puts a hand at my waist. “Because last night when I undid your pants, I saw the mark they left on your skin. I asked Kane to bring over some maternity clothes, and after I explained to him what that was, he said you didn’t have any.”
I can feel heat rush to my cheeks. “Like I said, I was going to buy some after I got a few paychecks. I’ve been buying necessities for the baby and?—”
He leans down, and I can feel his breath on my cheek. “Can I kiss you, Sassy?”
I look around. “You want our first kiss to be in an alley behind the boutique?”
He plays with my hair, twirling it around his fingers. “Technically, it’s our second kiss.”
“You can kiss me, but I’m not going to let you buy me clothes.”
He doesn’t hesitate. His lips touch mine, and I’m a goner. Kissing Elijah Wolfe is both intense and unreal. He tilts my head to the side and wraps his hand around my neck. He deepens the kiss, and when his tongue slides against mine, I gasp at the feeling.
The moan escapes me before I can stop it, and Eli pulls away, smiling.
He rests his forehead against mine. “Listen, honey. I’m not buying you clothes because I think you can take care of yourself.”
I smirk. “It sure feels like it.”
“I’m buying them because when I see those red marks on your body, I feel like I failed at something I didn’t even know I was responsible for yet.”
“That’s not—” I start.
But he doesn’t let me finish. He intervenes. “I know, but that’s how it feels, Sassy.” His hands go to my waist. “You’re carrying a baby. You’re doing the hard work. Let me just try to make it a little easier for you.”
I feel like I’m losing control again, and I don’t like it. “This doesn’t mean anything.”
He holds his hands up. “I know. No expectations. No promises.”
I sigh. “If we go back in there, people are going to talk, Elijah.”
He opens his mouth, but it’s my turn to stop him. “And I know that you don’t care what people think, but you should care on this. People are going to make assumptions about us…”
He smiles big and wide, and I shake my head because I know I’m losing this fight. I stop and shrug. “One pair of pants.”
He knows he won, and he shrugs. “And something blue.”
I can’t help it; I laugh. “Maybe.”
He leans back and holds his hand out. “As much as I want to keep making out, let’s go try on some clothes.”
I groan. “Ugh, don’t act like it’s something fun because it’s not.”
“It’s okay. I’m here, and I’m going to make it fun.”
I look at him doubtfully. “I guess we’ll see.”
I put my hand in his, and we hold hands as we walk back toward the boutique.
A salesgirl walks up to us. “Hello. Welcome back. I’m Milly. Can I help you find anything?”
I rub my now sweaty palm down my pant leg. “Maternity jeans, please?”
She leads us through the store and stops next to the jeans. “You looking for wide leg, skinny, boot cut, or straight leg?”
I lift my shoulders. “Uh, boot cut?”
