“Everything was just harder than I thought it would be. I wasn’t cut out for the city life,” I murmur. “But I couldn’t come home. I just couldn’t.”
“But you got home. You did that. You were strong and brave.”
He rubs the spot just above my knee, unaware of how distracting it is or how I want to throw myself at him.
“Yeah, I did. I had to save and save and buy Heather,” I say distractedly, watching the way he frowns just slightly with my words.
Is it getting hot in here?
“Heather? Oh, sweetheart, I don’t know who Heather is.”
Sweetheart? Yes, I can be a sweetheart.
“Heather the Hellbeast, my car. She got me all the way here. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.” I cry harder. “She’s trying to kill me with plumes of black smoke.”
Elijah clears his throat. “So, you didn’t make it there. Now, you're back. That’s a good thing, right?”
I dissolve into sobs. Elijah just waits, patiently sitting close, not demanding, not saying anything or adding any pressure.
“Yeah, but I still don’t have anything, like a job or a purpose or meaning. Nothing. I’m just an omega who is slowly melting down. I don’t even have suppressants.”
Elijah stiffens, his eyes going wide.
Oh, my god, why would I say that? Why would I even say that?
“What was that?”
“Nothing!”
I burrow deeper into the blanket, but his scent chases me. The urge to crawl into his lap and lick any exposed skin I can find presses at me. I let out a whine.
He reaches out and grabs hold of my ankle.
“What are you doing?” I ask quickly.
“Trying to make you feel better.” He pulls off my sock and starts rubbing my foot. I lean back, moaning and gasping as he drives his thumb into the arch of my foot.
“Oh, that feels so good. Right there. That’s the spot.”
“So, things were hard. Did you meet any people?” he asks cautiously. When he swallows, his Adam’s apple goes up and down. I had no idea that could be sexy, but then I think Elijah doing anything would be sexy.
I bite my lip, trying not to let out another sound, but it’s hopeless. I’m a mess.
“I met people, but they were either busy with their lives or they were bad people. I didn’t know they could be so cruel to each other until I went to the city. It’s not like here.”
“Do you think you’ll stay here?”
I pause to consider it. “It’s going to depend.”
“On what?”
“I’m not sure; I just don’t want it to be like last time.”
He switches feet, and, once again, my protests fall on deaf ears. But the way he slides his thumb into my arch has me melting low on the couch.
Danger yaps and starts chewing on a pillow, looking far too adorable for me to stop him.
“What is this room?” Elijah asks.
