I glance through the windshield and see a huge beautiful mansion. “That’s Velvet House?”
Doc grins like a boy showing off his toy truck. “Sure is.”
It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile properly since he burst into Dreams and started beating Archie. It transforms him from a movie star villain to a stupidly handsome jerk. I turn away, staring up at Velvet House.
“Shit,” Bobby mutters. “He’s waiting for us.”
A tall, dark-haired man is standing on the marble steps. His gray suit gleams in the morning sun and I feel a rush of warmth that shocks me. It’s like when I was a girl and I saw my Daddy pulling into the driveway after work.Everything will be okay,that warmth says.The adults are here.
Eli strides toward the car as Bobby parks. He pulls open the passenger door and I have a moment of panic, wondering if he’s about to yell at me.
Instead, he practically yanks me out of the car. “January Whitehall.”
“Yes?” I whimper, blindsided, as I always am by the symmetrical perfection of his face.
Eli stares at me for a long second then tumbles me into his arms. “Bella. Thank fucking Christ.”
He kisses me deeply, his stubble rough against my jaw. Brutally elegant, as everything about him is. I melt into his touch, relieved he’s not angry. But there’s more than relief. The arousal that has been humming through me since my dream is easily ignited by Eli’s lips and he knows exactly how to coax it into a flame.
His tongue slides into my mouth and I’m aware of Doc and Bobby watching but still I can’t stop kissing Eli. His hands move across my back, stroking lightly, and I want him to do…something. Grab my butt or pull my hair, or throw me onto the hood of the Charger and touch me. But I know he won’t. He’s always so restrained. I’ve never seen him come close to losing control. As if to prove it, he pulls away, smiling at me with his perfect teeth. “You’re home.” He traces a finger along my throat. “And you’re still wearing my necklace.”
I touch the ruby collar. I’ve come to rely on its weight anchoring me to the present. Then I remember how I ran away with it, accidentally stealing his family heirloom. “I’m sorry I took it with me to the hospital, Mr. Morelli.”
Eli’s amber eyes crinkle. “That doesn’t matter. Not now you’re home.”
He kisses me again and I’m powerless to stop him. Surely I can’t keep doing this, just kissing and touching whoever is around? I pull away, brushing my fingers across my mouth.
“Is something wrong?”
I watch out of the corner of my eyes as Doc pulls a packet of cigarettes from his jacket and lights one. “You just sucked the life out of her, Morelli. Let her catch her fucking breath.”
Eli grips my shoulders, examining me like a teacher checking a uniform. “Are you injured?”
“No.”
“Then how did this happen?” He brushes a thumb over my lower lip and at first, I don’t know what he’s talking about. Then I remember Mr. Parker slapping me, the thin cut bisecting my mouth.
“It was…” I can’t bring myself to finish. The memory of that slap feels clearer in the morning sun.
Eli’s jaw tightens. “Soon you and I will have a long talk about Zachery Parker. But first you need food and rest. Go to your wing and bathe. I’ll have Harvey bring you something to eat.”
My stomach rumbles. I guess two Pop-Tarts isn’t much of a meal and a bath sounds amazing. Although… “Is everything in my wing… okay?”
Eli gives me a small smile. “If you’re referring to the door Gretzky had to kick down when you locked him in your room, then no, that is destroyed. But the one we’ve replaced it with is just fine.”
I duck my head. “Sorry.”
“It does not matter. Go and bathe,bella. Before I decide you’re better off locked in my basement.”
Behind me, Doc growls.
I turn to find him leaning on the hood of the car, his arms folded. “Thanks for looking after me, Doc,” I mumble. “You too, Bobby.”
Bobby gives me a faint nod. Neither of them seem very happy. I gnaw on my lower lip. How am I going to make things right between all of us? I turn to Eli. “Could I maybe cook something for dinner to show you all how sorry I am?”
“Not tonight. Run along, I need to speak with Doc and Bobby in the boardroom.”
My heart lifts. “Are you having a meeting about my kidnapping?”
