That’s how I ended up here. I had to move. To clean. To put order in chaos. Other than wrapping myself in Elowyn, that’s the only thing that ever quiets the storm in my head.
For the time being, I can’t tell her that. It would ruin the surprise.
Instead, I do something else to distract her.
A kiss to her cheek. The corner of her lips. Her mouth, I take it for one long moment, then pull back.
“Well?” She raises an eyebrow. “We said no lies. What’s going on?”
“I kept you up too late.” Not a lie.
“Sleep is overrated.” She flashes me a teasing grin before schooling her expression into a curious one. “Seriously, though, wake me up next time. I love being with you more than I love sleeping.”
“Okay.”
That one word immediately rewards me with her touch. She strokes my neck at a slow, soothing rhythm that disarms me. Her deep, loving gaze is equally lethal.
I almost blurt out what I got for us. Just to keep her looking at me like I hung the moon. Just to have more of her affection, her love.
Almost.
Years ago, I couldn’t give Elowyn anything. I was a broke high school kid, then an orphan.
Now, I’m able to give her freely. To choose the timing. To make the reveal as meaningful as the gift itself.
So what I have planned will stay hidden a bit longer.
I lean in, capturing her lips, smiling softly at her quiet moan.
Then she’s pouting when I grab her waist and lower her feet to the floor. Fucking adorable.
“I don’t like this orgasm denial game.” Elowyn isn’t scolding me. It’s like she’s hopeful.
Like maybe she does like it.
Dirty girl. There’ll be time to play. Later.
I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “That’s not what this is.”
“Then?”
“I have a feeling Mary’s going to be here soon.” Strange, I know. I’ve never had feelings or premonitions. But I can practically sense my surprise getting closer. “I’m waiting for a delivery.”
“What delivery? Art supplies?” Her eyes light up. “You have a new project? Is that why you couldn’t sleep?”
“Patience.” My hands glide up the slope of her waist, my mouth brushing her ear as I speak. “I’ll make it up to you later. Promise.”
“Duncan.” Her shudders, I love those. “But I want you now.”
“Trust me, you’re going to love this…delivery.” I push her shirt up a little higher, exposing smooth skin and bitable curves. “It’ll be worth the wait.”
At that, she pulls back. The faint line forming between her brows is sexy as hell. “Tell me this isn’t Barclay’s head.”
“It isn’t. He’s alive because he saved you, but…” I grind my teeth, thinking of all the times he hurt her. “Like I said the other day. One word, and he’s gone.”
She gasps, lips parting and snapping shut.
I can’t take the silence another second. “What?”
