“Okay, you two. Let’s not go overboard. There are kids here.”
It was Rachel as she tugged on my arm. Ellie stiffened and abruptly drew back, her face burning. I could feel the heat from where I held her close. I was sure photos of that kiss would be hitting the internet within seconds, and I couldn’t help but grin. No one could call her cruel names now. She was too flushed with embarrassment, and I was too obviously smitten. If anyone had any doubts about the wholesomeness of our relationship, all they had to do was expand the lens to take in Ellie’s parents as they looked on with doting expressions.
Score one for media management.
After that, things settled down pretty quick. It was time to watch the game, so after greeting Ellie’s parents (a hard handshake from her dad, a peck on the cheek from her mom), I turned to Rachel, who gave me the death stare. Wow. She and Connor could be twins with that look. But I’d already taken a cut to the jaw from her cousin. No way was I going to let Ellie’s sister make me feel small. Not after that kiss.
“It’s under control,” I murmured to her as I gave her a brotherly hug.
“It better be,” she said as she used her hug to squeeze my neck harder than a vise.
Well, okay. Connor had slugged me in the jaw. I supposed Rachel was due her pound of flesh as well. I took it like a man, then turned to focus on Ellie. This close, I could see that her burning flush of embarrassment was gone. In truth, if it weren’t for the artfully applied makeup, she’d probably look pale. Her hand was cool in mine, and her smile was looking a little forced.
“Let’s sit down,” I suggested.
Ellie tried to pull her hand from mine. I let her go reluctantly, but couldn’t stand not touching her. I set my hand on her lower back as she moved to her seat. Then I dropped down beside her. She twisted uncomfortably, looking at my arm where it stretched behind her.
“Too close?” I murmured as quietly as I could.
“Um. No. Just…um…weird.”
“I don’t want you to feel weird,” I whispered. So I drew back, pulling my hand away, and dropped it on my lap. But I stayed close enough that our arms touched, and we could hold hands if she wanted to. I didn’t understand my sudden need to touch her. The kiss should have reassured me that everything between us was okay, but it didn’t. Because after that scorching greeting, she was now acting shy and reserved.
So how did she really feel? Hot and happy in my arms? Or awkward and unsure?
I leaned to murmur into her ear. “I know this is strange, but if we can get through the game, we can go somewhere and talk. Then we’ll work out all the details however you want. You can hit me, scream at me, whatever you need.” And if there were more of those kisses, I wouldn’t object. “I know you’re pissed.”
“Not at you,” she whispered back.
Well, that was good.
“I’m furious with myself.”
Make thatnotgood.
“But I’ll deal.”
I winced. I didn’t want her “dealing” with me or our time together. I wanted… Graphic images flashed through my brain. Well, yeah, of course I wanted that. But was there something else I wanted? With Ellie?
Maybe.
I looked at her through my peripheral vision. I saw the curve of her cheek and the ski slope of her nose. I thought about her carrying the fruit salad at the barbecue, surrounded by family. I remembered the way she laughed, warm and free. She hadn’t even been drinking, and yet everything about her had been relaxed and open. I thought about her scent and remembered how she’d tasted just before orgasm. And again, I was right back into Little Jake territory. Was it all about sex for me? Was that all I wanted?
I was too frightened of the answer to look deeper. After all, it was natural to want everything she represented—a good girl, a loving family, a house in the suburbs—especially since my upbringing had been nothing like that. The need I was feeling had nothing to do with Ellie and everything to do with my own crappy childhood.
So I settled for holding Ellie’s hand and watching the Bobcats win. Except, as the time ticked away, I knew this quiet space to think was nearly over. Ellie was not a woman who would tolerate being in limbo for long. Sure enough, five minutes after the game ended, she dropped a bombshell.
“It was great seeing you all,” she said to her family as she kissed them each in turn. “I’m going to go back to Indy with Jake now, but I’ll be sure to keep in touch.” Then she turned to look me in the eye. “Unless you have to ride on the team bus or something?”
What could I say? She wanted to talk, and I needed to listen. “Of course not. Let’s drive together.”
Chapter Twelve
Ellie
Damn, damn, damn.The man just didn’t know how to refuse me. Yes, I know I asked him to drive back to Indianapolis with me, but I figured he’d make up some excuse and bail. That’s what playboys did, right? But he’d agreed, and so here we were, sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, neither one of us saying a damn thing. And it was getting really uncomfortable.
He broke first.
