And for the first time in years, I believe someone when they say it. I breathe. I believe him, the man I’ve fallen in love with.
* * *
Later, the apartment is quiet. I busy myself in the kitchen. Deck and Finn left a while ago, and I keep busy to stop thinking.
Strong arms slide around my waist, and CJ rests his chin on my shoulder. “How are you doing?”
I turn my head slightly and meet his eyes. “I’m stuck in my head.” The words come out rougher than intended. “I can’t get away from it.”
His grip tightens, and I lean back into him.
“Just for a little while, CJ,” I whisper, “help me forget.”
He presses a kiss beneath my ear. Then another. I turn in his arms and bring my lips to his. He hums softly against my mouth as we kiss slowly.
When we pull apart, he rests his forehead on mine. “Shower with me.”
I nod.
Together, we switch off the lights. Hand in hand, we walk down the hallway, neither of us saying another word.
24
Eli
I lean against the counter as CJ turns on the water. He glances over his shoulder, then crosses the few steps between us. His hand settles on my hips as he closes the space separating us.
“What…”
A soft kiss brushes my lips.
“…do…”
Kiss.
“…you…”
Kiss.
“…want?”
Kiss.
I hold his gaze for a long moment before sliding my hands up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my fingertips.
“You,” I whisper.
I kiss him again, my lips barely touching his as I murmur, “Everything.”
A slow smile touches his mouth. Without breaking eye contact, he takes a step back and leans against the opposite wall.
“Strip, Baby Boy,” he commands me quietly.
My breath catches as my fingers find the hem of my shirt. I pull it slowly over my head and toss it into the basket in the corner.
Heat climbs my neck beneath the weight of his gaze. He doesn’t look away, and I see his eyes darken, pupils widening as a quiet groan slips free, the sound settling low in my chest.
A shiver runs through me like a foreign energy that makes my body sing.
