Make You Mine

by Francisco, Fabiola

  “Are you going to kiss me already?”

  His responding smile is enough to warm me all over. Eli kisses me lazily, one of his hands cradling my face. I lean into his palm and step closer to him, getting on my toes so I can kiss him deeper.

  This man is winning me over, piece by piece of my guarded heart. His thoughtfulness, kindness, and dirty mouth. Even his arguments are charming now. Yeah, I definitely see the Eli charm, and it’s all for me.

  Our tongues meet, and my heart thumps wildly. I move my hands to the nape of his neck, reveling on the feel of his rough scruff against my skin, knowing how good it feels in other parts of my body.

  “Babe,” Eli hoarse voice interrupts us. “We should stop before we really do christen this place and risk someone walking in on us.” His voice is deep as he speaks, his hands holding me to him as the feel of his erection pressed to my belly makes me tremble.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “Goodness, Eli.” I look at the bathtub. “This is stunning. Thank you. I don’t even know what to say. The bathtub…” My eyes roam, taking in the details of the claw feet.

  “It’s a gift,” he says against my cheek.

  “You didn’t have to.” I look up into his eyes, emotions clogging my throat.

  “I know, but I wanted to. I know we got off to a rough start with this entire renovation, but I’m really proud of you.”

  I bite my trembling lower lip and my eyes water.

  “Hey,” Eli whispers, smoothing the rough pad of his thumb across my cheek.

  I shake my head and smile. “Just emotional,” I shrug.

  “We still need to add an oval rod that will allow for a shower curtain to wrap around when you want to use the showerhead.”

  “I think I’m in shock.” A chuckle moves through me. I rake my hand through my hair, sweeping it away from my face.

  “A good shock, I’m sure.”

  “So good,” I look at Eli. “I can’t wait to try it.”

  “Is that an invitation?” He perks up.

  I laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t think you’ll fit.”

  “Of course I do. I already tested it out,” he winks.

  “You did not!” I slap his chest.

  He grabs my hand from his body and links our fingers. “Yup. I sat in it last night.”

  “You’re insane. Wait! Is this what you were doing last night? I thought you had dinner with your parents.” My eyebrows furrow. Sneaky, sneaky.

  “I did. I went over and had dinner while I waited for the delivery. Then, I came back and finished installing it. I owe a lot of it to my plumber, who worked after hours to help me.”

  “You really planned this out,” I say, raising my eyebrows in surprise.

  “If I told you I was working late, you would’ve shown up here after your book club and ruined my surprise.” He squeezes my fingers and gives me an I-know-you look.

  I throw my head back in laughter. “I totally would have.”

  “I know you, Averly Cooper.” Eli taps my nose. I pause as his words sink in. He does know me. I’ve opened up to Eli in these last few weeks more than I have to anyone besides my close friends in the last few years.

  “Now, I know we said we weren’t going to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but we can have dinner tomorrow, right?”

  “Of course, and you know what would be really helpful? If we have dinner at my place and you help me pack.” I give him my best smile—all pearly whites and fluttering eyelashes.

  Eli laughs and runs his hands up and down my arms. “It’s a date. I’ll grab a pizza on the way over.”

  “You know the way to my heart, Eli Hastings,” I tease.

  “Working on it,” he winks, leaning in for a kiss.

  My heart skips a beat, hearing him say that. Maybe this could be it. Maybe, if I allow myself, I can have someone that really wants me for me and not to use me for his own pride.

  I smile and gently squeeze his fingers.

  “Okay, I’m gonna go finish some work. Call me later.” I kiss his cheek. “And Eli,” I wait to have his full attention.

  “Yeah?” He lifts his head to look at me.

  “Thank you,” I nod.

  “You’re welcome, darlin’.”

  As I head back to my car, I look up at the farmhouse in front of me, realizing every dream I’ve worked hard to accomplish is manifesting with the help of a man that I thought was all wrong for me, who I’m starting to fall for. A man I could barely stand to see in front of me because the idea of him scared me more than I cared to admit. Eli has the ability to hurt me, I gave it to him, but today I realized I also have the same power over him.

  Averly

  I almost trip as I run to answer my phone before it goes to voicemail. I swipe the screen, but Eli’s already hung up. I hit his name on my call log and wait for him to answer, gasping as I catch my breath.

  “Hey,” he says.

  “Sorry, got to the… phone… but you had already… hung up,” my breath comes in short as I speak.

  “Are you running?” I hear the confusion in his voice.

  “No, I was in my room, and I heard the phone, so I ran to answer it. I really thought I was in better shape.” I put my hand on my waist, my breath evening out.

  Eli chuckles. “I keep you in shape.” The weight of his words falls between us. He sure as hell does. “Anyway, I’m picking you up. We’re going away.”

  “What?” I screech. “Where?”

  “Surprise, come on. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Ten minutes?” I yell into the phone, confused. “You can’t give me a ten-minute warning. I’m doing stuff. I’m busy. We need to plan these things.” My eyes go wide as I stare around at the mess in my apartment.

  “Averly, come on. I helped you pack most of your things last week. Valentine’s Day, remember? We ate pizza, I used your organizational method, and packed your belongings neatly into a box.” He was a huge help. I have to give him that. He didn’t even groan once. Well, he groaned just not from complaining.

  “You looked cute doing it,” I smile. “You know when you focus really hard, the tip of your tongue peeks out of the corner of your mouth?”

  “Seven minutes,” he warns.

  I shake my head and focus. “Where are we going? For how long? What do I need to pack?” I shoot questions at him.

  “Averly, let go. Live spontaneously. You can be naked for all I care.” I hear the smirk in his tone.

  “This is crazy.” I throw my free hand in the air, slapping my thigh as it falls back down. I don’t even remember where I packed my overnight bag. I rush to my room, searching through my closet. Cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder, I start rummaging through the mess.

  “I’m assuming somewhere cold still since it’s Saturday and we’ll have to be back tomorrow so it won’t be very far. We will be back tomorrow, right? I move next week.”

  “Averly,” Eli says with authority, stopping me in my tracks.

  “Yeah?” I whisper.

  “Breathe.” I obey, gulping a deep breath. “Good, now open your front door.”

  “Oh my God, you’re already here,” my voice screeches in panic.

  “Open the door.”

  I walk over and unlock it. Before I can get it completely open, Eli pushes through and stands in front of me. He hangs up his phone, puts it in his pocket, grabs my face with both of his hands, and kisses me silly. I sigh, roaming my hands up his chest and around his neck.

  Just when I’m getting into the kiss, Eli taps the top of my behind and steps back. “Better?” He gives me a crooked smirk.

  “Uh, yeah.” I shake my head and widen my eyes as if saying, Isn’t it obvious?.

  He chuckles and grabs the bag from my hand. “Give me five minutes, and we’ll leave.”

  I stare at his retreating back as he walks into my room, stepping over boxes. When I realize he’s going to pack for me, I speed walk to catch up to him.

  “I can pack.” I open a drawer from my d
resser and grab underwear and socks, placing them in the bag.

  “Clearly, you can’t pack when you’re under pressure.” Eli gives me a knowing look.

  I narrow my eyes at him and purse my lips. “I could if I knew where I was going.” My hands land on my hips.

  “You’re cute.” He kisses the tip on my nose. “Now, where’s your bathing suit?”

  “Bathing suit? It’s February,” I stare at him in confusion.

  “Spring is a few weeks away,” Eli defends as if that were an explanation in itself.

  I snort, “Not in Wyoming.”

  He stops and faces me. “Do you trust me?”

  I sigh, “Yeah.”

  “Good, now kiss me.”

  I smile and meet him in the center of my room, puckering my lips and kissing him. “Better,” he whispers. “I don’t know where your bathing suit is, probably in a box you already sealed with summer clothes, so you can skinny dip.”

  “You’re wild.” I shake my head, rolling my eyes playfully.

  “I don’t deny it, you’ve got some wild in you, too,” he winks. “I’m hoping to bring more of it out of you as soon as you learn to relax and go with the flow a bit more. Leave the plans, notes, and to-do lists for when you’re working. Right now, when you’re living, sit back and enjoy the ride, even if it’s a spontaneous surprise trip your boyfriend wants to take you on at two o’clock in the afternoon on a Saturday. Enjoy life, Averly,”

  I take a deep breath, my chest rising and falling slowly. I wasn’t always like this. I didn’t always think things through a million times. I’ve always been driven, but not to the point where it took over my life, where it impeded with my fun. I’m not sure when that changed, when I changed.

  “Okay.” I nod and grab my bag. “Whatever is packed in here will have to be enough.” I grab my coat off the couch and my scarf.

  “That’s my girl.” Eli holds my hand, lacing our fingers.

  When we’re seated in the car, I turn to him and ask, “Now, are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “Nope.” His lips turn up into a cocky grin.

  “Torture,” I puff, dropping my head back on the headrest with a thud.

  “I’ll give you one clue.”

  My eyes light up, and I sit straighter.

  “Skinny dipping is definitely happening.”

  I frown, and Eli chuckles. His hand reaches for my knee and squeezes. My leg twitches at the ticklish sensation, and I laugh. Relaxing, I turn his hand and hold it in both of mine, tracing the lines on his palm as he sweeps us away to a surprise getaway.

  …

  “Where are we?” I sit up and lean forward to look out of the window. Eli turns right onto a narrow road where another car’s tracks lead us as if they were breadcrumb clues to find our way.

  “Almost at your surprise.” His smile is relaxed and easy, like the rest of him, despite driving for the last two hours.

  He stops the car near tall trees, but I don’t see anything around us. “As much as camping could be fun, please tell me we’re not doing that in the snow in freezing weather.” My eyes widen as I look around for a hint to where he could be taking me. “Or, is this the time you tell me you’ve been dating me as a hoax to gain my trust, then kidnap me and kill me in the middle of the woods?”

  Eli laughs. “You’re ridiculous and funny.” He leans into me and gives me a kiss. His face grows serious when he inches back. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see which option it is.”

  “Funny,” I deadpan, my heart betraying me as it races in my chest. Clearly, Eli is no serial killer, but I wouldn’t put it past him to try to camp in this weather. I’m not sure which of the two options scares me more.

  We’re both out of his truck, and he’s grabbing the bags from the back seat before he holds my hand and guides me further into the forest. I crane my head back to stare at the giant trees covered in a fur of snow, all powdery white magic.

  Before I can tease Eli more about being my murderer, I gape at the structure before us.

  “Oh my,” I halt. Eli stops next to me, a proud, slanted smile on his face.

  “You like?” he asks, looking between me and the treehouse.

  “Uh, this is freakin’ amazing.” My eyes grow wide.

  “I’m the master of planning getaways,” he beams.

  “Yeah,” I sigh, smiling over at him.

  “Come on. The manager is waiting for us.”

  “Manager?” I furrow my brows.

  “Yeah, this is part of a treehouse resort. There are a few spread around us, but ours has a private hot tub,” he winks.

  “The bathing suit,” I throw my hand up, making sense of his request. Skinny dipping. I wince. “Oh God, my nipples are gonna freeze,” I say without thinking and slap a hand over my mouth.

  Eli’s laughter booms so loudly around us I’m afraid the snow from the branches will fall, his head tilted back. Wiping his eyes, he shakes his head.

  “I’ll make sure to keep you warm,” he winks.

  The heat in my cheeks is multiplied as I replay my outburst in my mind.

  “I can’t believe I said that out loud.” I shake my head, closing my eyes shut. I’m not sure what’s worst, this or the time he walked in while I was in the men’s room.

  Eli quietly chuckles as he leads us toward the treehouse.

  “After you, darlin’.” Eli holds a hand out toward the wooden stairs that will lead us up to the treehouse.

  “This is your excuse at being a gentleman so you can stare at my ass?” I question playfully.

  “Would I be a gentleman if I didn’t stare?” he retorts.

  I smile, walking up a couple of steps before looking over my shoulder. “Take a look now. Next time you see it, I’ll be naked,” I promise with a wink.

  Eli groans behind me as I try to sashay up the steps as sexy as possible. How does one even sashay in a sexy way where it doesn’t look obvious you’re working for it?

  When I almost trip on one of the wooden stairs, I give up my attempt at looking like a runway model swaying her hips and walk like normal Averly. It’s my best bet.

  As soon as we reach the landing, Eli is pressed behind me, his hardness against my lower back and his hand rounding my hip. He holds me against him and lowers his lips to my ear.

  “Naked or not, that ass, and all of you is mine.” I shiver at the sound of his husky voice as his words claim me. I press my butt into him, smiling when I’m awarded a low growl.

  I look over my shoulder and up at him through my lashes, tucking my lips between my teeth and reach for his hand on my hip. I move it to my chest. “I think you own this, too.”

  Eli presses his hand firmly against my chest, the thumping of my heartbeat growing stronger as my confession settles between us. It’s been a long time since I’ve given my heart to someone. Since Patrick actually, and he used it as his toy.

  Eli knows what this means, but this relationship is also completely different than foolish high school lust.

  Eli

  I press my hand into Averly’s chest, feeling her heartbeat against my palm. Everything freezes, a pause in time, as we have this moment between us. What makes my own heart race isn’t the need to mimic hers, but her permission. Her surrender to what’s happening between us. She waved the little white flag because although things have been great between us, there’s been an edge of uncertainty, a silent reminder that she gave herself to someone before, and he broke her.

  But I’m a different man. I would never have a need to build myself up by hurting another person, especially not Averly. If she thinks I’m stealing her heart, that’s because she’s already stolen mine. She stole it the moment she showed me who she really is. The moment she trusted me enough to let her guard down.

  I swipe her ponytail to the side and kiss the spot below her ear. “Let’s go,” I rasp.

  Averly nods, the energy between us heavy as we make it to the front door of the treehouse. When I called her earlier and
told her to pack, I expected the fight she put up. She’s still Averly, and she’s still determined to live with a careful plan with all the changes happening in her life.

  “Hello.” The front door opens, and a man walks out, smiling at us.

  “Hi, I’m Eli.” I reach my hand out to shake his. “This is Averly.”

  “Mark, it’s nice to meet you. Did you find the place okay?” He opens the door and invites us in.

  “Yeah, the location you sent led us straight here.” I look around the treehouse cabin. It’s an open layout with a small kitchenette on the wall next to the front door, a love seat is on the other side, against a wall with a view of the outside through big, glass windows.

  “The bed is in the loft,” Mark explains. Averly and I walk in further into the treehouse and turn to see the ladder that leads up to the loft.

  I pull her to my side and kiss her temple. “Cozy,” I whisper. She looks up at me with a smile before taking her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “The bathroom is here.” Mark guides us under the loft to a door that opens to the small room. “And be careful here,” he pats a tree trunk that runs up through the house and out of the ceiling. “Treehouse charm,” he smiles.

  “Very cool,” Averly says, walking around the house. It’s small but perfect for a romantic getaway.

  “Finally,” Mark heads toward the windows. “This is a door that leads to the porch where you have a small table and chairs and a hot tub.” Mark slides the door open, and we step out.

  I’ve got plans for that hot tub later tonight.

  “If you have any questions, you can call the number I gave you earlier. We have a common area as well, with a fire pit outside where you can sit and hang out. We have blankets, so don’t worry about the cold. We also have a hot chocolate bar so you can drink by the fire pit.” Mark claps his hands. “I think that’s all, but if you have any questions, call me,” he repeats.

  “Thanks. You mentioned restaurants nearby,” I tell him.

  “Yes, about twenty minutes away, you’ve got our town, Blaketon. You’ll have a few choices there.”