by M. Clarke
“I can’t believe you had one all this time and I never knew,” I said.
“You never asked and I never said.” He touched my hand, making sure I was steady. “We’re not going that far. I’ll go slow.”
“Okay,” I replied, holding tightly around his waist. I pressed my head against his back, ready for take-off. Though I was nervous, I knew I would be safe. It felt good to hold him this way, but more than that, I couldn’t believe we were together. I’d have to take a picture with Elijah and me on his bike and send it to Emma. She was going to flip out.
The cool wind whipped the loose strands of my hair back and the ride wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Elijah was sweet to drive as slow as he said he would, but I couldn’t help my heart hammering faster the further we drove away from the parking lot. I couldn’t believe I was going to get a tattoo.
Stretching my arms, I felt a body next to mine. I immediately flashed my eyes open and set them on Elijah’s smiling face.
“Good morning, Sunshine.” Elijah froze. “I’m sorry. It was—”
“It’s okay, Elijah. You can call me Sunshine. It reminds me of my dad, but it’s not painful to hear it like before.”
I snuggled closer to him and Elijah kissed me tenderly on my forehead.
“How’s the tattoo?”
I sat up and looked at my right ankle. “It’s still a little red, but it feels fine.” I brushed my fingertip over it. “I can’t believe I have one.” A giddy feeling shivered through me, but I was squealing loudly inside.
“The sunburst is perfect, a wonderful memory of your dad.”
I plopped back into his arms. “Thank you.” I caressed his cheek. “That was the best Christmas present ever,” I said sincerely, looking into his eyes. We were connecting on a whole different level. It was as if we had been a couple for a long time. There was a level of comfort that would normally have taken months to build, but then again, we were roommates before and had that familiarity. “So are you going to show me your new tattoo now?” I pouted.
“Don’t pout like that, or I’ll be doing things to you that I shouldn’t…I mean…not yet anyway.”
“I’m glad I waited. I want you to be my first.”
“I’m glad you waited, too. I hate thinking about you with anyone else,” Elijah stated, running his fingertips down my arm, causing a tingling sensation.
“Mr. Cooper, are you trying to seduce me, or are you just trying to distract me so you don’t have to show me your tattoo?”
“Why, Ms. Weis, I would never dare. First, you’ll have to take off my T-shirt.”
“Really? I don’t mind that part at all.”
“I bet you don’t.” Elijah curled his lips into that sexy smirk. “Before I show you, I need to explain why I got it.”
I gasped when Elijah suddenly straddled me and pinned my arms above me on the pillow. Though I knew it was not his intentions, he was turning me on, making me hot all over.
“Alex, the tattoo is about you. I got it because of you, to show you how much I’m committed to us.” Elijah took off his T-shirt. It didn’t matter how many times I had seen his chest, it called to me, beckoning me to surrender to him.
“Do you see the moon?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yes.” I traced the small crescent moon above the ‘Clarity’ tattoo. Elijah slightly shuddered from my touch.
“I’m the opposite of you. You are day and I am night. We complete each other. You are my clarity, Alex.”
My hands glided over his hard, toned pecs. I couldn’t help myself. It was the most romantic and the sweetest thing I’d ever heard, not to mention getting a tattoo because of me. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Elijah Cooper,” I said softly, in a dream-like state, lost in his eyes.
“Good, because I’m already in love with you.” Elijah’s eyes became dark with lust and want. He slipped his hand under my waist and lightly pressed his body onto mine. Heat infused throughout me, blistering with every breath he released. Elijah let out a soft sigh. “I’m sure this line has been said many times before, but I mean it. I love you to the moon, Freckles,” he whispered tenderly against my ear.
“And I love you back,” I said, laughing, thinking how silly our words were.
Elijah pulled away to look at me. His grin expressed surprise and amusement. He paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts, his eyes dancing, searching for the perfect words. “Oh yeah, I love you to the moon and back. The universe isn’t big enough to compare how much I love you. It’s impossible.”
He left me completely speechless. I stared back at him. “I…I….” I wanted to say something that expressed something bigger, but there wasn’t anything more. He didn’t let me finish.
Elijah slowly moved in for my lips. As I watched, I was sinking into the mattress from the anticipation and longing. When his lips brushed mine, fireworks exploded from the simple touch. He kissed me tenderly, taking his time, but it only intensified the burning, needing sensation that his words had already built up. My breath became ragged as I ran my hand along his back. I wanted his naked body on mine, but before we could get there, he’d stopped.
“Alex,” he said breathlessly, still caressing me. “We need to stop before I can’t control myself.”
“I don’t want you to stop.” I looked into his eyes, trying to read his thoughts.
“I want to make it special for you. Since I will be your first, we have to do this the right way.”
I smiled, appreciating his charisma. “And that is why I fell for you.”
“Is that the only reason?” he asked playfully, nipping on my shoulders.
“Nope, your chest. I’m in love with your chest,” I teased. Elijah pulled at my T-shirt to trail his kisses down to my breast. I closed my eyes and released a soft moan. “And your tattoo,” I sighed, unable to thinking coherently.
“Is that all?” he mumbled through his kisses against my skin.
“Ummm…your bike,” I managed to say as his hot breath purposely skimmed down to my stomach. He lifted my shirt to expose my flesh.
“Is that all?” he murmured. His words were muffled, as he worked his way along the top of my cotton pajama pants.
“Your voice.” Oh MAN! “And your tongue,” I whimpered, feeling the warmth of his breath between my legs. Elijah pulled down my pants just at that perfect spot. The things Elijah was doing, I was coming completely undone.
“Elijah,” I called his name softly, a feeling building up inside me that I couldn’t explain. It was growing until I felt like I was going to break apart. It was the most intense thing I’d ever felt. I wanted more, but I knew he wasn’t going to give in. My lips parted and I heard sounds I had never made before. My head was spinning in ecstasy and time stood still, no worries, no pain, no thoughts, just in the moment with Elijah.
Digging my nails into his arm, I arched my back as I enjoyed every moment of his tongue devouring my clit, teasing the hell out of me. When he stopped, I collapsed, feeling dazed.
“Alex, are you okay?” Elijah got out of bed and I laughed at the curve of the bulge forming in his briefs.
Smiling, I propped myself up on my elbows to get a better look at him. “I’m great, but I don’t think you’re okay.” I pursed my lips, trying hard not to laugh.
Elijah gave me a coy smile and wiggled his legs. Then he slowly turned his head with a wicked grin. “Don’t worry about me. Is that the first time you’ve ever had an orgasm?”
“Yes,” I said shyly.
“I feel so privileged that I could give you your first,” he winked.
“I love you, Elijah.”
“I love you, too.”
Suddenly, he scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder. “Elijah. You can’t just pick me up like that. Where are you taking me?”
“We’re taking a shower, Freckles. A really cold shower. I’m going to tease you even more. You can watch me make myself cum.”
Did I hear him correctly? Oh God! Every i
nch of me was tingling from his words. This was going to be another first for me.
School started and everything was back to the way it was before break. I moved back in, but I slept in Elijah’s bed. It felt strange to be living together as a couple when we had just started dating, but for us, it felt perfect. Elijah told me about his part-time job at the Administration office, which took me by surprise. While he headed there, I went to my job.
“Hey, Lexy,” I greeted her with a hug.
“How are things?” she asked, smiling.
“Great.”
“Well, it’s about freakin’ time. I knew from the first day we met that you and Elijah would end up together.
“Really?”
“He generally smoked only when he was nervous. He had been trying to quit, but he picked it up again the first day he met you after going several consecutive days without a cigarette.”
“So I was the cause?” I felt horrible.
“Don’t feel bad about it, Alex. Think of it as a compliment. Anyway, how are your classes so far?”
“Good. How about yours?”
“Perfect. I can’t wait to graduate.”
“What happens next?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking of going to grad school, but maybe closer to home.”
“Oh,” I said somberly. It also reminded me that Elijah was graduating and we hadn’t spoken about our plans for the future. I guess I would have to wait and see where this goes.
Lexy turned to the students rushing in. “Time to work.”
The line never seemed to end, but after an hour, it finally died down.
“Want to ditch your boyfriend and go on a date with me?” I heard someone mumble as I picked up a napkin I’d dropped.
“Elijah,” I said happily, giving him my biggest, flirty smile. “It depends. Do you have a motorcycle? ‘Cause I think guys who wear leather jackets and ride motorcycles are hot,” I giggled. I couldn’t help myself. Flirting with him was exciting. I couldn’t believe we had finally gotten to this point.
“Sorry to disappoint you, I drive a car now.” Elijah twirled a set of keys hooked to a keychain.
When I gave him a confused looked, he explained. “I can’t take my girl out on dates on the bike. I leased a car…for both of us…so you can use it, too.”
“You didn’t sell your bike, did you?”
“It was getting old anyway. I can always buy another one.”
I shot my eyes to the ground, afraid he would see my eyes water. This man, who had been through so much hardship, was not just generous; he was too good to be true. He put me first. He was concerned for my well-being. I was so lucky.
“Alex, are you mad?” He cupped my face and raised it until I set my eyes on his.
“No.” I shook my head, unable to answer as a teardrop escaped. “Thank you. I’ll help with the payments and gas.”
Elijah understood without me explaining how I was feeling. He knew me so well. “I’m not asking you to pay, Freckles, but maybe we can work out a deal. You can pay me with something other than cash. I think that’s fair.”
“I think I can handle that,” I toyed back, but my heart was breaking. I knew he loved that bike. But now, I knew he loved me more.
“I’m going to hold you to that offer,” he winked. “Come home as soon as you can. I have plans for us tonight.”
“Okay,” I cheered, anticipating tonight.
“Bye, Lexy,” Elijah said out loud, never taking his eyes off me as he walked away.
“Remember what I told you?” Lexy reminded. “Elijah has a huge heart. But he’ll have a bigger one for the one he loves.”
“You’re right, Lexy. And to think I almost gave him up for Liam.”
“Well, you can’t help whom you fall in love with.”
And she was so right.
Chapter 35
Alexandria
Whiteboard:
Can’t wait to take you out.
-E
“Freckles, we’re not going anywhere fancy.” Elijah knocked on my bedroom door. “I told you it was causal, and don’t forget to bring a jacket.”
“I’m coming out right now. I promise.” Putting on my jeans, sweater, and jacket only took me a second. It was my hair and make-up that took longer than I had planned. I wanted to look my best for Elijah on our first real date.
When I swung my door open, Elijah was standing there, blocking my way. “Hey gorgeous. You don’t need to get all dolled up for me. I already love you the way you are, but I have to say….” He pulled me into his hold. “you look deliciously sexy.” He nibbled my neck.
“You don’t look bad yourself,” I smiled. Elijah wore jeans, a sweater, and his leather jacket. It didn’t matter what he wore, he always looked good.
“Thanks, Freckles, but I always look good.”
“Aren’t we a little arrogant?” I punched him lightly.
“But you like me that way.” Elijah chuckled aloud and gave me a long, tender kiss. “Now we need to go.” Taking my hand, we rushed out the door.
“We’re going to the hospital?” I panicked when he pulled into the parking lot. “Elijah, are you sick?”
“Relax. The hospital is on the way to where I plan on taking you. I want to show you something first. Remember when you were mad at me and thought I went to Heather’s place when I wasn’t home? Well I know I already told you I hadn’t gone there, but I’m sure you wondered where I actually was when I didn’t have class, because I wondered about you. Anyway, let me show you.”
Elijah took something from the trunk when we got out of the car.
“Is that a guitar case?” I asked excitedly.
“Yup.” Elijah swung it over his shoulder, grabbed my hand and strolled to the entrance.
“I didn’t know you played guitar. How come you never played before?”
“I like to hide my talents,” he muttered with a wink.
The glass doors slid opened. “Ms. Parker,” Elijah greeted the lady sitting behind the front desk. She was probably in her mid-fifties with curly light brown hair.
The lady peered up over her reading glass. “Mr. Cooper. It’s good to see you again. I see you’ve brought a friend.”
Elijah’s hand was still in mine. “This is Alexandria Weis. She’s going to sing with me.”
My blood pressure skyrocketed from the shock.
“That’s so sweet of you,” Ms. Parker said with a smile. Opening her drawer, she pulled out a couple of visitor stickers, wrote our names, and handed them to Elijah.
“Thank you,” Elijah said, leading us to the elevator. After he placed my sticker on me, he did the same with his own.
“Elijah, what are we doing here? And you didn’t ask me to sing,” I pointed out as we waited for the door to open.
Elijah let me enter first. “You don’t have to sing. I just said that so you could come with me. Sorry, I should have told you first.”
“Where are we going?” I nudged, since his mind seemed to drift somewhere else.
“Sorry. It’s just that my brother died at this hospital. It still gets to me coming here, but every time I do, it gets a little better. It’s not so bad. You never forget, but the pain becomes bearable.”
My heart softened and I squeezed his hand to let him know I felt his pain and that I understood. The door opened on the seventh floor. When we stepped out, the ladies at the front desk smiled.
“Elijah, welcome back. It’s been a while,” one of the nurses said.
“I’ve been busy, but I brought someone special with me. This is Alex.”
After the introductions were over, we entered. The first thing I realized as we walked down the squeaky white tiles was that all the patients were young. Then after putting two and two together, I soon realized we were on a special floor for kids with cancer. My heart was breaking. I tried to smile as I followed behind Elijah into a room, and I couldn’t help the memories of my dad that came crashing through.
“Hey, Marcus,” Elij
ah greeted cheerfully.
“Elijah.” The little boy suddenly looked alive. I guessed he was about ten years old, but it was difficult to tell, especially since he had no hair. Then he looked at me and gave me a huge smile.
“Hey, why does she get a bigger smile,” Elijah joked, giving Marcus a high five. “Marcus, this is Alex. Alex…Marcus.”
“Hi, Marcus.” I shook his hand.
“Elijah has a girlfriend,” he sang, and paused. “Well, for one thing, she’s prettier to look at,” he laughed shyly, making me laugh, too.
“That’s so true,” Elijah agreed. “So how was your week?”
“Same old thing. I wish I could go outside. I love the winter.” Marcus looked out the window. His eyes were full of dreams. “It’s going to rain tonight. I wish I could stand in the rain and jump in the puddles. That would make my day,” he sighed.
I thought my heart would fall out of my chest. We take simple things in life for granted. It’s human nature to do so. But to see a young boy who only wanted to play in the rain…he should be able to do anything he wished, but couldn’t. It was heartbreaking.
Marcus changed the subject. “Is Alex going to sing with us?”
Elijah looked at me for an answer.
“It depends. If I know the song,” I replied.
Elijah gave me a wicked smile. “I know just the one.”
As Elijah strummed his guitar, we sang. “I’m the one who wants to be with you….” Surprisingly, Marcus knew the song, too.
“That’s Elijah’s favorite song,” Marcus commented after the song ended. “I think I know the reason why now.” He lightly socked Elijah’s arm.
“You know I’m going to wrestle you hard when you get better. So be prepared.”
“Yeah.” Marcus’s tone suddenly became somber.
“Anyway, I’m sorry we were a bit late today. Want me to read you a story?”
“I want Alex to read to me.”
Marcus looked at me with those innocent eyes, so how could I refuse? “Of course I’ll read to you,” I said quickly.
When Marcus fell asleep, we headed out. I was so touched seeing Elijah interact with Marcus that I was sure I couldn’t respect him any more than I did right now. Most people felt sorry for themselves for their loss, but Elijah did something good. He took that pain and replaced it with something to honor his brother. In the process, he was helping others.