by Bria Starr
“You bet your sweet ass I am.”
He slides his hand down and gives my behind a quick rub before he smacks it. I’m getting more and more comfortable with the public displays of affection with him. I was never a fan before, but it’s hard to keep my hands off of him. All week we’ve been having some serious sexual tension between us. I want this man in my bed. Badly. But I’ll settle for the dance floor.
Laura and I take a seat as the boys remove their coats. “You ladies want something from the bar?” We each tell them what we want and I look over at Laura, who’s sulking next to me after they’re gone. “Are you still mad at me?”
“I hate it when you do shit like that.”
“I’m sorry. It came out wrong and when I realized what I had said, I couldn’t take it back.”
“So you laugh about it? Out loud?”
“I couldn’t help it.” I laugh again. “It was kind of funny though, you have to admit.”
“No, not even a little bit.”
“I’ll keep quiet. I was just trying to help, but instead
I’m wrecking it. I’ll behave.”
We sit in silence a little longer before Laura speaks again. “I hope Miller is here,” she teases.
“Oh, he probably is. You should find him and talk to him. I bet he’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.” We both start laughing and I know she’s forgiven me. Stupid Miller, I’m sure he’s around here harassing some poor, innocent girl.
“I’ve been looking all over for you!”
“Larissa! Where are you sitting?”
“With you guys if that’s all right?”
“Of course.” I say hi to her husband, Jason, and they both take a seat. “You and Jessica were pretty good friends weren’t you?”
“Oh, very good. But we went our separate ways after high school and never kept in touch. It happens.”
The boys come back with our drinks. “It’s packed up at the bar,” Eli says.
Patrick nods. “Yeah, it makes me think I won’t be drinking tonight unless there’s a waitress around.”
“So you two are quite the topic of conversation,” Larissa points out, looking from me to Eli.
“Meaning?” I ask her.
“Oh everyone’s talking about it. About how you two were in that awful mess back in January, and now you’re dating. Something about a trauma bond, they’re all saying it’s weird.”
“Geez, don’t hold anything back to protect our feelings,” I say sarcastically.
“Well, you know, they say it won’t last.”
I swallow hard, thinking about what she said. Here I am in la-la land and people are trying to destroy this for me. Why can’t I just be happy for once in my fucking life? Some of that dread I used to feel is creeping up on me again, and I try to force it away before it overtakes me. I don’t want to feel like that again.
Eli scoots his chair closer to me and puts his arm around my shoulders, bringing me close to him. “Fuck
‘em.”
“I know. They don’t know anything about us.”
“And they never will. Let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight.”
I give a small smile and nod, but really I just want to cry. I can feel the stares and the judgment. I plaster on a bigger smile as DeeJay comes over and says hi to Laura.
Then Patrick’s ex,Stefanie, comes over and talks to both Patrick and Eli for a bit about her life in New York. So while they’re catching up, Larissa and I stand to give Jessica a hug as she walks by, and congratulate her while wishing her the best.
When we’re finished mingling and eating, the music comes on, Eli turns to me. “Wanna dance?”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
He takes my hand and pulls me up, leading me out to the dance floor where no more than five couples, all much older than us, are dancing. He spins me around quickly before bringing me into him. I laugh and rest my head on his shoulder, letting him hold me as we dance in small circles. I close my eyes and follow his lead, shutting out the rest of the world until the song is over. The next one is a little faster paced than the last one, so we decide to sit down.
“Paige,” I hear from behind me. I spin around to see Corbin dressed in one of his expensive suits.
“Corbin? What are you doing here?”
“I came with Allison.” I look over to where she’s sitting, a pouty look on her face as she watches us talk.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I quickly look at Eli, who seems unaffected by his request. I look around at my table and all eyes are on me.
“I guess.”
I follow him outside and look up at the sky that’s turning pink and orange as the sun starts to go down. There are several people out here, smoking and talking to one another. He leads me away and looks me over as I wait for him to start.
“Yes?”
“How are you?”
“I’m good.”
“I miss you. I’ve tried calling you at least one hundred times.”
“It was easier not to answer.”
“For you, but not for me.”
I’m starting to get annoyed. “I’m sorry, Corbin. I just don’t think there’s anything left to say.”
“Because you got what you wanted? You got that guy in there?”
“You don’t know anything about him.”
“I know he’s not good enough for you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. He was always the one who was beyond my grasp.”
“Did you lie to me then? When I asked you if you were sleeping with him?”
“No! Now quit asking me shit like that or I’m done talking to you. I mean it.”
“Then why am I not surprised to see you here with him?”
“You’re with Allison. Should I be asking you how you managed that? But It doesn’t even matter, you know why? Because we’re over.” I start to walk away from him when he grabs my arm. I jerk it away and give him a dirty look.
“Don’t touch me like that.”
“I just want to talk.”
“About what? You want me to repeat myself? Again?” I step towards him and lower my voice. “I used to think you were such a good guy but your colors have shown. I don’t know how you managed to hide them for so long. I can’t fight with you anymore. I’m not wasting any more of my breath on you. So leave me the hell alone.” I walk away again. Enough is enough.
Eli is leaning in the doorway, smiling at me. “That’s my girl.” He puts his arm around me and we walk back into the reception hall.
“You were there the whole time?”
“I don’t trust that guy. But I didn’t want to step in unless I had to, and you looked like you had that covered so I stayed back and let you handle it.”
“Thanks. I like to think I’m pretty good at fighting my own battles.”
“You always were. Do you want to dance some more or should we go home?”
“Maybe one more dance? I owe it to myself to get every experience I can with you.”
His eyes fill with lust as he bites his lip. “We have a lot of those that need covering.” He winks. “If you catch my drift.”
“Oh, I caught it.” I laugh. “Let’s dance first. See if we can’t get the shy ones to join us.” Eli stops walking. “What’s wrong?”
“You are talking about them joining us to dance, correct?”
“What did you think I was—Eli! Seriously.”
He chuckles and throws his hands up in defense. “I was just making sure. I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into for a moment there.”
“If I wanted to sleep with Laura … You know what? I’m not even going there.” I shake my head at him. “You’re sick, you know that?”
“Come on, bookworm. Let me dance with you until you’re ready to go home.”
I accept his extended hand and we move to force Laura and Patrick to stand and come dance together. I raise my arms around Eli’s shoulders as he puts his hands on my hips and kisses me. I don�
��t care who sees us. They can think what they want.
I look over at Laura and she gives me a little smile. I want nothing but happiness for her. I hope this works out between them, although nothing has happened so far.
***
On the drive home, we’re all quiet. We stayed and danced for another hour until we decided to call it a night. It’s only about nine at night now when we pull up to our apartment. I get out and move my seat for Laura while Eli does the same on the other side for Patrick. Laura closes the door and says good-bye to Patrick and Eli before she heads inside. Patrick thanks Eli for the ride and starts walking to his car. I was hoping they’d stay and talk, or that Laura would invite Patrick in, but there didn’t seem to be much of a spark between them.
Now it’s just Eli and I standing outside, him by his car door and me standing halfway between his car and my front door. “So, did you want to stay at my house tonight?” He raises his eyebrows.
Not to seem too eager, and knowing what’s going to happen when I get there, I pretend like I need to think about it for a little bit, but I can’t contain it for very long. A smile breaks out and I run to his car.
We simultaneously get in and shut our doors. We look at each other for a second before he leans forward and kisses me, almost exactly like the first one we shared, which quickly starts to escalate.
I break away. “Drive, Eli.”
“Is someone impatient for the best night of her life?”
“Don’t you mean the best night of your life?”
“Oh, that’s right. You said you wanted to thank me for getting Patrick and Laura together today.”
“Something like that.”
When we get to Eli’s house, we silently walk inside. He looks over at me and gives me a smile that lets me know I’m in for it. My heart starts pounding with anticipation.
“You want anything?”
“Just you.” I’ve only been waiting for this moment for the last ten years. I’d always hoped he would be my first …
As well as my last.
“That is the best answer I could ever hope to hear.”
He clasps my hand into his and leads me up the stairs and into his bedroom. I look around and notice it has the same country decor as the rest of the house. I see his large bed, covered in flannel sheets that look so soft. Nothing like Corbin’s expensive ones. Not the time for comparisons.
I’m nervous. I’ve only been with one man before, and this is Eli!The guy I’ve witnessed peeing on trees right in front of me, the guy who was never shy about walking around his house in his boxers right in front of me,either. Back then, I wasn’t the slightest bit curious about taking a peek, but now it’s all I can do not to strip him down and see what I have to work with.
“Come here,” he says, taking me into his arms. This is good. This is a good start. His rough hands rub down the back of my neck, giving me chills all the way down to my toes. He bows his head and tenderly kisses the side of my neck, picks a different spot and kisses me there as well. When he plants one right under my ear, I softly moan. It feels so good.
He takes my earlobe between his teeth and nibbles just a little before using his tongue to play with it.
His hands move from the back of my neck and goes down my body, cupping my ass in both of them. He swiftly picks me up and carries me over to the bed where he lays me down. He pushes my shirt up a little, exposing half of my stomach. I try not to squirm when his lips come down and he starts kissing every inch he can. He lifts my shirt over my head and gently removes our clothing, piece by piece.
“You’re so beautiful.” He finally removes his boxers, exposing himself to me. My eyes widen. I let out a small gasp and he gives me a cocky grin. I hold my arms out to him and his warm body comes down to meet mine.
I never thought it could feel like this. For the first time, this doesn’t seem like such a chore. It’s exhilarating.
It’s beautiful.
***
“That was incredible,” he whispers into my ear.
We rest for a little bit as tears escape my eyes.
“Thank you.”
He lifts his head and looks at me, wiping my tears and brushing the hair away from my beaded forehead.
“What are you thanking me for?”
“For this. It was amazing.” I sniff. “Sorry I’m so emotional. It’s just, I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
“Well, now you’re with me, and I will work my hardest to make sure you have a mind-blowing experience every time.” He lets out a steady breath, his heart still racing. “Now, are you ready to go again?”
I smile. “I am. We have so much lost time to make up for.”
Chapter 19
I wake up and stretch my legs out. I’m in Eli’s soft flannel sheets and I wiggle down into them a little farther, trying to find the exact place I was in before I had moved. I sleepily close my eyes, thinking something doesn’t feel right. I lift my head off the pillow and look to my left. It’s empty.
“Eli?”
I peek over the side of the bed and see our clothes still scattered across the floor. I try to make out if my bra and underwear happen to be within reaching distance, but alas, they are not. Eli wasn’t exaggerating when he said it would be the best night of my life. It was epic, and everything I had ever hoped or dreamed it would be.
What is that smell? Is that … Is that bacon? My mouth starts to water instantly. I hear another noise followed by footsteps coming up the stairs. In walks Eli with a tray full of deliciousness.
“Breakfast in bed for my little bookworm.”
“You made me breakfast?” I ask, looking at the large food portions.
“Sure did. Eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, and sausage. I brought both milk and orange juice because I didn’t know which one you preferred, I figured I’d drink whichever one you didn’t want.”
“Eli, you already got laid. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“What makes you think this isn’t to bribe you for another round?” He leans forward and gives me a deep kiss.
“Good point. Well, you’ve definitely earned yourself some kudos.” Ten points for Gryffindor! “Hey, could you grab me a T-shirt or something? I can’t seem to find my underwear.”
He heads over to his dresser and tosses me a shirt that smells like heaven. I put it over my head and pull it down as I watch him dig through our entangled clothes. “Here they are, under my pants,” he says as he lifts my bra and panties, bringing them over to me.
“How were they under your pants?” I try to remember last night when we got here. Kissing. Lots of kissing before the stripping started. “That would have to mean you removed both my bra and underwear before your pants even came off?” “I’m just that good.”
“I would like to think I have a little self-control, but no, I feel like I practically threw both my clothes and my morals at you!”
“You didn’t throw anything at me, I took them,” he growls in my ear before he starts kissing my neck. It tickles and I squirm, nearly kicking the tray off the bed.
“Oh shit, the bacon!”
“The bacon? I’m more concerned about the milk and orange juice spilling all over.” He moves the tray higher up on the bed. “Better eat before it gets cold.” He sits down next to me and throws an entire sausage link in his mouth.
“Yeah, you like sausage in your mouth, don’t you?” I wink, reaching for the crispy bacon and taking a bite.
“Not as much as you did last night,” he backfires.
I almost choke on my bacon and smack his arm. “That was a good one, I have to admit.” I love our banter, and being able to give him shit while he gives it right back.
After I’ve eaten my fill and Eli is finishing up the eggs, he asks, “What are you doing today? Do you want to spend the day here with me?”
“Naked?”
“That’s not what I was going for, but I’ll take it.”
“Sure, maybe I can run home and grab a few t
hings quick? Shower too, of course.”
“Absolutely. Maybe pack an overnight bag as well, just in case.”
I smile at him. “I can do that.”
***
I bring my bag up to Eli’s room near the bathroom and set it on the floor, then head over to his bed and plop down, face first. “I’m exhausted,” I muffle.
“Wait until after tonight. Not only will you be completely spent, but you’ll be unable to walk tomorrow as well,” Eli says as he walks out of the bathroom freshly showered, only wearing a towel around his waist, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and his hair a little disheveled.
I look him over and he nearly takes my breath away.
“My word, you are gorgeous.”
He removes his toothbrush and plays coy. “Thank you. I do find you equally appealing.” He wanders back into the bathroom, out of sight. Kill me now, my dreams have all come true.
I hear rustling and I strain my neck to see if I can somehow watch him drop his towel and get dressed. No such luck. He comes back out wearing a pair of faded jeans and a gray T-shirt.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” I smile.
He runs and jumps on the bed, sending me flying through the air. I bounce back down and he tackles me into his comforter. I shriek and start laughing as he wrestles and tries to pin me down. I take my skinny arms and fight him off with all I have so I can try to come out on top. He easily gets me down and holds my arms above my head.
I let out a few deep breaths as I try to decide if I should give in or try to get out of it, but forget everything when he dips his head down to me and brings his lips to mine. He eventually lets my arms go and rolls me over. I straddle him, never taking my lips from his. His mouth opens and I willingly taste his tongue with my own, enjoying the sweetness only known to me as Eli. I break away and look down at him below me. He’s so beautiful.
“I love you.”
His eyes widen and I slap both hands over my mouth. Shit. Fuck. No, no, no, no, no. I squeeze my eyes shut and slowly start to slide off of him so I can melt into the floor and disappear forever.
He grabs me and puts me right back to where I was sitting on his stomach. “You … what?”