Dreaming Eli
Page 15
“You’re just what I need, Eli.” Her arms went around his neck and she brought her body up against his. “Right now.”
Right now. He could do right now. It was later he wasn’t so great at.
“Are you finally going to try out my new bed with me?”
She gave a nod, bringing her face to his. “Are you up for it?”
He laughed low in his throat. “Ah, Caro. That one is way too easy.”
She leaned her head back and he took the opportunity to nuzzle her throat. Her scent wrapped around him, caught in her skin and in her hair, and he breathed her in. His body reacted, and he welcomed the heated rush.
“Upstairs, Caro,” he rasped, licking her skin. “Naked and upstairs in my bed.”
She shivered in his arms and nodded. “That better not be a line, Graham Cracker.”
“No line.”
He kissed her, driving his tongue into her mouth and tasting her. She kissed him back, and it felt urgent and perfect and he had to get her under him. Or over him. Or in front of him. At this second, he didn’t much care about the position.
Leaving a trail of clothes behind them, they kissed as they fumbled and stumbled up the stairs to his bedroom. Then he had her naked beneath him, leaning back on her elbows as she watched him strip off his pants faster than he ever had.
The room wasn’t quite dark, but he didn’t need much light. He’d all but memorized her body over the past couple of weeks, and tonight he would touch every inch of her. He swallowed a groan. With every inch of himself.
“Christ, Caro.” He covered her on the bed, resting on his elbows as he closed his eyes. “You feel so good.”
She arched beneath him, rubbing her nipples against his chest with a soft moan. “Eli.”
He shifted and covered one breast with a hand while he licked and sucked her nipple. “There’s so much more room up here, Cupcake.”
She opened her legs wide as his hand moved over her flat belly to her curls. “Yeah, there is.”
He was pounding now, his cock so ready to be inside of her. It would be their first time, though. He’d had plenty of first times, and last times, with women but this time was different. She was different. Hell, maybe even he was different.
“I’ve dreamed about this,” he said, kissing her lips, her cheek, her throat.
“I hope I don’t disappoint you,” she whispered, her voice so soft he could hardly hear it.
He stilled, and brought his face to hers. “Caro, trust me. There’s no way in hell you could ever disappoint me.”
She smiled, stretching her arms over her head. “Then take me already.”
He let out a strangled laugh and kissed her again. “Be right back.”
***
Caro wriggled into the very nice mattress beneath her as she waited for Eli to come back from the bathroom. She hadn’t been kidding about disappointing him. It had been so long since she’d slept with a guy. The last man she’d been with was Brad, and just a few days before he died.
God, so much was tangled up in regrets about Brad. Regret that he’d been killed in that car crash. Regret that he’d been cheating on her while she’d been with him. Regret that the other woman had died too. She must not have been enough for Brad. That was obvious to her. She couldn’t hold onto him, or onto their baby that was with her for such a short time.
She rubbed a hand over her face, sending Brad and their past together out of her head. Eli was what mattered in this moment. Eli and his charming, sexy ways. He’d assured her she wouldn’t disappoint him, but he was a guy right? Didn’t they always feel good after?
“Sorry about that.” Eli settled a knee on the bed and kissed her, reviving her passion and putting nothing but him and this moment at the front of her mind. “I forgot where I put the box.”
She tried to hide her smile but failed. “The box?”
He winked as he came over her. “We’re just getting started.”
She stared up at him, and her breath caught. He was truly the most beautiful man she’d ever seen, cut and sculpted and obviously ready. For her.
“Eli,” she said again.
He looked serious now. Focused. Tucking the condom beneath the pillow at her head, he began to tease and kiss her all over. His lips tugging on her nipples, his fingers stroking her just right. His tongue tickling her and driving her crazy as she began to moan.
Placing his hands beneath her, he lifted her and brought his lips to her center. His beard scruff stroked her inner thighs, in delicious contrast to his soft lips on her clit. The edge of his tongue was rough as he began to stroke her deeply. Again and again he drove his tongue into her. Her legs were shaking, and he lowered her body to the bed. His fingers moved in her now. He licked her again and again until she saw stars and surrendered everything. She was flying and falling, and he whispered the sweetest, naughtiest words she’d ever heard as he came up to kiss her mouth.
Her body was flushed, slick with sweat, when he settled himself against her still-tingly flesh. Sliding a hand under the pillow, he withdrew the condom packet he’d put there. She opened her eyes and watched as he took care of it, unable to look away from him. Taking an audible breath, he shifted and finally began to come inside of her.
She bit her lip and stiffened beneath him. It was uncomfortable, and a lot like when she’d lost her virginity her freshman year. It didn’t hurt, though. Not at all. She still tightened around him in a kind of reflex.
He froze. “Are you okay, Caro?”
She did a round of yoga breathing and nodded. “Y-yes.”
He sank in a little bit more, and she felt herself stretching in answer.
“You feel so much better than okay,” he said.
She knew he was teasing her to get her to relax, and it was starting to do the trick. That and his lips on her neck made her tingle as he began to move. He was completely inside her now, hot and hard, and she didn’t feel uncomfortable any longer. She felt amazingly full, and so ready for whatever else he had in mind.
“That’s it, baby.” He withdrew and sank back inside her. “God, Caro.”
She reached up and grabbed onto his shoulders, bowing back as she took all of him. She forced her eyes open and was so glad she had. He looked incredible over her, golden and hard and perfect. Everywhere they touched, and even where they didn’t, felt tingly. He bent his head to kiss her again, his mouth firm and demanding, and then braced himself on his arms as he moved in and out of her. Rotating his hips, he accelerated his thrusts and she sobbed as her orgasm struck.
He didn’t slow down, but just kept riding her as her climax seemed to go on and on. His big body shuddered and he made the sexiest sounds as he began to come. She held on tighter, finally squeezing her eyes closed as she lost herself in him again.
Falling to one side of her, he held her close and kissed her neck. He seemed to like that, and he always breathed in as he nuzzled her. Their bodies were hot and a little sweaty, but his fresh scent wrapped around her as she caught her breath.
“Eli.” She took in a reedy breath. “God.”
“Back atcha.” His hands ran over her, soothing and arousing at the same time. “I said you couldn’t disappoint me.”
She turned and snuggled against him, running her fingers over him now. His muscles tensed and his breath hitched and she knew he’d been affected. Pleased. She sure was.
“It’s been over three years,” she said softly.
He lifted his head and looked at her, his eyes dancing. “Man, I am one lucky bastard.”
“Lucky?”
“I don’t know what happened three years ago, Caro. I know it shook you up, and maybe you’ll tell me all of it. Maybe you won’t. I feel so damn lucky you chose to be with me right now.”
His words sounded so sincere, his gaze was so steady, she felt tears prick at her eyes.
“You are good for me, Eli. You always seem to know just what to say to me.”
His brow furrowed as he reached up to brush a tangle o
f hair off of her forehead. “You deserve something good, Caro. I’m just happy that I’m the guy who put that look on you face.”
She flushed and gave him a smile. “What look?”
He tapped her nose with one finger and brought his face to hers. “That look of complete satisfaction.”
She couldn’t deny it, and wouldn’t even want to. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Were you satisfied?”
He barked out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? I nearly blacked out there for a minute.”
She pushed him onto his back, straddling his thighs. “Hmm, I don’t think that’s good enough.”
His hands splayed over her back, sliding down to cup her butt. “What are you thinking, Cupcake?”
Bending her head to his chest, she flicked her tongue over his nipple. He groaned and she faced him again. “I’m thinking that it’s a pretty good thing you have a whole box.”
He grabbed her to him and started it up all over again.
Chapter 18
“Meeting at four today, Eli.”
Eli blinked at Oliver as he stepped into the Sales Center lobby. He’d just finished a tour, and coming in from the bright afternoon sun was a little jarring.
“A meeting wasn’t on the schedule,” Eli said.
“Mr. Forbes just called it while you were out. I have to go over to the Institute and tell Jessie. She tends to fall into her research when she’s over there and forgets to look at her phone.”
Eli just nodded as Oliver hurried out the door and across the street. It was Wednesday, which meant that Jessie was over there and the rest of them picked up the slack.
It seemed odd that Mr. Forbes would call a meeting with only two hours’ notice. Eli had noticed a vibe around the guy over the past couple of days, but he’d come to notice that Forbes always looked like he was thinking about a dozen different things at once. Besides, Eli hadn’t exactly been on his A game since spending the weekend with Caro.
He ducked into the break room and grabbed a fresh bottle of water from the fridge. As he cracked it open, Rick and Ben Chapman came into the room.
“Hey,” Ben said with a lift of his chin.
“Hey, Ben,” Eli said. “What’s this meeting about, Rick?”
Rick held up his hands. “This is Mr. Forbes’ gig, Eli. He wants to bring in the salespeople at the outset, though.”
“Tammy will demand a full report,” Ben said with a smile. “My wife loves staying home with Raffaella but she’s ready to come back.”
“How long is she out?” Eli asked.
“Forbes wants her to take all the time she needs, but it’ll probably just be a couple more weeks.”
Rick smiled at Eli. “Don’t worry, Eli. You’re not going anywhere.”
Eli chuckled. “Hey, I’ve been pulling my weight.”
“Yeah, you have.” Rick turned to his brother. “Eli has brought in quite a few families to live in the houses you designed, Ben.”
“The green neighborhood is very inviting,” Eli said. “Your houses almost sell themselves.”
“Almost,” Rick said with a smile. “You’ve been a driving force in that direction.”
“Thanks.” Eli sat at one of the round tables as Rick made himself and Ben a cup of coffee. “I guess we’ll find out what’s up at four.”
“I have a pretty good idea.” Noah Brady joined them and grabbed himself a bottle of water. He sat down across from Eli. “Hey, Eli.”
Eli smiled at Jessie’s husband. It seemed now that it was clear Eli wasn’t after Noah’s wife, the guy didn’t seem to have any animosity towards him. Everyone knew about him and Caro too, so that clearly helped.
“What is it?” Eli asked him.
“Just something I picked up from a few things Forbes has said over the past couple of weeks.”
Eli’s radar buzzed as he picked up on what Noah wasn’t saying. This had to be about the Active Adult community. Forbes was finally going to announce something. Eli had seen some land marked off on the east side during the first tour he’d taken since coming on at the Sales Center, but when he’d returned and asked Jessie about it she’d told him that was a five-acre plot that her sister’s fiancé had purchased. He was putting in a goat farm or a petting zoo or something.
“See you at four,” Rick said as he left the break room.
Eli stood and took out his phone, thumbing through to sync his schedule. The newly-added meeting was there, clear as glass.
“I’ll see you guys there,” he said to Noah and Ben.
He left the break room and headed across the street to the coffee shop. He gave the red-headed kid, Tom he now knew, his order for an Americano and a latte for Caro. As he waited, he texted the info to Bill Chapman.
Tell me everything Forbes says, Bill texted back in a flash.
I can only tell you what he declares public knowledge, Eli returned.
There was a long pause and Eli began to worry that putting off Bill’s curiosity wasn’t a smart thing to do. Eli might be beholden to Bill, but he worked for Cypress at the moment. He owed Forbes and Rick his loyalty and his discretion.
Just tell me what you can, Eli, Bill finally answered. I’ll call you tonight.
Eli could almost see the determination on Bill’s face as he punched in the letters. He let out a breath to tamp down the frustration he had no business feeling.
Talk to you later, he texted back.
Eli slipped his phone back in his pocket and took his drink from Tom.
“Wow, that’s a serious face.”
He glanced over to see Caro’s friend Becky now waiting for her drink.
“Hey, Becky.”
“Something wrong?”
“No. I’m just thinking about work.”
“Yeah, the meeting this afternoon.” Eli arched a brow and she waved a hand. “Oliver came into the Institute, all in a tizzy about the meeting Mr. Forbes called.”
He nodded. Tom handed him Caro’s cup and he smiled at Becky. “See you.”
“Bye, Eli.”
Stepping into the bakery, he found Jane behind the counter. It was almost closing time, so he wasn’t surprised to find the place empty of customers.
“Hi, Jane. Where’s Caro?”
“Right here,” Caro said behind him.
He turned and just the sight of her started to lift him out his odd mood. Not caring that Jane was there, he bent his head and kissed Caro. Her lips moved just slightly against his and he made himself pull away.
“What was that for?” she asked with a smile.
“I’m taking my reward in advance.” He held out the latte he’d had made just to her specifications. “For you.”
She grinned up at him and that tightness in his chest loosened a little bit more. “Mmm, thank you.”
He sipped his own coffee, keeping his eyes on Caro as she brought her pert little nose to her cup and breathed in.
“You’re getting good at this, Eli.” She took a sip and smiled. “You know what I like.”
He wanted to point out that he knew a whole lot more about her than just how she took her coffee. Since their first time Saturday night, and every night since, he’d learned every inch of her body and just what made her sigh and scream.
“I’m a fast learner, Cupcake.”
***
Caro felt a rush of want course through her and she kept her hands on her cup of coffee to restrain herself. He was a fast learner, all right. Saturday night had been just the beginning, to her delight and surprise. They’d spent every night together since, although she’d always dragged herself home to her apartment. She hadn’t wanted to leave him or his big comfy bed, but she still had a business to run.
“So you have a meeting this afternoon?” she asked as she led him over to the nearest table.
Eli blinked. “Did Becky tell you?”
She shook her head and sat down. “Jessie. She ran in here to grab a tray of goodies to take to the meeting.”
She caught something in his tone, a nervousness she’d never seen in him before. He always appeared confident and sure.
“What’s this meeting about, Eli?” she asked.
“No clue.”
“That’s it, then.”
“What’s it?”
“You’re going into a meeting without any preparation.” She blew out a breath. “I don’t envy you, but you’ll hold your own.”
“Thanks Caro, but I’m sure I will. I just wish I knew what Mr. Forbes had planned.”
She finally reached out and touched his hand. “You’re worried about something, and I don’t think it’s just the meeting.”
For a split second he looked like he was going to unload some of the burden he was obviously carrying on his broad shoulders. Then he gave her his trademark grin and the moment was lost.
“I’m just thinking about having you over for dinner.”
She wanted to push, but she wasn’t in any position to demand he share more of himself. The parts of him he did share—his fun, his passion, a bit of his past—had to be enough for now.
“We’re having dinner at your place?”
“Or we can have, what did you say it was last time? Pot roast with your parents?”
She gave a dramatic shudder. “Don’t even tease about that.”
“Then you’ll have to come over for dinner. I’m cooking again.”
She smirked. “Again? Mac and cheese from a box and a bagged salad isn’t exactly cooking.”
“That was Monday night.”
“And Tuesday night.”
“Okay, okay. I can cook, you know.”
“You can certainly heat things up,” she said.
He gaped at her and then laughed. “Cupcake, giving as good as she gets. I like it.”
She flashed him her own cheeky grin.
“Tell me what you need for dinner and I’ll pick it up at the market,” she said.
“Meat, potatoes. Maybe onions. Whatever you like.”