“Weak?”
“Yeah, it was okay, but you know . . . nothing to write home about.”
“Really?” He pushes his hips forward, allowing me to feel that he’s very affected by our kiss. My head falls back, and I use every ounce of strength inside to keep up my bravado. “You think so?”
“I’m just telling you how it is.”
I’m playing with fire and I welcome the burn. I see the heat in his eyes, and I’m more than willing to dance closer to the flames.
Eli studies me like a lion about to strike his prey. Each movement is calculating, and I know I’m going to be one happy gazelle. His lips hover above mine, washing his warm breath over my own. I keep my eyes open, playing the part I’ve created. My pulse races as he stares at me.
His hand grazes my neck, sliding down my shoulder before he runs his fingers across my arm. “I know you’re lying, baby. I know because of the way you kiss me.” His lips barely touch mine before he retreats, and I smother a whimper. “I know because I can feel how hot you are. I can see the way your body is asking for me, even if you’re not. If I touched you, Heather, would you come? Would you fall apart at my touch?”
I could come just from this. “Maybe you should find out.” I dare him again.
Eli smiles and leans back so we’re no longer touching. His hands frame my head, using the wall to keep him upright. “I have plans today for us, but tonight, baby . . . tonight we’re going to find out a lot.”
I move forward, kissing him softly. “We’ll just see about that.”
Chapter 15
Heather
“Busch Gardens?” I ask with a groan. I love this place, don’t get me wrong, but Eli isn’t just a guy. He’s Eli fucking Walsh. Everyone knows him, and I assumed today was another private or semi-private day. For some reason, I figured he wouldn’t take me where a million people with cell phones would see us.
“Relax.” He takes my hand, twisting his fingers with mine.
“Eli, I’m not ready for this.”
He tilts his head. “Ready for what?”
I sigh, not wanting to spell it out. “For us to be public when we’re not even sure what this is.”
“I promise, this isn’t what you think.”
I eye him carefully, not sure what the hell that means. “It’s an amusement park that’s always filled, what could I be misinterpreting? I’m not ready to be public. You have no idea what that’ll do to me. To be exposed to the world when I’m not even sure what we are. If people see us, they’ll know. I don’t have the life you do. I’m a poor cop, living in a broken-down house, and I have a dying sister. My life isn’t glamour, photos, and money. I just wish you would’ve warned me.”
His thumb grazes the top of my hand before he lets go and exits the car.
I freaking hate that he does that. I like knowing what’s coming, and Eli likes to keep me in suspense. I’m going to have a talk with him about this.
After a few minutes of trying to get myself prepared, I exit the car. He’s leaning against the bumper and looking off toward the gates.
“Eli?”
“I know my world comes with a crazy amount of shit. I get that your life is pretty simple in that you have privacy, family, friends, and a job that doesn’t come with paparazzi.” There’s a little bit of sadness in his voice. “I thought long and hard about today. I didn’t come to this decision easily, and I assure you, your privacy won’t be compromised.” When I take another step closer, he moves back. “I have other sides that makes me who I am, Heather. Things that I want you to see and be a part of. Things that I value and have nothing to do with boats, houses, and cars.”
He lets me move toward him this time and guilt twists in my stomach. I never realized that he may feel judged by me. That’s never been my intention. I’m not one to judge anyone, and Eli has never made me feel small or less.
“I’m so sorry,” I say as I touch his arm. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I don’t think your life is just glamour, and if I insinuated that, I’m truly sorry.”
His eyes meet mine, and he rocks back on his heels. “I want you to see me, Heather. I want you to see the things that make me who I am, and they’re not fame.”
“I never thought that’s who you are, Eli.”
He extends his hand, and I don’t hesitate to take it. He’s right—this isn’t about whatever people are going to think, it’s about Ellington and me. It’s about the man who keeps coming around, making me smile, and making me feel special.
Eli kisses my cheek and lets out a heavy sigh. “Let’s go.”
For the first time since we entered the parking garage, I look around. Where are all the cars? I count a total of twelve. Twelve cars on a Wednesday at Busch Gardens? I know it’s a weekday, but this place is always packed.
“Where is everyone?”
“I told you it wasn’t what you thought.”
Did he rent out the damn park? My heart starts to race as my mind goes crazy. What did he do? “Eli,” I say his name tentatively. “Why is no one here?”
He smiles and squeezes my hand. “I know your cop senses are flashing, but for once, just trust me and relax.”
Cop senses? Huh. Now that he says that, I guess I do have them. I’m naturally untrusting and always want information. It’s power in my job and allows me to stay safe. If I’m not informed when I run into a call, I might get shot, which would suck.
“I can do that,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster.
Eli chuckles, which I ignore. He doesn’t realize that I may have cop senses, but I’m also extremely competitive. If he doubts my ability to do something, I will find a way to do it. So, he wants me to relax, game on, buddy.
We get to the front gate, and they let us right in. I open my mouth to ask him another question and quickly close it.
We wait in the front and a man comes over. “Mr. Walsh, good morning. I’m Mr. Shea, I’ll be making sure today goes smoothly. Your publicist called and gave all the names over, they’ve all been added to the list. Timothy should be here in the next ten minutes.”
“Great.” Eli’s voice is full of authority. “This is Ms. Covey, she’ll be with me through the day, and I’d like to ensure whatever she needs or wants during the day will be tended to.”
Mr. Shea agrees. “Of course.”
“Timothy is obviously my main concern. I want him to have the time of his life. Have the harnesses been acquired?” Eli questions. I probably look a bit crazy as my attention bounces back and forth between the two.
“Yes, we have everything that his team listed.”
“Timothy?” I ask aloud. Does he have a kid? Am I meeting his son? Panic starts to flood, and Eli grips my hand tighter.
“He’s an eleven-year-old kid from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Timothy has terminal cancer, and one of his wishes was to meet me and ride some roller coasters. So, I rented out the park for the day so Timothy and I can ride until he’s content. We have a big day in store for him.”