“I’m sorry,” I whisper, more so because I feel bad for Elijah, but also because this whole night went south and simply because I was there.
“Don’t you dare apologize. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. If anyone should be sorry, it’s me.” Elijah grips the steering wheel like it’s done something wrong.
“I should have stood up for you more. Hell, I shouldn’t have even brought you in the first place. It was fucking stupid of me. I actually thought I could show my dad how happy we are. I thought that if he sees us together he would finally realize that not all women are like my mom. Obviously fucking not, and the worst part is that he ended up hurting you. Fuck!” He slams his hand against the side of the steering wheel.
“I should have fucking known better.”
Reaching for him without thinking, I place my hand on his thigh. The need to console him overpowering.
“It’s not your fault either. You didn’t ask for your mom to leave and you definitely didn’t ask for your dad to grow bitter and cold because of it.” Elijah’s thigh tenses beneath my hand, but I continue, “He can think whatever he wants to think about me. The only thing that matters is what you think.”
Instantly Elijah’s mood does a one-eighty, his eyes turning almost somber. “You don’t think I actually believe him, do you?”
“I don’t, but he’s your father, and it’s obvious he doesn’t support our relationship. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to end our relationship somehow.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, voice hard.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I just wouldn’t be surprised if he does something to try and break us up. He doesn’t approve of you being with anyone, and I have to admit it has me wondering if your fear of commitment, of relationships stems from your father.”
He scowls, his eyes darkening. “I’m fucked up, Sunflower. I can’t commit and half of the time, I question myself, but trust me, it’s not because of my father. He doesn’t help matters, obviously, but it’s not all on him.”
Pulling back, I shift in my seat. “I’m sorry for assuming, but it definitely looks like he has done more damage than good.”
I try not to take my anger toward his father out on him, but it’s hard because when I look at Elijah, I see a man molded by his father’s mistakes and past. I don’t want him to give up on me because of it. We have come so far, I don’t know what I would do if I’d lose him now over this.
“Look, can we not fight? I don’t want to fight with you, especially not over my father. He has nothing to do with us. I want you, you want me, and that’s all that matters. Nothing he ever says will change that. Never, you’re it for me.”
I soften instantly, because the last thing I want is to fight and how could I, when he says things like that.
“No fighting. You’re right, it’s you and me, we are all that matters.” I grab his hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’re nothing like your father, and I want you to know that I know that. You’re a pure gentleman, Elijah, and I’m so damn glad to have you in my life.”
He shoots a smile my way, and I wonder if it can get any better than this? Maybe happily ever afters do exist? Maybe he was always right, maybe we could have our cake and eat it too?
14
Elijah
* * *
As soon as we cross the threshold of the apartment and I close the door behind us, turning the lock into place before I pounce on her. Tonight I’m going to take my time, sip her body like it’s a fine wine. I’m going to show her what it feels like to be in love with her. I will take her nice and slow, savoring every second, like I should have done our first night together.
Gripping the hem of her dress, I tug it upward, earning a delightful squeal. She doesn’t stop me, in fact, she helps, lifting her arms so I can pull it up and off of her. I toss the fabric to the floor and let my gaze sweep over her. Perfect, absolute fucking perfection.
She looks up at me with doe eyes, so soft, and delicate, and doll-like. If my cock wasn’t already hard, it would be now. Reaching out, I cup her by the cheek, and lean in, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss isn’t anything like we’ve shared before. It’s passionate, gentle, slow. My heart rate buzzes in my ears, my lungs burn with the need for oxygen, while I continue kissing her.
Pulling away, I start to pepper kisses across her jaw and down her throat, her pulse jumping as my lips skim against it.
“I want you,” she whines and with little effort, I shove the straps on her bra down her shoulders, my fingers trailing over her creamy, smooth skin.
“Soon, Sunflower, tonight I’m savoring you.” I bend down and pick her up, my hands palming her plump ass cheeks. I bring her to my chest and carry her into the bedroom, placing her down on the bed. Someday I’ll claim every hole in her body as mine, but tonight I’m just going to focus on giving her pleasure, making her feel what I feel inside.
“I’m going to kiss every inch of your beautiful body,” I say, leaning over and planting a soft kiss to her stomach.
“I’m going to caress every part of you.” I place my index finger on her collarbone and drag it over her shoulder and down her arm, watching as she shivers beneath my touch.
“I’m going to love every curve.” I let my fingers travel down her ribs and all the way down to her hips.
“I won’t leave any part of you untouched. I want to worship your body, make certain that you feel how much I love you. Actions speak louder than words, and I’m going to show you just how loud my love for you roars.”
“You don’t have to go slow. I know how much you love me.” Her eyes gleam with lust, and I’ll bet anything the moment I sink my fingers into her cunt I’ll find her soaked, dripping with need.
“It’s not about having to, it’s about wanting to, needing it,” I tell her while moving ever so slowly. Dipping my fingers into the waistband of her panties, I pull them down her legs, tossing them over my shoulder. Then I nudge her legs apart and drop down to my knees on the floor. Bailey moves against the bedsheets, pushing up onto her elbows so she can see what I’m doing, and I won’t lie, it’s hot as fuck that she wants to see me touch her.
Skimming a finger over her glistening folds, I listen as she sucks air deeply into her lungs. My finger moves gingerly down her slit, and to her entrance. I dip just the tip of it inside, holding it there while moving to press my face against her pussy.
I inhale deeply, wanting to embed her scent deep into my mind. There is nothing like this woman, nothing in the world. With my nose, I nudge between her slit, rubbing against that tight bundle of nerves there. Her legs part farther, beckoning me onward.
“Elijah… you’re killing me,” she pants above me before reaching out and tangling her fingers into my hair, the feeling unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
“Mmm…” I mumble against her clit, my tongue darting out and flicking against the little bead. Pushing my finger deeper into her channel, I relish in the tightness, in the wetness that coats the thick digit.
She’s so fucking responsive, like an instrument that I was made to play.