Page 119 of Shelter
I watched her lick her lips and swallow, that nervous vulnerability now so obvious.
“…you’d come with me if I asked?”
My grin was automatic. “Honestly?” I zeroed in on her kiss-swollen lips, ready to return to them. “You’re going to have a hard time keeping me away.”
Her blush and her smile competed for territory, and she bit her bottom lip before I could do it myself. She looked so shy and lovely, tenderness and desire held a tug-of-war in my soul.
Elise arched a brow at me. “Do you plan to put me down anytime soon?”
I pulled my lips to one side and gave a half shrug. “That depends.”
“On what?” she asked, amusement sparking in her eyes.
I sighed with mock consternation. “Well, if you let me put you on the bed, that’d happen pretty soon.” I nodded sternly. “But if you’re against that, we might be here a while.”
Her answering giggle echoed in my arms and across my chest. I swear, the sensation stole my breath.
Smiling, she glanced over her right shoulder before looking back up at me. “It looks like a very nice bed,” she said softly.
I nodded again with pretend sobriety. “It’s an excellent bed. I can vouch for it personally.”
“Oh, can you?’
I took two steps toward the bed. “Of course, you should see for yourself.” I shrugged again. “I mean, I wouldn’t ask you to take my word for it.”
Standing there with her clasped against me, teasing her, playing with her, staring into those eyes the color of Tupelo honey, I shed the years like ill-fitting clothes. I could have been twenty-five or twenty-one. Or even nineteen.
Elise brought her hand to my face, the thrill of her touch humming through me. “You look…” She searched my face, looking mystified.
“Happy?” I offered, knowing it was true.
Her expression softened even as her eyes turned somber. Elise’s fingers traced down my cheek and then up the line of my jaw until they brushed over the shell of my ear. I wanted to moan in pleasure, but Elise’s sigh awoke me. I narrowed my focus on the sadness in her gaze.
“What is it?”
Her chest rose and fell, and I could see her debating her response. I waited. I’d wait all night if I had to.
Still stroking my ear, she lowered her lashes before looking back at me. “I’ve…” She swallowed then, and I realized she was struggling to speak. “I’ve never been able to forget you… I’ve missed you so much.”
I crossed the room in two strides and mounted the bed, still cradling her. Rolling us over until she lay on her back, I searched her eyes. Were those tears she was trying to blink away? Was this what it felt like to be speared through the chest?
“Elise, I never forgot you,” I swore. “I should have come back sooner. I never should have left. Every word I wrote you in that letter was true.”
“I-I know. I’m being stupid,” she stammered, nodding her head with jerky little nods.
I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m the one who’s been stupid.”
Elise swallowed with effort again, clearly fighting for her composure. Her eyes still shone, but she hadn’t let even one tear fall. “No, no. I just needed to tell you how much…” She bit her bottom lip, her eyes round as buttons. She blinked as though their gathering wetness could be air-dried. Despite how vulnerable she’d looked in my arms moments before, I knew my Elise hated vulnerability. Her chest swelled, and a familiar resolve stole over her features. “…how much it means to be with you again. Thank you.”
As always, her grit and her guts left me in awe. Did she have any idea how remarkable she was?
“Elise,” I whispered. Then I dipped my head and brushed my lips against hers. “You’re here, in my bed. I think I should be thanking you.”
She glanced around as though taking in her surroundings for the first time. “Iamin your bed.” And then Elise brought her hands to her face, covering her eyes. “Oh, my God. I’m in your bed.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I asked, barely keeping the laughter from my voice. Her hands covered everything except her delicate nose, her delicious mouth, and her dainty chin. I placed a light kiss on each in turn.
I lifted my hand and traced my pinky over the border of her lips. “My bed is the perfect place to stretch out and talk all night,” I said innocently before dragging the little finger over the rise of her chin and down the slope of her neck. “Or we could put it to other uses. The choice is entirely up to you.”
