Page 27 of Wild Love

7

ELI

Icouldn't stop thinking about the night I'd cooked dinner with Scarlett. I'd never cooked with another woman like that.

When you shared a meal with someone, that meant something. And I could tell myself that spending time with Scarlett was fulfilling an obligation to Chance. But I couldn't ignore the fact that it made me feel good.

We'd sat outside by the fire, talking for hours about our childhoods. She was enraptured by the stories of my adventures with my brothers, both then and now.

My plan was to find out more about her, but she'd kept the focus squarely on me. I wondered if she'd done that on purpose, if she purposely deflected to keep the attention away from her. Was she tired of being judged and found lacking?

I found her intriguing. She was nothing like how I thought she'd be. I assumed she'd be selfish and immature, only caring about herself. But I suspected she felt deeply when it came to Chance and their parents.

She didn't want to hurt them, but at the same time, I thinkshe felt like she was doing everyone a favor by leaving. I wasn't sure why I thought that. It was just a sense that I had.

Ever since, I'd resisted the urge to stop by for dinner, to see if she needed help. It was important I respect her space. I wanted her to get a sense of accomplishment from doing it on her own. We'd exchanged phone numbers that night. I'd said it was in case she needed anything. As her landlord, it made sense, but I wanted it for a more personal reason.

When I texted to ask her how dinner went the next night, she sent me a picture of spaghetti and meatballs. She'd said it wasn't as tasty as the chicken we'd made. But I said it looked great. I was proud of her for taking the time to learn how to cook and that I could give her the kitchen to do so.

Selfishly, I hoped she'd stay. It would make Chance happy, and that was important to me. But at the same time, I felt like she belonged here. She was running away, not figuring anything out.

Maybe she'd learn more about herself if she settled in one place, even if it was for a short while.

I'd taken a lot of cold showers, trying not to think about what she'd look like in the bathtub. I wondered if she took advantage of the rooftop pool or the hot tub. I'd purposely stayed away, wanting to give her privacy.

Tonight was Friday, and I could have grabbed a drink with my brothers or even Chance, but everyone was busy with something or the other.

In my condo, I took off my suit and changed into jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. I rarely dressed in anything but a suit. But I wanted to be more casual with Scarlett.

I ordered take-out to be delivered by my staff to the rooftop deck, then texted Scarlett.

Eli: I ordered too much food. Want to help me eat it?

Scarlett responded with a picture of something charred in a casserole dish and a caption that said:

You saved my night.

I wanted to do more than that, but I'd settle for feeding her. I was supposed to be keeping an eye on her after all.

Eli: Meet me on the roof.

I grabbed a bottle of wine and a corkscrew before taking the access stairs to the roof. I turned on the heaters and settled into the kitchen area where there were tables and cushioned chairs. I wasn't going to suggest jumping in the hot tub, but I wouldn't say no either.

A few minutes later, the door burst open, and Scarlett breezed through. "You're a lifesaver."

Her gratitude made me feel like a hero. "I ordered too much food and took a chance you hadn't eaten."

She wore a dress over tights and boots. "It's actually warm."

I handed her the glass of wine. "I turned on the heaters."

"I think I'm in love with you," she said as she took a sip of wine. Then her eyes widened.

"I knew what you meant." I kicked my feet up on the ottoman. It was a beautiful, clear night so we could see the stars and the mountains. The chilly air was tempered by the fire and the heaters. It was the perfect night, and I finally had someone to share it with.

Scarlett mimicked my position, kicking up her feet and resting back on the chair. "It's gorgeous out here."

But my gaze was on her. Her cheeks were flush, probably from her ruined dinner, and her hair was up in a messy bun. I wanted to tug the pins out and watch as it tumbled around hershoulders. I shouldn't be thinking about what she'd look like under those clothes. She wasn't mine and never would be.

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