Page 87 of All I Need

I take a seat in the front room in the same chair Ellie was straddling me on yesterday morning and a quick glance at Miss Polly tells me she knows exactly what I’m thinking. My palms start sweating and I do my best not to look her in the eye.

“Seems like just yesterday you were talking about your hard ass to my sweet, innocent Ellie.”

Oh holy hell.

“I was quite surprised you didn’t come over last night when I was playing bridge. She was all alone in this big house. I’m sure you two could have found some way to keep yourselves entertained.”

Holy shit. She’s not going to shut up.

“You need to take advantage of every opportunity you have, Walker. I thought I taught you better than that.”

Hurry up, Ellie.

“You need to lock it down. Maybe you should just go in without a condom. Get her pregnant. That’ll keep her around.”

My eyes widen and I jerk my head to face her. “Polly,” I gasp.

“Relax, Walker. I was just teasing you. You’re so on edge. I’m not gonna bite. At least not the same way you’re thinking of doing to Ellie,” she giggles.

I groan, drop my head back and send up a quick prayer to make Ellie get down here so she can put me out of my misery.

“What is happening?” I murmur.

“I’ve never seen you like this. Why are you so wound up?”

I bite my bottom lip, letting my teeth drag over the skin. Suddenly I hear something—or possibly someone—fall on the floor above me, causing the ceiling to shake just a little bit. Then I hear Ellie let out a string of curses. I move to stand but Polly stops me with a hand to my arm.

“She’s fine. I need you to calm down. You two act like you’re a couple teenagers going on your first date.”

I blow out a breath and shake the nerves out of my hands. “I really want tonight to be perfect,” I admit.

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? Have you met Ellie? She deserves a perfect date.”

“You think she gives a hoot? She came home covered in cow poo and cow… other stuff… the other day and was happier than I’ve ever seen her.”

That’s all I need to hear for excitement to replace any nervousness I was feeling.

“Ellie!” I shout, moving to the bottom of the stairs. “Either get your sweet ass down here or I’m coming up there.”

“I’m ready. I’m coming!”

“I never realized you were such an ass man,” Miss Polly says from behind me.

“Hurry!” I holler, wanting this to end.

Then…

My breath catches.

My heart races.

My mouth goes dry.

My pants get a little tighter.

And my future is brighter.

---