Page 164 of Return Policy

“Oh, really?” he mumbles into my hair.

“Yes.”

“I was only gone a few hours.”

“I know… But it was a few hours too long.” He pulls away, and I turn so we’re facing one another. “I wanted to apologize.”

His brows furrow. “What for?”

“You took me home, shared all the parts of your life that are hard for you to talk about… and I made it all about me.” I swallow hard. “I didn’t consider the fact you might have taken me home so youcouldshare all those parts of you with me.”

He brushes a hair behind my ear before placing his warm palm on my face. “You have no reason to apologize. Yes, I was happy I finally got to share all those things with you. But I do think I should’ve told you sooner… and for that,I’msorry.”

“How about we call it even?”

He leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. “Deal.”

“I have one more thing to apologize for though,” I mumble against his lips.

“What’s that?”

I take a deep breath, choosing not to let the lion of my nightmares keep me from opening myself to him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I love you back.” He pulls further away and stares down at me with an unreadable expression. “Elijah…” I place my hand on the side of his face, and he leans into it. “I love youback.”

He smiles wide. “I told you so, Sunflower.”

“You love saying that, don’t you?”

“Yeah.” He chuckles and pulls me on top of him. “I really do.”

I roll my eyes before turning serious again. “I love you, Elijah.”

He rubs his thumb along my jaw. “I love you too.” His hands wander down to my waist, nudging my T-shirt upward. “Let me show you just how much.” His warm, rough palms glide along my skin before he lifts the shirt up and over my head, tossing it to the floor. He flips me onto my back, then leans down toward my breast and sucks my nipple into his mouth. I arch my back as he nibbles on it and takes the other one in his grasp.

“Elijah,” I moan as he places his muscular thigh between my legs, and I grind against it.

“Damn, baby,” he grumbles against my skin. “Do that again.”

I repeat the motion, and he dips a hand down, cupping my throbbing center. He brings both hands to my waist, pushing my sleep shorts and panties off in one motion. I want to joke about him not ripping my thong tonight, but I’m too turned on to utter a single syllable.

“I love you,” he says in a low, gravelly tone just before kissing my stomach. “I love you.” He kisses each of my hip bones. “I love you.” He trails kisses from my toes to my collarbone, sucking lightly on the sensitive skin. “I love you.” He hovers over my face, then leans down and kisses me delicately on the lips.

“And I love you, Honey Bee.”

He places a palm on the side of my neck, rubbing his thumb along my throat.Seth’s hand wraps around my windpipe, making it difficult to breathe.I shake my head, pushing away the unwelcome memory.

Elijah yanks his hand away. “Shit, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I swallow hard, nodding softly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think—”

“I’m good. Let’s focus on the now. Okay?” I reach out, rubbing a finger along his dark, scruffy jaw. “Just you and me.”

“Really, I’m sorry. I di—”

“You. And. Me.”

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