His attention.

Only Elliot's attention will do.

That's what terrifies me.

I open my eyes and stare up at him.

"I'm saving as much as I can, as quickly as I can, and people like my content. It's all frosting. My day job pays my bills but the pictures…"

He crowds me against the wall, caging me in.

"Right. They're frosting."

I'm so wet and it has nothing to do with flying ass over tits into a lake. It's the way Elliot gently kisses my forehead, as if he can't help himself. Can't hold back a second longer, but is unsure of his welcome.

"Are you mad?" I whisper, because suddenly this is all so real and his opinion has always carried so much weight with me.

"No, kitten, I'm not mad. Disappointed that you didn't come to me. That you didn't let me help you. But I understand why you didn't."

I nod, then blink up at the man I measure all others against.

It's no wonder my dating life is nonexistent. I've always been judging everyone and finding them lacking. They're all rulers and he's a yardstick.

I lick my lips because, despite the steam, I feel parched. "How did you know I was here?"

He drops to his knees again, moving to my other leg, rolling down the stocking, lifting my foot. I’m keenly aware of the fact that I’m no longer wearing panties. He knows it. I know it. My muscles tremble with anticipation.

He smirks, looking way too handsome for my own good. "I get a notification any time someone enters this place." He wiggles his wrist, showing off his watch.

Oh.

I guess I should have figured that. He loves his technology.

"So how close are you to your goal?"

And that's what I love about him. It's not how far away I am. It's how close. Because he's nothing if not optimistic.

"Ten thousand or so."

He nods, kisses my knee and then stands.

I swear I'm going to swoon. Maybe I'm overheated now. Something. I just— he?—

"So here's the plan," he says, taking my hands, "you're going to forgive me for being a dumbass."

He lifts my hands and presses a kiss to my knuckles.

Maybe I hit my head on a rock out there.

Did I drown? Is this heaven?

I'm either dreaming or dead, because I've only seen this look in Elliot's eyes in my dreams.

Desire. Pining. A plea.

He's got a bit more silver in his sideburns than the last time I saw him. But he's still handsome as always. Even in a soaked shirt and ridiculously sexy, dark jeans.

"And we're going to start again,” he continues. “But this time, I'm going to kiss you."