Page 36 of Stumped

Everything.The night we met, she was confident and captivating, and now she’s accomplished, beautiful, powerful andownsa whole ass company. I might have lots of money to my name, but I’m…

“I’m an injured cricket player with nothing else to offer.”

“And what do you think I need you to offer me, Elias?”

I don’t know how to answer the question. What can I offer her she doesn’t already have?

“Elias.”

“You’re okay slumming it with me?”

She narrows her eyes. “I didn’t realise I wasslummingit.”

“You’re all of these incredible things, Vera. I’m…not. I feel like maybe I overestimated what I brought to our…relationship.”

“Sex, food, friendship, company…what more could I want?”

“Someone with far more accomplishments, maybe?”

Vera slides off my lap. “You think because I own a company I need someone with the same thing?” When she puts it that way, it sounds silly. “I have met tons of people with the same job and they have zero charm or personality. Their lives revolve aroundtheir jobs and they certainly don’t know how to have fun. From the night we met, you’ve kept me on my toes.”

Either because of the way my past relationships ended or because I don’t see myself as anyone special, I truly do believe I don’t deserve someone like Vera. My exes broke up with me because I had nothing to offer them. I believed I was a good boyfriend, taking them out and spending money on them and finding time to see them. But clearly they wanted more. When I asked what themorewas, neither could give me a proper answer. So I figured I was the problem. That I lacked something they couldn’t put their finger on, something they wanted but couldn’t get from me.

All these years, I let their opinions make me believe I’m notenough.

“I’m not slumming it with you. I don’t even wantanyoneelse. I could have gone home with anybody in that bar, anybody on that rooftop. You think I picked you because you were there?”

“Why did you pick me?”

“Because you’re the only person I’ve met inyearsthat made me stop and stare. You might not know this, but you have an incredible effect on people around you.”

I scoff, blushing as I shake my head. “I think you’re talking about yourself.”

“I know the effect I have on people. Last night, every woman on the roof was watchingyou. You stared me and Florian down, but everyone else wanted you. Three of the women with me asked Florian for your number.”

“Did he give it to them?”

She snorts. “Yes.”

“Because he knew if he distracted them with me, he could have you.”

“Elias.” She’s back in my lap, hands framing my face. “I don’t care for ego stroking. But I wantyou. The reasons are not important. All that matters is it’s you and me. Okay?”

It’s one thing to feel her need for me when her body responds. But to hear her say the words? Fuck, it blows me away.Maybe I’m enough after all.

“Now…” she peels her shirt off, leaving her completely naked and my mouth drops open. “Can I show you how much Ineedyou?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I flip her over, eliciting a surprised squeal as I pin her to the bed. She winds her arms and legs around me and with the covers out of the way, our hips are flush, my dick thickening as I rub against her.

“I want you too, by the way. Of every woman I’ve ever met, you’re all I’ve everwanted,” I mumble and kiss her, our lips and tongues doing the talking.

Twelve. Being paid to stalk you

Vera

It’s been a few days since I returned from Mumbai and I miss sex with Elias. I also misshim. He makes me laugh and is a good cuddle buddy, when I want to be cuddled, of course. But I’ve drawn my lines and I will stick to them, no matter what. Being so out of the loop with cricket and the ICL, I don’t know the format or their schedule. I usually wait for him to text me about where he is, what he’s doing and when I get to see him next.

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