Page 44 of Stumped

I laugh and highlight the paragraph I’ve been staring at for the last fifteen minutes. “I don’t know how else to be.” Ever since my first job at twenty-two, I haven’t flipped the switch tooff. I’m better at taking mental health days of late, but I’m always connected to the job. Being a CEO means even when I’m on holiday, I have to be available.

“Maybe I can help,” he mumbles.

“How?”

His hand slides higher up my thigh and under my robe, fingers dancing over the crotch of my sleep shorts. I bite my lip and try to focus on my work, but it’s totally pointless. He returns to nuzzling me and I finally give up on getting any more work done by slamming my laptop shut. Elias laughs, a warm puff of air brushing against my neck before our lips are connected. He cradles the back of my head and pulls me closer, dragging one of my legs over his lap. Coffee, work and everything is completely forgotten as his hands start wandering under my clothes, tryingto reach all the other parts of me. I grunt when he cups my breast through my thin tank top and it turns into a moan when he pinches my nipple.

“Back to bed,” I manage to mutter.

We rush into the bedroom where he tosses me into bed while stripping me of my layers. It’s probably the fastest I’ve ever gotten naked and when my legs are draped over his shoulders, I’m not complaining.

“Holy shit,”he pants, collapsing on his back as I work to catch my breath.

“I agree.”

“I don’t think bodies are supposed to do that.”

I laugh at his breathless words and scoot closer, draping one leg over his waist. While I’ve never decided to work from home for the sake of sex with my fuck buddy before, I’m glad he distracted me. His fingers trace my side, along the six lines of Malayalam.

“What does this say?”

“My family’s names,” I explain, remembering how emotional my mother was when she saw it. “My parents, siblings and Tamara.”

He hums and drags his fingers down my spine. “And this one?”

“My star sign and a few of my favourite things.” The thin line runs from the nape of my neck, all the way down to my tailbone. In the centre of my back are minimal tattoos of flowers, the sun, waves and the Gemini symbol.

As he continues to touch my bare skin, goosebumps follow his touch. I snuggle deeper into his side, lips ghosting over his shoulder in soft kisses. I’m still exhausted, but now it’s a pleasant kind of worn out.

“Where did you learn those moves?”

“Yoga,” I mumble.

“No fucking way.”

“Haven’t practised it in years, but my body can still bend in all the right ways.” I shift, ready to get up, but he grabs my chin and directs my mouth to his. The kiss sends electric sparks through me, making me shiver. Every touch and contact since we met has felt this way, so I shouldn’t be surprised. I’mstillwary though. It’s easier to keep someone at a distance with sex than give them everything else and be left in the dust.Again.

“Where did you go?” he asks softly and realise I wasn’t reciprocating.

“Sorry, making lists in my head.” It’s the dumbest excuse, but I’m not ready to tell him about my past.

“So sexy,” he mumbles and captures my mouth again, grabbing my ass in the process. I gasp when his finger dips between my thighs to tease me. “And still so fucking wet.”

“I can’t,” I whine, rocking against him anyway. I’m so sore and need a moment to catch my breath before he destroys me again. As horny as I might be, Elias’ ability to bounce back so quickly is havoc on my health.

So I nudge him away and sit up, gathering my hair into a messy bun. He’s watching me, but I don’t look because he’ll distract me again. My focus right now is washing up and getting something to eat. Robe on and libido under control, I turn to the bed and he’s watching me with an infuriatingly sexy smirk.

I laugh and flip him off. “Get up. I need to change the sheets.”

Reluctantly, and very dramatically, he obeys and tosses the condom away. I strip the bed and carry everything to the utilityarea, adding it to my very full machine before turning it on. When I return, he’s standing in the middle of the room, still smiling.

“Shower?”

“No funny business.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the picture of innocence.”

I poke his stomach as I head into the bathroom and turn the shower on. I toss my robe to the side and step under the water. My muscles sigh at the hot temperature and I turn around to see Elias frowning deeply.

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