Page 17 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“I think you deserve a lie-in,” he muttered. Without his morning coffee, he didn’t have the energy to argue. “Are you going to stop playing and go to bed if I ask nicely?”
The corner of her mouth twitched with a smile. “Not a chance.”
“Okay, then you leave me no choice.” Before she could respond, he leaned forward and threw her over his shoulder.
“Hey! You can’t—” she panted, slapping his back. “You can’t do this! You said I could practise whenever I wanted!”
He held her tight, his arm around her thighs.This morning is looking up.Then he realised that being so close to her, feeling her body against his, might not be the best idea.
“Not before dawn. I think that’s enough practice for one morning. We could both do with sleep—the extra hours might put you in a better mood,” he said as she tried to squirm out of his hold.
“I was in a perfectly fine mood until you interrupted,” she insisted, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.
“Judging from how you were playing, I very much doubt it,” Elijah said, dropping her lower down his back a little. The threat of the fall forced her to cling to his waist.
“You’d better not drop me,” she squealed as he walked down the hall. “You can’t tell me when I canandcan’t practise!” Her voice was muffled.
“No, I can’t, but I can stop you from waking me at six o’clock!”
She stopped wriggling when he started up the stairs.
“You can’t just manhandle me like this,” she argued.
“The more you fight, the more I’m enjoying this,” he told her, his voice low, and she stopped moving.
“Pig,” she grumbled.
Elijah chuckled, kicking open her bedroom door before he dumped her on the unmade bed. “Stay put and get some sleep, or, for the love of God, letmesleep,” he said, his hands in prayer position.
“Stay? I’m not a dog,” she snapped. “I was practising—this is my job. I told you living together wouldn’t work. If you don’t want a morning call every day, then I suggest you find other accommodation.”
“No, you were getting revenge because I locked you out in the rain. The poor piano was the victim. If you were practising, it wouldn’t have sounded like you were trying to break the keys.”
Autumn glared at him. She tried to stand, and he placed his hands on either side of her on the bed. He watched her swallow as she stared up at him.
“With compliments like that, I’m not surprised you’re single,” she said.
“How do you know I’m single? Or is that just wishful thinking?” he asked, his interest piqued.
She leaned away, but she couldn’t go far. “I don’t care. God help the poor woman who gets stuck with you!” she said, folding her arms.
“Right now, that’s you,” he said.
She placed a hand on his chest, trying to push him away. However, he watched her blush as her hand settled on his bare chest.
A tense silence fell between them. Being so close to her, in her room, felt like the last place he should be. He followed her gaze from his chest to his face, and he wanted to brush the strand of hair that had fallen over her face, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. She couldn’t know the effect she was having on him. He wouldn’t let her have the satisfaction, not until he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.Christ, what is she doing to me? I hardly know her,he thought, straightening up.
Thankfully, she spoke first.
“You might be able to take over my house, but thisismyroom. Get out,” she ordered, her chest rising and falling quickly. He wished he could harness her energy for something they would both enjoy.
“Fine, I’m leaving,” he said, staring down at her, “but unless you want me to tie you to the damn headboard, stay put andawayfrom the piano.” He winked, hoping she would defy him. He would love any excuse to tie her up.
However, he was quickly disappointed when she covered her bare legs with her duvet. He’d been too distracted by their fight to even notice the tiny shorts she wore.
“Fine, you win. But I did warn you about my playing, which you decided to ignore,” she said, reminding him of how he’d said it wouldn’t bother him. Then again, he hadn’t expected her to be playing before the break of dawn. When their eyes met, he saw her plotting her revenge, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit he was looking forward to it.
He closed the door and went back downstairs, feeling too wound up to go back to sleep.She’s going to be harder to win over than I thought.His stomach rumbled. Hunting through the fridge, all he could find was a heap of chopped vegetables in assorted containers. He had never seen so much meal prep.She clearly likes her life organised.The top shelf contained a box labelledBreakfast.Lifting out a pink container, Elijah found overnight oats labelled ‘Vegan’ topped with fruit and nuts.She might get angry if I eat this, but she has a couple more,he thought, trying to resist, but it smelt so good.One bite won’t hurt, and I did get her dinner last night…He took a small mouthful.
