Page 33 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Autumn knelt down and rubbed her ears. “Who’s the best girl?” she enthused, ignoring him.
“You’re nice toher,” Elijah muttered.
“Who couldn’t love this face?” She glanced up at him. “You, on the other hand, are not so loveable.”
Elijah shook his head and closed the lid on the piano. “Truce?” He extended his hand with a sigh.
“Truce.” Autumn took his hand, but Elijah pulled her towards him. Her body was crushed against his as he leant against the piano.
“But just in case—” he said, quickly snatching her sheet music.
“Give it back!” She reached up, their faces only inches apart. The scar on his lip was more defined up close. She wondered what had caused it, then felt angry that she even cared.
A sly smirk reached his eyes, and she blushed; her body was so close to his that she could only think about the contours of him against her. He dipped his head, and when she went to reach again for her work, she lost her balance. He caught her, and their lips brushed.
They both froze. His lips pressed against hers tasted like electricity.
Autumn pulled away, avoiding his gaze. Her whole body screamed at her for refusing his touch, but her mind told her to run.
“K-keep it,” she stammered, wondering why she suddenly felt so cold without his touch.
“It’s yours,” he said, offering her back her work.
She took her sheet music, his fingers grazing hers. Clearly, neither of them wanted to address the kiss, and she wasn’t going to be the first to bring it up.
“I’ll stop playing so loud in the morning if you keep it down in the evenings. Keep your door open so that Brinkley isn’t barking,” she offered.
His eyes narrowed, clearly suspicious.
“That way, we can both get some sleep and we won’t be disturbing each other’s work,” she added.
“I can make that work,” he said, nodding in agreement.
“Night, Elijah,” she grumbled, turning her back on him only to hear the soft padding of paws following her. “You, stay with him.”
Elijah laughed when Brinkley continued to follow her. “I don’t think she’s going to listen.”
“Fine! C’mon, girl.” At least if the dog was with her, she wouldn’t be making noise trying to get to Elijah.
“You let everyone into your bed so easily?” Elijah teased. Autumn refused to look back.
“Anyone except you,” she told him.
His low chuckle irritated her, but it was kind of nice to hear him laugh since the stress of their situation was clearly getting to the both of them. She didn’t hear his door close as she headed upstairs. Maybe they were making progress.
Brinkley hopped up and snuggled into Autumn’s duvet.
“Move over,” she said, but Brinkley didn’t budge. “How has this become my life?”
She had spent most of her life avoiding pets and plants because she found it hard enough to deal with her own day-to-day stuff. Now, because of Elijah, the two things she’d never let herself have were taking over her home. He was forcing her to face the boundaries she had placed on herself. She wasn’t sure whether she was grateful or annoyed about it.
With a fluffy love bug beside her, she couldn’t be angry at him. When she lay down, Brinkley rested her head on her stomach.
“Maybe you’ll keep the nightmares at bay,” Autumn said, stroking her head.
A thought struck her.I don’t think I’ve even had a nightmare since he moved in. It must be a coincidence,she thought, chewing her lower lip. It reminded her how soft his lips had been against hers.
She shoved her face into the pillow.
