Page 49 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Together, they floated until the air grew colder and her exhausted body told her it was time to go. Once they had changed, they spent the journey home in a comfortable silence.
Chapter Seventeen
Elijah
ELIJAH TOOK THE long way home to prolong the journey, angry at himself for not kissing her when he’d had the chance. He hadn’t wanted it to seem as though he was taking advantage of such a vulnerable moment. He could see how hard it was for her to open up, and he wanted her to feel comfortable with him and go at whatever pace she needed. Perhaps getting her to come with him to the beach was victory enough for one day, but he’d loved the feeling of Autumn’s arms wrapped around him.
He didn’t want the day to end—he wanted to draw it out for as long as possible—but as home came into view, he knew it couldn’t last.
“Dibs on taking the first shower,” Autumn said, opening the front door. She smiled back at him as if daring him to follow her. There was something light in her demeanour that he hadn’t seen before. It was like the water had washed the weight from her shoulders.
“Nice try. You just want to use up all the water,” he argued playfully, grabbing her around the waist as she tried to run up the stairs. He wasn’t going to give her a chance to run away from him, to put up another wall between them.
“I won’t! We called a truce.” She squirmed in his grasp, but the way she placed her hands over his told him she didn’t want him to let go.
“I don’t think I believe you,” he whispered in her ear.
“You’ll have to trust me.” She glanced up at him over her shoulder and kissed his cheek.
The sudden contact surprised him enough to release her. He beamed, watching her hurry up the stairs, but it only took a few long strides to catch her before she reached the landing.
“Nice try.” He held her close, and she gazed up at him through her long lashes.
“I think a cold shower would do you good,” she said, pressing her hips against him.
She might be right.
“We could always…share?” His lips gently brushed against her neck, a silent question, not wanting to push her too far. He heard her breath catch, and he had to swallow his desire to pin her to the wall and consume every inch of her.
“We could, but…” she teased.
He loosened his grip, giving her enough room to break free if she wanted to. She stepped up onto the last step, but with her focus on him, she slipped onto the carpet. A small gasp escaped her as he caught her. They landed on the carpet at the top of the landing.
“Are you okay?” Elijah worried, leaning over her and searching her body for any trace of injury.
Autumn burst out laughing. “You should see your face! I won’t break.” She rested a hand against his cheek, and he leant into her touch. “I’m fine. You caught me.”
Elijah picked a grain of sand from her cheek, and with her eyes lingering on his lips, he couldn’t resist.
“I want to kiss you,” he said, trying to keep his words even.
She took a moment to reply. “Why didn’t you kiss me earlier? I thought you didn’t want me.”
“I was afraid that if I started, I wouldn’t stop. Is that a yes?” he asked, running his thumb along her lower lip.
She nodded, and he brushed his lips against hers. She tasted like salt. Her quiet moans made him want nothing more than to strip her naked and taste every inch of her skin.
“Do you want me to stop?” he rasped, trailing kisses along her jaw, and she shook her head.
“Don’t you dare,” she breathed, and he reclaimed her lips made rosy from his kisses. A whimper parted her lips as he slipped his hand into her hair and tugged at the roots.
“God, I want you,” he whispered against her lips. She tugged at his T-shirt, pulling him closer. “To know you—every part of you.” He tipped her chin up with a finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. Staring into her green eyes, seeing how much lust lay within them, was enough to nearly send him over the edge.
“I won’t do anything unless you feel the same,” he whispered, hoping she would tell him what she wanted,needed,from him.
Autumn’s cheeks flushed, and he could feel her pulse hammering as he pressed his lips against her neck. Her hands slipped from his hair and settled on his chest.
“I can’t think with you on top of me like this—it’s distracting,” she told him between gentle kisses.
