Page 59 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Even if I did, you didn’t have to,” she pointed out, though her body certainly thanked him for letting her use him as a mattress. Lying against the hard tub all night would have not only set off her back, but would have earned her some choice words from Charli. At least she had the wine to thank for keeping her muscles relaxed. She yelled at herself internally for not just thanking him and moving on. Last night, she’d felt like an exposed nerve, and he’d witnessed it.
“Noted.” Elijah put the towel he had used as a pillow back on the hook. “Forgive me for trying to help.”
He went to leave, but she stepped in front of him. His eyes roamed over her as if he was unsure of what she was about to do. Hell,shedidn’t even know why she had stopped him. In the tense silence, she folded her arms across her chest, hating how defensive she was being.
“Thank you for staying with me,” she said, avoiding his gaze.
“I wish you had just spoken to me about what was going on. I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I hate seeing you hurting,” Elijah said, leaning against the shower wall in the corner.
“I’m used to handling things myself,” she admitted, not liking the space he had put between them.
He ran his hands through his hair, and it was obvious there was something he wanted to get off his chest. “You might not want to hear this, but you’re ignoring the roses. I don’t think you’re handling anything. You don’t have to avoid your fears. Let me help you,” he pleaded.
His words started a storm within her. “You’re right. I don’t want to hear it. My problems are my own. I was fine before you and I’ll be fine after you.”
“I don’t want to argue! We can talk when you’ve calmed down,” he said. “I need a shower.” Removing his shirt, he turned his back to her and stepped into the shower.
Autumn followed him. He stared down at her, clearly wondering what she was about to do. She didn’t give him a chance to ask.
“I might need to calm down, but I thinkyou’rethe one who needs to cool down,” she snapped, and yanked the shower tap on and to freezing. Elijah howled as the cold water made contact with his skin.
“I’m sure that’s better,” Autumn laughed, stepping back to dodge the spray.
“Where are you going?” Elijah grabbed her before she could flee the bathroom. She squealed as the cold pierced her clothing.
“Let me go!” She struggled against his strong arms, but it was no use.
“No. You’re keeping me warm.”
His words made her shiver more than the water soaking through her clothes. She squirmed only to feel his chest rippling with laughter, deep and rumbling. The warmth emanating from his body cocooned her from the cold. He held her waist with one hand and wiped the water from his eyes with the other.
“Give up?” he asked.
Seeing the water drip from his eyelashes to his lips, she tried to repress the desire to kiss him. “Never.” The overwhelming desire to touch him and taste the water droplets on his skin made her bite her lower lip.
Elijah reached up and stroked his thumb over her lip, freeing it. “Want something?” he breathed, resting his forehead against hers.
Autumn’s breathing grew heavy as his hands traced her ribs. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The tension had grown so thick she worried they’d do something they’d regret—but she suddenly realised she feared doing nothing even more.
“I think I like you wet and speechless,” he murmured, pinning her against the tiled walls, his fingers encasing hers over her head. She shuddered under his gaze. “Still want to leave?” He studied every inch of her curves, exposed by the dress clinging to her skin.
Her teeth started to chatter—she wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or her nerves—but all she could do was shake her head.
“I’m not hurting you?” he asked, trailing kisses along her jaw, his hips pinning her against the cool tiles.
“No. I’m fine.” The words came out as more of a whimper.
“I could make you feelsomuch more than fine.” His dark eyes settled on her lips, and Autumn swallowed as he licked a droplet from the scar on his lip.
Elijah’s eyes flicked from her eyes to her lips, and she knew what he was asking. She nodded ever so slightly, just enough to give him permission, and his lips brushed hers so gently that it nearly caused her to moan. She groaned in frustration as he made her beg for more. His grip loosened on her pinned hands, and she slipped her hands into his hair, crushing his lips to hers.
Needing no further encouragement, his arms clutched her soaking body to his. Any thought of the night before disappeared; all that mattered was his hands and the taste of his lips. His hand slipped beneath her T-shirt, his fingers grazing her abdomen until finally cupping her breast. She fit in his palm so perfectly she was sure she was designed for him.
“You can tell me to stop,” Elijah whispered, and she shook her head, bringing his lips back to hers. She felt him smile against her as her nipples peaked, responding to his touch. “Glad to see your body is in agreement.”
All the anger, frustration, and passion spilled into their caresses. He groaned against her lips as she ran her nails down his back, trying to pull him even closer. His hand hooked her leg around his hip, allowing her to feel how hard he was. She reached for the band of his sweats, desperate to touch him, but he grasped her wrist.
“Not now,” he said, his eyes so darkened by lust they were almost black. “This is about you.”
