Page 66 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Elijah eyed the taxi driver before leaning in. “I would much prefer to have stayed home and see what it would look like on the floor,” he whispered, and she wondered if he was just trying to get a reaction from her.
“A bit late to tell me now. I would have happily obliged,” she whispered back pointedly.
He rested a warm hand on her thigh. As he spoke, lips grazing her cheek, he tightened his grip. “Don’t test me. When I get you home, you won’t be wearing it for long. However, I might let you keep the heels on.”
Autumn’s heartbeat quickened, and she placed her hand over his.
“Pervert,” she muttered, focusing her attention ahead so he wouldn’t see the effect he had on her.
“Only when it comes to you. Next time, don’t play a game you can’t win.” He winked, intertwining his fingers with hers.
“You don’t play fair,” she said, looking at their bound hands, still uneasy about the comfort she found in his touch. The moment felt far more intimate than it should have as he brushed his thumb back and forth over her hand. They fell into a comfortable silence.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Elijah
“HOW GOOD OF you both to come! I don’t know how you managed to convince her to attend – she never RSVPS to my events,” Tim said, greeting them when they arrived at the steps of the National Museum.
“It took some negotiating,” Elijah said, resting his hand on Autumn’s lower back. She looked stunning; it was hard for him to keep his hands off her. It had almost been a week since he’d got to hold her, and that was far too long for his liking.
“He’s exaggerating—I was more than happy to attend. It’s for charity, after all.” Autumn smiled up at him.
He pinched her butt, and she squeaked, trying to cover it with a cough.
“Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth, “swallowed the wrong way.” Glaring at him through her long eyelashes, she tried to step out of his reach, but he held her close as other arriving guests passed them on the steps to head inside. As Tim chatted to her about the showcase, Elijah wondered if she was trying to keep her distance because she didn’t want Tim to know about their evolving relationship.He’s going to find out sooner or later. I’ll keep her by my side no matter what I have to do.
“Anyway, you should both get inside,” Tim said, letting Autumn pass him, but he held Elijah back for a moment, leaning in. “I’m delighted to see you’re both getting on so well. Seems my scheming has paid off.”
Elijah peered ‘round him to see Autumn waiting for him at the main entrance, her arms wrapped around herself.
“I don’t think you can take the credit,” he said. He didn’t know how someone could spend their life on stage and still be nervous in a large group.Once we’ve shown our faces and the auction concludes, we can leave early.He didn’t want to prolong her misery when she hadn’t wanted to be here in the first place.
“Speaking of credit, the board is growing nervous. When can we see your final demo?” Tim asked, suddenly all business.
Never,Elijah wanted to say. The final demo was already safely with Nirosoft, awaiting final approval, and once they signed on the dotted line, he would be able to pay off his investment. His dad wasn’t the only one in the family with a knack for schemes.
“Next week. Everything should be wrapped up nicely by then,” he said, slapping his father on the shoulder before Tim was called away by other guests.
Inside, they were greeted withchampagne and told their assigned table. “You and your dad seem to be getting on,” Autumn commented as Elijah guided her to their table.
“Have I told you how amazing you look?” he asked, wanting to change the subject. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his relationship with his father.
“Nice deflection,” she said, taking her seat.
He glanced around the already full table; the other guests, dressed to the nines, eyed them up to make sure they were one of their own before offering polite smiles. They said quick hellos before drifting back to their own conversations and expensive champagne.
“Can I ask why you picked this charity?” he asked, picking up the leaflet with stories of those who had been treated in the hospital. Her expression faltered, and he didn’t need to be told it was a personal reason.
“It’s where I was treated and where I met Charli.”
“Ah. Then I should make a big donation when my deal closes.”
“Why?” she asked, taking a sip of champagne.
“For looking after you so well when I couldn’t.” The words just tumbled out. Although they hadn’t known each other back then, he wished he had been there to hold her hand.
Noticing the sudden tears in her eyes, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She was about to say something when an older woman came up behind her.
