Page 74 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Your house or mine?” he asked, pressing the button.
“To be decided,” she said, surprising him in the lift by reaching on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I shouldn’t have left you like that.”
“You’re apologising?” he asked dramatically, wrapping his long coat around her as they walked out into the street.
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I think you owe me for such outrageous behaviour,” he said, opening the door to the taxi waiting outside and giving the driver the original address once again. It felt easy, almost too easy, to fall back into their usual pattern of risqué banter. Elijah knew they needed to talk, but right now, he felt safer on familiar ground, and perhaps it would help Autumn relax too.
“And what exactly do I owe you?” she demanded.
Elijah tugged her close by the lapels of her borrowed jacket before she stepped into the taxi.
“I have several things in mind, but none of them are suitable for our current environment,” he told her, loving how she flushed. “Now get in so we can go home.”
Autumn gripped Elijah’s hand, stoppinghim from opening the gate. His eyebrows pulled together, worried she was changing her mind.
“Yes,” she said, staring up at him.
Yes?
“To giving it a go. I wanted to answer you before we go inside.”
She took a deep breath and he waited, giving her the time she needed to continue. He tried to contain his excitement and elation, but he couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’m not used to having someone around all the time, and you drive me crazy in every which way, but I want us to try.”
Elijah saw her shoulders relax as she finished, and he wrapped his arms around her. Letting him in was a big step, and he couldn’t express how grateful he was for her trust.
“That’s all I ask. We can take this one step at a time.” He placed a slow, lingering kiss on her lips.
“And what about several other things you mentioned?” She returned the kiss with more urgency than he’d expected. Flirty Autumn was a threat to life itself, but he was determined to go at her pace.
“I don’t think the public would approve,” he said, looking up and down their street.
“We’d better get inside, then,” she teased.
“Your wish is my command.” Before she could escape, he tossed her over his shoulder. He slapped her butt as she squealed.
He didn’t release her until they reached the door of her bedroom. He watched as she slipped off his long coat, letting it fall to the floor. She stared at him with eyes that told him she wanted this,neededthis, as much as he did.
“Are you sure? I’ll wait for as long as you need,” he told her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, listening as her breath caught.
Autumn sat on the edge of the bed and unbuttoned her jacket, baring herself to him. He heaved a deep breath, admiring how beautiful she was.
“Before I say yes, there’s a long scar on my lower back. You don’t have to touch it, but it’s fine if you do,” she said quietly, looking down at the circular scar on her abdomen. “You can avoid them, but I just wanted to say that touching them won’t hurt me,” she added with more confidence. He loved how confident she was with him. It was that fire that had made him fall for her.
“There is no part of you I’d ever want to avoid,” he assured her. “You’ve no idea how much I’ve longed to touch and taste every inch of you. Scarred or not, it’s part of you and deserves to be cherished.”
She sighed softly, as if to let his words sink in. “Yes. I’m sure.” Her eyes, so beautiful, glistened with trust.
It was all he needed, but she made it all the sweeter by gripping his shirt and pulling him close. Elijah kissed her hair and her cheeks until her lips parted for him. He wanted to savour every moment, but he wanted her so much that he didn’t know how long he could last.
“I’ll never get enough of your lips,” he said, feeling her smile against his lips as she worked his shirt from his shoulders.
“You never wear a shirt. I don’t think you should start now.” Autumn nipped at his neck while she worked on his buttons and slipped her fingers inside. He pulled her flush against him, and though he tried to be gentle with her, it took all his willpower to restrain himself when she brought her lips to his chest.
“You’re playing with fire,” he breathed, and she looked up at him through her long lashes.
