Page 44 of Unconventionally, Elle
I closed my first project for the last time. Ideas and words for my new manuscript were fighting to get onto the screen. When I finally looked up from typing three hours later, my outline wasdone. This worked. Everything worked. I shot off an email to Sarah and got a quick reply:
Oh my God. Keep writing.
So I did.
Barrett walked through my door that evening with Chinese takeout in one hand and flowers in the other. He walked right over to me, placed everything on the coffee table, and took my face in his hands and kissed me, desperate, hard. The subtle hint of crisp pine needles and cotton lingered in the air.
"Hello, beautiful," he murmured.
I could still taste him on my lips. A delicate smile spread across my face. Our relationship was growing quickly and so was my word count.
"Elle, I have this idea, but I want to run it by you." Barrett turned onto his side and faced me. His hair was tousled, and his head was resting on his arm. The bed dipped slightly, and my body fell closer to his. I would never get over the warmth that emanated from him.
I was about to reply when a little cardinal landed on my windowsill and let out a chirp.
"Ellz, are you listening?"
I readjusted my eyes and turned my gaze back to him. "Yes, of course. What's your fabulous idea?" I said with my morning lisp. My mouthguard was still in, and Barrett's mouth pulled into a cheeky grin. He wrapped his other arm around my body and pulled me into his bare chest.
"What if"--he kissed the tip of my nose--"we went away to Nantucket for a weekend?" Another kiss on my cheek. "After Thanksgiving?" He placed another kiss on my forehead.
Surprised, I arched my eyebrow and gave him a playful glare. "Nantucket? Wait, are you serious, or are you messing with me?"
"I'm totally serious." He let go of me and rolled onto his back and stretched his arms toward the headboard. "We have a townhouse there, and I think it'd be nice to get away for a weekend, just the two of us. What do you think?" He paused for my reply, but I was too stunned to form words, so he continued. "The island is incredible the whole month of December. We'll get to see the Festival of Trees and do the Christmas Stroll since they start right after Thanksgiving."
I snuggled my head into his shoulder and emitted a low anticipatory groan. I'd always wanted to go to Nantucket, especially after theGilmore Girlsrevival showed Emily Gilmore living her best life there. It had always seemed like a magical place to visit.
"I can't believe you want to take me to Nantucket!" I rolled my body on top of his and thoroughly enjoyed watching his wide smile appear, reaching both eyes. I leaned forward and held the tip of my nose just above his. My hair fell over our faces and hid us from the rest of the world. I could smell the mixture of his warm skin and my fresh lavender laundry detergent. Anticipation glistened in his eyes, and he groaned in excited frustration. A wry grin spread across my face. "I say yes."
His arms wrapped around my body and held me bent over, straddling his waist. Then he rolled over and flipped me onto the bed, the white duvet swallowing me in warm goose down. He gently pinned my arms above my head and used his knees to hold my thighs apart. His breath was shallow and fast. He leaned in as I lifted my head to meet him, my body vibrating with raw energy. Our lips met, and my mind blurred with lust. He left my lips tingling, then began kissing and nipping at my neck. Barrett kept going down, down--oh my God.
Barrett and I danced and floated as one. Every thrust, every moan, every touch was ecstasy. I was an addict for Barrett Henry, and there was never going to be enough of him.
He moaned my name with raw need, then collapsed on top of me.
With my knees still pulled into my chest, he rested his head on my shoulder, his nose nuzzled into the crook of my neck.
"I love you." The vibration of his voice tickled my ear, and his breath softly brushed my neck.
I love you.My mind spiraled as I tried to justify what he'd just said. My adrenaline rose again, and every movement, every touch shocked my sensitive body.I love you.Oh my God, he loves me. Barrett Henry loves me! It was terrifying, but I had yearned for this comfort, this safety, and this connection for a long time.
I lifted my head and nibbled his earlobe. I rested my head back down and gazed at him from under my eyelashes. "I love you too, Barrett Henry."
We lay there for a few moments more, and then we heard the bedroom door open. Louie had a nasty habit of forgetting to knock. He sauntered up his doggy stairs and squirmed between us. Moment ruined.
Barrett rolled off the bed and walked into the bathroom to dispose of the condom and take a shower. I let Louie jump over me and find his favorite spot in the center of the covers. I sat up and petted Louie, who quickly started snoring. His white fur was soft, and his little pink nose wrinkled with every inhale and snort.
"What do you have planned for the rest of the day?" I asked casually as I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to pee.
"I'm headed to the office today. Dad and I have a conference call with a high-net-worth client in Miami. He's been giving me more responsibility and the lead on accounts since he allegedlywants to retire next year," Barrett said while the hot water steamed up the bathroom.
Despite his confidence, I thought I could hear hesitation in his voice.
"Barrett, are you okay?" I was standing naked by the glass shower door trying to hear him. He'd gone completely quiet.
He opened the door and walked out to grab his towel hanging on a hook. I stepped back as he wrapped it around his waist, then leaned against the wall. He had one hand on his chest and the other on the wall. He was heaving and struggling to breathe. He removed his hand and leaned forward, hands on his knees with his head down, taking quick, heavy breaths with his eyes closed.
"Barrett!" My high-pitched voice echoed throughout the bathroom. I grabbed his upper arm and bent over with him. "What's wrong?" I rubbed his lower back in large circular motions. "Sit down, Barrett, sit down. Breathe. Take big, deep breaths."
