Page 25 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
She rubs a hand down her face. “Maybe if you go on a date with three separate women here, and still believe we need a shot, that’ll convince me that this isn’t a random spur-of-the-moment idea.”
“I hate everything about what you said.” I shake my head, “Rynnlee, do you despise me, completely, truly, and eternally?”
Her breathing speeds and her chest rises and falls faster. I know she feels something for me, but hatred can walk the same tightrope as adoration. She’s silent for too long.
“Tell me right now to walk away.” I stretch out both arms, palms up. “Tell me to never speak to you again. This is your chance. I swear to Mother Nature herself that I’ll do it. If you truthfully despise me and never want to see me again, I’ll stay away.”
Slowly, her hands drop to her sides and she shakes her head softly. “I … I don’t hate you.” She licks her lips. “I just don’t believe you.”
“So, I’ll make you believe.” I strip away the space between us but still resist touching her. “What can I do? I’ll spend a day with Tinsley to pass the best friend vibe check.”
“No, she’s always busy.” Rynn tilts her head to the side. “Fine, I’ll go on a real date with you, if you?—”
“Anything.”
CHAPTER NINE
Rynn
What in the Crone is happening? Have I stumbled into an alternate universe? There’s no chance Elias had a crush on me in high school, too.
I stare as he tries to cover his bare chest with the towel I threw at him. Yes, sir, please cover up. I do not need a third glance at the trail of hair running from his belly button into his pants. Who am I kidding? At this point, it’d be a tenth glance. Sure, he may not have won the yearbook’s category of ‘Most likely to book a modeling agency’ in high school, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t vote for him. The rest of the student body obviously knew him better than I did by granting him the title of ‘Most likely to be the last in line in the cafeteria, so everyone else gets the best food first.’
“If I what, Sunflower? I’ll do whatever you want for a chance to take you out. Name your price,” he says. “And hurry, because I need to shower. So, I’m gonna finish stripping soon.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” I glare.
“Procrastination costs you,” he says, scooting out of his shoes, shortening him an inch or two.
All I can think of is that a half-naked Elias is toying with me. If I don’t get my brain to start working, this could end terribly—or amazingly.
“If you help me,” I say, hearing how strained my voice sounds—gargled.
“You’re delaying on purpose, aren’t you?” Elias’s wicked grin mesmerizes me as he yanks off his socks.
Two pieces of clothing stand between him and the star of my sex dreams. How would this one play out? The one when he bends me over the back of the couch? Or the one when he lays me flat on my kitchen counter? My personal favorite is when I create a version of Elias who drips chocolate syrup over my stomach and licks his way down my body.
“Your cheeks are pink.” He bites his lip.
“Are not.” I bite my lip to mirror him, studying how he react. “First, we have to find the lady who stole my enchanted paint.”
“And then?”
I cross my arms and nod to his crotch. “I may need convincing to tell you more.”
His brows shoot towards his hairline. “Oh, really? I can manage that.” Using those big hands of his, Elias unbuttons his pants. Zipper swipes down. Fabric falls into a pile at his feet. Only his briefs are left. Which end over enormous quads. He has a body built from rowing. Ugh, kill me now.
“And the second favor?” he asks playfully. “What do you need from me?”
I think a puff of air explodes from my lips. Or maybe I moaned. How dare this beautiful, damning, son-of a …
“Rynnlee?”
“Hhm?”
“Eyes up here, Sunflower.”
“Oh.”
