Page 18 of The Storms Between Us
sixteen
We ridethrough town with the wind whipping around us. I cling to Eli’s waist so tightly I’m surprised he can breathe. We pull to a stop at the last stoplight before the edge of town and I can feel Elijah’s shoulders shaking as he laughs.
“I promise I won’t let you fall off.” He squeezes my hands and loosens my grip a little. “Just enjoy the ride, Sunshine.” I take a second to survey the shops on Main Street. I haven’t had much of a chance to explore yet, but I make a mental note to check out the eccentric-looking coffee shop on the corner with the bright yellow curtains. It looks like a great place to get out of the house when I need to edit. I could see myself making this place a home. I always thought I would end up in a big city surrounded by constant motion. But being in Grovewood makes me feel a kind of peace I've never felt before. I thought it might take a while for me to adjust to being here after campus life, but it was easy. It's like my mind has room to breathe here and I can finally center myself. The light turns green and Eli pats the side of my thigh, making sure I’m ready to ride. I lock my hands back around his waist and give him a small squeeze.
We drive a few miles out of town, passing rows of giant old oak trees draped with Spanish moss. This area is so beautiful surrounded by thick tree lines and marshes. The humidity is killer, but the view is so worth it. Just when I begin to wonder where the hell we’re going, we turn down a dirt driveway with two enormous magnolia trees on each side. We drive down the winding driveway for almost a mile before pulling up in front of the most beautiful antebellum home I've ever seen. As soon as we park, I rip off my helmet, staring up at the house in awe.
“Oh my god, Elijah! This is incredible!” I’m practically screaming with excitement. Both levels have wide wrap-around porches with tall white pillars running from the foundation to the roof. Dark maroon shutters frame each of the eight windows on the front of the house, a stark comparison to the fresh white paint covering the rest of the structure. This is like something out of a dream. I’ve always read about homes like this and seen them in movies. Seeing the details up close is better than I ever could have imagined. I half imagine Scarlet O’Hara to come strolling out the front door at any moment.
“You like it, Sunshine?” He asks, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean my head back against his chest, soaking in the warmth he provides.
“I love it. Do they give tours or something? I’d love to see the inside,” I ask, taking a few steps closer.
“I could probably get you a tour, seeing as I own it,” he replies, stopping me in my tracks. I turn around and face him, my eyes wide in surprise.
“What?! This isyours?!” I’m floored by his admission.
“Yeah, I bought it a few years ago and I've been bringing it back to life since then,” he says casually.
I turn and instantly see the beautiful house with fresh eyes. Elijah did this. I try to imagine what it could have looked like when he first bought it. The wood on the front porch looks new, unmarred by age and time. I walk up the stairs to the front windows and peek inside.
“Can we go in? I’d love to see what you’ve done with the place,” I say, beaming back at him.
“Yeah, the bottom floor is pretty much complete. The second floor still needs some work, but it’s getting there.” He pulls a set of keys from his pocket and unlocks the heavy oak front door, gesturing for me to step inside. If I thought the outside was amazing, it's nothing compared to what I see when he opens the door. He managed to incorporate modern details while still respecting the decades-old bones of the home. The entryway and parlor are massive and I can tell he kept the original wood floors, only restoring them to look new. I wander from room to room, in awe of the fact that he built this with his own hands. Even though the house has no furniture right now, I can imagine what each room would have looked like almost a hundred years ago. This is exactly what people are looking for when they talk about the South Carolina Low-Country.
“Well, what do you think?” he asks, startling me out of my imagination. He almost sounds nervous about what I’m gonna say next.
“What do I think? This is incredible, Elijah. You really restored all of this?” I run my hands over the dark brown bannister that leads upstairs, loving the feeling of the smooth wood under my hands.
“For the most part, yeah. I have a couple of buddies that came in to help with the plumbing and electrical work so I didn’t burn the place down. Everett and I spent a few weekends repainting the entire exterior. But I stripped it down almost to the studs and rebuilt everything else. I still have a lot of work to do on the second level, but this floor is pretty much livable. The main bedroom is down here and the bathroom is fully functional. The kitchen is complete, minus some of the appliances,” he gestures towards the back of the house.
“Oooooh! The kitchen!” I rush through the arched doorway and down the hall to find it. It's always my favorite part of all the home renovation shows we watch. I push open the doors and step into the kitchen of my dreams. I expected something a little more regal and a bit dated, but this kitchen is completely modern. The cabinets lining two walls are painted a cream color with dark brown trim. The tile backsplash is a dark forest green with a large farmhouse sink sunken into the countertop. It’s a beautiful combination that reminds me so much of the forest that surrounds us. The few appliances already installed are stainless steel and pristine. He topped the large island stretching across the entire space with a gorgeous stained-wood butcher’s block. I swear it's like he had a crystal ball to see into my mind. I wouldn’t change a single thing about this kitchen.
“This is my favorite room in the entire house,” I hear his deep timbre break the silence as he comes through the door and leans his elbows onto the bar.
“This is amazing. I swear you’ve been stealing ideas from my Pinterest board,” I say jokingly, but he just shrugs. “Eli,haveyou been looking at my Pinterest board?” I ask, quirking my eyebrow in his direction.
“I don’t even know what that is, Sunshine, but I do listen to you. I’ve made mental notes about things you’ve mentioned,” he says, as if it's no big deal.
“Why would you do that?” I’m shocked that he would consider anything I said I would want in my future home.
“I’m not sure you get it, Ember. When I said I was all in, I meant it,” he says softly but confidently, coming closer and placing his hands on my hips. “I never really saw a future that included anybody else until I met you. Now, when I think about what I want ten years from now, all I see is you,” he says. I’m stunned by his admission. I knew I was falling so hard and so fast for this man, but I was sure he would think I was insane for feeling this much so soon. To hear him say he feels the same way causes warmth to wrap around my heart tightly and spread throughout my body.
I slowly wrap my arms around his neck, threading my fingers through his hair. His hands skate up and down the sides of my body until he slides them into my back pockets, pulling my body tightly against his. This is bliss. Being here in his arms, I feel safer than ever before. Like nothing and no one could ever touch me. Right here with this man is where I’m meant to be.
He bends down, pressing a soft kiss across my lips. This kiss is different from all the ones before. He’s showing me exactly how he feels with this kiss. I pour every ounce of emotion I can into kissing him back. I’m hanging by a thread, trying not to get caught up and say something I know I can’t take back. But with the feeling of his callused hands on my cheeks, his strong lips claiming mine, I feel all-consumed. Possessed and cherished so completely.
“I love you,” I whisper, barely loud enough to be heard. He instantly freezes, his lips still pressed to mine, motionless. I feel my body heating with unease, wondering if my confession is too much and way too soon. I try to pull away slightly, but he holds me firmly in place.
“Say it again,” he says, pulling back just far enough to look at me. His blue eyes bore into mine. I take a deep breath and brace myself for whatever comes after this.
“I love you, Elijah,“ I say, never taking my gaze away from his. I want him to know I mean it and I'm not afraid. Even though deep down I’m terrified of his response.
Slowly, I see a smile creep over his face. He crashes his lips back down on mine, throwing his whole body into this kiss. “I love you too, Ember,” he says between kisses and I feel the vice that has been squeezing my heart release. This man loves me.
I slide my arms around his neck as he picks me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. I can feel him walking to a different room, but I don’t break this kiss. My need for oxygen can wait. The entire world can wait as long as I can keep kissing him. I feel him lean over and suddenly my back is pressed against something soft. I quickly open my eyes and realize we’ve moved into the master bedroom. He laid me down onto a massive king-sized platform bed, the cool silk sheets feeling like heaven against my heated skin. He kisses a path down my throat, his hand sliding under my shirt and across my stomach. My core clenches at the feeling of his rough hands on my skin and I let out a low moan. He growls in response and lifts himself up on his forearms, staring into my eyes. I can see the fire burning in his gaze and I know his control is hanging by a thread. He brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear, the love in his eyes palpable all around me.
“You gotta tell me where the boundaries are here, Em. I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for.” He searches my face for any sign of hesitation, but he won’t find any.
