Page 36 of Safer Together
~ Chapter Fourteen ~
Angela
“I’m not expecting you to say it back, Angie, I just wanted to tell you how I feel.” Elliot’s words burst through the little bubble I am currently in with my thoughts.
“I wasn’t expecting you to say that you loved me, is all.” I feel stupid for what I just said, a bit of an understatement really.
Elliot pulls back from me and holding my hand leads me to the sofa, where we both sit down, “I haven’t scared you, have I?” His face is full of worry, concern even.
“No of course not. I just thought maybe I was the only one feeling this way. The other night when we declared our feelings, I thought I may have dreamed it with the heightened emotions that were running through me. But I know how I feel about you and I love you, too, Elliot.”
My chest feels light, as though a weight I never knew I was carrying has lifted. His smile in return is huge, showing his teeth and creating a cute dimple on his left cheek I haven’t noticed before. “Well that is good news indeed.” He leans forward and kisses me firmly. It is amazing how every single time he kisses me, he lights me on fire.
But now knowing that this man loves me, it is enough to set me ablaze. While still kissing him, I lift myself off the sofa and come over to sit across his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck as he slides his arm around my waist and continues allowing our mouths to connect. After what feels like an hour we pull apart and press our foreheads together. Not wanting to break the moment, I stay quiet. I feel so safe in his arms and it was quickly becoming my favorite place on earth to be. He seems to be feeling the same as he, too, stays quiet.
I push him back to lean against the back cushion of the lounge and slide my head down to his shoulder and place my head in the crook of his collarbone. He lifts one of his hands and rubs circles on my lower back. “I just got the best present I could ever wish for; Christmas gifts are going to seem dull after that.”
I smile into his neck. “I know what you mean.” I kiss his neck quickly “I’m sure you will love my presents though.”
I make an effort to make my voice light. I don’t want him to hear how much I really did want him to love his gifts. “Baby, anything from you, I will love.” He turns to face me and continues. “”Hopefully you like mine, too. Since you’re here with me now on Christmas Eve, will you open one of your gifts?” He suddenly looks like a little kid. How can I possibly refuse him?
“Only if you open one of yours too. Mind you, I only purchased you two gifts so if you open one now you will only have the one to open tomorrow.” He places his forefinger under his chin and tries to look as though he is deep in thought.
“As long as you wake up in my arms tomorrow morning and you still love me, then that’s the only present I need.” He pecks me quickly on the lips. “So yes, I’ll open a present now.” He scans the room.
“I’ll have to go get it from your guest house. I’ll be back.” I make an attempt to get off his lap, but he doesn’t let me get far before he pulls me back close to his chest.
“Don’t be long, my love.” He kisses me on the lips gently before he pushes me away and helps me onto my feet.
I pad across the room to the French doors and make my way to where I am staying. When I close the front door, I lean against it, glad to have a moment on my own. I bring my hands up to my mouth to cover it and let out a small squeal. Elliot Sands just told me he loves me. I still can’t believe that I have heard it right. After all, we have only known each other for such a short time, a matter of weeks really, two short months. However, I love him too, and it has taken me the same amount of time to fall head over heels in love with him.
I am ripped out of my thoughts by the sound of my cell phone ringing, I cross the room to my handbag and retrieve my phone from the inside pocket, the display screen showing it is my mother calling. I decide to answer it knowing that I more than likely won’t speak to her tomorrow. After sliding the answer call button I speak, “Hi, Mom.”
“Ah my dear Angela. How are you?” My mother’s soft voice comes through the phone.
“I’m fine Mom. How about you and Dad?”
“We are both well. We wanted to call you tonight to wish you a Merry Christmas as we will be out of service tomorrow. Are you going to Liam and Jessica’s house?”
Trust my mother to ask the one question that needed a definite answer, I decide to avoid it by replying to the first part of her sentence. “So, you are on another cruise then? Where are you off to this time?”
My mother, tending to be like a dog with a bone, doesn’t let up. “It’s from Hawaii to Sydney, Australia, and you didn’t answer me about tomorrow. Are you hiding something from me, Angela Marie?”
Knowing that I couldn’t duck the question twice, I answer her question. “That sounds lovely. Enjoy yourself. Remember to send me a postcard. As for tomorrow, I’m spending it with my boyfriend and his family at his home.”
I don’t have to wait long to hear my mother’s voice again. “Boyfriend, Angela you haven’t told me about a boyfriend. Tell me everything: his name, how long have you been seeing each other? Where did you meet?”
I decide that telling the truth without providing every detail is the best course of action. “His name is Elliot, it’s been a couple of months, and he purchased a house from me.” Perfect, all the truth.
“What does Elliot do for work?” I should have known that my mother would interrogate me, I need a way to finish this conversation.
“He renovates houses Mom. Oh, shoot is that the time? He will be coming over to collect me soon and I still need to get ready,” hoping this would get me out of this conversation. Not a chance.
“You can get ready while talking to your mother. Put your phone on megaphone.”
“It’s called speakerphone, Mom,” I correct her.
“It doesn’t matter what it’s called, what matters is you that you finally have a boyfriend. Oh honey, I’m so happy for you. When can we meet him?”
