Page 146 of New Growth
A deep, sleepy hum vibrated against my ear.
“What?” he mumbled with exhaustion.
I cracked one eye open, barely lifting my head. “Why are you in my bed?”
Silence.
I blinked blearily up at him. His eyes were still shut, his breathing steady.
“Take a look around before you come at me,” he murmured.
I frowned, taking in the familiar room, the dark walls, the faint scent of cedar, and fresh linen.
Oh. I wasn’t in the guest room bed.
I was in his.
Shit.
I groaned, letting my head fall back onto his chest. “What the hell? Did you carry medown here?”
Elliot exhaled a small laugh. “Thought about it. But you showed up all on your own. Half-asleep, whining about needing to cuddle. So, I let you in.”
I closed my eyes.Shit, shit, shit.
I whispered, “You shouldn’t have let me stay.”
He shifted slightly, making himself more comfortable beneath me, his arms still securely around my waist.
“Would you have preferred I let you out at two in the morning without underwear?”
My eyes snapped open.
“Not that!” I hissed, my face burning. “I meant you shouldn’t have let me in here. Not after last night.”
Silence again. Then softly, he confessed. “I’ll never turn my back on you if you need me, Elliot.”
I froze at his words, resting my head against his chest again, cursing myself for finding comfort in something as simple as this. “Thank you.”
“But I do think you should stop drinking so much,” he said quietly.
I pulled back slightly to look up at him. “What makes you say that?”
“Last night.”
“I’m grown, Elliot. I can make my own choices.”
“That’s just it, though. When you’re drunk, you don’t act like yourself.”
I searched his face. “What do you mean?”
“Peanut, you were out of control last night. One minute you were fine, and the next you freaked out, then five seconds later, you’re yelling at me because I didn’t want to have sex.”
Shame curled in my chest. “I—I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. But that was one time. You’re acting like I have a problem.”
He lifted a brow. “Ellie, I’ve seen you pour liquor in your coffee before.”
Heat flushed my face. I didn’t think he’d notice that. I’ve thought I’d always been discreet about it. Embarrassment gripped me—not just for the drinking but for the way he looked at me now.
