Page 89 of New Growth
“How did you intend for it to end?” I cocked an eyebrow.
“Ideally, you’d be less upset with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Honestly, El. I don’t want to deal with this tonight. I just want to shower and go to bed.”
He pouted, like what I said actually got to him. Usually, he brushed off my annoyance, but this time, his gloominess was on full display. I looked away from his disappointed expression and opened the box he had gifted me.
Inside, I found my usual brands of feminine products neatly packed. My jasmine body wash, coconut-scented bar soap, lavender lotion, a bonnet and so much more sat neatly in pastel pink packaging, waiting to be opened. Now, it was my turn to wear my emotions outwardly.
“How’d you know I used these?” I questioned with a gasp.
El ran a hand over his beard, looking a little smug again. My reaction must have lifted his spirits. “I saw them in your bathroom when I went to wash that face mask off. So I just picked them up in case you came over.”
The thought of him looking through my bathroom cabinets gave me pause. The lengths this man would go through to have as much information as possible about me was…fascinating. The fact that he thought this far ahead about me staying at his place was just another indicator of an undeniable fact.
He was plotting on me. Heavily. If I let my guard down for even a moment, he’d strike.
I dug a little deeper and found a folded pair of new pajamas.
“Let me guess, you went through my dirty clothes hamper to get my size, too?” I quipped.
He chuckled briefly, allowing his gaze to sweep over my body once more. “No. Not at all. I just guessed the size based on how you felt in my arms.”
My breath caught.
The room suddenly felt smaller. The air, warmer. His words settled into my chest, heavy and soft at the same time, and for a second, I just stood there. My fingers skimmed over the fabric, my mind replaying every time he’d ever held me—how he always pulled me close, his warmth, his strength, his scent. Just as I took him in, he was memorizing me. He knew my body well enough to guess my size based on one night in his arms, and that gave me chills.
A familiar thought rang through my head.
This man was dangerous.
“Ellie?” he lightly brushed my jaw as he tried to get my attention, and I flinched.
He took note of my reaction, but I spoke up before he could question.
“I’m gonna shower, then I’m going to bed,” I repeated, then stepped back.
El studied me before nodding.
“Okay. Bathroom’s through there.” He pointed behind me to the cracked door across his room. I just turned and walked away without another word.
By the time I came out of the bathroom, feeling slightly more human, he was already in bed. The lights were off except for the soft glow of a lamp in the corner, casting shadows across his face. He was lying on his back, hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought, when my footsteps drew his attention to me.
“Ellie…”
I cut him off before he could start. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
A pause. Then, softly, “Okay.” Before he flipped off the lights.
Relieved to push this conversation off, I slipped into his bed, careful to keep my distance. The sheets were so soft compared to mine at home, making me almost jealous. I snuggled up against one of his pillowsthat smelled like him, hopeful this alone would grant me the comfort I needed to sleep through the night.
“Can I hold you, Peanut?” He piped up after a few moments passed.
I guess I wasn’t the only one needing comfort.
I swallowed hard. My body wanted to say yes before my brain could even process the question, but I needed space. I needed time to think without him clouding my judgment. I turned to face him, our eyes meeting in the dark space.
“Not tonight,” I whispered faintly.
