Page 142 of New Growth
But I didn’t.
Instead, I leaned in, slowly, giving him the same chance to back away.
But he didn’t.
And then his mouth was on mine.
His hand slid from my waist to the small of my back, pulling me closer until I wasn’t justaccidentallyin his lap—I was settled there. Hewantedme there, with my body flush against his.
His lips parted, deepening the kiss as my hands slid up his chest.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew we were in public. I knew we were probably being watched.
But right then? I didn’t care.
The kiss didn’t break so much as shift.
One second, it was slow like we were still testing this. The next, El’s grip tightened, pulling me against him like he needed me there.
I rolled my hips once—just a slight shift, barely anything—but El groaned against my mouth, his grip bruising now. His fingers flexed like he was resisting the urge to take more.
“Ellie…” His voice was like a warning.
But I wasn’t looking for warnings.
I smirked, dragging my lips to his jaw, feeling the way his breath hitched as I moved against him again, but this time slower.Deliberate.
The way he tensed beneath me sent a sharp thrill up my spine. His hands slid down my sides, settling at my hips. Something in his expression snapped.
He leaned back, giving me space—but it wasn’t retreating. No, it was an invitation.
So I took it.
I gave him my back and leaned into him. I settled there against his chest, rolling my hips to the rhythm of the music, my hands sliding up his thighs, fingers curling in the fabric of his pants. I decided to look up at him. His jaw was clenched, eyes dark, his hands still gripping my hips, like he couldn’t decide if he should stop me or encourage me.
I made the decision for him.Well, me and the alcohol.
“You’re allowed to touch, you know.”
El cursed. He let go of my hips and let his hands tangle in my hair, dragging me against him as his mouth found mine again. This time with none of the restraint from before. I didn’t even fight for dominance. He took over completely, breathing me in and letting his hands roam wherever they wanted, finally landing on my thighs.
I began rolling my hips again, slowly dragging my hands up to his chest, and that’s when I felt it. The sharp inhale. The slightest tension in his muscles as he pulled away.
“Ellie… are you not wearing panties?” His voice was low and rough in my ear.
I smiled innocently, leaning in just enough that my lips brushed his jaw. “Well, I’m wearing a dress, am I not?”
El swore under his breath, then without another word, he kissed me one last time. And when he finally pulled back, his breath was ragged, his eyes dark as he murmured, “Let’s go home.”
I swallowed hard, heat pooling low in my stomach.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Let’s.”
?
Every step in El’s driveway was a painful reminder of the cursed heels I’d been in all night. He led the way, fingers laced in mine, tugging just enough to keep me close.
He hadn’t said much on the drive home. Just kept one hand on the wheel, jaw tight, eyes forward like he was thinking. I’ve never seen him so serious or so focused.
