Page 11 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Eloise doesn’t answer, she’s too busy staring at me. Looking a bit rendered speechless as well, she takes in my appearance.

“Yes,” I answer, fighting the urge to glare in his direction. Hating that he set this up behind my back, a small part of me wants to thank him. However, I won’t give him that satisfaction.

Chuckling under his breath, he takes his cue and strolls away with the promise of returning later.

“Small world,” she murmurs as her fingers tangle against the counter. “The last time I saw you, you were working in your uncle’s garage. I wouldn’t have expected to find you at some technology-related business. What made you leave fixing cars?”

In short, she’s the reason. However, I can’t go confessing that during our first conversation in ages.

“Needed a change in life. Got accepted into business school and met Jake.” I won’t suddenly give her a long speech on Jake and Rhett’s past, I’ll save that for a better time. Possibly when she isn’t currently working.

That’s to say if she’s willing to have another conversation with me after this one.

“It seems you took a similar path.” I take in her small bakery with a sigh. “You followed your dream after all.”

Even though she had to leave everything behind, she made it by carving her own path. I’m happy for her.

“It wasn’t easy, but yeah. I’ve hit a few walls.” She stirs slightly, her nerves getting the best of her. “You look good, Nicolas. I’m glad we’re both in a place we want to be. I guess you could say it’s the same place. Funny how fate works.”

My heart feels like it’s being squeezed by her very fingers as she compliments me.

I return her compliment with one of my own while fighting not to take in the small details of her appearance up close. She’s curvier than before, aged with the years. Her mouth is plump, her cheeks naturally stained pink. Eloise is gorgeous in person. No amount of pictures could’ve captured her beauty like this. I feel unprepared.

“I should get back to it.” Clearing my throat, I take a much-needed step back. “I’m sure you’re busy as can be with this grand opening.”

“Would you like something? I’m assuming you came here for a pastry.” Without the rush to send me on my way, she glances over at the menu. “It can be on the house this time. Just don’t tell anyone. Bad for business, you know?”

Her laugh is rich, the same as it sounded when we were younger. God, I want to make her laugh more.

Not wanting to disappoint her, I opt to take a muffin back to my office. She sends me away with a smile that makes me want to stick around. However, that’s not a good idea. Not while I’m radiating from shock.

Jake likes to paint me as a stalker, and maybe it’s the truth. However, after all this time, I’ve kept my distance. Now she’s within my reach and I’m not so sure I’ll be able to keep myself away.

Ignoring the burning in my chest, I take the ride back up to the top silently.

Knowing I won’t be able to enjoy the muffin in the way it deserves, I give it to Lucy. The way her face lights up, I can only hope I’ve given Eloise a future customer. Once my hands are free, I head straight to my office.

What I need is silence and solitude. No interruptions to clear my mind.

Sitting behind my desk, I run a hand down my face. In the back of my mind, I can feel the hunger starting to form. The same hunger I’ve forced down every time I get lost with scrolling on my phone.

I may not ever want to admit it out loud, but I’ve never stopped loving this woman. Even though we split on agreed terms, my feelings have never changed. Sure, my heart broke at the time, but I never wanted to give up. I always hoped we’d find each other again.

Jake’s brought her back and I see the way he looks at her. There’s a similar hunger and I can’t blame the guy for it. Though, if he thinks he can have a taste of her like every woman in this city, she’s not going to want to be any part of that. He won’t be hungry after he’s had a taste.

Should I let my jealousy rear its ugly head and claim she’s mine? What if Eloise doesn’t mind the attention he gives her? Everything has suddenly become far more complicated than it needs to be.

I’ve barely acknowledged the response of my body. The very thought of her being in the same building has left me swollen and hot. It’s fucking shameful.

I don’t know why Jake felt the need to bring her here, but he’s opened Pandora’s box.

Palming my erection, I consider ignoring it. I’m going to have to stop myself from responding this way every time she’s near.

With Eloise fresh on my mind, I know it’ll take hours to relieve my arousal through pure willpower. I’m not as strong as I should be.

Cursing under my breath, I grab the phone off the desk. Dialing up Lucy, I put the demand out there for no surprise visits. Needing thirty minutes to myself, enough time to get everything out of my system, I barely set the phone back in place before I rush to undo the buckle of my belt.

I won’t masturbate to her picture today. Instead, I’ll think about her down on the ground floor, running all around as she thrives in her best environment. With the power of imagination alone, I sigh in relief as I wrap my fingers around my cock.

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