Page 19 of Pucks and Likes

“You haven’t looked at my Instagram and wondered what I was up to?” I stroke my thumb along her lips, my eyes tracking the motion. Her breathing is erratic, her eyes crazed, as if she doesn’t know what to do or even how to answer. “Haven’t missed my lips on yours?” I pull her bottom lip down, and she opens her mouth for me. Oh, how I want to put my tongue, my cock, and my fingers in that sexy mouth of hers. “Because that’s all I’ve done these last six months.”

Her cheeks are so pink, her neck the same, and fuck, if she isn’t the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen in my life. I take her hip in my free hand and bring her close to me. “You’re so beautiful, Elliot. You’re glowing.”

Something flashes in her eyes and she backs away quickly, but I felt it.

Her stomach pressing into mine.

The hardness.

I gaze at her midsection far too long before I look up to her. Is it a tumor? Or a hernia? My mom had one of those when I was little, and it was scary as fuck. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she says all too quickly, but her eyes don’t reflect that. They’re glossy with tears that are threatening to fall. She clears her throat and then points to me. “Welcome back.”

As she goes to turn, I grab her wrist. “No, no, no,” I murmur, stopping her. I bring her hand to my mouth, kissing her knuckles then each of her fingertips before I kiss her palm. “Something is up. Tell me. Can I help?”

She doesn’t react, doesn’t answer, only holds my gaze.

“Are you sick?”

She shakes her head, pressing her lips together. “Not lately, but just leave it. You have a lot to focus on?—”

“But right now, I’m focused on you.”

Elliot’s mouth parts, her eyes widening, but she quickly looks away. “I gotta go.”

“Elliot,” I whisper, and she doesn’t move. But I wait. I give her the time until, finally, she raises her gaze to mine. “Let me take you to dinner.”

Her eyes drift shut as she blows out a breath. “Why? We haven’t spoken in six months.”

“And I regret that daily,” I admit, and her eyes fly open. “I shouldn’t have let my pride get in the way. I should have kept in contact.”

“It was just sex,” she insists, but I shake my head.

“It wasn’t.”

“Alex—”

“Elliot, let me take you to dinner. I need to talk to you.”

She hesitates, her eyes burning just for me. “I should say no.”

“But you’ll say yes.” I squeeze her hand, and she holds my gaze.

I flash her a toothy grin, and she shakes her head. Even with her trying to hide it, I can see the little grin that pulls at her lips. She tries so hard to throw a wall up between us, but I have no problem knocking it down.

Elliot lets out a long sigh before saying, “Yes. But we’re just talking. I’m not sleeping with you.”

My grin widens. “Mmm, mami. Come on, I know your weakness is food.”

“And? Doesn’t mean I’ll sleep with you.” She scoffs, but I see the desire in her eyes. It’s always been like that. She doesn’t want to want me, but she does. Just as desperately as I want her. “I won’t.”

“Sure.”

“Seriously.”

“Sure.”

She lets out a frustrated noise before turning on her heel and heading down the hall. As I take in her ass, I notice it’s a bit wider, but that could be the shirt she’s wearing. Not that I don’t adore the fullness and want to squeeze those globes with my hands.

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