Page 89 of Dare To Live

My lips part, ready to say no but different words come out. “I’ll think about it.”

“At least it’s not a no this time.” Ivan chuckles.

Miles straightens, stretching a little in his chair. “As much as I’ve enjoyed the evening, I think we should be heading back to our hotel. Are you all packed for tomorrow, Bella?”

“Tomorrow?” Eli repeats.

“I’m going back to L.A.” My voice is tinged with regret.

Eli’s eyes flash “When were you going to tell me?”

“I thought my mom had mentioned it.”

Miles eyes us both. “I didn’t mean to get you into trouble. I thought you would have mentioned it already.”

Calling the server, Eli asks for the check. While he’s distracted, I slip away to the restroom to freshen up, swaying a little as I walk through the restaurant.

Maybe I should have told him about my flight, but I didn’t think it was important. It’s not like we planned to see each other again.

Guilt niggles at me. He’s been nothing but nice to me this evening. As strange as it feels not to have him sending me dares and playing dirty games, I’ve enjoyed the last few hours. For someone who lives in the middle of the woods alone, he’s up to date with movies and books.

Just admit it—I hadn’t wanted to tell him.

I straighten the straps of my dress and examine my flushed face in the mirror above the sink. My skin warms, thinking about how Eli’s gaze had moved over what I was wearing a few times during the meal, the way heat simmered in his eyes.

A secretive smile curls my lips up, and I walk into the first empty stall and lock myself inside. Pulling up my dress, I hook my fingers in the side of my panties and drag them down. I wiggle as they fall down my thighs and pool my ankles. I bend, pick them up, and bundle the lace into the bottom of my bag, then step back out to wash my hands, dry them and leave.

The three men are waiting for me at our table, and we go to the cloakroom check-in and retrieve our coats. It’s dark and cold when we step out onto the sidewalk. Shivering, I turn up the collar of my coat to keep the lash of the icy wind off my face.

Miles kisses my cheek. “Call me tomorrow.”

“I will,” I promise.

Ivan hugs me. “See you back in L.A. We can arrange that show for the both of you.”

I smile, but don’t reply.

As they say their goodbyes to Eli, I watch him shake their hands. A second later, he’s ushering me toward a black car and the driver waiting for us. I slip into the back, scooting over awkwardly to give him room to get in beside me. The driver closes the door, and I click my seatbelt into place.

“When were you going to tell me you were leaving?” Eli’s voice is low.

“Tonight, after dinner. You know I live in L.A. and that I was just here to spend time with my mom.”

“I can’t talk you into staying longer?” His voice is rough in the darkness.

“I have to get back to work.”

The driver starts the engine and maneuvers us out into the flow of traffic.

I turn my head and study Eli’s profile. He doesn’t look happy that I’ve said I couldn’t stay, and I reach for his face before I fully register what I’m doing. I’ve barely touched his cheek when he shifts his attention to me. Leaning toward him, I tilt my head and press my lips to his. It’s meant as a silent apology, soft, and gentle.

Eli stills but doesn’t push me away.

I flick my tongue against the seam of his lips and moan softly when he opens for me. The second I feel his mouth grow hungrier on mine, everything changes. I kiss him like he’s the air I need to breathe, and I’d suffocate without him.

But it’s not enough. It’s never enough with this man.

I unclip my seatbelt, and crawl over the seat toward him.

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