Page 40 of Perfect Imperfections

She shook her head. “No. I’m better now.” And she wouldn’t disappoint Charlotte by leaving early. She was not her OCD. She would rise about this tiny setback.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded, a genuine smile curving her lips. “I just needed a little breather.”

“Okay, then.”

Sullivan dropped his hand from her face, and she had to hold back a whimper. She wasn’t a cat. She didn’t need his touch to soothe her. But man, oh man did it.

CHAPTER 14

With Sullivan at her side, Ellie returned to the party that was indeed winding down. A few of the guests had already left while she’d been in the bathroom, and more were gathering their things to say goodbye to the birthday girl.

After the last guest left, Ellie felt completely relaxed again. Charlotte asked her to stay for pizza and she didn’t have the heart to say no. Plus, she had no other plans. So, she stuck around with Sullivan’s brother Gavin, who also stayed behind to help clean up. By the time nine o’clock rolled around, Charlotte was fast asleep on the sofa, clutching the picture of Dolly and the ballet shoes her father had gotten her.

“Well, the kid’s asleep.” Gavin stood from his spot on the floor, stretching his large frame. “That’s my cue to go.” He leaned down to place a soft kiss on his niece’s forehead. “Night, Cheeky Monkey.”

Gavin came over to where she sat in the large armchair. “Ellie, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again sometime.”

“Ditto.”

He grinned, waving to his brother before he headed out the front door.

“Let me put her to bed, then I’ll be back down,” Sullivan said as he scooped his daughter into his arms.

“I want Ellie to tuck me in,” the sleepy soft voice complained.

Sullivan lifted his brow. She nodded with a smile. Who was she to deny the birthday girl? She followed Sullivan up the stairs and helped tuck Charlotte in. The sweet girl didn’t even stir as Ellie tucked the blanket around her. The whole situation felt…oddly comfortable. She shook off the weird sensation, heading back downstairs with Sullivan to the kitchen.

They had cleaned most of the party up, but there was still some leftover cake. They’d all had second pieces after cleaning. Well, the brothers had. She and Charlotte barely finished half of their second piece.

“Ellie, you don’t have to help clean.”

Sullivan put a hand over hers as she grabbed the plates full of half-eaten cake from the table.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” After the way he’d helped her bathroom freak out, she owed the man something. And cleaning always calmed her down.

He tried to grab the plate from her, and she lost her grip. Cake went flying through the air, landing smack dab on Sullivan’s nice white polo. She didn’t know whether to laugh or gasp, so she settled on an indelicate snort, covering her open mouth with her hand.

“Oh, Sullivan. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

He glanced up at her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Scraping off a chunk of frosting from his shirt, he started forward. She held out her hands, backing away, but unable to keep the laughter out of her voice as she pleaded.

“No, no, don’t even think about it. This is my favorite shirt and I—Sullivan!”

She squealed as he grabbed her around the waist, smearing the frosting across her face. He backed them up until she was flush against the kitchen wall, caught between the hard plaster and his hard body. Laughing, she glanced up into his eyes. Seeing something that made her breath catch. Desire. The same driving need she felt pulsing through her body every time this man got close to her.

“Ellie.” Her name was a low growl deep in his throat. “You know I’m not looking for anything long term, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m attracted to you.”

Her mouth dried. All the moisture gone as his words sunk in. She felt parched, dying for something to cool the fire that had taken over her body. A fire that could only be quelled by the man in front of her.

“And I think,” he continued. “That you’re attracted to me, too.”

“Yes.” Somehow, the word left her lips even as her brain stopped functioning. Sullivan wanted her. Her!

He pressed closer, impossibly close, and still not near enough to satisfy her. There were too many barriers between them, too much fabric for what she wanted to do with this man.

“I feel like a jerk even asking you, but—”

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