Page 76 of Mistaken Impression

“What for?”

“For what happened earlier… by the elevator.”

She reaches up, cupping my face with her hand. “You don’t need to be sorry. I understand now.”

“I know, but I won’t let it happen again. No matter how tempting you are, I won’t let my weakness around you get the better of me. I’ll try to be stronger.”

She lets her hand drop, her fingers dusting over my arm, resting on my bicep.

“I don’t think that’s possible, is it?”

I smile and kiss her again. “I don’t know… but one thing’s for sure…”

“What’s that?”

“Before we leave here tomorrow morning, you’re going to give me your mobile number. I was going to call you, or text you, to explain and to let you know I hadn’t meant to abandon you. Only I couldn’t, because I don’t have your number.”

“I don’t have yours, either.”

“We’ll put that right before the morning, but for now, I need the bathroom…”

She nods and I slowly pull out of her, straightening up and gazing down on her perfect body for a moment or two before I help her to her feet, and take her in my arms, just briefly, giving her a kiss, and then make my way to the bathroom.

Once I’m finished, I come back out again and notice her bag and groceries, still lying on the floor. Her bag can wait for now, but I pick up the groceries, cradling them in one arm as I wander back to the couch. Ella’s sitting now, and looks up at me as I approach.

“What did you buy?” I ask.

“Something for dinner.”

She sits forward, and I chuckle, holding out my hand to her. She takes it and I pull her to her feet and lead her into the kitchen, dumping her bag on the work surface before I open the fridge door wide and let her look inside at the salad and chicken breasts I picked up at the supermarket.

“Great minds think alike,” I say.

She looks up at me and laughs, throwing her arms around my neck as I close the fridge door again. “Were you thinking of cooking?”

“God, no. I was thinking I’d help you cook… or try to.”

She brings her hands between us, resting them on my chest, and looks up at me. “That sounds more like it.”

“I know my limitations.” I kiss her forehead. “So, what were you planning on making for dinner?”

“I bought the ingredients to make spaghetti with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and chicken.”

“Wow… that sounds amazing.”

“I wanted something that tastes good but is quick to prepare.”

“Oh? Is there a reason for that?”

“Yes. But we’ve kinda covered that already.”

I grind my hips into her, letting her feel my arousal. “Given my weakness for you, do you honestly think once will be enough?”

She bites on her bottom lip, gazing up at me through her eyelashes. “I hope not.”

I can’t help smiling. “I guess we can have dinner, and then…”

“And then what?”