Page 35 of Not a Perfect Save

Ella needs to be eased into things. And tonight’s the night to kick things up a notch. Sheets are changed, food is prepped, wine’s decanting. I’m pulling out the big guns to get her to say yes to my proposal.

The doorbell rings justafter seven. I’m almost done cooking. Pad Gra Prow and Tom Yum Kung for her, Chicken Satay and an antihistamine for me—just in case.

I open the door for Ella. Something in my chest twists at the sight of that wavy brown hair, delicate face, and jade green eyes. Fuck, I’ve missed her. I swallow. When did this pint-sized pain in the ass become so important to me?

“Hello.”Scintillating conversation starter, asshole.

“Hi,” she responds.

I drink in the rest of her. She’s more dressed up than usual, in an orange skirt and a white top, with a jean jacket over it. It looks like she’s wearing makeup. Her tongue sneaks out and swipes the soft curve of her lips, making me almost groan. I’m dying to kiss her, but if I do, all my plans of slow seduction are fucked for sure.

I hustle Ella into the kitchen. “Wine?”

“Yes, please. Red if you have it.”

“Of course.” I pour her a glass of Burgundy. “Just need a few more minutes.”

The little snoop doesn’t stay still while I finish, and wanders around. She opens up a couple of cabinets, checks out my booze collection, then peers at the shelf of recipe books. They are arranged by diet—allergy friendly, gluten-free, high protein, vegetarian—then alphabetically within their categories.

She pulls out a book on healthy smoothies and skims it before making a face and shutting it. “And he calls what I like to eat questionable…” Pink tipped fingers run along the spines of some of the other books and stop. Ella slants me a glance from beneath her dark lashes, then, very deliberately, she places it between the A’s and the C’s, positioning it so that it sticks out, and isn’t flush with the other titles.

I snort, though I’m itching to move it back into place. The minx’s look is challenging, so I am determined to resist.

Before she can disrupt my orderly place further, I grab her hands in each of mine, and bring them to her back. Ella sucks in a sharp breath as I trap her in place. Our eyes tangle, and her soft lips part, ever so slightly. Her lids flutter down as I slowly lower my head.

And give her nose a quick swipe with my tongue.

She shrieks and I laugh, releasing her. “Come on.”

I carry the dishes to the table, all laid out. Ella takes in the dining room, with the good cutlery and nice plates, then she swivels to face me. “You planned all this.” A finger pokes me in the chest.

I grab it and bring it to my mouth. I’m fucked if she discovers I’m ticklish. “I did.”

She tips her head to one side as she studies me, but doesn’t say more.

We dig into the meal. I give myself a mental pat on the back when Ella takes a bite and hums with pleasure.

But my cock is hard and heavy, and heat is strumming up and down my spine by the time we get to our dessert of mango sticky rice from all her little sighs and moans. I’m ready to say fuck it and head straight for the closest horizontal surface before I self combust. Hell, this table will do just fine.

Somehow, I manage to hold on to what little patience I have until we finish. Ella helps me clear up. While she’s at the sink, I go up behind her, and brush her hair to one side. My lips find her neck and I inhale her sweet scent as I run my tongue over the delicate skin.

I usher her up the stairs, but at the threshold of my bedroom she pauses. The tension in the air ratchets up. I stop behind her and lightly lay my hands on either side of her hips. She takes in a stuttering breath and I wait to see what she’ll do.

Ella turns and lifts her eyes to mine. She brings her fingers to the buttons of my shirt and undoes the first one. My brave girl.

I drop my lips to hers and kiss her. I walk her backwards to the bed, keeping my mouth fused to hers the whole way, until the back of her knees hit my bed. She sits and angles back, propping her elbows on the mattress but keeping her feet on the ground. I kneel in front of her and lean over to pick up our kiss. My hands slip under her skirt and slide up to her knees, caressing her there for a moment before pushing the material up her thighs and opening her to me.

I trace her inner thighs with my thumbs. The outline of her pussy beckons through her damp panties. Her eyes are hazy with desire and mine stay locked on them as I hook the gusset of the thin silk to one side and lower my mouth to her clit. I taste her, savoring, sliding and sucking. She gives a low moan as the fingers of my other hand find her opening. I push one in. “Fuck, baby, you’re so wet.” I groan into one soft thigh. She whimpers and the sound goes straight to my aching balls.

I keep my touch gentle to start. I want to draw it out, make her need this as much as I do.

All of a sudden, neither of us can wait anymore. I drag her skirt and panties down her legs and she goes for my jeans. I tug off her jacket and top, and unhook her bra before bringing my mouth to her sweet tits. My tongue flicks at a hard nipple before giving her a quick nip. She arches off the bed. It only makes me more greedy, and I suck at her, nudging her opening with my impatient dick.

Ella tugs at my hair in desperation. I want exactly what she wants.

“Condom.” My voice is hoarse as I push back and reach for the night stand.

Ella captures my hand, keeping me from my destination. “Or…”

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