Page 47 of Make You Mine

“How the hell has he been able to do this?” Clicking on the arrow that takes me to the very last page, I look at the dates and realize that some of these go as far back as Lyle’s time in custody. Multiple times a day. Every single day. “No. I’m not going to look at this anymore.” Leaving the emails, I get up and rush out of the room. I’ll wing the dessert. It’s better for me that way. “I’m safe, and Elijah won’t let anything happen to me.”

I have to believe that, or I’ll go insane.

“Someone’s been busy.”

“Shit!” I yelp, dropping the plate I’m washing into the sink full of soapy water. It’s so cold, splashing and soaking the front of my thin tank top. My hands hold onto the sink’s edge, my heart racing as I try to calm the quick wave of panic. “Why do you keep doing that to me?”

“I’ve been calling your name since I walked into the house, sweetheart.” He’s not apologetic in the least. A little amused.

“Liar.” But I also don’t doubt him. I’ve done everything in my power to concentrate on our feast, losing myself in something that’s always brought me comfort. When I’m in the kitchen, I’m whole. At peace.

“Look at me.” And I do, my body turning around before I give it permission to. “Are you okay?”

“I’m...”

“The truth, please.”

Instead of sharing how I’m feeling, I take in the items in his arms. How do you stay mad at a man holding a single sunflower and a bottle of wine?

The answer is you don’t. So I pretend to be clueless because my resolve can only hold so strong, especially after the sweet surprise of allowing me to take over his kitchen. To bake.

God knows I’m already hanging onto a threadbare line of sanity and decorum. I want the items in his hands to be for me, but wanting something and it being a reality are two very different things.

Complicates my plans.

That I must fight this for both our sakes.

“Are you leaving again?” At my question, he shakes his head. This is bad. Very bad. “Someone gave you a gift, Detective?”

“I’m Eli to you, not Detective.” Elijah’s lips curl into a sexy grin as he steps closer. One foot and then the other, he doesn’t stop until he’s standing close enough that his masculine scent infiltrates my senses. That his heat sears an invisible tattoo of his name on my skin.

“What are you doing?” It leaves me on a shaky breath, goosebumps rising across my flesh.

“Just giving you a gift.” He reaches behind me and places the bottle of wine on the countertop, his arm brushing mine. My reaction is automatic; I shiver, and his eyes meet mine. Hazel on blue. “Is that okay? After today, you deserve to be spoiled a bit. Let me.”

There’s a plea there, and that’s a first. The normally demanding detective is asking, not telling.

“Yes.” A whisper. An agreement to give in, even though I know it’ll be a mistake.

“Thank you.” His hand lifts and caresses my cheek before stepping back, and it’s with this slight separation that I become aware of the flower in my hand. The petals are soft and skimming across my skin. “Now, how about you explain all of this?”

I can’t stop the blush that blooms and spreads, my lips parting as I try to come up with a good enough excuse and tell him what I’ve done. And, I’ve done a lot ofit.

“How about you disclose when you bought all the bakeware and ingredients? When did you find the time?”

“The grocery store app and their delivery service.”

“I was only in the shower for an hour and a half at the most.” That might have come out on a higher pitch, my pointer finger doing a weird circle and then jab-him-in-the-chest thing. His pecs flex beneath my touch and my knees weaken for a moment. “It’s impossible to have?—”

“How about a thank you.”

“How about you explain,” I counter, an open palm now pressed to his chest.

“As I said…” His lips twitch, but Elijah’s position in this ridiculous argument is strong. “I ordered everything while we stopped for ice cream on the way back from our walk. It was plenty of time, Ava. Just a slightly higher than normal fee for their troubles, and you had what brought this cheeky grin to your face.”

Am I smiling? Yes.

Does the handsome devil have an answer for everything? Also, yes.

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