Page 59 of Finding Home

“But it’s such an imposition?—”

He stopped her with a kiss.

Lifting his head, he cupped her face. “Nothing’s an imposition when you care about someone. And I care about you Elle, very much.”

Her smile trembled as much as the butterflies in her belly.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Clayton asked.

“Well, as you are a dead man walking, I should.”

“I think I know what I’d like for my last meal.” He nipped at her bottom lip.

“We should probably get home then.”

Clayton kissed her slowly, his hands moving to her waist.

“Yes.” he murmured, dragging his mouth to her throat. “I thought your yoga pants were killing me, but these jeans are annihilating my self-control. I fought pulling you into the banquet room all night.”

“And what would happen in that room?”

“I’d start here.” He kissed below her ear. “Then here.” He licked her throat.

He dropped his hands to grip Elle’s butt and lifted her. She wrapped her thighs around his hips. A small moan escaped as Clayton ground against her. The friction of the denim layers between them heated her core like a pan of water just starting to boil.

“Seriously, if you two need a room I can unlock the door for you.” Laney’s mocking voice shattered their lust-filled bubble.

Clayton released Elle’s legs, allowing her to slide to her feet while remaining pressed against her either to keep her shielded or to hide his erection. Elle buried her blazing face in his neck. Had she just gotten caught making out in the VFW parking lot?Sure did.

“Thanks. I think we’ll head home.” Clayton cleared his throat.

“Good night…Sleep tight,” she taunted suggestively as she walked away.

Elle burst out in horrified laughter, grabbing at her stomach. “If she tells anyone and my uncle finds out…”

“All the more reason for us to hurry home. I’ve got a final meal to devour.”

TWENTY-TWO

“Every moment has its pleasures and its hopes.”

~Jane Austen,Mansfield Park

The news was out! By ten-thirty, Elle’s phone pinged with incoming messages.

Beth had sent a group text.

Beth: CJ OWENS!? YOU’RE DATING CJ Owens???

Carmen: YAY!

Elle: Beth, you live in Chicago. How do you know this?

Beth: My Mom. Everyone knows the pastor’s wife has the BEST gossip.

Elle: He’s Clayton now, not CJ, and yes, I am seeing him.

Beth: So, I guess you aren’t Charlotte Lucas, after all.

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