Page 35 of Stick Work

God, I love her.

The realization hits like a wayward puck. Dammit, this is bad, for so many reasons.

I let out a shaky breath and force a playful smile. “And here you thought I had no kitchen skills,” I tease, brushing my lips against hers again.

Her soft laughter wraps around me, and hugs tight. “I was wrong. I owe you a million apologies.”

Chuckling, I smooth her dress down around her hips, my thumb lingering on the soft fabric. “Think we’ve got time for a quick shower before the dishes? Our clothes are soaked, and, well…” I glance at her with a teasing grin. “So are you.”

Her eyes narrow, though the laughter dancing in them gives her away. “Oh my God, Elias, really. That’s all you got? How about we leave the stand-up to Grandma and me.” She taps my nose. “A comedian you are not. But yes, a shower.”

Grinning, I grab her hand, but the moment shifts as my stomach knots and realization slams into me. “Holy shit, T.”

She freezes, her eyes darting around the room like someone just walked in on us. “What? What’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, my heart lodged in my throat. “We didn’t… I didn’t… a condom,” I stammer, the words rushing out in a panic. “I’m clean, I promise.”

Her eyes widen, the color draining from her face for a split second. Then, just as quickly, she exhales, shoulders loosening. “It’s okay,” she says softly, cupping my cheeks, her calm washing over me. “I’m on the pill to help regulate my periods. We’re fine, Elias. I promise.”

Relief floods me. “Thank God.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t even imagine?—”

Her gaze flickers downward, something unreadable crossing her face. I touch her chin, tilting her head back up. “Hey,” I say gently, searching her eyes. “I know a child is the last thing you want and I take full responsibility for this mistake.”

She nods. “You’re right. It is the last thing I want, and we’re both responsible. It takes two.”

“At least we were safe. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“Actually you can.” Her mood shifts, lightening. “I’m on the pill and I’m clean.”

“Me too.”

“So no condoms needed.”

Needing to be certain, I ask, “It’s what you want?”

She smiles. “It’s what I want.”

“Okay.” We head upstairs, strip down and we jump in the shower. We linger, just enjoying the warmth and the closeness. Once we’re done, we dress in different clothes. Since she only brought one dress, she tugs on a clean pair of yoga pants and a sweater, and I pull on clean dress pants and another button-down shirt. Once we’re presentable, we head downstairs to finish the dishes.

We’re far from done when the front door opens and in walks my family. “Shit.” Taylor crinkles her nose. Footsteps sound in the hall and a second later, all three enter the kitchen.

“Oh,” Mom says. “We left you with too much to do. You’re still at it.”

Grandma chuckles under her breath, and I glance at Taylor to see her cheeks heat. “No, we just uh…we’re slow.”

Just then, Taylor’s phone rings and she snatches it from the counter and reads it. “Please excuse me. I have to get this. It’s my brother.” She hurries to the other room and I stand there, trying not to look like I just had the best sex of my life on my parents’ kitchen table. I wipe my hand against my warm brow, and turn from Grandma’s all-knowing eyes.

“How was Evelyn?” I ask and run my hands through my hair, hoping it’s not sticking up all over the place.

“She was tired, so we didn’t stay long,” Mom informs me.

Needing to get away from three sets of prying eyes, I gesture with a nod to the archway. “I uh…I’ll check on Taylor, and then we’ll finish up here.”

“No need. We can do it,” Dad offers.

I dart into the other room and Taylor’s eyes dart to mine. “Apparently things went south between Kalen and Sahara.” She gives me a grin. “He wants to fix it, though, and he needs my help.” She holds her hand out to me. “I’m going to need you.”

“You’ve got me, Taylor.”

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