Page 33 of Only Ever Yours

Thinking maybe he forgot where to turn, I blurt. “The turn is right up here.”

“Oh, uh… yeah, I know. I thought maybe you wanted to come back to my place. Maybe we could open another bottle of wine and talk some more… or whatever.”

Ugh… I know exactly what he wants, and I’m not feeling it.

My brain is going haywire with thoughts of Jaydon, and yeah, I’m wet between the thighs, but it’s not for Kevin. And I’m not going to just fuck him for the hell of it. I wanted to take my time and really get to know him. To see if we could really have something together. I need to let him down gently. I don’t want him to think that I’m not interested in him. I’m just not feeling the connection yet that I need to be intimate with him.

“Uh, thanks, but not tonight. I have to be up super early in the morning for work. I would love to some other time, though.”

He huffs a laugh. “Ah, I see… I’m just not like those other guys you normally date.” His laugh is bitter with disappointment.

I’m taken aback by his comment. What the fuck is he talking about?Those other guys,what the fuck does that mean? He’s kinda struck a nerve. Is he insinuating something about me? Has he heard something about me?

He slows the car and pulls into a gravel drive. Then, putting the car into reverse, he turns around.

Hopefully to take me home.

“What are you talking about? I’m honestly confused by that comment.”And it also kinda hurts, to be honest.

“Ah, nothing, it's fine. I just thought—never mind… I’m taking you home.” His tone makes me think otherwise.

“You thought what, Kevin?” I stare at him, astounded, even though it's dark and I’m sure he can’t see me. “That I normally just go home with guys after dinner?” I huff in annoyance.

“No, no… Ellie, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry you thought that. I just thought you might like to go back to my place with me and watch a movie or something, but it’s fine. I realize you need to be up early in the morning. So, it’s all good… Everything is fine.”

I take a minute to process his words. His tone and actions do not match his so-called thoughts, and his comment about other guys still bothers me. Everything is really not fine, but I’ll give him a pass this time because I just want to get home.

“Okay, if you say so… just please take me home.”

The ride the rest of the way back to my house is silent. My mind keeps racing with thoughts of what he actually meant with his earlier comment. I have no idea what the hell happened; he seems off tonight. It’s so fucking weird. Maybe he’s stressed about work—I don’t fucking know. I don’t even know why I’m trying to make excuses for him in my head.

We finally pull into my driveway a short while later, and the car comes to a stop. However, he doesn’t stop the engine like I thought he might. I look over at him to say goodbye, but he’s staring straight ahead. His silence is all I need to make my decision, and I take that as my cue to get out.

I reach for the handle—screw saying goodbye—when he suddenly speaks. “Ellie, please wait…” He reaches over to my side and wraps his hand lightly around my wrist.

I take a deep breath, calming myself, then turn my head towards him and wait for him to speak.

He bows his head for a second before speaking. “Listen, about earlier… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I said, and I would like to make it up to you sometime soon. If you’ll let me.”

I need a minute to process his words.

Do I really want to continue this with him?

I’m pissed, but I need a distraction from Jaydon. I need someone to keep my mind occupied and stop all the thoughts of the sexiest fucking asshole I’ve ever met. So, yeah, I guess I will give him another chance—not for him, but for myself. I need this distraction, and who knows, maybe everything will turn out all right.

Maybe I will eventually let him take me back to his place, and he can give me all the pleasure he wants. Hopefully, the sexual attraction will come with time. At least I fucking hope so, but I’m just not there yet.

Chapter 10

Ellie

The sweet, familiar smell of pastries baking hits my nose the moment I walk through the doors.

Elaine is already here and hard at work, preparing all her amazing treats for the morning rush. I don’t know how she continues to do it, day after day, all by herself.

I take off my jacket as I make my way towards the back and stuff it beneath the counter. I opted to wear my mint-colored t-shirt today instead of the pink one—I needed to change it up a bit.

We still have about thirty minutes before we unlock the doors for customers, so I head into the back to see if I can assist with anything. I round the corner and see Elaine studying her work. She’s making a jelly-filled danish with cream cheese icing; they are absolutely amazing and fall apart in your mouth.

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