Page 36 of Eternally Yours
“All right, lovebirds, let’s get going.”
I look back at Emma, who stands in the space I was just occupying. “Oh yeah, by the way, you’re driving me home, too. No way am I walking if she’s getting a lift,” she says matter-of-factly.
I chuckle. “I figured as much. Come on, ladies, let’s go.” I pick up the big bear, putting him over my shoulder, and take my girl’s hand in mine.
Less than five minutes later, we arrive at our building. Watching Emma sit beside the ginormous bear in my back seat was pretty hilarious, she even had a full-on conversation with the thing.She’s a bit of a nut job, but I like her.
Once inside their condo, Cecilia walks me to her room and instructs me where to deposit the teddy.We’ll need a name for this big fella.She watches me attentively as I set him down properly.
“Why the bear, Silas?” Her voice is quiet as she speaks the words.
“What do you mean?”
“Every gift you’ve sent me was thoughtful, the roses for my last name, the take-out when I forgot my lunch. The chocolate and heating pads for my cramps, even the spa basket so I could relax after my big day yesterday. I’m just trying to figure out the meaning of this one.”
I stand and walk over to Minnie, who seems emotional at the moment. Wanting to make her feel better, I wrap my arms around her neck as she does the same around my waist.
“I wanted you to have something that resembled me on those nights when you may feel lonely. With hockey starting back up, I’ll be on the road a lot, and we won’t be able to see each other as much. So when you start missing me, you have him,” I whisper into her ear.
“Oh, Silas.” It’s all she says, but I don’t miss the way her voice breaks at the end, emotions overtaking her little body. She pushes her face deeper into my chest and takes deep breaths, trying to keep her tears at bay.
Once she’s regained control over herself, she lets go of me and takes a step back smiling, then turns in the direction of her closet. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Silas, I need to know where we’re going so that I can dress appropriately.” She puts her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes at me.Oh, my little Minnie is turning into a kitten with claws.
I chuckle at the thought, which makes her frown deepen. “Pants, dress warm.”
“Thank you,” she says as she goes back to her quest.
As I wait for her to pick her outfit, I walk around her room, looking at the pictures on the walls first. Most are of her and Emma, with a couple of her as a baby with her parents. And others where she’s a bit older with her grandmother. Some people grow into their beauty, but Cecilia was born with it. She’s always been beautiful.
Next, I wander to her desk that has work files, a laptop, notepad, and pens on it. Then I go over to her nightstand. On it lies a stack of books, the first holding a bookmark in the center.
I pick it up and flip it over, the cover containing the sweaty chest of a half-dressed man.Well, that’s interesting.I open it up to where she left off and begin to read. At first it seems like a simple romance novel, and then I hit where the sweaty chest comes in.
My eyes widen in shock just as Cecilia exits her closet in new clothes. “OH GOD!”
She rushes over and rips the book out of my hands, hiding it behind her back, her entire face turning red from embarrassment. A smile spreads on my lips.It appearsmy girl has a dirty little kinky side. This will be fun.
“What is that?”
“Nothing.” Her eyes are so wide it’s almost comical, and she hasn’t blinked since grabbing the book.
“It’s book porn, isn’t it?” I maintain a serious expression, although it’s turning out to be harder than I thought. The tint on her skin darkens the longer we stand here.
“No,” she says with a scoff as she looks away, breaking eye contact.Lie.
“Okay, then explain to me why I just read about a guy shoving a—” I’m cut off by her hand smacking against my lips, refraining me from finishing my question.
“Don’t say it, please don’t say it. Pretend you never saw this.” She holds the book out for me to see, and I laugh from behind her fingers.She thinks it’s embarrassing. I think it’s hot as hell.
I nod, indicating I won’t say a word, even though I plan to google the shit out of that book the minute I’m alone.I want to know what turns my Minnie on.
She removes her hand and breathes out, passing her fingers through her hair, then looks down at the ground in defeat and huffs. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”
I take the book from her hand and set it back in its original place, then bring my palm up to the side of her neck, rubbing my thumb along her jawline. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Minnie. If anything, it makes me want you even more knowing you have a little wild side.” I kiss the tip of her nose lightly. “Come on, let’s go eat, and then you can find out what the surprise is.”
