Page 58 of We Own Tonight
I turn to him, eyes wide and full of tears. “You metStephanie?”
“After our boat date,” headmits.
“You went and spent time with mysister?”
“She’s important to you, and she’s prettycool.”
I move quickly, jumping into his arms and wrapping my legs around his torso. He catches me and laughs. I lean back and plant my mouth to his. He’ll never truly get that this means more to me than anything else he could’ve done. I don’t need fancy things. I need someone to care. I need to rely on someone, which isn’t something I’ve had since I waseighteen.
Here Eli stands, caring about me enough to take time to go on his own and meetStephanie.
“Get a room,” Stephaniejokes.
I slide down his body and kiss him again. “Thankyou.”
“You’re welcome,sweetheart.”
We all enter the park, and Mr. Shea radios to find out where Timothy is. As we make our way there, I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. My sister is with us, and we have the entire park to explore. Eli offers me a little bit more of his heart, and I give him a piece ofmine.
As we all make our way to the first ride, I grip Eli’s arm and stop him. I feel like I wasn’t clear enough about how much I appreciate what he did. “I don’t think I thanked youproperly.”
He smiles. “I think you leaping into my arms wasclear.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t think you understand how much it means to me. For you not only to meet my sister but also to bring her here to something without me sayinganything...”
Eli turns, cups my face, and presses his forehead to mine. When he pulls back, his eyes are filled with something that simmers on the edge of love. “She’s important to you, which means that if you and I have any chance at a future, she’s important to me, too. I wanted to meet her and let her see what I’m doing isn’t a game. I’m not a guy who fucks around with people. I’ve always been honest of my intentions when it comes to you. I want your heart and yourtrust.”
“I think you’re going to win it all.” The admission falls from my lips withease.
He grins. “I sure plan onit.”
I don’t doubt he will, either. My heart races as I look in to his eyes, the determination stuns me. I’m not sure why this gorgeous man has decided he wants me. It baffles me, but I’m not questioning itanymore.
He’s sweet, thoughtful, considerate, and I know that my heart has no chance of resistinghim.
“Eli! Come on! We need to get Heather on this ride!” Timothy yells, and Eli laughs, breaking away fromme.
“We’re coming,” he informs Timothy and takes myhand.
We walk toward him, and then Eli stops, grabbing his leg and massaging hiscalf.
“You okay?” Iask.
“I’m fine, I’m just gettingold.”
I laugh and pat his back. “Aww is the big sexy rock star not able to keepup?”
He pulls himself upright and smirks. “I’ll show youlater.”
Heat pools in my core at the promises he’s made about tonight. But Timothy cuts off myresponse.
“Come on, guys! I bet Heather is going to cry when she sees thisone!”
Eli chuckles and looks at the roller coaster in front of us. “I bet she will, buddy. Wonder if the big bad police officer is too much of a chicken,” Eli taunts me by using the words I justdid.
I rise to the challenge. “Twenty bucks say you both scream like littlegirls!”
“Gameon.”
