Page 71 of The Story of Us
Maybe it was the residual runner’s high combined with finally being warm and sort of dry. Or the way Eloise tucked her chin to her chest and shook her head at her grandmother’s gall, looking like she belonged in every corner of his home. Or maybe it was the realisation that Nate could have more, just like he’d encouraged Callum.
Whatever it was, it was a total Blanche move. Rose would’ve never done this.
Nate peeled his wet, long-sleeve running shirt off, leaving him in his running singlet and if the way Eloise’s mouth dropped open before she snapped it shut was a sign, the light blue material was mostly transparent.
Joanie fussed with her glasses. “Wait. Wait. I’m not ready. Okay. Pants next, please.”
“Joanie!” Eloise dropped the spatula she was holding.
“What? It was worth a try! You guys got any wine?”
Nate threw his head back and laughed. “We sure do. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Joan was snoring softlyon Nate’s couch, half covered by one of Eloise’s long cardigans. Nate added another log to the fire, and when he turned around, Eloise was worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. They’d had, what he thought was, a great evening with her grandmother. There’d been lots of laughter, excited chatter about Eloise’s big adventure and a few throwaway comments from Joan that had made them both blush. But the thing that had really made it so special? All the lingering touches and heated looks they’d shared. Each time Eloise had fiddled with her braid, tapped her fingers against her lips or caught him staring, Nate had wanted to grin. To tell her how happy she made him.
“I didn’t realise how late it was,” Eloise whispered, glancing at her sleeping grandmother. A quick check of his watch confirmed it was only a smidge after ten o’clock.
“Joanie’s not supposed to drive at night, especially not in weather like this.”
“I’ll drive her home, and I can take her car back in the morning. Or she could stay here,” Nate volunteered. Eloise was sleeping in the guest room, but Nate could take the couch. Give Eloise his bed. As much as he loved Joan, there was no way she could be trusted in his room. And he really,reallyliked the idea of Eloise in his bed. Getting out early would also distract him from his big meeting with Garrett about what he should write next.
“I can”—a yawn interrupted Eloise’s words—“take her home.”
The sight of Eloise all relaxed, curled into the corner of his couch with Echo snuggled up next to her, filled Nate’s chest with a warmth the fire could never replicate. Overwhelmed with need and want, while still conscious that Joan was less than two metres away, Nate leant forward and did what he’d been desperate to do ever since he arrived home. Just one kiss. A little taste to tide him over until they could be alone again. Heat flaring in her eyes, Eloise shifted forward, her hand settling on his thigh.
His lips were almost on hers when Joan stirred, mumbled something in her sleep about “two sex on the beaches, please”.
Eloise stifled a laugh, her breath skating over his skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind it.
Right. They needed privacy. And they needed it now.
Nate held out his hand, and Eloise let him pull her up, leaning into him as she slipped her feet into her Ugg boots. He led her to the walk-in pantry and closed the door with his foot.
“Thanks for being so sweet with Joanie,” she murmured.
“Always, but can you do me a favour, please?” He backed her up against the wall, caging her in with his hands. “No more talk about your grandmother. I need a little something.”
Eloise reached for him, one hand wrapping around the back of his neck while the other landed on his hip, her finger slipping inside the waist of his tracksuit pants.
“What do you need?” she asked.
The short answer was her, always her, but Nate didn’t want to give the game away when they were supposed to be taking this slow.
“A little dessert, please.”
Eloise’s eyes widened, her mouth dropping open. “Am I dessert?”
“Uh-huh.”
“We’ll have to be quiet …” She jerked her head towards the closed door, her eyes never leaving his. A thrill ran through Nate, waking upeverypart of his body because he’d half expected her to immediately shoot down the idea. He adjusted his pants, promising himself that soon he’d feel her hands on his body. But not tonight. Not with her grandmother sleeping in the lounge room.
“Just a few kisses. No funny business. Clothes stay on.”
“Our clothes stayed on the last time, too.” The disappointment in Eloise’s tone was exactly what Nate needed to push forward, ducking down so he could pick her up. She acquiesced immediately, her hands gripping his shoulders, legs wrapping around Nate’s waist as he pressed her into the wall.
