Page 52 of Cherished Lands
I mean, I almost died from too much pleasure, but she doesn't need to know that.
"We already ate, but feel free to make a plate up with leftovers if you're hungry."
She rejoined her friend at the stove and resumed cooking. I threw some eggs, pancakes, and sausage on a plate before making my way to the living room. Without thought or hesitation, I plopped down on Elliot's lap. He let out a littleoofbut recovered quickly, bringing his arms around my waist and settling me more comfortably.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. Want some?" I held out a forkful of pancake.He eyed it warily. I wiggled it in front of his face. "I didn't poison it."
Cautiously, he opened his mouth and let me slide the fork inside. When he released it, I fed myself a bite. His dick hardened beneath my thigh, and I fought a smile.Oooh, Paul Bunyan likes it when his girl takes care of him.
"I have never eaten so muchin my entire life." Back in Elliot's tiny house, I sprawled across the worn leather couch, letting out a groan. My food-drunk brain made everything feel fuzzy and warm. "It's a good thing I'm wearing leggings. If I were in jeans, the button might pop right off and into your eye."
Elliot barked out a laugh as he moved around the small space. "That's quite the picture you've painted."
A lock of hair fell into my face as I twisted to look at him. I blew it away with an exaggerated puff of air. "This is marriage, baby. In sickness and in health, in sweatpants and in jeans. As long as we both shall live."
He was putting away leftovers Emma had sent with us. Bent in front of the fridge, giving me a perfect view of his bubble butt.
"I think you mean, 'as long as a year lasts.'"
The warm, fuzzy feeling faded. His reality check hit like a bucket of ice water, and my stomach lurched. This wasn't real. Wasn't made to last. It was a business arrangement with an expiration date.
"Right." I said numbly.
I watched him methodically organize the fridge, probably putting all the containers in alphabetical order by name of the food, or something equally anal retentive. The sight would usually have made me smile—his need for control was oddly endearing now—but his words had killed my holiday buzz.
"You don't have to remind me," I said, pulling myself up to sit. "I'm well aware this is temporary."
He paused, one hand on the fridge door. "Tessa..."
"No, it's fine. Really." I stood, suddenly needing to move. To do something. "I mean, that's the whole point, right? Get through the year, save the cidery, then go our separate ways. Simple."
He turned to face me, expression unreadable. "Is that what you want?"
There it was. The question was out, and we couldn't put it back. It hung between us, heavy with possibilities I couldn't let myself consider. Not when every brush of his fingers still made me shiver. Not when I'd just spent Christmas with his family, feeling more at home than I ever had with my parents. Not when I was pretty sure I was falling?—
Nope. No way. Not going there.
"What I want," I said coldly, "is to take a shower and go to bed. It's been a long day."
I stood from the couch and padded toward the bathroom. Elliot was still standing motionless by the fridge. I had to squeeze by his hulking frame, and my chest brushed against his arm. When I finally passed him, I thought I was in the clear, but he reached out and grabbed my wrist. I jerked it away.
"Tessa—"
"Don't." My voice was tight. My nose burned.Oh, fuck. Am I going to cry?
I made it to the bathroom and closed the door, locking it behind me. God, what was wrong with me? I always got super emotional and bitchy the week before my period. That must have been what was happening here.
I stripped off my clothes and dropped them to the bathroom floor. Standing in front of the mirror in nothing but my black lace thong and bra set, I ran my hands over my bloated stomach. "Hello, food baby."
A flash of an impossible future entered my head. Me pregnant. Elliot kissing my belly where his child was growing.
Oh, holy hell. Get it together, woman.
He literallyjustreminded me this was temporary, and now I'm in his bathroom, fantasizing about having his babies.
He's only been in love with you his whole life.Charlie's speculation floated to the surface of my mind as I removed my bra and panties and turned on the water, cranking it as hot as it would go.
