Page 43 of Escaped
“Right.”Owen’s sigh twisted the blade of guilt inside me.“If you two finish up here, I’ll go and take care of it.”
“No problem.”Eli rose from the counter he was leaning against.“We can do that, can’t we, Erin?”
Something about his tone assured me that Eli could see straight through my untruth, and a tingle of electricity raced along my body.If he was unhappy about how I’d handled the situation, he might demand there wereconsequences.Strange as it might have been, I realized I’d missed his boundaries.
“Of course.”Smiling, I watched Owen collect his phone before he wandered out of the room.He’d barely been gone a minute before Eli’s taunting tone splintered the remaining silence.
“Everything okay, little girl?”
My gaze darted to meet Eli’s.He knew I’d lied.I wasn’t sure what had given me away, but standing there, I knew that he knew.
“Something you want to tell me?”Eli folded his arms across his chest; an act that didn’t seem to provoke as much discomfort in his healing shoulder as I might have expected.
“I…” Reaching into the ceramic pot containing tea bags, I bit my lip.“I might have lied about the florist.”
Damn him.
I’d never met anyone who could read me as easily as Eli could.
“I see.”His lips twisted at my admission.“Can I ask why?”
“I was worried about leaving the two of you alone.”Uncomfortable heat rose to my face as I forced one tea bag into each waiting cup.“I know that sounds bad, but it’s the truth.”
“Worried I might find out something I wouldn’t like?”Eli chuckled at my obvious mortification.“Because it’s a bit late for that, little girl.”
“No, I…” That was precisely what I’d been worrying about.“What do you mean, it’stoo late?”
Reaching across the counter, he stilled my hand, and the deed sent my attention flying back to his face.
“Isn’t it obvious, Erin?”His fingers enmeshed with mine.“There’s nothing Owen could say that would change my feelings for you.I’m in love with you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Revelations
Eli
“You’re what?”
Erin’s mouth opened as though it was inviting me to invade her soft, warm places.I might have, too, had I not still been both injured and residing under her brother’s roof.It had been far too long since I’d crushed her flesh against mine, let alone taken her in hand for acting out of line.We both needed that again.
“I’m in love with you.”
It was good to say the words, to finally untangle the knot of emotions I’d been experiencing and tell her the way I felt.
“I thought you’d like to know.”
“My God, I...”Her lips curled, but it didn’t seem as though she could get her response out.“That’s not what I expected you to say!”
Encasing her hand in mine, I squeezed her fingers.“It’s the truth, and since you know everything else about my past already, I want you to know that too.”
“Eli.”She closed the distance between us, throwing her arms around me and crushing her body against mine.
“Ow!”I winced playfully, glad for her show of affection, yet all too aware of how tender my shoulder still was.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir.”She leaped back, eyes wide as she appraised me.“In my giddiness, I forgot you’re in so much pain.”
“Don’t worry, little girl.”My uninjured arm rose, my fingers smoothing her hair from her face.“I’ll take a little pain for the woman I love.”
