Page 33 of Baring All
“I’m really making a mess of this. I’m sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. Can we just forget I said anything and go back to the way things were before?”
I can almost hear the cogs in her brain turning as she sits there staring at me. She straightens in her seat and, for the first time since we got here, Eloise looks me dead in the eye. “What if I don’t want to?”
It’s my turn to frown. “Don’t want to what?”
“Don’t want to forget what you just said?”
“What are you saying?” My buzz is now gone, uncomfortable awareness taking its place.
“I’m not a relationship kind of girl either. But, same as you, I like you, and I have needs, too, so maybe this is the best solution for all concerned. We get to take care of each other, and our needs, with never having to worry about the messiness of long-term relationships.”
“Seriously? You’d considered it?” Excitement bubbles through me. I didn’t actually think she’d give my proposition any thought.
“Yeah. Well, not just consider it. I’m game if you are.”
“Hell yeah, I’m game.”
We sit, side by side, grinning at each other like two loons. “So, what was that about a nightcap?”
I jump to my feet. “What can I get you?”
“Considering I went light on the drinking tonight, how about a glass of wine to celebrate our new arrangement?”
“Sorry, I don’t have any wine, just beer and bourbon. Or coffee.”
“A beer, then.”
“Coming up.”
With a couple of beers in my hand, I return to my spot of the sofa and pass her a bottle. I tap the neck of mine to hers. “To friendship.”
“To friendship,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with humor. Eloise takes a long swallow. Resting the bottle on her thigh, she asks, “So, what happens now?”
“I have a few ideas.” I grin over at her.
“Yeah? Do tell.” She makes a “gimme” motion with her hand.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t we finish our drinks and I’ll show you?”
“Mmm, I like that idea.”
The air around us turns thick. Desire that I tamped down earlier comes rushing back. But I don’t want her to think I’m some animal who wants nothing but sex from her. So rather than throwing my drink back and draining the bottle like I want, we make small talk while enjoying our beers.
Despite my resolve to take it slow, I make short work of my brew, then find myself having to wait patiently while Eloise does the same. When she finally drains the last of hers, I’m about ready to burst. My zipper definitely is, that’s for sure. I’m so hard, I can feel the tiny metal teeth biting into the engorged flesh.
Eloise notices me shifting in my seat as I try to ease the discomfort. “You okay?”
I’m not sure if she’s asking an innocent question, and she’s blissfully unaware of my predicament. Or if she’s poking fun at me.
I choose to believe she’s unaware of my problem. “Yep. Hunky dory.”
“Hunky dory? I haven’t heard that saying in forever.” The soft look in her eyes clues me in that there’s a story attached to her words. I don’t have long to wait for confirmation I’m right. “It’s something my dad says all the time.”
“Huh. My mom used to as well.” Not wanting to ruin the mood by thinking sad thoughts, I hold out a hand to Eloise. “Come on then, let me show you what I have in mind.”
The speed with which she takes my hand makes me feel ten feet tall. I love that she’s as keen for this as I am. And there’s no denying that I cannot wait to get my hands on that luscious body of hers again.
Leaving the bottles on the coffee table, I lead her down the hall to my bedroom. I have more important business to attend to than cleaning up before bed.
