Page 73 of Gideon
“But?”
“The last time they met me, I was your nurse. It doesn’t look good.”
“Eli, you haven’t been my nurse for fucking months. How long is acceptable? Should I be drawing my pension?”
He laughs and steps into me, my arms coming up automatically to pull him close. “That’s not long to wait.” I pinch him and he jerks and laughs but then sobers quickly and nestles closer. “I know. I just don’t want anyone to think I’ve manipulated you.”
“I don’t think that’s likely,” I say dryly. “They tried to hypnotise me for a movie role once and gave up.”
“Which movie role?” he asks, pulling away slightly.
“The magician thriller.”
“I saw that. You were brilliant in it.”
“Yes, well not so much with the actual magicianing. I nearly decapitated the actress playing my assistant and my card dealing was absolutely atrocious.” Eli laughs and I brush his hair back. “I like to see you smile,” I say softly.
His eyes leap to mine and hold. “Really?”
“Yes, you should always be happy.”
“That’s not possible.”
“If I had anything to do with it, I’d make it so.”
“That’s lovely.” He pauses. “And also somewhat worryingly godlike.”
I shrug and smile at him. “Don’t worry. They’re lovely people. You’ll have a good time and they’ll love you,” I finish confidently.
“Will they?”
“How could they not?” The simple statement rings with certainty as we stare at each other. Then he coughs and moves back slightly.
“I’ll take your word for it. Come on, let’s shower.”
An hour later we walk up the drive towards Milo and Niall’s house. Eli looks at my outfit and smiles. “What?” I ask, looking down at my navy shorts and sky-blue shirt. “What’s the matter?”
“Your shoes match,” he says, affection and amusement running through his voice.
I look down at my sky-blue Vans. “And your point is?”
“Well, look at me. I’m wearing denim shorts and an old T-shirt, and I have holes in my shoes, and you look like you’ve stepped off the catwalk.”
I pull him to a stop. “And yet I can’t take my eyes off you. You don’t need expensive clothes or designer labels. All I can see is you, and you’re fucking gorgeous.”
His expression softens, and after a quick look around he pulls me to him for a soft kiss. “Then I’m happy.” He nudges me. “You make me happy.”
I try not to let my smile take over my face, but I can’t manage it. “You make me happy too,” I say gruffly and feel him squeeze my hand.
The house appears ahead of us and Eli looks up at it curiously. “This is lovely,” he says, and I smile at him affectionately.
“This was a wreck too. Niall restored it and then let Milo run amok with the décor.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see,” I say in a doom-laden voice. “You’ll approve if you like paint colours that let you imagine you’re living in a circus tent.”
He starts to laugh and looks around. “Could you live somewhere like this?”
