Page 94 of No Rings Attached
“Now that I’m with Drew, I know what arealrelationship is. Not like what we had, which was all about how I could make your life better and revolved around your ego.” Ellie spun on her heel, hips swaying with fury, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Come on, Drew. Leave the trash where it belongs.”
Goddamn.My cock twitched, heat surging low and sharp. She was fire and defiance and I wanted all of it. My pulse thundered in my ears and with every step I took screamedmine, mine, mine.
Through the bakery window Penny waved, wide-eyed, as Celia and Constance fussed over the ruined dress. They could go fuck themselves for the all the help they were.
I was taking Ellie home.
I opened the door and helped Ellie get into the passenger seat of my Mercedes. I closed it gently, even though I still vibrated with the need to hit something. I got in and started the engine, trying to calm myself, but my hands shook against the wheel.
Ellie’s palm slid over mine and her thumb traced slow circles, grounding me. “He didn’t touch me,” she whispered, her hand climbing up my arm until her fingers tangled in my hair.
My throat closed.If he had… I’d have killed him. No hesitation.
She leaned over, and pressed her lips to my temple. “You saved me. That’s what matters.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?” I forced out.
Her answering grin eased the steel bands surrounding my chest. “I’m fantastic. The look on his face when he realized you were there … priceless! And it felt so damn good to tell him off.” She giggled. “And you were so hot. I mean, I know violence isn’t the answer, but the way you tossed him away from me … ” She fanned herself.
Relief cracked open and spread through me. “I thought you might be pissed.”
“What? No, not at all. He deserved it.”
I slid my hand to her thigh, and squeezed. “When I saw him standing over you like that …” My voice caught.
She made a soothing sound to try to placate me.
“If he’d hurt you, I’d have beaten the shit out of him.”
“He didn’t.”
I shot her a quick glance.
“Hedidn’t,”she promised.
A shudder tore through me, my muscles still wound tight.
I steered the car into my driveway and set it in park. “Excuse me.” I reached over Ellie to open the glove box and grabbed a handful of napkins. Ellie chuckled when I offered her the stack and we gave our best effort to de-frosting ourselves. The more we wiped, teh more we laughed.
Then Ellie hopped out before I could get to her door.
“Ellie,” I grumbled.
She threw me a cheeky smile, knowing damn well her action annoyed me. I wanted her to understand that Ilikedtaking care of her.
And I needed to show her exactly how much.
Fake relationship be damned.
When we got inside, I couldn’t stop myself. I pressed her back against the door. My voice gravelly. “Are you sure you’re okay?” My hands skimmed her arms, her waist, her hips—as if checking for proof she was unharmed.
Her palms cradled my jaw, meeting my wild eyes with steady calm. “I’m better than okay.” Then her lips crashed into mine—hard and fierce—claiming me as much as I wanted to claim her.
I shuddered as her kiss unraveled me. My body rioted, craving her with an intensity that bordered on pain. “Ellie?—”
She cut me off when her arms slid up and she tugged my face down. Our mouths moved together seamlessly, tongues tangling, heat searing everywhere we touched.
I kissed her hungrily, teeth clacking, desperately wanting to devour her. Everything about being with her felt right—her lips molding to mine, her body arching into me.
