Page 107 of Those Who Are Bound

“Lord, have mercy,” he muttered as he turned away from her. He walked to the counter and gathered his wallet and keys, casting an appreciative glance back at her. “Thank you.”

Elliott’s cheeks heated. She wanted to smack herself in the head for the reaction. She asked coquettishly in an attempt to cover for her awkwardness, “Will I be receiving flowers later?”

He asked seriously, “Do you want flowers?”

“No,” she answered automatically.“I mean… no. Sorry, it was a joke.”

Jonah considered her a moment. She bowed her head under his perusal. “I’ll text you later.”

She nodded.

“I’m going to get out of here before Lucy shows up.” He headed toward the door. “That’s drama neither one of us needs.”

Elliott stood with a small laugh and held the door.

Despite his prediction regarding touching her again, he pulled her to him for another kiss. Holding her for a moment, his breath coming heavy against her temple, he finally said, “Sweet Jesus,” and then pressed another quick kiss to her forehead before nearly bolting out the door.

Elliott leaned against the doorjamb and watched him trip lightly down the stairs, the pulse beating in her chest matching the pulse between her legs. There had been a look in his eyes earlier, one that had nearly stopped her heart, that had almost sent her into a panic. Because it was something she wanted, from him, with him, but she knew he was feeling that way about someone he didn’t know.

But for now, for today, she wasn’t going to worry about that.He’d stayed. He’d told her over and over that he wasn’t that man. And he wasn’t. He was this man—Jonah. And he was as close to perfect as he could get.

Elliott waved as he turned the Jeep around, even though she wasn’t sure if he was looking or not. At the honk of a horn, she smiled. Then the vehicle tore down the pavement, leaves and small twigs taking flight from the hood and roof.

---