Page 93 of Those Who Are Bound

He pulled back to look at her.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not saying I don’t like it.”

Jonah pushed her hair behind her ear, propping himself up on his elbow. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

Snuggling against him, it was Elliott’s turn to give him a confused look.

He prompted, “What backed up on you?”

She buried her face in his chest, shaking her head.

He caressed her shoulder. “Can we at least move farther up on this bed so I can hold you without my feet hanging off?”

She blinked at him and then let out a small laugh. She shifted to sit up. He sat up with her, looking at her. “Yes. Actually, give me a minute…?” And she slipped off the bed. She explained, “Girl stuff.” And she escaped into the bathroom.

Locking herself behind the door, she used the facilities and cleaned up, fighting not to make eye contact with herself. Once again, she’d had an emotional freak out on the poor man, and after he’d reached inside her both literally and metaphorically, taking possession of her soul. It was like shewantedto sabotage this amazing man’s interest in her.

And just to give him a fair chance, she stayed in the bathroom long enough to allow him a clean getaway. But when she exited, he was still there, his pointed stare heated, and… proud?

Climbing onto the bed next to him, she started apologetically, “Jonah, I…”

Jonah shook his head at her. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t mean to ruin this,” she finished, head down.

He grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. Leaning close, he gave her a quick kiss before he assured her, “How can you say that? Best fucking night of my life, and it isn’t over. Now lay your sexy ass down and let me hold you.”

Elliott could feel her blush deepen. Even though it was dark, the flashes of light all but gone now that the storm had moved on, she imagined the glow on her cheeks was a beacon.

Covers back, she slipped beneath them, waiting for him, thinking it was a surreal thing to do. She’d never gone to sleep with a man before. They were both about to discover if she minded being cuddled.

But as he put his arm around her and he pulled her back against him, she decided instantly that as long as it was Jonah, she wanted to be held, and she melted back against him.

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