Page 120 of Those Who Are Bound

He said honestly, “Best night with you so far.”

Elliott scoffed, ripping the keys away, looking beyond him. “I have a breakdown every time you’re with me. The sex can’t be that good.”

“Hey.” He reached out and grasped her chin. “Don’t do that.”

She looked at him warily.

“This is what it is, Elliott; learning about one another. These masks you’re asking about? I’d rather see this, the real you, with your fears, than any front you try to put up. Because when you show me that, when you’re real with me, that shows me you’re in this with me. So yeah, I’ll take tonight every night over saccharine.”

She blinked at him.Blink, blink, blink.

Releasing her chin, he reminded her, “And when you’re ready, there’s a rope course I can lead you through.”

She looked momentarily stricken before she locked down her reactions.

“It’s part of what I do, remember? I can do this for you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not ready.”

“I know. But when you are.”

“I might never be.”

“I have faith in you.” Her words from earlier.

“Misplaced,” she said quietly.

“I don’t think so.” He gave her a devilish smile. “I have a feeling about you, Miss Rork.”

She hesitated, then asked, “Are you… staying?”

Jonah shook his head. At her crestfallen expression, he assured her, “It wasn’t a plan before I came over tonight.”

She nodded. “Will you be coming to Lucy’s event tomorrow night?”

“The ‘I’m Rich’ party?” he asked humorously. He shook his head regretfully. “I can’t; she knows I won’t be coming. I have a few things to prepare tomorrow and an early morning Sunday, so I’ll need to skip.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, unsure, trying to read in to it.

“Elliott,” he said sincerely, “it’s just timing.” Leaning forward, careful to touch nothing but her lips with his in a gentle kiss, his gaze burning into hers, he said, “I’m not lying to you. I’m not that man.”

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