Page 52 of Those Who Are Bound

“I do.” His hand slipped from her neck to her cheek and caressed her lips. “When I go to bed with you, I’m going to discover if I fight you for the covers or cuddle with you. Then I’m going to wake up with you, make love to you again, and have coffee with you. I’m not going to sneak out in the middle of the night. I’m not that man, Elliott.”

“That’s… very specific,” she said breathlessly, her legs wobbly beneath her.

“I know what I want.”

She bit her lower lip as she looked up at him; she wanted it, too. Trying to keep from being concerned, she nodded. Just the way he was looking at her gave her confidence that she could take this step, and the next one. “Okay,” she said.

He grinned. “Okay.” He slowly put a little space between them. “I’ll be back on Saturday.Can I see you?”

Saturday. It was going to happen Saturday. She was going to wake up with him on Sunday. With a deepening blush, she nodded. Already, she was making plans for what she needed to do to prepare.

“Good.” He scanned her body as though taking a mental snapshot of her to have with him in the meantime.

Her hand clutching his shirt relaxed, and she ran it along the firm muscles of his waist, over his stomach, and down his abdomen toward his groin. He gasped and jerked away a bit, grasping her hand in surprise.

“Elliott!”

Looking back at him innocently, she said, “My phone. You still have it in your pocket.”

Letting out a disbelieving half laugh, he stepped back, giving her a look. “I wasn’t sure; I had a flash of police lights and mug shots because if you touch me, I’m certain I’m not that strong.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew her phone.

He looked at the blank display as he handed it over.When she took it, she didn’t even look at the display.She knew there was no one demanding her attention. Elliott unlocked the car door and tossed in her things. “I’ll see you Saturday, then.”

He nodded and leaned toward her. “Chaste kiss, or you’ll never get out of here. Hands where I can see them.”

With a low chuckle, she placed her hands on the car door as she leaned forward for his parting peck on her lips; it was almost as energizing as his more demanding kisses.

Straightening, he said sincerely, “Drive safe. Text me when you get home, please.”

Elliott gave him a curious look but nodded. She hadn’t had anyone take an interest in her welfare on this level in years.About to snap back with a sarcastic response about independent women, she locked it down. She liked it, his concern—his care. She didn’t want to do anything to indicate that she didn’t. So she nodded. “Have a safe flight.”

He grinned. “I will.”

Elliott slipped into the muscle car and started it; she let him close the door for her.Of all the emotions and sensations she experienced today with him, one stood out.

She felt safe.

Probably for the first time in her life, Elliott voluntarily woke up at four the next morning.

The previous night, she’d texted Jonah to let him know that she’d arrived home safely. His response was quick in coming.

Jonah: Good. Thank you for letting me know. I had an amazing day with you. The next few are going to suck without seeing you.

Elliott had smiled at the message, feeling like a girl, which was something she wasn’t accustomed to. She’d looked around the one-level elevated house, all by herself, no one to share her happiness with.She’d texted back,Me too. Where are you going, anyway?

Jonah: Portland. Work.

Elliott: What time?

Jonah: Flight leaves at 4:30 am. We board at 4.

She’d sent a screaming emoji in response to that, and he fired back with a rolling-on-floor-laughing emoji.

Later that night, she’d texted again,Good night, Jonah.

And he’d replied,Good night, kitten. I’m taking you to sleep with me.

“If only!” she’d said to the message, her heart palpating, wondering over what appeared to be a term of endearment.Kitten?She imagined him saying it, a gleam in his eyes. Coming from anyone else, she would challenge them. From him, she liked the idea of having a special moniker.

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