Page 38 of Effing Eli

She smiled but it wasn’t a genuine one. She was trying to hide her real feelings. “Don’t be. It was my choice.”

We made our way back to SJI holding hands, neither of us talking. She was probably thinking about all she missed just as I was doing the same, regretful of all she’d missed the last few years.

The list of things I wanted to do for her was growing. I was determined to make her the happiest she’d ever been.

Our trip to the Big Apple couldn’t come soon enough. Just two more days.

13

Autumn

I DROPPED INTO my business class seat near the window as Cindy and Louis sat in the row behind Eli and me. I was supposed to sit next to Cindy, but Eli would have nothing to do with it. He put our carry-ons in the overhead compartment, removed his blazer, and likely draped it over the top of our bags. I’d seen him do it a dozen times when we were together.

Passengers were rolling their eyes and glaring at Eli. In typical Eli fashion, he took his sweet time just to piss people off. This man would not be rushed.

I swooned, admiring this infuriating, stupidly handsome, sexy man. Men hated him and probably wished they could be him. Women drooled over him and tried to get him into bed. Such was the life of Eli Morgan. He never paid any attention to either sex.

“All set.” He dropped into his chair, took my hand, and kissed it. “Are you comfortable?”

Well, he paid attention to me.

I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder. “I’m perfect. Must you piss off people everywhere you go?”

“Who’s pissed?”

I giggled. “Stop pretending like you don’t know everyone behind you was shooting daggers at you.”

“Hmm, thought I felt a needle or two prick my neck. Impatient assholes. I don’t give a fuck about them.”

“Yes, we all observed as much.”

“Did I embarrass you? The plane won’t leave the tarmac until all passengers are seated.”

“No. It’s enthralling to be with a powerful, take-no-shit man.”

He pressed his lips to my head. “I knew you felt that way.” There was that darn amusement in his voice again.

God, I’d missed him over the weekend. He’d wanted to see me, but I’d told him it would be best if we cooled our jets. I doubt it even mattered. Since he picked me up this morning, we’d hardly been able to keep our hands off each other.

To say I was nervous about being with him in Manhattan was an understatement. There were too many memories that could unravel me. Some were wonderful. Others were heartbreaking.

“Boo, stop thinking. We’re going to have a fantastic time. By the way, we’re having dinner at my uncle’s place Wednesday evening.”

I jerked forward in my seat and faced him. “What?” I shook my head. “We can’t. We aren’t together.”

He lifted my hand, showing me our entwined fingers. “We aren’t?”

“We’re trying things out.”

“Bullshit. We’re together and we will remain a couple forever.”

“I should have known the second you got me on the plane you’d try to control me.” I ripped my hand away from him.

He took my face in his hands. “Stop it,” he said through gritted teeth. “I am not controlling you. My fucking family has missed you. They love you, Autumn, and wanted to see you. That’s it. I’ll cancel the goddamn dinner. But don’t you dare think I’m the same asshole I was when you divorced me, because I’m not.”

A throat cleared and we both looked up at the flight attendant. “Drink?”

“Bloody Marys.” He ordered for both of us, then turned his gaze back to me. “I’m not trying to control you.”

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