Page 33 of Coming Home

I freeze over top of her. Fuck, I’d love to give in right now. There’s nothing I want more than to bury myself inside her and forget about everyone and everything else. I’m barely hanging on as it is, and I know all I have to do is nod my head and I can pull my shorts down and be inside her in an instant.

But something tells me I shouldn’t. I need her complete trust before I take her completely. It practically kills me, but I know it’s the right decision.

I lift up and put my hand on hers to stop its movement down my body. I grip on to her tightly, probably tighter than I should.

“Today was for you.”

The smile is gone from her face in an instant. She looks up at me with surprise. “But…”

I shake my head. “It’s fine. I wanted to do that… for you.”

She averts her eyes and looks everywhere but at me.

“Ellie…”

She sits up, pulling the sheet up her body, effectively pushing me off her.

She pulls her shorts on under the sheet before sliding out the other side of the bed. “Ellie…”

She pushes her hair off her face and fake-smiles at me. “Thank you, Huddy. For everything. I better get ready for work or I’m going to be late.”

“Ellie…” I start but barely get her name out before she’s walking out of the bedroom. She practically runs across the living room, and I watch as she disappears up the stairs. I fucked that up. I stand up and then lean over the bed. My cock is still half hard, and the pain is overwhelming.

I breathe in and out, and only when I feel I can function do I start to make the bed. I pull the sheet up, and I’m about to draw it up the bed when I see it. Her black panties are lying where I took them off. I reach for them before I think twice about it and bring them to my nose and inhale. Fuck, in an instant my cock is hard again.

I walk across the room and drop them on the dresser. I put my hands on the hard wood and lean over, staring at the silky material. I would give anything to have stayed in bed with her all day. I know I’m doing the right thing, but it doesn’t feel real good right now. Eventually, she’s going to be mine. She’s going to know we are meant to be together.

Chapter18

Elle

“All right, what’s wrong?”

I glance up from my computer and over at Lilian. She’s looking at me knowingly, and I try to act as if nothing’s wrong. “Nothing’s wrong.”

She first rolls her eyes and then while sitting, walks her rolling chair over to my desk. “You’re not telling me the truth. If you don’t want to tell me, just say so.”

I lean my elbows onto my desk and rest my head in my hands. “I’m fine,” I mutter.

She scoots closer. “Okay, so first of all, you’re only supposed to work mornings, and it’s almost closing time and you’re still here. Second, Hudson has been in and out of the office all day, and each time he’s looking at you like he’s about to pick you up and carry you out of here over his shoulder. Third, you’re sad. Like really sad, and I’ve never seen you like this before.” She rolls a few feet away, holding her hands up. “You don’t have to tell me, but if there’s anything I can do, I’m here for you.”

I lift my head and look at her. Lilian has been amazing to me since I got here. But she is going to be Hudson’s sister-in-law soon. “Lilian, I do want to talk to someone, but he’s your family. I can’t put that on you.”

She doesn’t hesitate and interrupts me. “Yes, he’s going to be my brother-in-law, but you’re my friend, Elle. You can talk to me.”

I sigh and try to smile. “I just thought… I hoped….”

When I stop, she rolls back to my desk and leans her elbow on the edge. “You hoped what?”

“I thought he liked me. I thought he wanted something more with me, but he doesn’t.”

She looks taken aback. “You think he doesn’t like you?”

I shake my head. “Not the way I want him to.”

She holds up one hand. “Okay, this is just what you’ve told me and I’ve witnessed myself.” She holds one finger up. “One, he fixed your car. He did that so you’d be safe when you’re driving.” She holds up another finger. “Two. When he found out you may go out to work in the plant with Austin, he shut that down with quickness. He didn’t want you spending time with another man.”

I shake my head. “You don’t know that.”

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