x
I smile through the window of my bedroom and see the black Bentley pull up to the curb.
A kiss at the end of his message really shouldn’t excite me as much as it does.
I take one last look around my bedroom and get the distinct feeling that I’m forgetting something, but God knows what it is.
I bounce downstairs. “Beck, I’m going,” I call.
She appears from her room and smiles as she holds her arms out. “Be safe.”
I hug her. “I will.”
“Have a great time.”
“Okay.”
“And just come home any time you want. If you aren’t getting on, bail instantly.”
I widen my eyes. “Yes, Mum. I wish Daniel was home, I wanted to see him before I go.”
“He’s out for the day.”
“Tell him I said goodbye.”
“Okay.” She opens the door and I brush past her in a rush. I feel like I’m Scarlett O’Hara escaping Alcatraz or something. I know I shouldn’t be this excited, but holy hell I am. Andrew is at the door and takes my suitcase from me.
“Thank you.” I smile.
I try to walk calmly to the car and Elliot gets out and opens the door for me. “Hello,” he says.
He’s so tall and towers above me; I go up onto my tippy toes and kiss him. “Hi.”
His hand goes to my behind as he smiles down at me. “Hello,” he repeats.
“Long time, no see,” I whisper up at him.
He chuckles and moves out of the way so I can get into the car. I glance up to see Rebecca standing in the open door watching our interaction.
Yes, I know I’m kissy . . . but he secretly thinks I’m incredible and you need to mind your own business already.
I get into the car and Elliot slides in beside me.
Andrew gets into the front seat after placing my bag in the trunk.
“Thank you, Andrew.” I smile.
He dips his head in the front seat as he pulls out onto the road. “Hello Kate, nice to see you again.”
Elliot sits back in his seat as he watches me, wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt and runners, with a navy bomber jacket on the seat. His big blue eyes look especially piercing today . . . or that could just be my incredible rose-colored glasses.
I reach over and put my hand on his thigh and take his hand in mine. His quads are thick and muscular and I get a thrill that I can touch him like this.
He picks my hand up and kisses my fingertips and I smile goofily over at him.
“What is that look, Kathryn?” He smirks.
My eyes flick to Andrew in the front seat—I can’t say it out loud for heaven’s sake.
He raises his eyebrow in question.
“Just excited,” I whisper.
He gives me a slow, sexy smile. “Well, that makes two of us.”
My eyes flick to Andrew in the rearview mirror. Can he hear us?
I lean into Elliot. “Where are we going?” I whisper.
He smiles as he puts his arm around me and pulls me close. “It’s a surprise.”
“Does that mean you don’t know yet?”
He chuckles and kisses my temple. “Yes.”
I glance up to see Andrew’s eyes flick back to the road—he just saw that.
I snuggle in close; Elliot’s chest is broad and his strong arm is around me. His aftershave is out of this world, how does he smell so good?
“I feel like I forgot something?” I whisper.
“All you need is your birth control pills.” He smirks.
My eyes widen and flick to Andrew.
“Stop it,” Elliot mouths.
“He can hear us?” I mouth back.
“So?” Elliot raises his eyebrow. “Forget he’s there.”
Jeez, this is awkward. How do you forget someone is there listening to everything you say?
I wonder what he’s heard before . . . what I wouldn’t give to put him on the lie-detector machine for an hour. I bet that would make for some interesting listening.
My phone rings in my handbag and I dig it out. The name Daniel lights up the screen. I glance up to see that Elliot has read his name, and I go to put it back.
“Answer it,” he says.
“No, I’ll get it later.”
“Answer it,” he repeats with more force as he takes his arm off my shoulders.
Oh fuck, it’s going to look obvious if I don’t answer it now.
“Hi,” I answer with an awkward smile.
“What are you doing?” Daniel snaps.
“Ha-ha, oh hi, Daniel.” I fake a laugh. Oh crap, Elliot can hear this conversation. “I’m on my way to the airport.”
“You’re going away with him?” he barks.
I push the phone nearly halfway through my skull to try and block it so that Elliot can’t hear. “Yes, just for a few days.”
“Are you crazy?” Daniel blurts out. “That’s fucking stupid.”
Elliot’s eyes narrow as they hold mine.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Um, crazy excited. I have to go, now is not a good time.” I fake-laugh again, oh hell on a cracker. Why are my flatmates such wet blankets?