“Hi.” I beam.
He stares down at me with a goofy smile and I smile right back up at him; it’s like a long-lost hello after not seeing each other for forever, but the truth is we saw each other only ten hours ago.
Okay . . . we’re a little pathetic . . . not that I’m complaining.
He stands back so I can get into the car and I dive in. “Hello Andrew.” I smile as I scooch across the seat.
“Hello Kate.” He gives me a kind smile in the rearview mirror.
Elliot slides in after me and takes my hand in his on his lap, and I lean over and kiss his cheek as the car pulls out into the traffic.
Okay . . . I need to chill. Seeing him buying that lingerie today has set off some kind of hopeless love bug and I’m completely forgetting how to be hard to get.
“How was your day?” he asks.
“Good, now. How was yours?”
He gives me a smile. “I bought you a present today.”
“You did?” I act surprised. “What is it?”
“I’ll show you when we get home.”
Home.
My stomach flutters. “Is it what I think it is?” I tease.
“What’s that?”
“You know.” I widen my eyes, as Andrew can hear.
He frowns in a question.
I put my mouth to his ear. “The big dildo.”
“Andrew, pull the car over, please. Kathryn’s getting out, she can walk home from here,” he says as he pretends to be angry.
“Don’t, Andrew.” I giggle.
Andrew’s amused eyes flick up to me in the mirror and he keeps driving.
Did he hear what I said?
Half an hour later, we pull into the enchanted driveway. It’s pitch-black as we motor up the windy road. “Did I tell you I love your house?” I ask.
He gives me a sexy wink as he tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Once or twice.”
We stare at each other as the air crackles between us.
The car pulling up in front of the house interrupts our moment, and Andrew climbs out and opens my door. “Have a good night, Kathryn,” he says.
“Thank you, you too.”
Elliot climbs out and goes to the trunk. He takes out about ten shopping bags and I can hardly contain my excitement. “Oh . . . you have been busy,” I say as I act cool.
“Not as busy as you’re going to be wearing them,” he mutters as he walks up the steps. “Thank you, Andrew, see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight Mr. Miles.” He gets back into the car and starts the engine.
Elliot opens the door and we walk in and turn the lights on. I look up into the hall and smile. “Oh Elliot, this place is so beautiful that it takes my breath away.”
“I know,” he agrees. “Me too. I’ve decided I’m not knocking the house down, I’m going to renovate. The house has too much character to get rid of it completely.”
“I agree.” I smile.
He passes me the shopping bags. “Now, I’ve been looking forward to this all day. I’m going to cook us dinner . . . and you”—he kisses me softly—“are going to give me a fashion parade.”
I bite my bottom lip as I peer into the bags: expensive tissue paper, lace, and silk is all I see.
“Ummmm.” I frown.
He raises his eyebrow. “Um what?”
“You remember that it’s that time of the month for me . . . right?”
He looks at me flatly. “What does that mean?”
“Well.” I shrug. Do I have to say it out loud? “I can’t have sex tonight.”
“And . . . your point is?”
I stare at him.
“If I only wanted you for sex, Kathryn, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have got past the first date.”
My mouth falls open. “What?”
“I mean . . .” He gives a subtle shake of his head as he corrects himself. “That came out wrong.”
I give him a smile as I cup him through his trousers. I rub my thumb back and forth over his tip, and feel it enlarge beneath my touch. “What am I here for?”
“So that I can fuck your hot little ass.”
I burst out laughing and he turns me toward the stairs and slaps me hard on the behind. “Go. Before you get yourself into trouble.”
With the bags in my hands, I take the stairs two at a time in excitement.
Hell on a cracker, this night is turning out amazing.
He’s amazing, I knew it all along.
There’s hope for us yet.
Elliot takes a shower and walks into the bedroom in only a towel; he drops it before me and I feel myself flutter. No matter whatever goes on between us, his sexuality or my body’s reaction to it is never in question.
He turns off the light and crawls in behind me, takes me into his arms and kisses my cheek.
I smile softly at his touch.
He puts his big, warm hand over my tender stomach and we meld into each other’s bodies. The air between us is alive with intimacy and comfort. We both lie in silence and I know he’s not going to sleep; I can almost hear his brain ticking away in the darkness.