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“Some things don't change. I know he’d never say it, but I think James is missing having everyone around.”
“Me too,” she said, her eyes going pensive. “He seems okay, though?”
“Yeah. He’s got Noel. Charlie and I meet up with him at the gym, and Axel’s around quite a bit.”
She nodded pensively. “Good. So, what’s the big plan, professor?”
I smiled when she looked around, leering around the corner, like she’d get a better peek at the living room. They’d barely left when I shot her a text inviting her over tonight once the love birds were in bed. She’d responded within a heartbeat, and I’d gotten to work setting up.
She froze as she observed the living room. I’d piled every pillow and blanket I had on the sectional and enormous accompanying ottoman, in front of one of those television Christmas fireplace screensavers with the crackling sound effects. I’d neatly laid out snacks for the movie–all the classics displayed on a tv tray I usually used to eat when I was on my own. Hot cocoa was steaming away beside the deck of cards I’d set to the right of the licorice. I had two additional board games set out on the end of the footrest; in case she wasn’t in the mood for cards tonight. I had to admit the fat flakes of snow drifting through the darkness past my window added to the cozy, inviting effect of the space.
“You made me a magic snow-night-in date?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You got me Rolos,” she said, something tight in her voice making me nervous.
“Do you not like those anymore? I grabbed Milk Duds and Red Vines too.” My shoulders relaxed the instant she turned to look at me, revealing the sweetest smile and glassy eyes before she threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me back a step.
Chuckling, I said, “Hey, Pix. Did I do good, then?”
“You’re perfect.” She stepped farther back than strictly necessary, and I wondered if she was fighting to keep space between us. I certainly had to battle to not just wrap her up and kiss her breathless the instant she was within reach.
“Nobody’s perfect, but I try.”
“So. What am I kicking your ass in tonight?”
“Excuse me?”
“The cards? What game did you pick for me to destroy you in?”
That made me laugh, unable to even feign indifference. “Poker, Rummy, Slapjack, pick your poison and I’ll raise that bet, baby.”
She lifted a hand to her heart as she said, “Slapjack!? Heck, I don’t remember the last time I played Slapjack.”
“High school, maybe?”
“Maybe!” She slowly backed into the space in a cocky little saunter that made not smiling impossible. “Sure about this, Professor? Pretty sure it gets a little intense, if I remember correctly.”
Christ, she was cute when she tried to talk shit. “I once survived a five-hour debate on the existence of time. Now that is intense.”
El rolled her eyes as she kicked off her shoes and climbed up onto the layers of blankets and pillows over the makeshift living room bed. “Oh, spare me the intellectual superiority complex. We’re talking elementary school games, not quantum mechanics.”
“Fine. But don’t underestimate me because I use my brain for a living. I’ve got lightning-fast reflexes.”
“Please, the last time I saw you move like lightning was in high school.”
“Hey now,” I said in mock offense. Hell, she seemed to enjoy watching me move in Vegas. “I’ll have you know I beat both your brothers in the town dodgeball competition last year.”
Laughing, she plopped down between two pillows. “Welp, for your sake, I hope that Salmon Fest championship holds up.”
I sat down on the opposite side of the TV tray, gently nudging her mug and coaster across to her as I snagged the card deck to shuffle and deal. Elora did this adorable, full body wiggle as she looked down at her cocoa, complete with whipped cream and marshmallows. She wrapped her entire mouth around the tip of the whipped cream pyramid before sucking in a mouthful and giggling as she covered her messy lips. How could something so ridiculous and so adorable also get me hard? The two sensations should not walk hand in hand, but with El, it seemed like I was in a perpetual state of raging desire.
“With mini marshmallows and everything?!”
“Go big or go home,” I supplied with a shrug.
“Amen. Now, if you were a true hot cocoa connoisseur, there would be sprinkles.”
