“I’m so sorry.” His words were strangled, dripping with the same tortured agony she felt deep in her chest. “I wanted to play hockey, and I knew you didn’t want me to leave. I was selfish and short sighted.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in the dim light as a battle played out across his features. “We’re adults now, though, Clare. It’s different. I learned from my mistakes and I would never do something like that again.”
She hadn’t thought he’d ever do something like that the first time. But everything inside her wanted to believe that he’d changed, that this time he’d stay, that this time he’d choose her.
“You really hurt me, Eli.”
He nodded. “I know. And I can’t go back and change anything I put you through. But I can try to be better, todobetter.”
After a long silence, she sighed. “I always dreamed we’d build a life together you know. Have a family, live close to our parents, a dog… hell, even the white picket fence.”
“There’s still time to have a family together, CeeCee.”
His confidence wrapped around her like a warm blanket, but it was misplaced. Wasn’t it?
How was there still time to have the things she’d dreamed of as a young girl? She was getting old enough that even if she had wanted more children, doctors would caution her against it. She would be ageriatricpregnancy.
Did she want more kids?
Did she want to be ageriatricmother?
Did she want to start all over again? With achy boobs, explosive diapers, and no sleep?
It wasn’t something she’d given thought to for a long time. Not having reliable father figures in her kid’s lives didn’t make for greathappily ever afterfantasy fodder.
He’d given her so much to think about, but she didn’t want to think any more about it tonight. Not now. Not when she looked a million fucking dollars, had waxed to within an inch of newborn skin, had a free house, and Elliott looked delicious enough to eat.
Another long pause hung between them before she shifted in her seat and reached for the door handle. “Do you want to come inside?”
Chapter 12
Elliott
The gold dress had gone from taunting him all night long, hugging her every curve, to being a crumpled pile at his feet. Lying in the middle of the bed in her underwear, Clare made his mouth water. Intricate scraps of nude lace material covered her breasts and crotch as she lay on the bed in front of him.
“You’re staring.” She curled her hand over her stomach.
“Damn fucking straight I’m staring. You’re a fucking goddess lying there, Clare.” He couldn’t help but lick his lips. He itched to spread her legs and feast on her pussy.
Her cheeks pinked. “You’re also very naked.”
He chuckled. “Isn’t that kinda the point?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
“Unless you’re changing your mind?” His stomach sank. Was she changing her mind? Cold feet? Regret? Had she not actually found it in her heart to forgive him for chasing his dreams all those years ago?
A small head shake was all she gave up. Her eyes devoured every contour of his body, and paused on his dick. He wasn’t hung like a horse by any means, but he knew what to do with it. “I’m gonna rip those panties off you and eat you like the delicacy you are. Then I’m gonna fuck you senseless until your legs don’t work.”
Her flush darkened, but her eyebrow rose as though challenging him. He leaned forward, curled his fingers around the flimsy material and tugged. The fabric didn’t give, but Clare shrieked.
“Ow! What the hell? Books and movies don’t tell you about friction burn in your ass crack when someone tries to rip off your pretty undies.” She wiggled on the bed. “It’s always so fucking hot in books. The fabric just gives way and it’s easy. That did not feel easy.” She sniffed.
“Take two?”
She shook her head and looped her thumbs through the elastic.
The hell he was letting her take them off herself. “Don’t. Leave them. I’ll do it.”
Her hands fell by her sides, and he picked up her foot, dotting kisses along the inside length of her leg enjoying the shiver that rippled through her body at his touch. When he got to her inner thigh, he traced her name along her skin with his tongue, her whimpers and tiny breaths making him painfully hard.
