“Because you’re worried about it. And I’m not saying I won’t.”
Her eyes light up as she smiles at me. “Is this because you think my brother’s gonna kill you?”
“No,” I laugh. “Because I know he will execute me.”
“Eli.” There’s an amusement written on her face.
“Come on, that was the joke last night when Matthews went over to hit on you.” Shaking my head. “You know he’s be pissed at you, too?”
Her brow furrows as she looks at me.
“If he knows you’re hooking up with a cop, you’ll be putting him in jeopardy.”
Her eyes widen again as she looks down. “I hadn’t thought about that. I mean, I guess I didn’t really see it. He’s always encouraged me, and was thrilled when I told him I was thinking about going to law school.”
A sarcastic chuckle slips out. “Yeah, because having a lawyer in his pocket won’t be good for him? And honestly, will you charge your brother a constant fee for staying on like the one he has now?”
“Yes, I will.” She nods. “But you’re right, not as much as they’re paying now.”
I can’t help but watch her as she cuts the pancake with her fork, eating a quick bite before looking back at me, brows furrowing once again as she contemplates something to herself.
“What did you mean last night?”
“You’re gonna have to be more specific than that.” Eating my own.
“You said I was a flame.”
“Oh, that…” I trail off, not really wanting to answer what it means.
“So what is it?” she tilts her head, bringing another forkful up to her mouth.
I can’t help but watch her lips as she wraps them around the bite, pulling it in.
Her eyes open, looking at me and smirking. “So, explain.”
“Uh,” I cough out before clearing my throat. A smirk spread across her face, knowing exactly what she’s doing. “A flame isbeautiful; it’s enticing, brings warmth when you nurture it just right, give it the attention it deserves.”
“God, you’re fucking cheesy.”
“Let me finish.” I laugh. “It can also destroy everything.”
“So which kind of flame am I?” I can instantly see the shift in her as she stands up, walking back over to the kitchen with her plate in hand.
Reaching out, gripping hold of her arm, I pull her down towards me. She drops onto my lap. The plate falling to the floor and shattering, as I wrap my arms around her so she can’t leave just yet. So she has to listen to me.
“It’s not an either-or… a flame doesn’t choose to be destructive; it’s the circumstances surrounding it.”
She turns, looking at me, and smirks. “Are you scared of me?”
I don’t answer her; I can’t. Instead, I grip the back of her neck, pulling her to me, and slam our lips together.
Without breaking our kiss, she turns on my lap, straddling my hips as she grinds down on me. Her nails trailing down my bare chest before finding their way to the top of my shorts. I can’t stop the groan as it comes out.
Pausing, pulling away, and looking down at me, she bites her lip as her fingers fumble with the button on my shorts. “This still counts as only the second time, right?”
If I was being honest with myself, I know I can’t agree to that. “It’s whatever you want it to be.” Not wanting to agree, but also knowing this has to be the end. The look in her eyes tells me she feels the same way.
“No, it’s not.” She whispers as she peers into my soul. We know we can never speak of this again. That this is all it can be, this right here, nothing more…
