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“This is fast,” I tell him.
He nods. “Yeah, but we’ve known each other for years, and you’re all I can think about. Fuck, Marley, I can’t think… not unless it’s about you. My focus has been complete shit, and that tells me this, whatever it might be, is worth exploring.”
“Okay.” My reply is whispered, but he hears it. His eyes light up, and the kiss I thought I was going to get is pressed to the corner of my mouth—just a tease of what is yet to come.
Eli slides his arm over my shoulder and pulls me as close as he can get me without me being in his lap. “Cameron?” he challenges my brother.
Cam smiles. “She’s my little sister, and you’re my best friend. You’re both my family, so if this ends up not working out, I’m going to be in the middle.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Eli tells him.
“How could you possibly know that?” Cam asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’m twenty-seven years old, and she’s the first one to make me want to take myself off the market.” He glances over at me. “I’ve never been consumed by a woman as I have you,” he says, looking deep into my eyes.
“Are you two sleeping together?” Cam asks.
“What?” I ask, not trying to mask the offense in my voice.
“He’s talking like someone who’s pussy-whipped.” Cam points at Eli. “This isn’t him.”
“So, you’re saying the only way he could want me is if I sleep with him?” I ask, my anger taking root.
“Enough.” Eli’s voice is firm, and anyone within hearing distance can tell he’s pissed off. “You won’t talk to her like that. Look, man, I know she’s your sister, but fuck, I can’t let you say things like that to her. She’s better than that, and you know it.”
Cameron gives him a curt nod. “Mar, I’m sorry. That was out of line. I’m just… I’m taken off guard by all of this.”
“We don’t need your permission, Cameron.” Eli leans over and presses a kiss to my temple, causing my belly to flip. I hold my brother’s stare as he processes my words.
“You don’t need it, but you have it. Just… if this doesn’t work out, don’t make me choose.”
“Done.” Eli holds his hand out across the table for Cameron to shake.
Cameron doesn’t hesitate to take his friend’s offered hand. My shoulders relax as they pull out of their handshake, and Amanda steps up to the table.
“Are you ready to order?” she asks.
Cam and Carla both order their meals, while Eli adds on another bottle of wine. The conversation turns to Eli’s contract and how it’s his first big deal since taking over as CEO. Cam talks about work, and Carla talks about her job as a pediatric nurse. The night goes by in a blur of soft touches from Eli. He’s driving me crazy, so much so that when Amanda brings the check, and he insists on paying, I’m relieved that my brother stands.
“Thanks for dinner. We’re going for a walk on the beach. Do you all want to join us?” he offers.
“I’m exhausted. It’s been a long week. I think I’m going to head home.”
He nods. “You driving?” he asks, his eyes going back to my now-empty wineglass.
“I’ll call a cab,” I tell him.
“I’ll make sure she’s safe,” Eli assures him.
Cameron nods, and with a wave from both him and Carla, they leave us alone. Eli signs the credit card slip and stands, offering me his hand. I take it without hesitation as he leads us out of the restaurant.
“Do you need anything from your office?” he asks.
I think about it and remember I have my phone and my purse, which is all that I need. “No.”
He nods. “How about coming up to my place for a while so we can talk?”
“Talk?” It comes out more like a question because I can think of a million and one other things that I would like to do with him other than talk.
“I thought maybe I could steal a kiss or two.” He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip.
The right thing would be for me to decline. I should tell him no, call a cab, and go back to Mom and Dad’s. However, as I stand here with my back pressed to a pillar in the lobby, I do none of those things. “For a few minutes,” I say instead. I tell myself it’s so that I can see the penthouse. It’s to experience something new.
Yeah, his kisses.
A slow, sexy smile lights up his face. Without a word, he laces his fingers through mine and leads us across the lobby to an elevator door that I never knew existed. When the doors slide open, and we step inside, Eli punches in a number on the keypad, and the P for penthouse lights up, and we’re moving.
