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Hopefully, I will get her to open up more tomorrow. She also had a punishment coming because of the disregard for bedtime. If she had asked, even if I wasn’t able to get to my phone until later, I would have seen it as compliance instead of disobedience. Touching her face once more, I smiled before heading to the bathroom. I could scarcely remember the last time I had someone in my bed, and I looked forward to waking up with her in my arms.
Chapter 8
Emma
Sipping on coffee curled up in the window seat in the kitchen, I thanked Luke and Elias mentally. They selflessly invited me into their home, and I felt a profound sense of peace. Checking the clock on the wall, I got up.
Crap.
It was way past the time Elias usually woke, even though he had gotten home so late last night. Fixing a mug for him and topping off my own, I set the cups on a small tray. After arguing back and forth mentally for a while, I finally ventured upstairs.
Knocking on his door once, I entered. Elias sprawled out across the bed, sheets shoved to his feet, wearing only teal boxer briefs. Nearly drooling from the sight, I set the tray on his nightstand. He stretched, opening his eyes to catch me staring.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
“Uh.”
“Did you bring me coffee?”
“Mm.”
“Clearly you need some more.” Pulling himself out of bed, he tugged on a gray V-neck t-shirt, and I watched his every movement. “I’ll be right back.”
Awkwardly standing near the bed, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I could continue to hover or sit down. A musky, warm, vanilla smell reached me, the same scent that lulled me to sleep last night. I sank into the mattress, propping myself up with pillows so I could drink coffee while I waited. Elias returned from the bathroom, joining me on the bed. Looping an arm around my shoulders, he nodded toward the tray.
“Sorry for waking you.” Handing him the second mug, I smiled when he sipped and muttered approvingly.
“I can’t sleep the day away.” Elias took a few more sips. “Are you hungover?”
“No, but my head hurts a little.”
“I can make your headache go away.”
“A spanking won’t cure a headache, Elias.”
“Aha. No, I was going to say two Tylenol chased down with a huge greasy breakfast, but I like your train of thought, sweetheart.”
I adored the way Lucas handled me, but Elias made me forget my name when he locked those almost black irises on me. Missing my mouth, I spilled coffee down the front of the tee-shirt. He yanked it up and over my head, probably thinking the coffee would burn me, and an embarrassed laugh bubbled out of my mouth.
“My coffee cooled while I debated whether or not I should come up here.”
“What hesitations held you back, Emma?”
“I messed up a bunch yesterday.”
“We will talk about it, but not this early.” Elias tossed the shirt, so it landed in his hamper. “What else?”
“I get nervous around you.”
“Because you know I’m paying attention or something else?”
I shrugged, ignoring his question while I sipped from the mug.
“Emma.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve been in a meaningful relationship and now suddenly being in two is a bit overwhelming.”
“We don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do.”
