AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her answer is a relief. She’s worried about putting me out and it’s not about our relationship. “Don’t. I really don’t mind.” She gives a slight nod and I realize we’re both staring at the bed. A little too intently. Clearing my throat, I turn and head for the living room and my dumpy, lumpy couch.
“Eric?”
I stop in my tracks, the sound of my name on her lips making my pulse speed up, and glance over my shoulder. “Yeah?” Hope springs through me.
“Thank you. For everything.”
“You can stop thanking me. It’s actually nice to have someone else here for a change.” As much as I love the little bungalow, sometimes it feels so empty. Especially after returning from a job. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I will.”
“Goodnight then.”
“Night,” she whispers.
Even though my mind yells at me to go, my body refuses to budge and I have to force it to move. To leave her. Closing the door behind me, I wander back into the quiet living room. A soft ocean breeze rustles the blinds at the window and I pull the window closed more. It’s grown cool and I’m going to need a blanket.
Actually, with the way my body is overheating for Ivy right now, I probably won’t be covering up. In fact, stripping down sounds much more appealing and I reach behind my head and pull my shirt off. Then I kick my jeans off, quickly use the bathroom and return. After arranging the pillows, I drop down on the couch and stretch out on my back.
My long legs hang over the edge and I listen to the waves crashing in the distance, my thoughts returning to the gorgeous blonde sleeping in my bed. She’s so close and every atom inside me wants to get up and go to her. But I promised I would take it slow. If and when she’s ready to take the next step, I’ll be there, ready to go. But she needs to be the one to set the pace and hopefully, if I’m very lucky, extend the invitation to take things further.
With a sigh, I close my eyes, and all I see is flowing blonde hair, long, slim legs and those gorgeous blue-brown-green eyes. All night, I toss and turn, my dreams full of Ivy teasing me with kisses. And every time I try to take things further, she disappears and I can’t find her anywhere.
Like a wisp of smoke, she fades away and I’m left alone again.
Chapter Eight: Ivy
I can’t believe I’m lying in Eric Finn’s bed. His sheets are crisp and smell like a mix of laundry soap and fresh sea air. His scent infuses me and I twist and stretch, wanting to savor and absorb it. Staring up at the ceiling, I run the events of our day together over and over in my mind.
It was pretty much perfect in every single way.
Who knew Eric could be so much more than charming? He impressed me in ways I never expected. Like how he helped me on and off his motorcycle every single time and the way he promised to take things slow and not rush me into anything I wasn’t ready for. And I certainly didn’t expect him to open up and share how his past girlfriend had broken his heart. Just thinking about her makes me want to track her down and claw her eyes out.
But maybe the biggest surprise is that I feel comfortable calling him Eric. Something I’d never done before. He’d always just been Finn, cocky pilot and makeout mistake. But now he’s Eric, a man who I’m getting to know on a deeper level. Someone who has experienced heartbreak and being cheated on by someone he trusted. We have more in common than I ever would’ve guessed and it makes me curious about what other similarities we share.
When my thoughts finally wind down and I drift off to sleep, my dreams are filled with more than just a charming smile whose sincerity I used to question. Now I see a genuine and kind man, and someone who, just like me, lost trust in the opposite sex. Someone who hides their emotions and insecurities, their doubts and fears, their loneliness, behind a protective facade. Together, maybe we can lower our masks, overcome those past disappointments. Maybe we can forget about them completely and move forward together.
It’s a big “maybe,” but Eric makes me want to try.
???
When the tantalizing smell of fresh coffee fills my nose, I stretch my arms and legs, moaning softly at the promise of much-needed caffeine. Eric’s bed is huge and comfortable. I can’t remember the last time I slept so well. It was like being cuddled in a cloud.
Rolling up into a sitting position, I take a moment to look around his bedroom. It’s pretty minimalistic. There’s a framed picture of a retro-looking war plane hanging on the wall, and a tall dresser with a half-dead plant and a smaller framed photo on it. Curious, I slide off the bed to get a closer look.
I reach for the photo and recognize Eric in his flight uniform, standing beside a fighter jet with another man. Their arms hang around each other’s shoulders and they’re both wearing aviator sunglasses and grinning at the camera. Both are young and attractive and look like they just stepped off the set ofTop Gun.
Hmm, my very own Maverick.
Pushing that thought away, I use the bathroom quickly. I’m about to go find my host when I abruptly stop, grab the poor, withered plant and take it with me. Opening up the door, I step into the living room and my eyes are drawn to Eric in the kitchen, pouring coffee into a mug. He’s shirtless and once again in his worn jeans that hug his ass just right. Trying not to salivate, I take a moment to admire the way his back and shoulders flex as he moves.
The sight is utterly delicious.
I clear my throat and walk over. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” he responds and turns around. He looks down at the plant in my hands.
Meanwhile, I try not to openly stare at his firm chest and washboard abs. “She desperately needs some water.” I set the potted plant on the counter then fill a cup and water the poor thing.
