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“I can wait.” I smile at her. But before I can roll over and pull her into my arms she’s scooting down, and I close my eyes as she takes me to heaven again.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
MACKENZIE
Eli is still next to me when the glow of the clock on the bedside table tells me it’s almost three in the morning. After I made him see heaven with my mouth he collapsed against the pillows, pulling me against him as he crashed into sleep.
I dozed, too. But now I’m awake and staring at his pretty face.
He looks young when he sleeps. Like there’s not a care to etch lines on his face. His eyes flutter and his lips part to let him breathe but he barely moves.
My gaze continues down to his chest. I look at the smattering of hair across his muscles and it makes me want to kiss him.
So I do. I kiss the skin stretched across his defined pectoral muscles, breathing him in like he does to me.
And yeah, it’s intoxicating.
He has these tight, masculine nipples that I already know are overly sensitive. I sucked them after I sucked him and I swear he purred like a cat. I touch one with the tip of my tongue and even though he’s asleep, he lets out a groan.
Then I pull at it with my teeth and he slides his fingers into my hair. I guess he’s awake.
I look up at him. “Hey.”
“Hey.” The warmth in his voice is like a blanket. “You okay?”
“Yep.” I smile at him. “Just wanted to see how sensitive your body is.”
He scratches my scalp with his short fingertips. “Everything about me is sensitive where you’re concerned. What time is it?”
“Just after three.”
He blinks. Long languid sweeps of his lashes make me realize he’s only half awake. “It’s okay. You can go back to sleep. I’ll just amuse myself with your nipples.”
His chest rumbles with laughter. He pulls me up against him. “You need sleep, too,” he points out.
I lay my head on his chest, curling against him. He strokes my hair and I can’t lie, I let out a little purr. “I’m not sleepy,” I tell him. It’s the truth. So many thoughts are whirring around my mind right now. And if I’m being truly honest, I want to enjoy laying here in his arms.
Eli Salinger gives good hugs. It’s a revelation. I never knew how starved I was of human contact. Yes, I have friends who hug me, and yes, I love them to bits.
But this skin against skin? When did I last feel this? It should be available on prescription. Eli could rent himself daily to do this.
No, he shouldn’t. I don’t want him holding anybody else like he’s holding me.
I blink. Because I shouldn’t be thinking that. This is strictly for now. In a few months I’ll be going back to New York and Eli will be here.
“What are you thinking about?” he murmurs. “Your muscles have all tightened up.”
“Did Gramps tell you about the exhibition game?” I ask him, even though that’s not what’s on my mind right now.
“Yeah.” He strokes my back, his finger tracing a line down my spine. “The team will be stoked.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea?” I lift my head up. “Your schedule is already tight and the team is stretched thin.”
His fingers reach the base of my spine, caressing the myriad of nerve endings all bundled there. I arch my back and he chuckles.
“You’re worried about the team’s fitness?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I just…” I trail off. “I guess I’m weirded out by the fact my family will be here along with TV cameras.” I look up at him. His eyes are soft, still sleepy. He looks so contented. “I guess you’re used to the cameras.”
