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It wasn’t a romantic or sexy moment. He’d seen her naked plenty of times. He was just as familiar with her body as she was with his. They were comfortable, brought together by their circumstances. The two had been inseparable for nearly two decades. She didn’t know why she was so scared to commit to him. They acted like a married couple already.
He pulled one of his shirts over her head and it was so long that it fell to just above her knees. She reached up to remove her hair tie, letting her long hair unravel.
His bed was more comfortable than her own. It might’ve been the fluffy pillows or maybe his warm body. Moments later, he slid in behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
He moved in close. So close that their bodies became one. She could feel his breath on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing against her stomach. Some nights they would fool around, but tonight she wasn’t in the mood. He ran his hands down her waist and to her legs, playing with the hem of the shirt she was wearing. She felt something grow and press into her ass.
“Ali…” He planted a kiss on her shoulder. I’m sorry, Eli, but not tonight. She pretended to sleep, squeezing her eyes shut.
“Ali?” His hand slipped under her shirt.
Nope. Not happening.
He heaved a sigh and gave up. His hand returned to rest on her stomach outside of her shirt. “I love you, Ali.”
It wasn’t like the other times. Things were shifting between them. She’d sensed it for a while now. This wasn't friendly love or familial love. She heard the longing in his voice when he said it and knew it meant something more. Something more than she could give him in return. She winced and vowed to erase that confession from her memory.
***
Chapter Three
She could hear Eli’s deep breathing before she opened her eyes. His body was so warm. She could lay in his arms forever, enjoying the beat of his heart against her cheek. At some point in the night, she had rolled over to face him. She snuggled in closer, their legs intertwined. When her eyes finally fluttered open, she smiled at the sight of him. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. The hard, chiseled lines of his face seemed softer in the glow of morning light. He was more relaxed. She watched his bare chest rise and fall and her breathing synced up with his. He always made her feel at ease.
She reached up to touch his chest, and traced gentle lines down, down, and down further until she reached that V shape at the top of his briefs.
He stirred, then inhaled sharply and said, “Your hands are freezing.” Without opening his eyes, he took her hands in his. “Good morning.”
She nuzzled his neck and planted a quick kiss. “Good morning.” That got him to open his sleepy brown eyes. She hadn’t forgotten his confession from last night. The confirmation that Eli had feelings for her beyond friendship. Sometimes she felt guilty for the kisses, the sex, all the time they spent together. She felt like she was leading him on, but did it matter? It wasn’t like they had other options. If they were bound to be together, then why not give him what he wanted? She would do anything to make Eli happy.
He wrapped one arm around her back, running his hand through her hair. The sensation was gentle, but he was in total control. He licked his lips and stared down at hers.
Dishes clattered from beyond the bedroom. “Breakfast is ready!” Eli groaned in dismay. His dad always had impeccable timing. His face dropped in disappointment as he tilted his forehead to rest against hers.
“Can we just ignore him?” he whispered. His lips grazed her skin. Ali was inclined to humor him, but it wasn’t possible. If they tried, Jack would just shout at them again. She’d stayed here enough times to know that he had zero patience. It wasn’t malicious; he just didn’t consider that maybe his son would like some privacy.
Right on time, he shouted again. “It’s getting cold!” They both laughed and slowly parted. She couldn’t help but stare at his body as he got out of the bed wearing only his underwear. His muscles rippled as he pulled on a pair of shorts. There had to be something wrong with her. How frustrating that it felt like she was settling when this perfect specimen of a man was standing in front of her. She desperately yearned to feel a spark, but she just didn’t.
When they were younger, she’d thought maybe there was something there, but it turned out she’d just been eager to explore the unknown. She’d wanted to know what it felt like to be with a man.
Eli made her feel safe and comfortable. It was easy with him. Easy, but not passionate. At least not on her end.
He grabbed her clothing from the night before and handed it to her. She should keep more of her own clothing here considering how often she stayed the night. Jack would certainly have something to say about her wearing the same clothes, and if her mom was up when she got home, then she would too.
Ali felt Eli’s eyes on her as she changed back into her clothes. He handed her the jacket she’d worn last night and kissed the top of her head as she threw it over her arm before they stumbled out of the bedroom together.
Jack feigned surprise. “Oh, hi, Allison. I didn’t realize you were here, too.”
He knew. His words weren’t convincing at all. Plus, he’d cooked enough eggs for three.
“Good morning, Jack. Smells amazing in here.”
“Thanks for breakfast, Dad.” Eli grabbed a plate for himself and Ali.
She devoured hers as quickly as possible, almost choking on the toast that accompanied the scrambled eggs. She couldn’t give Jack more time to talk about her future as his daughter-in-law. There was only so much she could take. “I can’t stay long. I need to stop at home before we check the traps.” She headed out the door before either of them could object. She caught Jack looking at Eli with a confused expression. Eli just shook his head, a silent order to drop it.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” he called after her.
Jack gave Eli a stern look. After she left, Jack would no doubt drill Eli about when he would propose to her. He didn’t care for the casualness of their relationship and expected something more serious. That was one conversation she was glad to miss.
