Chapter 6 #2
He frowned. “Can’t be together or you don’t want us to get together? Can’t and want are two different things.”
“Can’t. At least, not right now.”
He unfolded his arms and shifted his stance. Confusion filled his brown eyes. “Okay, I don’t believe in can’t, but you tell me the reason why you’re saying that.”
“Well, first I’m not sure if I’m the kind of woman you want.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” His gaze ran up and down her body. The look was quick, but it was hot and thorough.
Tingling spread across her skin and heat filled her cheeks. Okay, so she could cross off any doubts about physical attraction. “I may be the kind of woman you’re attracted to, but that doesn’t mean I’m the kind of woman you want a relationship with.”
“I disagree. We’ve been friends for years. You get along great with Beenie. We’ve already settled into a pattern that proves we can be compatible.”
And that was exactly why she hesitated to do this. She was his fifty-cent bottle of water. “See, that’s the other reason. You’re one of those people who sees things a certain way and expect others to go along with that, and I have a tendency to be a people pleaser.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means exactly what I said. Take yesterday, I didn’t make it a big deal, but it’s not the first time you forgot to pick up the girls and I had to get them.
It’s gotten better since you started working for the city, but you use your job as an excuse to change plans, when newsflash, my job is just as important. ”
“I never said it wasn’t.”
“No, you never said it, but you also don’t ask about what I’m doing at work of if I have the ability to change my schedule.
It’s as if you expect me to just say yes.
Which isn’t all your fault because I do say yes, because I don’t want to rock the boat.
I know the girls will still need to be picked up or need someone to get them to practice. ”
“You can say no.”
“And you can keep your promises to do your end of this ‘it takes a village’ scenario that we’re doing. Instead, you don’t.”
He blinked. “Is this how you feel about me?” His voice wasn’t defensive. He sounded as if he were taking her words under consideration.
“Yes, it is.”
“I wasn’t trying to inconvenience you.”
“I know you may not intentionally be trying to do that, but you’re kind of selfish.
You tend to focus on your needs and your rules.
If it goes against any of that then you’re stiff and you automatically wait for those around you to go along with your decision.
I can deal with that as your friend, but in a relationship.
” She shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“I wouldn’t be like that.”
“I don’t know if I can afford to find out. I like you a lot Elijah, but I don’t know if you really like me or if you’re just seeing me as a fifty cent bottle of water.”
He scratched the back of his head. “A bottle of water?”
She waved a hand. “Sorry, using an analogy the wrong way. What I’m saying is that you even describe being with me as something that’s just convenient.
An easy check box. When you talked about why we’re compatible, you just listed off a very unromantic list of reasons.
We’re friends, I get along with your daughter, we’ve formed a compatible relationship over the years.
Nothing was said about really being interested in me, Layla. ” She pressed a hand to her chest.
He crossed the room until he stood in front of her. “I’m interested in you, Layla. Not just the idea of you.”
“I can’t just believe your words. Our daughters are best friends. We’re good as we are now. Like you said yesterday, why ruin a good thing because it’s convenient?”
“Convenience isn’t what I feel for you.”
Despite the conviction in his eyes she asked. “How can I believe that?” Physical attraction didn’t mean he valued her as a person or see her as an equal.
He stepped closer. She had to tilt her head up to continue to meet his gaze. “Because, I know that your picture on my phone screen makes me smile. The sound of your voice soothes my irritation after a long day. Whenever I look into your eyes all I want to do is pull you into my arms and kiss you.”
Layla blinked before blurting out the first thing she thought. “No you don’t.”
He raised a brow. “You’re really comfortable telling me what I do and don’t feel.” His voice was a low rumble that rocked the foundation she’d just built her case on.
The problem was she wanted to kiss him, too. She’d thought about kissing him more times than she’d like to admit. Thought about it and pushed it aside each time because she always convinced herself things would never go that far between them.
Her gaze dropped to his lips. “I’m not telling you what you feel, only what you’ve shown me over the years.”
His gaze sharpened with understanding. He nodded slowly. “It looks like I’m going to have to show you something different.”
She swallowed hard. “Don’t show me to prove something to yourself. Show me because you really want me.”
Elijah’s eyes narrowed and shifted enough for the tips of her breasts to brush his chest. She sucked in a breath.
The movement pressed her breasts further into the solid heat of him.
She bit the corner of her lip to stop a moan from escaping.
Elijah lowered his head until his lips barely touched hers.
The sound of the girls chatter and running footsteps broke the moment. Layla pulled back and Elijah stepped away just as quickly. She stumbled and had to catch herself on the kitchen island to prevent from falling. Her knees felt so damn weak.
“We’re hungry,” Sabrina said pointing toward the bowl apples on the counter.
“Mommy, you’re still here?” Jasmine asked confused.
“I just had to talk to Mr. Elijah for a second. I’m leaving now.
Call me when you’re ready to come home.” Layla rushed from the kitchen and out of the front door without looking back.
Jasmine was safe and there were enough snacks in Elijah’s house to make sure she was satisfied until dinner.
Layla, on the other hand, was very unsatisfied and would need the time alone to deal with the throbbing between her legs in order to regain a clear head.