Chapter 23
HAYES
Elodie and I sit down at a new little coffee spot a few blocks from the office. The place is bustling with people on a late weekday morning, but we managed to find a small Parisian-style table after ordering. Holiday lights and garland fill the place.
It’s been a week since she confessed that she’s falling for me.
I can’t say much has changed, since we were already developing a rhythm as a family.
The only thing I notice is that both our feelings have been laid on the table, which has made things easier.
She seems more comfortable, too. Maybe she was walking on eggshells before because she was keeping it all in.
That’s not the case anymore. Me? I feel rejuvenated.
I have her where I wanted her to be. Running away wasn’t an option for her, whether she realized it or not.
“Finally got you to sneak off.” I grin.
She adjusts her coat on the back of the chair. “Yeah, figured I can grab an early lunch. Shake things up.”
Elodie has definitely become more relaxed, or rather, testing boundaries of what she is comfortable with. We arrive at work together sometimes, but I still won’t see her showing up to my office, though interrupting our workday for some alone time is good.
“I’m not complaining.” We both settle into our seats to wait for the barista to finish making our drinks.
She smiles brightly. “I’m sure you’re not.”
I pull out my phone to swipe the screen for a picture of Lola finger painting. “Did you see what daycare sent?”
“Most parents use this opportunity in a café to have normal, non-child-related moments.”
“I get the hint.” I stuff my phone back into my pocket.
“Subtle, wasn’t I?”
“A little.”
The barista arrives with our coffees and a muffin, and we thank her before she scurries back behind the counter.
“Santa has been busy,” I warn her.
“Yeah, well, please tell Santa that he needs to discuss his decisions with me.” She grins.
We’ve talked about it, and we will attempt to make this a low-key holiday season going forward.
Sure, we’ll have a tree. She said we have to leave the city and go to a farm called Olive Owl.
It’s run by the Blisswood family that has ties to Everhope, and it’s tradition to go.
My mom will fly in, and we’ll do a repeat of Thanksgiving on the invite scale, except I’ve been scolded for the whole catering at Thanksgiving and am under strict orders that our moms will be cooking.
Okay, I guess this isn’t going to be low-key after all.
“We also have the company holiday party,” she says, broaching the topic.
I struggle to fight a grin. “And? You have an issue with that?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “It just crossed my mind that people normally bring their significant others, and mine just happens to be you who already works there.”
“I’m being thrown into significant-other category. That’s promising.”
“It will stay that way if you ensure we keep it professional at the party. I’m sure you’ll be busy schmoozing with everyone.”
It’s a long sip of coffee for me this time. “Trying to hide me?”
“No. I just don’t want to remind people that they probably think I’m sleeping my way to the top.”
I reach across the tiny table and take hold of her hand, interlacing our fingers. “I respect that. But one day when you have my last name, you’ll have to let it go.”
Her lashes flutter. I wasn’t joking. I’ve fallen hard for this woman.
She clears her throat, removes her hand, and it’s the sign that she’ll move on from my words. “Uhm, I’ve heard from my apartment management.”
I pause mid-whiff of the strong vanilla undertone of my brewed coffee as I hold the mug near my nose. “Oh?”
“Everything will be dry and good as new in the new year,” she mentions casually.
Getting a read on Elodie right now is difficult. Is she telling me this as a matter of fact, or is she nudging me with a reminder that, officially, she and Lola don’t live with me?
“There’s no rush.” I pretend to be unaffected and take a sip of the half-decent coffee.
“Right. I know. Just thought I would update you.” She spoons the milk foam and looks away.
Is she trying to give me a prod into what she needs to hear? My mouth tugs from her cute nervousness.
“If I haven’t made my intentions clear, then let me repeat them.”
I scoot my chair forward, causing a screeching sound against the tile. We’re close enough that under the table, I’m able to hook my hand around her chair leg and yank her chair closer to me.
My hand stays in place, and I lean in, locking our eyes and ensuring our orbit is only ours. The room around us is somewhere in the distance.
“I’m crazy about you, Elodie. I love you. If you don’t fucking cancel that lease, then I sure as hell will do it for you,” I tell her in a low voice with grit and firmness present.
Her beautiful glossed lips part open, and I’ve come to learn it often happens when I’m direct with her in very close proximity.
“Understand?” I run my hand along her thigh before I return to sitting normally. Picking up my mug, I take a sip as casually as possible while she remains quiet, probably contemplating. “Mmm, decent coffee,” I comment.
She snickers as she leans back. “Your way or no way, right?” She sounds amused, which is a small relief, because defensive is the last thing I was going for.
“I’m older and wiser, Elodie,” I humorously remind her.
She tears a piece of muffin away for a small bite. “I’d be careful labeling yourself older because that gives me full ammo to completely push your buttons one day in a few years from now when you might actually begin to look like a Greek god who no longer has the effects of age-defying water.”
That’s when I point out the obvious. “A few years? We should talk about that long-term timeline you just mentioned.”
Is she blushing? Because her cheeks tighten and she’s biting back her smile. “We’re stuck with one another. We have Lola.” She’s being coy with me.
“No other reason?” I play along.
She shrugs a shoulder. “I mean, there is this old guy that I kind of like a lot. We’re new.”
Now, I grin and tickle her leg under the table, which causes her to break into laughter.
The people at the table next to us glance over, and I guess to everyone we’re two people in love, enjoying life.
That’s partly true.
I’m just searching for something even more certain.
Every chance I get in the morning, I find myself in this euphoria.
Today, Elodie’s hips are curved into my hands again as she braces herself on all fours, hair wild, and her body jiggles on every thrust. It’s a nice view when I take her from behind.
She isn’t shy, audible enough. I love the way she lets out little gasps when I fuck her harder.
She throws me a look over her shoulder, and it’s mischievous.
Sometimes, we can be more physical than sentimental. Today, we’re on a compressed schedule. I’ve been slammed at work and need to be on time, earlier if I can manage.
I’m not going slow, using brute force, which is the reason she’s clinging to the sheets.
I press my thumbs into her lower back as my fingers dig deeper into her hips.
“Hayes.” She tries to muffle herself with a pillow, but it’s a fail.
I slow the next pump, more to taunt her than to change my rhythm, but the delay gives us both agony.
“We don’t have time for that today,” she warns me in a groggy voice.
“Fair point.” And I pick up the pace again.
Leaning down, I cup her breasts as I continue to move, with her back slick against my chest.
“You feel fucking good, sweetheart.”
She releases a blissful sound. I’ve noticed that whenever I call her sweetheart, she always twitches a smile.
I don’t stop pounding into her until she begins to clasp harder around my cock and presses herself against me. She begins to make inaudible sounds, and I feel her orgasm coming until she shudders.
Inside, I burn from my own impending orgasm.
I let the sound of her, the shudder and choke and gasp, burn into the deepest parts of me as I chase her orgasms, with my own roaring through my body.
We both explode until she slumps forward, boneless, and I pull my cock out at the same time. I collapse on the bed next to her.
I’ve recently realized that my heart is full when it comes to Elodie. It’s for her, I’m not entirely sure she gets that.
We enjoy a peaceful moment with my arm slung over her as she lies on her belly. This is our routine. We get a minute or two before the daily grind begins.
“Breakfast duty,” she whispers, her voice gritty and lazy.
I kiss the top of her head before I roll out of bed. “My guess is we have five minutes before she wakes.”
Elodie shuffles to a sitting position, energy blooming as we begin our day. She laughs when she checks her thighs to see my mark. “I get the shower first.”
Still naked, I walk into the closet. “Dirty girl,” I say.
“Ha-ha. I’m showering quickly, then I’ll make banana oatmeal. Or toast. Whatever is fastest, depending on Lola’s morning mood.”
I search for my suit option of the day. “Yeah, yesterday was a bit brutal. We’re going together today, though, right?”
That’s been happening more. Elodie seems more at ease when people see us together in the office. It’s not a daily occurrence, as my meeting schedule is a bit more demanding, but it still happens a few times a week.
“We’ll try, but I don’t want to rush. For my own sanity.”
I chuckle at that. Looking to the side, I check out the view as she’s about to head into the bathroom. “Elodie,” I call out.
“Yeah, yeah, I like you a lot, too,” she teases me.
We both know that “like” is an understatement, and what’s between us is strong, but we avoid deep conversations.
Smirking to myself, I'm satisfied enough.
But it still dances in my mind that we need to have a real discussion about what comes next between us.
“I’m going a little crazy,” I say.
Foster is in my office, and we’re sitting at my table about to eat lunch. My assistant had subs delivered, and I’m famished, but I also need a listening ear.