Chapter 22
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Elliott
The moment my lips touch hers, I know I’m fucked.
I lick the seam of her lips, tasting her for the first time. It’s what I imagine taking a hit of heroin must be like—a rush coursing through my veins, igniting a euphoria I’ll be chasing for my entire life. No kiss will ever compare.
I thought this kiss was something to get out of my system, but now I’m pretty sure I never want to live without knowing I can kiss her whenever I want.
Emelia wraps her arms around my neck, and I tug her close. The press of her breasts against my chest feels so good, I want to strip off her shirt and bury my face in her chest. But we’re not there yet, so instead, I tighten my grip on her hair.
I swallow her moan, using my hand to tilt her head further back, and let my other hand drift down to her backside, pulling her in close. My dick presses against the zipper of my jeans, begging to be let out. I bring her leg up around my waist, and she grinds against me.
Our tongues battle for dominance, and in the end, I win, directing the rhythm and pace.
There’s a chill in the air, but my body feels as if it’s overheating.
It would be so easy to lift her by the hips, walk her into my room, strip her, and take out the weeks of sexual frustration she’s caused me. And I want that. Fuck, do I want that. But there’s more than myself to think about, so I pull back.
Emelia’s lips are swollen, and her eyes are wide, full of trepidation. I have only myself to blame for that look. I’ve been the king of stepping back this entire time.
Because I was scared of this moment. This is our first kiss, and I realize the thing that’s been brewing between us wasn’t going to just go away. And now we’ve done it. We’ve crossed the line.
It’s a gut punch that she just had the nerve to call it out, not me. I was going to ignore it for the next two months, no matter how feeble a chance there was of my being successful. Whatever is between us was bound to boil over at some point.
“That’s been a long time coming.” I place a chaste kiss on her forehead.
Her eyes drift closed, and when they open again, her body seems at ease. “Definitely.”
“I think we should talk about this before it goes any further.”
She nods.
“I’m not sure what this is between us.” I blow out a breath and scrub my hand over the stubble on my jaw.
“I’m not sure either.”
“I’m attracted to you…obviously.”
She nods again, a smile tipping her lips. “Same.”
“But I haven’t really been with anyone since Kate.”
Her mouth slowly falls open. “Do you mean you haven’t dated anyone, or you haven’t slept with anyone?”
God, I’m about to sound like a fucking loser. “Both.”
Her eyes widen, and she gives me the once-over. “How is that possible?”
I shrug, unsure how to explain it. There were times I wanted to, but I have a little girl to raise, and other than tourists, this town doesn’t get many newcomers. And the camp keeps me busy the entire season when tourists come through.
“Elliott, you’re so handsome, and you’re like the best dad, and you’re a good guy…I guess I just don’t understand how no woman has approached you in five years.”
My brows draw down. “I didn’t say no one has approached me.”
Understanding flows across her face. “I see. You just weren’t interested.”
“I was interested—obviously, it’s been a long time. But I wasn’t interested in any drama. It’s a small town, and running into someone I had a one-night stand with all the time isn’t exactly ideal. And there was no way I was going to get into a relationship with anyone, so…” I shrug.
“And now?”
“Now…now I don’t know. You’ve sort of upended everything for me.”
She bites her lower lip, and all I can think about is pulling it free with my teeth, but we should be having a serious conversation.
“You’re leaving in two months.”
Emelia draws in a deep breath and sighs. “I am.”
“I don’t know where that leaves us. And I have Baylor to consider.”
“Me neither.”
My hands itch to touch her again, so I wrap them around her waist, pulling her in. “No matter what is or isn’t going on between us, I can’t allow Baylor to get hurt.”
She rests her hand on my chest. “That we can agree on. She comes first.”
That’s what makes it so hard to stay away from her.
There are no easy answers here. I knew it before I kissed her, but not kissing her was no longer an option.
I’m not going to insult her by suggesting we just hook up during her time here.
Emelia deserves more than a quickie while Baylor is in school or after she goes to bed.
Besides, as attracted to each other as we are, I don’t get the impression that’s really Emelia’s style.
“Would it make sense if we just take this as it comes? See what happens between us and make some decisions when it’s time for you to go back to Boston? You could be sick of me by our second date.”
She grins, resting her chin on my chest. “You’re going to take me out on a date?”
I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “Did you think I was just going to keep you tied to my headboard for the next couple of months?”
“I wouldn’t have complained.”
I chuckle. “I’m going to take you on dates, Emelia. But we can’t let Baylor know we’re anything more than what we are now.”
I hate putting that stipulation on this. I don’t want her to think she’s my side piece or that she doesn’t matter, but Baylor is already so attached. If she sees that we’re together, it will only deepen.
“Okay.”
“No roaming hands when she’s around?” I lift an eyebrow, asking if she can live with this. I don’t like it, and I hope she doesn’t either, but I hope more that she agrees to it.
“Who knows, maybe sneaking around will be fun. Like foreplay.” She winks.
I groan and drop my head back, staring at the black sky dotted with stars. “I have a feeling it’ll feel more like a slow form of torture.”
Emelia laughs, and I love that sound—and I love that I can finally admit that.
“Any chance you can knock off for part of the afternoon tomorrow?”
She tilts her head. “Probably. Why?”
“So I can take you on our first date. It’s time you find out why Echo Lake is called Echo Lake.”
Her smile catches at something I’m not ready to identify yet. “I’d love that. It’s a date. Officially.”
“Perfect. I think we need to seal it with a kiss.”
“Well, I mean…if you insist.”
I bring my lips to hers again. As I suspected, it’s just as good as it was the first time. Maybe better now that we’re finding our rhythm.
I’ll be okay as long as I don’t fall in love with her.
At least this time I know she’s going to leave. It won’t be a surprise like everyone who left me before her.