18. Ella
18
ELLA
“S o, I didn’t exactly have a plan…” Bodhi says as we pass the sign that indicates we’re only a couple of miles from Trappers Ridge, my mind still reeling that he drove us here. “I was trying to look for one of those things where people rent out their houses but,”—he blushes—“honestly I’d rather sleep in the truck than what I found.”
I can only imagine.
“Give me a sec,” I tell him, still flustered by the fact that he brought us here, even though I know it was stressful for him.
Grabbing my phone from the depths of my bag, I dial Roman’s number and wait. “Hey babycakes, what’s shakin’? You doin’ okay?”
“I need you to get me the keys for the cabin.”
“What? Why? I’m staying there.”
“Not anymore you’re not.”
There’s a pause and then, “Shut the fuck up. Are you coming? Don’t play with me like that.”
“It was a surprise, honestly,” I say as I give Bodhi a small smile and squeeze his leg. “I fell asleep, and Bodhi drove us here.”
There’s a flash of desire in his eyes but it’s gone quickly, and I pull my hand back as I try and focus on what my cousin is saying.
“Bodhi, huh?”
The tease in his voice is beyond annoying. “Keys, Roman. It’s not my fault you had to surprise everyone.”
“It’s not my fault you didn’t tell me you had plans .”
“Work plans—that’s not the same thing,” I reply, pointing to the left, attempting to listen to my cousin while also giving Bodhi directions. “And don’t tell anyone we’re here yet.”
“You’re so much work, and don’t think I forgot; we’re definitely talking about your mystery driver later.”
“I’m ignoring you.”
“Typical.”
“Good thing you love me the most.”
“That’s debatable.”
“It is not.” I laugh. “Meet us there and can you bring lunch?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Not even a little. I’m starving.”
“You owe me.”
“Love you!” Roman hangs up the phone without replying, and I laugh before throwing it back into my purse and motioning ahead. “Turn left at the sign and follow the road to the end.”
* * *
Bodhi is silent as he navigates the dirt road leading to the cabin, but I’m on the edge of my seat, my soul singing at being back in the place I’d spent so much of my childhood.
“This one?” he asks as the trees give way to the log and stone cabin with its large front and back porches, fire pit, and pathway to the lake.
“Yeah. Oh wow, they painted the front door. I know my aunt wanted to do that.”
“It’s your family’s?” he asks, and I nod as he puts the truck into park, unease in his tone. “I’ll just drop you off and find a hotel or something.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Ella…” He looks at the cabin, tension rolling off him in waves, and that simply won’t do.
Lucky for me, I have a good idea about what might.
Unbuckling my seatbelt, I do my best to crawl into his lap without hitting my ass on the horn, reaching between the seat and the door to push the seat back as far as it’ll go.
“What are you doing?” he asks, his gaze filled with amusement as his hands settle on my hips.
“Thanking you,” I breathe, slanting my mouth over his and kissing him until he’s holding me tight and licking his tongue against mine.
“That’s an awful nice thank you,” he murmurs against my lips, and I could do this for hours —just him and me kissing and touching and gah, it’s so good.
“Just wait until later.”
“Ella, I don’t?—”
I nip at his bottom lip, replacing his argument with a grunt as I wiggle in his lap, his cock hardening beneath me.
“Stop worrying so much.”
“It’s what makes me so fun to be around,” he deadpans as he rocks up into me the slightest bit, his eyes never leaving mine.
And oh my God, I want every inch of him inside me.
“You are fun.”
“No, I’m not.” He snorts as he shakes his head, his expression amused.
“We can agree to disagree, but I like being with you,” I tell him, kissing him twice on the lips before moving to the corner of his mouth and along his jaw, “and you at least tolerate me so…”
“I think we’re well past that,” he rasps, making me grin against his throat. “Ella.”
“Hmm?”
“We can’t do this here.”
Here.
Interesting.
“Afraid my cousin will catch us?” I tease as he chuffs out a laugh, but it’s more exasperated than anything else. “Fine,” I lament, pushing on the handle and letting the door swing open before extracting myself from his lap.
My back is against the side of the truck the second my feet hit the gravel, with Bodhi boxing me in against the cool metal.
“I’m not worried about getting caught,” he murmurs, ducking his head to meet my gaze. “I just won’t be rushed…”
Well, alrighty then.