CHAPTER 8
HOLLYN
Elwood’s hand grounds me as he leads me through the tables in the restaurant at Rosseau Paradis. It is just as fancy as I thought it would be. I’m glad I’m not staying here at the resort; I wouldn’t be able to afford it for long.
It only makes me appreciate Elwood all the more. He didn’t have to open is home to me.
And then there’s the connection between us, which I’m not quite ready to think about.
There’s enough evidence, like how I already spent the night in his bed, I don’t need to say a damn thing about it out loud.
Then it would be real. And I don’t think I’d be able to find the strength to leave when my car is done.
They still can’t give me an exact date. With Christmas coming up, I’m concerned it might have an impact on getting this done.
I suppose there are worse places to be stuck considering how much fun I had walking around Storyville and then meeting Greylin and Mayer. Those ladies are hilarious. You only need to spend a few minutes around them for it to be obvious that they’ve been best friends for a long time.
It reminded me of being around Hillary and Montana. That realization felt a little sharp in the middle of my chest, but the pain didn’t linger.
Then there is the sibling connection between Greylin and Elwood. The moment Elwood flirted with me and told me he could think of a way for me to make it up to him because I made him worry, Greylin doubled over and gagged.
Elwood rolled his eyes, and I barely stopped myself from giggling at their reaction. Instead of laughing, I wiggled my eyebrows at the man in front of me. “What did you have in mind?”
His eyes lit up. “How about a date?” His question was eager, and I wanted to say yes without even thinking about it.
“A date?” Greylin cut in, her voice incredulous. “I can’t even remember the last time you were interested in a woman. I didn’t know you dated,” she teased him.
“I haven’t been interested in anyone in a long time,” Elwood told her while keeping his eyes locked with mine.
Talk about swoon worthy.
“I don’t really have anything with me to wear on a date,” I tried to deflect his invitation.
And it’s not like I was telling a lie. I packed for comfort and casual destinations for my road trip. I had a few things that were okay for going out, just in case, but not a real date night look.
“I think I can help with that,” Mayer jumped into the conversation, her eyes raking over me. “We’re about the same size and I have some dresses that would look amazing on you.”
“I couldn’t,” I tried to insist.
Mayer wasn’t having it. She gripped my hand and gave a little squeeze like she knew I was about a second away from making a run for it.
“You’d be doing me a favor, Hollyn. Instead of worrying about the newest citation, which is complete crap, I can focus on finding you the perfect outfit for tonight. Really, it’s a win-win.”
As I looked between Mayer, Greylin, and Elwood to find them all with similar hopeful expressions on their faces, I couldn’t say no. I didn’t even want to. Still, I was nervous.
Because what I felt around Elwood is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And it’s scary as hell.
I’m pulled out of my memories of earlier in the day as Elwood pulls out one of the chairs at a very pretty table set for two.
It’s in a small alcove which makes it feel like it’s cut off from the rest of the restaurant.
The lighting is cozy and romantic and the flowers on the table are simple but gorgeous.
I let out a small sigh as I sit down but it almost becomes a yelp of surprise when Elwood pushes me in. When I look up at him with wide eyes, he just winks as he sits down across from me. I barely register the hostess giving us menus and filling up our water glasses.
It seems the only thing I can see is Elwood.
What is it about this man? Sure, he’s a contradiction, one that makes me want to know even more about him, but there’s something else too. The way I’ve always felt like I had to protect myself melts away around him.
People have described me as prickly before or accused me of having a bad attitude, but that was just because I figured out early on that not everyone is worth my time and effort. I’m not going to apologize for not wanting to waste my time. It’s precious and has value.
I’ve been disappointed by friends and even family before. The only person I knew I could count on was Hillary. Even Montana had other priorities and responsibilities, which isn’t a complaint, just a fact. Hillary though, she never let me get away with being neutral about everything.
She knew when to push me and knew when to back off. My chest aches with just how much I miss her.
It’s a sharp feeling, but it doesn’t cut as deeply as it did before I landed in Storyville. I could get to the bottom of why that is, but I’m not ready. Not yet anyway.
While we’re eating, the conversation is light and covers a lot of our likes and dislikes. The restaurant is great and by the time we split a dessert, I’m ready for a little nap. Elwood smiles at me, his eyes going soft, as I rub a hand over my full belly.
“That was delicious,” I groan out, right on the edge of being too full.
“It was good,” Elwood agrees with me with a soft smile on his face. “I don’t come here too often, but it’s perfect for special nights when a celebration is needed.”
With an arched eyebrow, I ask, “And this is a special night?”
“It is,” he sounds so sure and tops it off with a nod of his head. “It’s our last first date.”
The words land between us, a minefield of sound and feeling I’m not ready to navigate. Not yet. Even if I do want to believe they’re true. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were?
Elwood takes pity on me and doesn’t let the awkwardness stretch between us. “I don’t think you mentioned where you’ll end up during this road trip. Like is there some special destination you’re working toward?”
I bite my lip, the question stinging for some reason as it finds a soft spot between my ribs and cuts deep.
“No,” I choke the word out, “there was never a real destination. It’s not like Hillary’s big dream for the road trip was winding up in New York City to see Rockefeller Center during Christmastime or anything.”
As I look away from Elwood, I jump a little when his warm hand covers mine. I have to blink a few times to stop the tears flooding my eyes from falling. I’m not going to cry in the middle of this nice restaurant. No fucking way.
I clear my throat and scramble to change the subject to anything else. “Why did you become a librarian?”
It’s something I’ve been curious about since I met him. Maybe it’s sexist, but it’s not a job I’ve seen many men hold in the past. It’s not a bad thing, just unexpected.
“Reading saved my life,” Elwood murmurs softly.
I watch his face closely, almost as if I’m unable to look away from the hint of pain written on his face. The thought of anyone making him feel that way has me seeing red.
“Why wouldn’t I become a librarian?” After asking, he tilts his head, genuinely curious about my answer.
“It’s just not a traditionally masculine job,” I wince a little with my sheepish words.
I can’t believe I just said that out loud. As if jobs are gendered. I know they aren’t, but still. It’s a little abnormal.
“I’m plenty manly, if that’s what you’re saying,” Elwood’s voice turns defensive.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “It’s not. I’m aware of your,” my eyes roam over his broad shoulders and my cheeks heat at the thought of how he played my body last night, “manliness.”
Elwood smirks, his eyes darkening as we stare at each other. I can almost see him mentally replaying our time in bed together. If it’s turning him on half as much as it is turning me on, we’re going to have problems.
I want him.
And a fancy restaurant isn’t exactly the place to give into those desires.
“It wasn’t a judgement,” I tell him, hoping he can hear the sincerity in my voice. “I was just curious.”
“The library here has always been a hub of learning and community. I spent a lot of time there while growing up. I did my homework on the same tables where I help kids now. I got lost in the books on the shelves and discovered worlds beyond my imagination.” He shrugs one shoulder, the movement casual.
“I didn’t become a librarian with the intention of taking over Storyville’s library, but the job opened up just as I was finishing school.
They took a chance on me when they could have gone with someone with more experience. ”
“I think they made the right decision,” I tell him honestly, my voice softer than I’m used to hearing it.
It doesn’t take long for the bill to be taken care of, which Elwood pays while a warning flashes in his eyes, and then we’re heading back to his place.
The tension between us ramps higher with every minute it takes to get there.
I’m not surprised, just being around the man has my pussy clenching and my nipples hardening.
Everything about him appeals to me, even his love of books. Part of me wants to look deep enough to find something wrong with him, but I’m fine with maintaining the fantasy for the moment.
No one is perfect, even the sexy librarian driving us back home.
As we pull into Elwood’s driveway, I’m reminded, again, that I can’t stay with the man forever. Yes, it was incredibly sweet that he offered, and I’ve never slept better than I did last night. Still, the longer I stay, the harder it will be to leave.
Did I say it was only going to be one night? And I’m still here.
Maybe I could stay with Mayer. It would make more sense for me to do that than to continue to stay with Elwood.
“I should probably find another place to stay,” I speak the words softly, hating the way they taste on my tongue as they slip past my lips.
Elwood lets out a growl as we step over the threshold of his home. The moment we’re inside, Elwood kicks the front door closed and then spins around to face me. I’m left staring up at him as my nipples harden because of the look of pure desire on his face.
“No,” the word is like a whip, and I press my lips together, wanting to argue, “there’s no reason for you to stay anywhere else, Sweet Girl.”
“But I don’t want to hurt you,” there’s a plea in my voice as I look up at him.
Unable to help myself, I press my hands against his pecs and slide them up until my fingers curl over his shoulders. I shouldn’t be touching him. But he’s so warm under my palms.
I could easily sink into his warmth.
I could easily give myself over to him.
But I shouldn’t.
He’s not the only one who will be hurt when this ends.
“You’re not going to hurt me,” Elwood’s words are soft.
Can he hear the lie in them the same way I do? As he takes a step closer to me, I step back. He does it again and I give up ground I don’t need to give up. The only thing that stops me from keeping distance between us is my back hitting the door.
“You’ve already given me a place to stay. I’m invading your home,” I try to protest, but the words have no real heat behind them.
Elwood’s smile is filled with understanding, his eyes seeing far too much when he looks at me.
“I’m not going to hurt you either, Hollyn,” he whispers while his mouth hovers right above mine. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to trust me.”
I do. I already trust him. And it scares the hell out of me.
My mouth wants to form the words; I want to tell him the truth. But they get stuck somewhere in my throat.
As his lips ghost over mine, I melt against him. Our bodies mold together and then I’m up and in his arms. He easily carries me through his house until we get to his room. My hair fans out over the sheets as he lays me out on the bed, his eyes turning almost feral while he looks me over.
Even with the possessiveness I see in his eyes, he undresses me with gentle touches and careful fingers. It’s intense and has me riding the edge of pleasure with him barely touching me. It’s too much.
And not nearly enough.
The only words whispered between us are fueled by desire and bliss. When I fall asleep in his arms, the last thing on my mind is finding somewhere else to live while my car is being worked on.
I guess he won this round.