Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ARTHUR
The moment I get back to my office and close the door, I pump my fist in triumph. I’m beyond grateful that no one witnessed it.
That kiss. My God. It was like something out of a movie I wouldn’t be caught dead watching. I thought I wanted Elliot before, but after that kiss? Now that I’ve tasted her? Held her in my arms, pressed myself against her? I think I might need her.
It’s exhilarating. And petrifying.
Not only had I kissed her, after wanting to for so long, but she kissed me back. With enthusiasm. The noises she made while we explored each other. The dazed look in her eyes when we finally broke apart. Memories of that kiss are going to get me through the next six days on the road.
There’s a knock on the door. I didn’t expect for her to be done with Will’s session so quickly, but I’m not mad about it. In fact, my dick swells at the thought of being near her again.
“Come in.” I’m smiling despite myself. I smile so often now, it almost comes naturally.
The door opens and my smile turns into a scowl.
“Hey, Ace.” Noah’s grin is the last one I want to see right now. He leans in the doorway like he owns it. “I saw you skipping in here and thought I’d say hello.”
“I have never skipped, Watts. Not before my injury and sure as hell not after it.” My voice comes out flat, which only feeds his amusement.
He presses his lips together, silent laughter lighting up his whole face. “Hmm. Maybe floating is a more apt description.”
“Did you need something, or are you just here to annoy me?”
“The second one.” He strolls across the room and drops into the nearest chair. He folds his arms and watches me with the attention of someone waiting for a punchline.
“As much as I’m enjoying this staring contest, I’ve got calls to answer,” I tell him, trying to harden my tone.
“Oh? I figured you were expecting someone.”
“What makes you say that?” I ask, already dreading the answer.
“In the two decades I’ve known you, I have seen you smile a couple times, but nothing like the look you had waiting for whoever you thought was coming through that door. Who knew you had that many teeth?” He waggles his eyebrows, delighted.
My frown deepens and he points at my face. “Yeah. See, there’s a look I know well.”
He waits, patient as a cat. I have known him long enough to know he will not leave unless I give him something. “Fine. I am expecting someone.”
“And that someone’s name is?”
I blow out a frustrated breath and shove my hands into my pockets, leaning back against the edge of my desk. My office is warmer all of a sudden. “You know her name, jackass.”
His grin widens like that’s the answer he was hoping for. “Now we’re talking. Tell me everything.”
“Why?” I’m already second-guessing the idea of confessing.
“Because my personal life consists of tea parties and reading Fancy Nancy to a six-year-old.” He shudders in his chair.
“Who the fuck is Fancy Nancy?” I snap, then immediately regret the bluntness because it makes him laugh again.
“A fictional child with an unrealistic vocabulary,” he says between laughs. “But back to you. Come on, Ace. Give me the dirt.”
I sigh, almost wistfully. “We kissed.”
“No way.” He punches the air; not unlike I did a few minutes earlier. “Atta boy. When?”
“Ten minutes ago.” The words feel absurd even as I say them.
His eyebrows fly up to his hairline. “You made out at work?”
“You disapprove?” I’m trying for nonchalance and missing the mark.
“Hell no. I haven’t been this proud since Jilly mastered potty training. So what’s next?”
I pull my hands from my pockets and fold my arms across my chest, planting my feet like I’m ready to square off. “She’s coming here when she finishes her session. I’ve gone over the HR policy in detail. We’ll send a joint statement today and that will be that.”
Noah tilts his head, his brow furrowing like I’ve just spoken in another language. “And what will be what?”
I shrug, trying to sound casual even as something tight pulls at my ribs. “We’ll be in a relationship.”
“Is that what Elliot wants?”
“I told you. We kissed.”
His chuckle is low, amused but not unkind. “And believe me, I’m happy for you, big guy. Your dry spell needed breaking. But that doesn’t mean she wants to be in a relationship.”
I stare at him, stunned. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not saying she isn’t interested. I’m saying sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.”
A kiss is just a kiss? He couldn’t be more wrong. Noah wasn’t there. He didn’t feel it. That kiss wasn’t casual. It rearranged me. The earth shifted.
“You don’t think she wants a relationship?”
“I have no idea what Elliot wants, Ace. And until you actually talk to her about it, neither do you.”
I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my tongue. He’s absolutely right. I have no idea if Elliot wants to be in a relationship with me.
“Slow those wheels before you start a fire, man.” Noah laughs, leaning back in his chair.
“But…” I drag a hand over my jaw, searching for the words. “I want to be in a relationship with her.”
His expression softens, humour giving way to something almost brotherly. “So tell her that. And then ask her what she wants. You don’t get to dictate how this is going to be.”
“But if she’s attracted to me, why wouldn’t she want to date me?”
His broad shoulders rise and fall in an easy shrug. “Lots of reasons. Maybe she’s got too much on her plate. Maybe she’s been hurt before and doesn’t want to risk it again.”
I think about the little I know of Sam’s father and feel a pang in my chest. That could be true.
“Plus, don’t forget she’s got a kid.”
“You said I shouldn’t let that stop me from—”
“I know what I said. Still. Dating as a single parent is a whole different game. I don’t even touch it, and I don’t see that changing until I’m retired and Jillian’s older.
There are complications. More risk. Elliot has to think about not only what she wants but what her son wants too.
It’s a conversation that needs to be had. ”
I know he’s right. It’s not like I haven’t considered Sam’s part in all of this. But I hadn’t really thought about it as an obstacle. I like the kid. He’s smart and funny, easy to be around. He seems to like me too. At least, I think he does.
“I didn’t come in here to make you doubt yourself,” Noah says, his voice softening, steady with sincerity. “I’m thrilled you two are figuring things out, and I hope it works. I just want you to remember it’s not only about what you want. It’s about her too. It’s a partnership.”
“A partnership.” I roll the word on my tongue, grounding myself in it. Partnerships make sense. They have rules, stipulations, negotiations. Something solid to go on.
Noah gives me a small, almost apologetic grin. “Sorry if I knocked you off your cloud.”
“On the contrary.” I push off the desk with renewed purpose. “You’ve been very helpful.”