Chapter 21
Wes
Tonight has already gone better than I had planned.
Elli didn’t run off screaming after my set, and she met Jess!
Which should feel scary but doesn’t. I hope they get to know each other better soon.
I know they’ll be great friends. Jess’s approval means a lot to me, and she seems to like Elli already so that’s a plus.
The energy of the crowd is always intoxicating, the rush of performing is always incredible, but tonight it felt amplified.
Having Elli in my direct line of sight all night was both a curse and a blessing.
She’s a walking wet dream in her outfit.
I wanted to push her up against the wall outside of the bar, kiss her until her lips were swollen, and slide my hands up her skirt to see what kind of panties she’s wearing.
But that will have to wait. I’m not going to do anything other than hold her hand until I know where she stands. Although I think I have a pretty good idea already.
She stares out the window most of the ride to her apartment, her thumb absently rubbing my hand, clearly overthinking if the shake in her leg is any indication.
When we finally get to her apartment, I make her stay put so I can open the door for her, and then walk next to her up to her front door. Once we’re inside, she looks even more nervous.
“Um, can I get you anything to drink or eat? I think I have some lemonade or Dr. Pepper, some chips…” She trails off when she watches me go over to the couch, sit down, and pat the cushion next to me.
I watch her throat move on a swallow and see her exhale before she pads over to the couch and sits on the opposite side, so there’s a cushion between us.
“Baby, there’s too much room between us. I promise I’m not going to bite. Yet.” I tease. Her cheeks flush and she slides over so our thighs are touching like they have so many times before. Only this time, I’m not too chickenshit to rest my hand on her thigh.
“So,” she whispers, then says louder, “So what do you want to talk about?”
“Well, I think I’ve made how I feel about you pretty clear tonight. And although I think I have an idea of how you feel about me, I would like to be sure before I do anything that could get my heart broken.”
She bites her lip, fiddling with the ring on her thumb, and I can feel the anxiety of trying to find the right thing to say coming off of her in waves. I reach my hand up and tilt her chin to look at me, pulling her lip out from between her teeth.
“Elliana Monson, you have turned my world upside down. It’s been over two years since I’ve felt even a speck of interest in someone.
Shelby, my ex, hurt me badly. She wanted the novelty of dating a ‘bad boy’ and was cheating on me with everyone with a pulse and a dick.
She could see my talent and wanted to be with me in case I got famous.
But then I caught her with a guy from her work when I went to surprise her and she told me she was only with me as a way to ‘pass the time.’” I swallow down the anger that still rises when I think about her, and continue.
“She told me I was trash, bound to be a drug addict like my whore mom. She said any fame I got would fizzle out before it even begins, and the only way I would find love is to buy it. No one wants to settle with someone so fucked up, who can’t even offer a stable financial future.
I didn’t even have any family that loved me, so how could I expect anyone else to? ”
Elli’s face morphs into one of anger, “Well she’s wrong.”
I shrug, “Maybe she’s not, though. My mom died of an overdose.
She only stayed with her asshole ex because he was giving her drugs.
It’s in my blood to be an addict. That’s why I rarely drink.
I don’t have any family other than Jess and Luke, and now the group, I guess.
I’m a fucking music teacher instead of a famous rockstar. I don’t have much to offer you, Elli.”
“That’s such bullshit, Wes. Shelby is full of shit.
You are the most selfless, kind, beautiful human I’ve ever met.
I’m so sorry about your mom. I can’t even imagine the pain you have endured, but instead of letting it isolate you from everyone, you’ve found a family.
And they’re as lucky to have you as you are to have them.
How many other people would agree to go on a random blind date with a stranger so his little brother could see his long-distance girlfriend?
Who then sets up a TV for said stranger and sits through a trashy teen romcom?
Who spends their days off helping said stranger unpack and listen to the sob story of a sheltered religious girl?
Who shows up with their little brother to take his girlfriend to the airport?
Who takes a girl dress shopping for a date with another man?
Who shows up with five different types of coffee so someone can taste a variety for the first time?
Who takes home a drunk girl from a club, takes off her makeup, and makes sure she’s safely in bed? ”
She takes a big breath, turning so her body is facing mine, and grabs my face in both hands.
“Who writes a love song about one obscure conversation, melting the heart of the girl they wrote it for? When I look at you, I don’t see a ‘bad boy’ who’s unlovable, or someone who’s just to pass the time.
I see a strong, talented, confident, tender man who has tattoos, piercings, and long hair and who is sexy as hell.
I see someone who is worth all the love in the world. ”
Tears spring to my eyes, and I barely even register that she called me sexy. I’ll have to revisit it later.
“Thank you Elli.” The tears are falling freely down my cheeks. She pulls me over to her so I’m almost laying on top of her, my head nestled in the crook of her neck with her arms bound tightly around my neck. I inhale her vanilla and coconut scent and feel at peace.
I lean up on an arm and look into her eyes, and she gives me a small smile. “You’re welcome Wes. In case it wasn’t obvious, I have a big ol’ crush on you. I have since the day we met, and it’s only grown since.”
Although it’s what I was hoping for, it still makes my heartbeat rapidly in my chest. I lean forward and place a kiss on her forehead, and her shoulders slump in disappointment.
“Elli, Elli, Elli,” I tsk, “I’m going to do this right. Let me take you on a date on Saturday.” It’s not a question, though it may sound like one. I would back off if she said no, but I really hope she doesn't.
“Hmmm. Let me make sure Matt and I don’t have one scheduled first.” She teases.
“You’re a little brat, you know that?” I say playfully as I begin to tickle her, her giggles are like music to my ears. I’ll never get tired of hearing them.
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry! It was a joke! Mercy!” She squeals.
I finally ease up on my tickling only to pin her arms above her head. Her eyes flash with lust. Interesting. Something to visit again later. I run my nose along her jaw, her hairline, her neck, addicted to the sweet scent of her. “You better be sorry. I don’t like sharing, Elli.”
A shiver runs up her spine and her skin prickles with goosebumps, her pupils dilating. “I don’t like sharing either.” She whispers.
God damn. I like the possessive edge to her voice.
“Good, then we’re in agreement. Saturday?” I sit up, pulling her with me so we’re facing each other again.
“Saturday sounds perfect.” Elli bites her lip again, then looks at me. “Are you going to kiss me now, Wes?”
“Do you want me to kiss you, baby?” I ask, already leaning in.
She nods, but I tsk, sliding a hand up her soft cheek to cradle her face. “Words, Elli.”
“Yes. Please.”
I slide the hand on her cheek up and thread it through her hair, angling her head the way I want it, whispering “Finally.” against her lips.
Then I plant my mouth on hers, and I swear to God fireworks explode around us.
Electricity shoots through my veins and I know for a fact that I will never get tired of kissing her.
I tentatively trace my tongue along her bottom lip and she eagerly lets me in, our tongues gently dancing together like we’ve done this a thousand times.
When we finally separate, she whimpers, which makes me groan. I want to hear that sound over and over again. Preferably when she’s naked and writhing beneath me.
Not yet.
“That was…” She trails off.
“The best first kiss of my life.” I finish for her. I want to say that it’s my last first kiss, but I don’t want to be too much, too soon.
She nods, touching her fingers to her lips like she’s trying to keep my kiss there.
I stand, grateful my dark jeans hide the raging boner I’ve got like a fucking horny teenager. Getting hard after one kiss? Seriously?
Elli stands with me and I walk to the door, turning around to stand in the doorway. “I’ll pick you up at nine on Saturday. Don’t eat breakfast, there’s somewhere I want to take you. Dress comfy.”
“I can’t wait.” Elli says leaning up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Goodnight, Wes. I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Goodnight, pretty girl. I’ll be counting down the minutes.”