Chapter 31
thirty-one
. . .
Eden
I slept soundly, but from the moment I opened my eyes, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Felix. The things he said to me at the crash site were dark and poetic.
He has a client this morning. So while he is downstairs, I’m curled up on his couch with a mug of coffee. The sun shines through the windows, warming my achy muscles.
I like this loft, but I’m still not ready to move in here. It’s not my home or my space. The comfort and familiarity of my childhood outweighs the sadness I feel without my parents there. No, I won’t be selling the house any time soon.
As my mind drifts, I pick up the pendant, rubbing it between my fingers. The smooth surface is calming regardless of how it came to be.
Who thinks to do something like this?
My phone dings with a text.
Kris: Hey stranger, want to go out tonight? There’s a new club that I’m dying to check out.
Oh god, I know where this is going. We don’t exactly have a thriving nightlife like in the bigger cities, and a new club is big news. Plus, the name is also unforgettable…The Fuzzy Beaver.
Eden: It’s Monday. Are you sure they’re even open?
Kris: Yup, already checked, and they are featuring local bands tonight. Come on, don’t leave me hanging.
Eden: Just us?
Kris: No. Kyle is coming, and so are Beth, Sean, and a few of Kyle’s buddies and people that I’ve met in class. Come on…you were so excited when they first opened. The Fuzzy Beaver. I mean, who can resist checking that out? LOL! I’ve been waiting to go with you.
I remember being excited, but it feels like another lifetime. It was the week before my parents died. I’m not sure I want to do a whole big group thing tonight.
Eden: What about Felix?
Kris: Yeah, if he wants.
Eden: No buts?
Kris: No. No buts.
Eden: I’ll see what he’s up to. What time?
Kris: I’ll pick you up from home at nine.
Eden: Nine? Lately I’m in bed by ten.
Kris: OMG!!! You are not old enough to be in bed by ten. Nine o’clock bitch, see you then. Eek!
I hear Felix walking up the wooden stairs, and I smile when he opens the door. He stops dead and just stares at me.
“What,” I ask, looking around.
“I can get used to this sight,” he says, making me blush. He wanders over, leans in, and gives me a soft kiss. “Is something wrong? You seem tense.”
Am I? I relax my shoulders.
“No, but Kris texted. She mentioned going to The Fuzzy Beaver tonight.”
“Oh, that works out. Matt asked me for a boy’s night, but I wanted to check with you first.”
I don’t know why, but a thread of jealousy flows through me at the thought of him out partying. God only knows how many girls will paw at him.
“Eden?”
“Huh?”
“You’re glaring. Did I say something wrong?”
I shake my head.
“No, no, of course not. I’m sorry.”
Felix tilts my chin and forces me to look at him. I sigh.
“Guess I’m a little worried or jealous. I don’t know what I am. Just ignore me.”
“What part of you’re the only one for me, did you not hear? Besides…you jealous over me is fucking hot.”
He cocks his brow, and my body instantly heats.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my brain frying on the spot.
He is way too sexy, it’s not even fair.
“Don’t be sorry, but you never have anything to worry about.”
My body heats all over and I can’t help but stare at his lips and the lips ring that I love.
“Do you…um…” Giving my head a shake I force my mind to focus. “Can we leave when you’re done with work? I want to get ready without having to rush. This stupid cast still makes everything so slow.”
“Sure, I only have one small tattoo left.”
He kisses me softly at first, but when neither of us pulls away, it shifts into something much more intense.
Felix growls, and goosebumps race along my skin as a shiver shoots down my spine. When he touches me I lose all logical thought.
“Fuck, you smell good enough to eat,” he says, nipping at me. My heart rate shoots through the roof. “I better get back downstairs, or I’m going to fuck you right here on the couch and keep you locked up until tomorrow.”
“That’s not much of a threat.”
He chuckles and then pulls out his phone. I watch him suspiciously as he sends a text and then smirks.
“I just bought us forty minutes,” he says, taking the mug from my hand and setting it aside.
He kisses me again, deeper this time and then pulls his t-shirt off over his head. My hands settle low on his hard abs that make my mouth water.
I can’t resist him, and I don’t want to.
I’m in the kitchen washing my mug when Felix bursts into the loft, smiling and singing. His happiness is contagious, and I find myself grinning stupidly back at him.
“You’re in a good mood. Did the tattoo go well?”
He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I nearly moan when he kisses the side of my neck.
“My mood has nothing to do with the tattoo and everything to do with the sexy woman in my loft.”
“Are you trying to convince me to stay in for the night? Because it’s working,” I say, setting the mug aside and turning in his arms.
“It’s tempting, but I did just steal you away for the weekend.” He leans in close to my ear. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll drop by the club later,” Felix whispers, his breath fanning my ear.
My cheeks flush. Is it hot in here?
“How will you know I’m being good?” I tease.
“I always know.”
He smiles and kisses me. Felix is right. I don’t think about all the terrible stuff when he is around. He has a way of making it feel like everything will be alright.
“Come on, we better get going. We can grab dinner on the way,” he says, leading me to the door.
Multiple layers of clothes later, we are on our way to my house.
Is it bad that I’m not excited to go out tonight? Just the thought of dealing with a crowd, the loud music, and people drinking is already making me sweat. Ugh.
We stop at our burger joint. The one he took me to when we left the hospital that first time. It’s become our special place. The burgers and milkshakes bind us in a way others don’t understand.
An hour later we park in my driveway.
Felix wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me into him.
“I’ll miss you tonight, Pretty Thing,” he says against my lips.
“I’ll miss you too.”
The kiss is tender and loving, and I just want to curl up with him and hide from the world.
Yup, Kris is right. I’m acting like I’m ancient.
Getting out, I wave, but as always, Felix will wait until I get inside before he leaves. Is it overprotective? Maybe. But it’s also incredibly sweet.
He pulls away once I’m safely behind the door. Locking it, I take a deep breath and try not to think about how quiet it is. Instead, I hum my favorite song and climb the stairs to get ready for the night.