Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
ELLE
Patrick won’t let go of my hand and I love it. His thumb rubs across my knuckles; it's making my heart swell and squeeze simultaneously. I feel like such an asshole for closing myself off from Patrick and letting my past relationship taint what we have building between us.
No more.
I’m going to be present and focused on my Intruder.
A chuff comes out, he really did intrude in not just my work space but my heart.
This curly haired ball of sunshine broke down all my walls.
I know we need to talk and I want him to know it all.
A small part of me is still afraid this is some kind of long con and when I lay it all in front of him, he’s going to laugh in my face.
As much as we all wish one pep talk solved all insecurities, that’s just not how the world works but Patrick makes me want to try.
I want to share my life with him and I trust him enough to take the risk of getting hurt by him.
There are so many thoughts dancing around my head, I don’t realize we are inside Patrick’s apartment until I hear the lock click into place.
It startles me and I jump slightly. “You okay?” I settle when Patrick wraps his arms around me.
My back to his front, I soak in the warmth from his body and the scent of sunshine invades my senses.
I love that about him. He always smells bright and warm, like a summer morning.
I tip my head back and take a deep breath, all the panic leaving my body. This is where I’m supposed to be.
“Never better.”
Our embrace slowly turns into more. His lips travel from my shoulder to behind my ear.
My eyes are closed, reveling in his touch when his hands start to explore my body, one traveling up, coming to rest on the exposed skin of my chest and one slipping down, fingers teasing the waistband of my skirt.
I can feel my heart racing under his palm, his touch is intoxicating.
“I missed you too, sweetheart.” His breath heats the skin of my neck and his kisses turn into something more, I feel his teeth drag against my pulse point.
I already feel overstimulated from these innocent touches but he bites down on my shoulder and dips his hand lower into my skirt until he’s teasing my slit over my panties.
I’m not allowed a moment to let embarrassment creep in at how wet I already am because as soon as his fingers tease the damp fabric, a groan rumbles in his chest. “Elle, is this all for me?” I can’t speak so I just nod.
He lets out a satisfied hum as his fingers slowly, so fucking slowly, slide my panties away from my lips, lightly stroking up and down.
He’s so close to where I need him and he knows it.
“Patrick, please. I need you.” It comes out on a whine but my body is so ready for him.
“You have me, Elle.” He drags his tongue up my neck and slips one finger between my lips, strumming my clit in small circles.
I’m panting at all the sensations, so keyed up it only takes a few swipes of his fingers to build my orgasm.
“I’m close.” The confession escapes me in a whisper.
I never want him to take his hands off me.
“Come for me, sweetheart. Soak my fingers, show me how good I can make you feel.” He bites my earlobe and I explode.
His hands never leave my body and if he wasn’t holding onto me, I would be a puddle on the floor.
Eventually, my heart rate returns to normal and my legs stop shaking.
I turn in his arms, forcing his hand out of my panties, and just look at the man in front of me.
He quirks a brow and sticks his middle finger, the finger that was torturing me moments ago, into his mouth.
Jesus Christ.
My core clenches as he pulls his finger out with a pop. I need to get this conversation out of the way so I can take Patrick to bed and let him have his way with me. I feel my nipples pebble at the idea of giving Patrick this part of me.
“Before this goes any farther I think we need to talk about some things.” I hate the way my voice sounds, hesitant and unsure.
I’m sure about this. I’m going to tell him about my past with Loop, my insecurities and that I want this to be a serious relationship.
I can see a flash of worry in his eyes and I fucking hate it.
Should I reassure him? Or should I just rip the band-aid off? My pussy wants me to skip over it all and just rip our pants off and take him for a ride but my sudden libido needs to chill the fuck out. This conversation needs to happen.
“Hey, hey, nothing bad. Can we sit down?”
I grab his hand and he entangles our fingers and we make the short walk to his couch.
He’s quiet, somehow knowing I need to get this out in my own time without interruptions.
He understands me like no one else. I take a fortifying breath and let it all out.
I don’t bring up the texts from Loop, I don’t want him to invade this space between us anymore than he already has.
“I’ve never really done this before but I want to be exclusive with you.
I mean, I’ve been exclusive. There’s been no one else for me but I’m saying I don’t want there to be anyone else for you either.
” The thought of another person putting their hands on Patrick sparks a fire in my stomach and I clench my fists to attempt to keep my emotions at bay.
“There’s no one else but you, Elle.” Patrick grabs one of my fists and brings it to his mouth, placing a kiss on my knuckles.
“Let me get this straight, is THE Elle Warren asking me, lowly Patrick Hunt, to be her boyfriend?” His admission mixed with his teasing settles my heart.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t make it a big fucking deal.” I elbow him in the side before he can kiss my knuckles again. “This is the biggest deal, don’t get it twisted. Of course I’ll be your boyfriend.”
Patrick’s smile is wide and dumb and perfect.
This was the right choice. I take a deep breath.
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you and it’s really not that big of a deal, really.
Honestly, it shouldn’t even be a thing but I don’t want you to find out because one of my siblings have big fucking mouths and then you think there’s more to it then there really is.
It’s really nothing but I can’t in good conscience do what I want to do with you without telling you.
” I take a deep breath to continue my rambling but Patrick stops it all, cutting me off with another perfect kiss.
I’m starting to think every kiss with Patrick was going to be perfect.
“Elle, unless your confession was that you murdered someone before you picked me up at the office earlier, I won’t judge.
” His smile is sheepish but his eyes show a seriousness I didn’t usually find on him.
“Even if that was your confession, I’m sure they deserved it.
Blink twice if I need to help you come up with an alibi.
” My eyes widened, this fucking dork, of course he knew exactly what to do to break the tension that was threatening to overtake this moment.
I lean into him. I’m fighting the urge to not say anything but that’s more insecurity talking. I trust Patrick. He lays an arm across my shoulder, pulling me in while also showing his support. I inhale a fortifying breath, letting it out slowly, my confession following close behind.
“I’m a virgin.”
There. I said it.
It’s out in the open. No take backs or uno reverses in sight.
Patrick’s quiet and I can’t make myself look at him.
I chew on my lip as we sit in silence. After a lifetime, I feel him tug on my lip, stopping the assault.
“Sweetheart.” That’s it. One word. One word filled with so much warmth and understanding.
It feels like every cell in my body can finally breathe.
He knows and it doesn’t matter. “Can I kiss you now?” Just like that.
We’ve moved on. I smile up at this man of mine.
“You fucking better.” I try to infuse as much authority in my tone as possible.
Patrick barks out a laugh before taking my mouth in a kiss so possessive, I feel like he’s branding me as his.