ELLIE
How I wanted to say yes. His lips looked so inviting, so close, they were almost irresistible.
All I wanted was to lean in and kiss him while running my fingers through his hair. Then strip off his clothes and feel the heat and weight of his body over mine.
But everything between us was still undefined, and sex would only complicate things further. We needed to talk first.
“We… need to talk first,” I managed to say.
He nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile, a failed attempt to hide his frustration.
“Okay, we’ll do this on your terms,” he said, stepping back and letting me breathe again.
I cleared my throat.
“Dinner, then?”
“How about a run in the park tomorrow morning?”
“A run?”
“Unless December’s cold is too much for a beach girl like you,” he teased.
“I know what you’re trying to do.”
“What?” he asked, trying to suppress a smile.
“You’re turning this into a challenge because you know that’s how I work.”
“So… seven o’clock?”
“You also know I hate waking up early.”
“Think of it as an attempt to do things differently this time. What do you think?”
“I don’t know if that’s very fair since I’ll be the only one stepping out of my comfort zone,” I retorted, frowning and crossing my arms, unconsciously slipping into my usual confrontational stance.
“Oh, baby…” He licked his lips. “If I were in my comfort zone, I’d never let you push me away like this. If I were in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t stop until you gave in,” he said with a predatory look that left me speechless.
And I knew he really could if he wanted to—just like when we first met. He had managed to get me to go to his apartment back then. So, this was a very risky game to play at the moment.
“Fine, a run it is,” I said with a heavy exhale. “Goodnight, Morgan.”
He smiled mischievously as if he were already scheming something, and before turning away, he whispered with a seductive grin:
“See you tomorrow, crazy scientist.”
His words pulled a genuine smile from me as I watched him leave, almost regretting not letting him in.
*
The next morning, he was standing in front of my door, right on time: seven a.m., wearing gray sweatpants and a black hoodie, with a beanie that kept his unruly blond hair in place.
It also accentuated his sharp jawline and perfect face. His stubble had that unshaven look that made him insanely sexy and charming. That was going to make it even harder for me to focus on having a conversation.
“Good morning,” he said with a gorgeous smile, snapping me back to reality.
It wasn’t fair. He didn’t even look like he’d just woken up, while I probably looked awful.
Not that I hadn’t showered or brushed my hair, but I’d been more worried about the freezing temperature outside when picking out my clothes. After all, it was December, and the snow could start falling at any moment.
My outfit, consisting of black leggings and a black thermal shirt, with an oversized gray sweatshirt on top, had been chosen to prevent me from losing my limbs.
I’d also grabbed a beanie to keep my ears from freezing off. So, I was sure I didn’t look even remotely sexy or attractive.
“Are you ready?” he asked when I didn’t respond.
“Oh, yes. Good morning,” I said, turning to lock my door.
“That’s it? No complaints?” he asked as I turned back to him.
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” I replied with a smile, walking past him.
“I’m just glad you didn’t pick baggy pants,” he said behind me as we headed toward the elevator. I could feel his gaze on my butt.
“I’m impressed you can find anything interesting in this,” I said over my shoulder.
“You could cover your entire body, and I’d still remember every inch of it naked,” he said as he stepped into the elevator after me.
Those words were enough to make my skin tingle and heat up. I avoided meeting his eyes. I’d bet anything he knew exactly what he was doing.
I cleared my throat.
“How’s work?” I tried to change the subject.
A smile spread across his face, making it clear he knew I was trying to dodge.
“Things are much calmer now. No trips in the past few months.”
“About that… I want you to know I understand that those trips are part of your job.”
“I’m sorry… at the time, I didn’t realize how they might make you feel.”
“It’s okay. The short trips were never the issue.”
“Yeah, the problem was my confusion.”
The elevator doors opened.
“Let’s leave that behind,” I said with a sincere smile as I walked toward the exit.
As we stepped outside, the freezing air hit my face. Each exhale turned into a cloud of white mist in front of me. My fingers were freezing. I should’ve worn gloves.
“Damn…” I muttered as Ethan stopped beside me, a smile on his face.
“You’re insane,” I said.
“Why?”
“It’s seven in the morning; it must be twenty-three degrees out here, and you’re smiling at the idea of going for a run?”
“No, I’m smiling at the idea of having you naked after this conversation,” he teased, giving me a head-to-toe look.