ELLIE
“Do I have ice cream on me?” I asked, turning my face to look at him.
After what we’d done, he had gone upstairs to put on sweatpants and brought me one of his shirts. We were both seated at the counter, where we had just finished dinner.
He spent the entire meal staring at me in a way I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Let me see.” He grabbed my chin and gently turned my face, analyzing me. “Here.” He ran his thumb across the corner of my mouth. “Let me clean it.”
Leaning in, he licked the spot, making me smile.
“Thank you. But what I really want to know is why you’re looking at me like that.”
He smiled.
“Like this?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m just admiring you. After all this time, having you here again...”
“I know.” I bit my lip, feeling warmth bloom in my chest.
Then, my gaze focused on his bare chest.
“Wait... I think you’re a little messy, too.”
“Am I?” He raised an eyebrow, looking down at himself as I got up, holding my bowl and spoon.
“Yes...” With a mischievous grin, I stepped between his legs and scooped some ice cream from my bowl. “Right here.” I let a small drop fall onto his chest.
The sensation made him close his eyes.
“Let me help you with that.” I leaned over him.
Holding his gaze, I used my tongue to clean the spot. He stared at me from under long lashes, biting his lower lip.
“I think there’s a little more lower down,” I whispered, setting my bowl on the counter.
Using my fingers, I scooped some ice cream and let it drip onto his toned abdomen.
Then I leaned down to lick his firm skin, feeling my heart race and desire ignite once more.
Staring at the V just below, I hooked my fingers into the waistband of his pants. But before I could act, he grabbed my chin, stopping me.
“This is what you call taking it slow?” he asked, his breath ragged.
I took a deep breath, blinking. I thought I might be losing control or simply giving in. I tried to find my reason.
“I... I’m sorry...”
“No. What I mean is: wouldn’t you rather take it slow upstairs?” he teased, his gaze so intense it made me shiver.
I nodded with a smile, feeling a fresh wave of adrenaline rush through my body.
Taking my hand, he led me upstairs.
✽
In his bedroom, he approached the bed, sitting on the edge.
“Come here,” he demanded, his predatory eyes fixed on me.
I moved toward him slowly, feeling desire pulse through my body. I couldn’t control the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling from finally being together again, from having him like this in front of me.
It was hard to think rationally when my body just wanted to follow its instincts.
My heart was pounding hard as I stopped in front of him. Starting to unbutton his shirt that I was wearing, he made me lose control of my breathing.
When he finished, he opened it, holding each side of the fabric in one hand. I wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
His eyes roamed my body, setting me on fire. Then, one of his hands settled on the curve of my waist, stroking slowly. The touch alone was enough to make me shiver and crave more.
Suddenly, he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close and pressing my breasts against his chest. I was trapped in his gaze as I gasped.
Grabbing my thighs, he pulled me onto his lap. Moving his hands to my ass, he squeezed firmly, pulling me closer and pressing me against his erection.
He was hard again. The sensation made me close my eyes. He kept pulling my hips, grinding against me. Each movement made my reason slip further away, filling me with pleasure.
But even as my reason was slipping away again, there was still something that made me hesitate.
“Wait...” I said, breathless, making him stop.
“What?” He stared at me, dazed.
“We need to talk.”
“Now?” He frowned in confusion. “You want to talk after what you just did to me?” he asked with a teasing look, his hands slipping to my waist.
“I’m sorry, but there’s still something we need to discuss.” I stood, pushing his hands away and closing the shirt.
Closing his eyes, he exhaled a heavy, frustrated sigh.
“Fine. Let’s hear it... What do you want to talk about?”
Walking back to the door, I leaned against it, crossing my arms. I was still unsure how to act, because deep down, I was still afraid.
“I noticed how tense you got the other day when Todd showed up,” I stated, cutting straight to the point.
The mention made him close his eyes and sigh again.
“I was just a little disappointed. I thought there was a chance he might have just disappeared.”
“I know it bothers you; I know it’s an issue...”
“No. I don’t care.”
“Please, don’t lie.”
“I’m not lying. I just hate that he’s always around... just waiting for an opportunity. Because we both know that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
“Don’t play naive. You’ve always known. But I know he doesn’t mean anything to you anymore, and I trust you. That’s never been the issue.” He paused. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel jealous, and even if it’s irrational, I can’t help it.”
“So you’re trying to say it’s fine, but do you really think this will work in the long run?”
“We’ll figure it out. And if he’s not a complete asshole, maybe he’ll even take my advice,” he said, immediately seeming to regret it.
“Advice? What are you talking about? Wait... you spoke to him?”
“Shit.” He closed his eyes. “Okay, I know I shouldn’t have done that. But I ended up knocking on the idiot’s door after you went inside, and I might’ve said a thing or two.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“I know it wasn’t necessary, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“Incredible... I guess nothing’s changed after all.” I huffed in frustration.
He’d just said he trusted me, but his actions felt like proof to the contrary. How could I trust him?
“Ellie...”
“Is this how you expect me to believe you won’t freak out again and decide to abandon me in the future?” I shot back, unable to hold back my words.
“Don’t. Don’t do this. I just wanted him to understand there’s no chance of you going back to him.”
“And you think that was necessary?”
“I know it wasn’t; I just acted on instinct...”
“Like a possessive, jealous boyfriend? Oh, my God, this is ridiculous! It just proves you don’t trust me.”
Damn. It was all happening again.
“That’s not true. Can we please leave this in the past? Everything’s fine now; you don’t have to worry. I trust you.”
“You keep repeating that, but your attitude says the exact opposite.”
“What more do you want me to say? I’m sorry, it was a mistake, but you can’t use this to bring everything back. You have to let it go if you want to make this work.”
“I’m trying, but what do you expect me to think?”
“Damn it.” He cursed, running his hands through his hair. “I had almost forgotten how annoying you can be. Do you really think this is how we’re going to solve things? By bringing up all the mistakes I’ve made in the past? I think it’s you who needs to give me a vote of confidence if you want to make this work.”
“You talk like it’s easy when the first thing you do proves you’re still the same as always.”
Shit. The words slipped out without a filter, and I regretted them instantly.
“The same as always?” He forced a smile as he stood. “Great. To me, you seem the same as always, too. Poor Ellie, the victim, always in the right,” he taunted, letting his anger show.
“You really want to do this?” I challenged.
“So naive about the idiot ex’s intentions, but always ready to point out my mistakes. So superior, so perfect...” he continued.
“Wow! This just proves you’re still the same bastard.”
“Poor thing. So helpless... but always with a sharp tongue, always ready for a fight, always needing the last word,” he said as he stepped closer, stopping right in front of me.
“Bastard,” I growled, feeling anger consume me.
“Annoying little thing,” he shot back through gritted teeth before grabbing a fistful of my hair at the nape of my neck, catching me off guard.
“Don’t touch me!” I tried to pull away, but he spun me around, pinning my arms behind my back and sending a fresh wave of adrenaline through me.
“You managed to piss me off. Are you satisfied?” he whispered in my ear through gritted teeth.
Damn it. My body was on fire.
“Get your hands off me.”
“We both know that’s not what you want,” he teased, forcing me to walk toward the bed.
“No way.” I tried to stop him, to no avail.
He laughed wickedly against my ear before forcing me onto the bed, throwing me down face-down, and then climbing on top of me right after.
“Just like old times,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear as he pressed his hips against my ass. “Be a good girl.”
“I hate you,” I snapped, feeling my anger transform into a hungry, wild desire.
Pulling my hair, he forced me to turn my head. “I'm going to love hearing you scream,” he growled softly in my ear, making me shiver.