at the door.” The door swung opened seconds later, and before Elliot even looked my way he said, “Ye have shitty timin’, right when me missus was—”
“One large meat feast, sir?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NOAH
Elliot stared at me, shirtless with his phone held to his ear by his shoulder, cash in his hand. His lips were parted, but no words came out.
“Can you take the box?” I laughed as I hung up and pocketed my phone. “My leg is stronger now but standing on it for too long makes me tired.”
Elliot seemed to snap back into reality, grabbed the box from my hand and then guided me into his flat. I grabbed my crutches but didn’t use them to walk – I just took my time as I went into the sitting room and glanced around.
“You painted,” I said, smiling. “I like it – grey is very modern.”
I looked over my shoulder when Elliot didn’t reply; he was still standing in the hall staring at me. I snorted and shook my head.
“Close the door, go put your pizza on a plate, then come in here and join me.”
I placed my crutches against the wall and then walked over to the sofa to sit down. I sighed as I lifted my leg and rested it on a beautiful coffee table that was new to me. There were also new cabinets in both corners of the room, and the television on the wall was new – and bigger too. The sofa was still the same, which didn’t surprise me; it had cost us a good chunk of money and still looked to be in great condition.
“Elliot,” I called. “Can you get me a glass of water, please.”
He didn’t reply, but instead of shouting again, I prepared to get up and get it myself. But then he suddenly appeared holding a glass in one hand and a plate stacked with pizza in the other. I smiled at him.
“Thanks, hon.” I took the glass and drained half of it. “I feel better now.”
Elliot sat down, put the plate on the coffee table, then turned and stared at me. He was freaking me out with his strange behaviour, and just as I was about to call him out on it, he leaned over and crushed his mouth again mine. Instantly, I put my arms around his neck and moaned into his mouth. I squealed against his lips when he tugged me against him. It resulted in me half-straddling him, which made him laugh.
“My boot will have to come off otherwise—”
There was a sudden rip of one of the straps as Elliot made quick work of removing my boot and letting it fall to the ground, and then he sat back on the sofa and eased me into a sitting position on top of him. It didn’t hurt my leg, but I knew if I stayed that way for long it’d go numb and later it would hurt.
“Are you surprised to see me?” I whispered against Elliot’s mouth. “You seem surprised.”
“I am.” He flicked his tongue against my lips. “I’m so happy you’re here, but Noah, ye can’t stay.”
“I am staying,” I said firmly. “I’m not leaving you again. I told you this.”
“Sweetheart.” He lifted his hands to my cheeks. “I know ye aren’t goin’ anywhere. I know.”
“Then let me stay,” I almost pleaded. “I was at Mum and Dad’s and my heart hurt for you, Elliot. I don’t want to be apart from you when I don’t have to be. Please, I’ll beg you if I have to. Don’t send me away. Please.”
He kissed me deeply before he responded.
“I want ye next to me, always,” he said, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine. “But, Noah, you’re askin’ a lot from me. I’m gonna be blunt, I wanna fuck ye into next week. Makin’ love to ye is all I can think about lately. You bein’ here will tempt me beyond measure, green eyes.”
“I want that too.” I rolled my pelvis against him, drawing a groan from his lips. “You know I want that.”
“I’m tryin’ to be a decent man by waitin’ until ye at least file for divorce.”
I didn’t want him to think about Anderson; the man had no place in my life any more. It wasn’t fair on him, but I’d chosen Elliot and that decision wasn’t changing.
“Consider me and Anderson separated, because we have been since my accident. I. Do. Not. Know. Him. I am never going to be with him, only you. You’re