didn’t just spike through the roof.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Elle,” I say cautiously, even though every fiber of my being wants me to toss her over my good shoulder and run into her room.
The sigh she gives me is best described as a woman who is tired of a man’s shit and wishes that he would shut the fuck up. It’s that bone-deep sigh that makes a man wince, no matter his age. “Noah, can you not be a stubborn mule for once and just agree? It’s late, we’re both adults and we’re both exhausted. Please stop being annoying and just come to bed.”
A better man would have still put up a fight and slept on the couch. But it’s already been established that I’m not exactly the best man around. I could’ve put up more of a fight but I don’t. Instead, I rise to my feet and follow Elle like the lovesick puppy that I’ve become. I’m actually surprised that I didn’t drool along the way. The only thing needed would be for her to be dragging me by my leash. And I’m going to put a stop to those thoughts right there before I get even more excited than I already am.
Her room is dark except for a sliver of moonlight illuminating the way to her wrought iron bed. Even with minimal lighting, I can tell that her bed and room are very feminine. Exactly what you would expect from her. Feminine, but not girly.
She walks to the right side of the bed and starts to climb in. “Get in on the left side. I don’t want to accidentally roll over onto your bad shoulder during the night.” She bosses and I can’t help but comply. It’s the same tone that she uses at work to make sure that everyone knows that she means business.
I smile as I get into the side that she instructed. I lay down on what has to be the most comfortable bed that I’ve ever slept in. The groan that slips past my lips would be embarrassing if I wasn’t currently in heaven. Even the pillows feel like they’re wrapping me in a lover’s embrace.
“Isn’t this much better?” The smugness oozing out.
I stretch out fully as I pull the blankets up to my ribs. “Much better,” I say gratefully.
“That’s what I thought.” The sassy shit mutters. I don’t even care. She can gloat about being right all she wants.
We lay silently for a few minutes before I started replaying her words. “Hey, Elle?” I question evenly.
I feel her roll onto her left side. “Yeah?”
“Before we walked in here, did you politely call me a jackass?” I mean, a stubborn mule could mean a few things, but…
I can feel her little shrug. “Your words not mine, oh cheerful one.” The smile was evident in her tone.
“Right.” I cough into my hand. “I guess I had that coming.”
“Ya think?” She deadpans.
I smile. “Alright smartass, let’s get some sleep. I don’t need you being cranky tomorrow because you didn’t get enough sleep.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” She says sweetly…too sweetly. “Two grumpy people in one house is an overkill.”
I stare blankly at the ceiling. “You gonna keep this up?”
“I don’t know. Are you ever going to apologize for being such a huge butthead for the past couple of months?” She counters, making me realize that I haven’t ever really apologized to her.
I rub my hand down the side of my face. I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry for being such an asshole to you Elle. Trust me, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me being a complete shit.”
“It’s okay, Noah,” She yawns loudly. “I forgave you when you brought me coffee. I just wanted to make you say the words. Brad’s not the only petty drama queen in the family.”
Her giggle fills my dreams all night.
Elle
T his is the best dream in the entire world. It’s so lifelike that I can actually smell Noah’s cedar and spice scent. I can feel the heat coming from his muscled body. I can even feel his small amount of chest hair tickling my face every time he breathes.
It’s with that last thought that my brain starts to become more awake. And my brain is telling me that I’m not having an amazing dream. Nope, I’m currently snuggled up to Noah, my grumpy boss that I may or may not be lusting over.
Okay, fine, I’m adult enough to acknowledge that