Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,66
from the old me. I’m strong enough to hold onto my independence while fighting for my relationship. We might have issues to work through, but I’m not going to let one argument push me away. Those are the thoughts that make the answer starkly clear.
I do trust him.
“Okay. I’ll stay with you.”
His eyebrows inch closer to his shaggy, blonde bangs. “That’s it? You aren’t going to fight me on this?”
A small smile shifts into place, and it feels strange after a week with so few of them. “Not this time. Until we hear more details about Katie’s disappearance, it’s probably best to take every precaution.”
His eyes roam over my face as he studies me, and I feel his gaze like a caress. My eyes drift closed under the warmth of his stare. Fingers drift over my cheek in a whisper of sensation, and I startle. I didn’t realize he was going to touch me. “Sorry,” I mumble, still under the spell of his gaze.
“I missed you, Marlee. So much more than you know.”
I’m a bundle of nerves as I climb into his truck. I don’t know why. I was entirely ready to throw myself at him last Saturday for his birthday, new lingerie and all, so this shouldn’t be any different. I felt prepared before. This seems so spur of the moment, even though the ride is fifteen minutes long. My hands are twisting the material of my dress in my lap. As Elias closes his door, the smell of him and his cologne permeate the air of the car, making it hard to focus.
My thoughts drift from my surfacing anxiety, jerked down a different path by the intoxicating scent of him. I do want this. I peek out of the corner of my eye to see him steadily focused on entering the freeway. His eyes shift towards me as if he sensed my gaze, and he gives me a lopsided smirk before returning his eyes to the road. His unruly hair is begging me to touch it, run my fingers through its soft, silky waves while I let him do delicious things to my body. I remember the feel of straddling his lap topless a few weeks ago, and the heady, exhilarating rush it gave me. I keep my train of thought from derailing to what happened after that bold Friday morning by picturing the night at the club, dancing and grinding against him without inhibitions. My actions have clearly been anything but tame around Elias, so what’s the mental hang up?
I can do this. I can initiate sex and not make a fool of myself. Taking a deep breath, I try to remind myself that he is not Travis. I may not have much sexual history, but I have some. And he’s made it clear he’s attracted to me. I need to stop thinking so much and let my instincts take over.
We arrive at Elias’s apartment, and I look up as we are pulling into the underground garage. My breath quickens, a sharp inhale, and I have to remind myself to breathe normally. I am not alone. This is okay. Elias pulls into a slot and kills the engine. He makes quick work of his seatbelt, then stills, probably noticing I have yet to move.
“Hey, you okay?” he asks, reaching over to stroke the softness of the back of his hand against my cheek. I lean into the touch, sobering at the electric feel of his skin on mine.
I swallow hard. “I will be. I hate parking garages.” I release a breath noisily, finally reaching down to undo my seatbelt.
“Is there reason why you don’t like them?” he asks, his brows furrowing.
“Nothing like you’re probably thinking. They’re dark and secluded. There are too many places for people to hide. I think I watch too many crime investigation shows. They just freak me out.”
“Well I promise you are safe with me. Here, wait there.” He slips out of his door rounding the bed of the truck, and faster than I can blink, he’s cranking my door open for me. Reaching for my hand, he helps me out of the cab and grabs my purse out of my grasp. “There. If anyone wants to mug us, they’ll come after me since I’m carrying the purse.”
He’s wearing that lopsided grin again, showing a hint of his dimples. God, he’s adorable. My heart thunders wildly in my chest as I let him lead me to the enclosed stairwell. Breathe! I scold myself.