Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,81

our mouths begin to devour one another, neither of us sated after our calm touch of lips. The world seems to pause. Time ticks forward by the sounds of our panting breaths. All too soon, Elias wrenches away from my mouth with a ragged groan and rests his forehead back against mine.

“Will I see you tonight?”

“I want you to.”

Elias pulls away and kisses my forehead softly. “Then I’ll see you after work.”

I feel him watching me the entire walk back into the building, and sure enough once I enter and look through the tall windows, I see his truck pulling away.

***

After a ridiculously quick run at the gym, I rush to Elias’s to shower, and he meets me there. We set up camp on the couch with plates of Chinese food in our laps and candles providing dim lighting in the room.

Sneaking a glance at Elias, I catch him looking at me before he quickly ducks his head to take a bite. I stare at his plump, pink lips slowly chewing his food; his tongue swiping out to lick a drop of sauce off his mouth, his eyes closing briefly as if savoring his bite. He picks up his glass to take a drink of wine and raises his eyes to me, catching me staring milliseconds before I drop my own head to look at my plate. A smile creeps across my face, and I risk another peek at him, lifting my eyes flirtatiously. He’s staring at me. Blatantly, boldly, no holding back staring.

“What?” Do I have food on my face? My cheeks flush, as I’m suddenly embarrassed with my little game.

“I don’t think I will ever get over how beautiful you are.”

Oh. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re good at making a girl blush?”

“Nope. Is that what I’m doing?” He knows exactly what he’s doing.

Setting my plate on the coffee table, I watch his eyes through the flickering candle, the light throwing shadows across his face making him all the more beautiful. My heart swells as I see my own affections reflected back at me through his stare. I’ve never felt like I was worth something as much as I do in this moment. With all the work I’ve put into securing my independence and self-confidence these past few months, I know better than to tether my value to someone else’s opinion. Regardless of that, I’ve learned there’s nothing wrong being with someone who can heighten that feeling. I understand I’m worth something, but it feels so much greater knowing he shares that opinion as well.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, setting down his own plate and mirroring my position.

“Ah, nothing really. My mind just drifted for a bit.”

“Hmm.” Elias takes a drink from his glass, and then sets it by our plates. He shifts his position on the couch and eyes me speculatively, making my stomach churn with uncertainty. “Want to know what I’m thinking about?”

My skin flushes from nerves. “Always, Elias. What’s on your mind?”

“I think you’re stuck with me.”

That’s not what I was anticipating. I expect him to grin, but he’s just staring at me, seriousness radiating from his beautiful features. His blue eyes are blazing as hot as the candle flame, and I can’t look away.

“What?”

“I’m hoping you feel the same way. You’re looking at me as if you’re about to bolt. Relax and listen to me.” He pauses, so I nod, forcing myself to do as he says. “Do you remember what I told you on our first date? I told you I’m a man who knows what he wants, and I go after what I want. That part hasn’t changed.” His fingers wrap delicately around my wrists and lifts my hands from my lap. Our fingers twine together, his palm squeezing mine.

“What has changed is the more I learn about you, the less I want to ever stop.”

My breath hitches, and without thinking, I propel myself into his arms. Tears spill onto my lashes, the thick drops tickling my cheeks. The sudden onslaught of emotion is overwhelming, but I chalk it up to everything that’s happened today. Elias strokes my back as I cry into his shirt.

“Hey, hey. You’re okay. What’s going on, Marlee?” His voice soothes the worst of it enough for me to surface from his chest.

“It’s just been a long day,” I sigh. As soon as the words leave my lips, a wave of exhaustion hits me.

“You look beat, baby.” He brushes the hair off my shoulders, sweeping it