Page 73 of Return Policy
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yes, I can. I won’teverleave you.”
“Elijah—”
“Sophia, you are the most perfect woman I have ever met. You’re funny and kind, and where the hell else would I rather be than right here? With you.” My heart pounds in my chest, and I pray to God she feels it too.
“There’s stuff you don’t know about me…” She swallows hard, and my stomach dips. “If you knew…” She shakes her head. “You’d leave.”
As if there’s anything in my sunshine girl's life that would scare me enough to leave her.
“I wouldn’t,” I assure her firmly. “I won’t judge you, Sophia. Ever.” I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to tell me whatever it is right now… but I hope one day you do. And that by then you’ll realize I won’t leave you because of it.”
I know what it’s like to have things you’re not ready to share with anyone… things you’re not ready to admit are real.
“Even if that’s true… and you still want me after…” She pauses and blinks a few times. “Maybe it won’t be your choice to leave,” she says quietly as tears brim her eyes, and another bolt of pain ripples through me at my understanding of her double meaning.
“Sophia.” I place my palm against her neck, rubbing my thumb along her throat. “That’s not fair.”
“But it’s true.” I want to promise her nothing will ever happen to me. That as long as she’s earthside, I’ll be here too. But I don’t make the rules, and sometimes God has other plans. Even if they make no fucking sense. “Youcan’tpromise me you’ll never leave because it might not be your choice.”
“I can promise you I’ll neverchooseto leave.”I really hope that’s enough.“But if you still aren’t ready to give us a try… I’ll wait.”
“Elijah.” She smiles with a soft laugh. “Wait until when?”
How long would I wait? Days? Weeks? Months?Years? I’m so devastatingly gone for this girl, she could leave the country, not speak to me for decades, and my heart would still belong inextricably to her.
She’s entirely unraveled me.
“Until you’re ready.” I shrug, knowing it’s the truth.
“What if that’s never?” A tight knot forms in my chest at the thought of us never even having a chance to see where this goes.
“Trust me, Sunflower,” I say, trying to convince the both of us, “I’ll wear you down, eventually.” She rolls her eyes as her lips curl upwards.
“I might break your heart.” She looks down at our entangled hands.
“Sophia…” Her eyes flick back to mine. “You’re already breaking it every second we’renottogether.”
Her breath hitches, mouth parting, and I swipe my thumb over her perfectly plump bottom lip.
“Kiss me, Elijah,” Sophia says softly as her lips curve into a seductive smile, sucking the breath straight from my lungs. I roll on top of her, smiling as I replay the three sweetest words she’s ever said to me on a loop in my head.
Kiss me, Elijah.
“Didn’t we pinky promise tojustbe friends?” I tease as my face hovers mere inches above hers. She licks her lips, and my cock twitches in my sweatpants.
“Seems likesomebodydidn’t get the memo.” She grins victoriously with raised eyebrows, gesturing towards my Benedict Arnold of a dick.
“I don’t want to start kissing you and end up doing something you’re not ready for,” I say, looking at her seriously. “Because if I kiss you…” I exhale a heavy breath, thinking of all the things I want to do to her. “I might get a little carried away… But you can always call a timeout, okay?”
“Elijah.” She lets out a melodic laugh, her breathing getting heavier. “For fuck’s sake, would you kiss me already?”
I love how impatient she is for me.
How she went from fighting our connection to begging for me with a single admission.
I lower my head slowly with the full intention of teasing the shit out of her, but the second my lips touch Sophia’s, an uncontrollable hunger grows inside. I part her mouth with my tongue, entangling hers with mine, then roll onto my back and pull her with me so she’s settled on top, a leg on each side.
