Page 86 of Return Policy
Seth stares at me with devilish eyes that shake me to my core, and I swallow hard.
“You’re right,” Seth says, chuckling menacingly to Jonathan. “This used-up whore isn’t worth it.” Elijah takes a step forward, but I tug him back. “Let’s go. Tell Char her salty ass friend made us leave.”
They turn around and push their way through the crowd, out of the bar, and hopefully out of my life forever.
* * *
“I know I told him to leave,” I say to Elijah as we walk into his place an hour later. “But I can’t believe he actually did!”
“I don’t know what to tell you, babe, he’s obviously a dick,” Elijah says.
“Who leaves their girlfriend puking on the bar bathroom floor?” I shake my head. “For fuck’s sake, Noah had to carry Char to the Uber and bring her home. Shouldn’t that be herboyfriend’sjob?” We get into Elijah’s room, and he shuts the door, not bothering to lock it since Theo went home with a girl from the bar. “Like, I’m glad Seth left, but Jonathan didn’t even make sure Charlie was okay before taking off!” My mouth moves a million miles a minute as we remove our shoes. I don’t know if it’s from the adrenaline or tequila, but Icannotshut the fuck up. I’m worried thoughts will slip out that I'd rather keep to myself.
“Sophia,” he says, exasperated, pulling me to him in the middle of the room. “Everything’s fine.” I wrap my arms around his neck, looking up into his gentle baby blues. “We’re home.”
I frown, feeling guilty.I’m so tired of feeling guilty.“I’m sorry for bringing up my shitty ex.”
He shrugs lazily. “I’m gonna make you forget him in a few minutes anyway.”
“Oh, is that so?” I quirk a brow, determined to suppress the vicious lion of my past and live in the present.
“Yep.” He kisses me and pulls me in for a tight hug. “That is so.”
“Well, I’m still sorry.”
“For what?” His eyes scan my face.
“Just… for the shit show that is my life. And all the stupid baggage I have.”And all the things I haven’t told you but wish I had the strength to.
“Babe,” he says, using both hands to hold my face. “You havegotto stop apologizing for being you. I want you, all of you, every single damn part. The good, the bad, the baggage, all of it.”
But you don’t know all of it.
I smile up at him weakly. “You’re too good to me.”
“You’re too goodforme, Sunflower,” he counters, and I allow my lips to curve upwards at his words. “Now can we focus on the good parts of the night?” He kisses my nose, and I mentally decide to do just that. To enjoy my hot as fuckboyfriendlike I’ve wanted to since the second he walked in the bar dressed as my Australian wet dream. “Like how damn sexy this outfit is on you.”
Elijah eyes me appreciatively, then takes my hand and has me do a little spin. His fingers run along my sides and down to my ass. He rests a large palm on each cheek, then squeezes and pulls me toward him.
“Well, you looked pretty hot yourself there, Ranger Rick.” My fingers memorize the feeling of his bare stomach.
“I only have one complaint.” Elijah pouts.
“What’s that?”
“This isnotthe kind of outfit you wear to screw in a supply closet.”
“Elijah.” I giggle, hitting his chest. “Can’t we leave that M.O. to Sage and Julian?”
“Come on. We should be crazy sometimes too.” His lips find my neck, sucking softly before he mumbles against my skin, “Sneak away and fuck while all our friends wonder where we are… Almost getting caught is half the thrill.”
“Uh, sorry, Honey Bee.” I laugh, clenching my thighs together at the fantasy. “I don’t think that’severgoing to happen.”
“Sounds like you could be convinced.” He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him. “Have you ever had sex in the shower?”
“Nope. Just boring, on the bed, missionary.” I roll my eyes. “My past sex life is about as vanilla as they come.”
“Well, how about this time we do mind-blowing, in the shower, your back against the wall. And next time we’ll find someplace a little crazier.” Elijah winks. “We can turn that boring ass vanilla into a hot fudge sundae… with nuts.”
