Page 95 of Love Unwritten
“She was so relaxed, Julian was worried that she overdosed.”
Ellie smiles. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Hence the paranoia. I had to physically stop him from driving her to the hospital after she fell asleep.”
Ellie’s shoulders shake with silent laughter.
“What kind are you?” I ask.
She looks up at the sky. “The dreamer?”
“AKA the person who won’t shut up while stoned? Noted.”
She splashes me again, although this time I don’t let her get away with it as I stand and yank on her hand. She loses her balance on the built-in seat, and I pull her against me to keep her from tumbling face-first into the water.
Ellie falls against me and accidentally brushes up against my erection. A soft groan slips past my lips, and her eyes flutter shut with a sigh before they snap open again.
Neither of us is breathing as we stare into each other’s eyes. I’m not sure who leans in first, but I can’t bring myself to pull away, instead choosing to close the gap between us.
Ellie feels good in my arms. She feels right. Like she was made to perfectly fit there, which makes it impossible to let her go.
With our faces only a few inches apart, I take advantage of the opportunity to memorize every single detail. A trio of beauty marks near her jawline. The way her lashes flutter as her gaze drops toward my lips. How her sharp cheekbones balance out her sultry lips and heart-shaped face.
I dip my head, but before our lips touch, Ellie pushes at my chest, ruining the moment before there really was one.
I forgot myself for a second. Ever since I entered the hot tub, the world around us faded away until it was just Ellie and me.
No Nico. No employment contract. And no emotional obstacles getting in our way.
I was happy. Genuinely happy, and it was because of her.
In a rush, I let her go, and she teeters for a moment before catching her balance on my shoulders. Carefully—and somewhat reluctantly—I remove her hands and take a step toward the stairs.
“I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Rafael,” she calls out while reaching for me.
I turn away and exit the hot tub while Ellie remains, a look of confusion on her face as her eyes shift between me and the churning water splashing around her.
“Where are you going?”
Back to the place I’m still trying to escape.
My personal hell.
ME
I almost kissed Ellie.
I pace the confines of my room. It’s late, so I don’t expect him to reply, but I’m hoping he is up doing who knows what.
I don’t have to wait too long for a reply, thankfully.
JULIAN
It’s late.
ME