“Now what?” Amelia asks a moment later, strolling down the hallway and actually huffing.
“We can do anything you like.” When she reaches me, I grab her, pulling her into my arms. I can’t help myself. She doesn't fight me but she does pretend to let out an irritated huff. I am beginning to notice that all those little huffs she makes about something I do are fake.
“I guess I should get new locks.”
“I can order you new locks if you wish.”
“You’d give yourself a key. How did you even get one to begin with?” Her nose scrunches in the most adorable of ways. Even her pouting is sexy as fuck.
“I am a man of many talents.”
She melts into me a little more, putting her hand on my chest. I’m hoping that she’s remembering how it felt when we were together. What I’d done to her body. How we fell in love. She may not have figured out that it's love yet, but I know she feels it, too.
“What are we doing here?” she asks. Her voice is both soft and serious at the same time. A hint of doubt tinges it, which guts me.
“I told you. You’re mine.” I hold on to her tighter, showing her that I’m not messing around. Trying to let her know that I’m always going to be here for her.
“You can’t break into my place.” There is no power behind her words. I think the more she thinks of me breaking in, the more she’s enjoying it. That I’m fighting for her. I won’t let anything stand between us. I know she feels this between us. It’s why she came to my building to begin with. She knows what she wants but she’s scared, too. I’ll keep knocking down those walls for her.
“It’s a reminder that I’ll stop at nothing to have you.”
“That should scare me.” She breathes out.
“But it doesn't. Does it?” She shakes her head no. “I know what I did was crazy but I find I’m a little nuts when it comes to you.”
“You don’t know me.” Her head drops down, hiding those green eyes from me.
“I know more than you think I do.”
“I dug into you, too. I couldn’t find jack shit.” She purses her lips, looking annoyed about not finding anything on me. At least she’s not pissed about me digging into her. I take her hand.
“Then let me show you.” I have nothing to hide. Not when it comes to her.
9
Amelia
“I thought you owned hotels,” I ask as we step out of the back of the SUV. Ethan closes the door for me before his driver can. How many times have I walked in front of this building hoping to run into him? More than I’ll ever admit out loud.
“I do but I don’t work out of them.” He takes my hand, leading me inside right past the security and front desk. They don’t try to stop him but they do give me funny looks. I raise my eyebrows at them in a What the hell are you staring at? question. They all avert their eyes from us. I hate being looked down upon. I should be used to it with how I grew up, but it still bothers me. I know I’m not dressed right but I don’t really care. I am in thick yoga pants and a sweater that is too big for me. I paired it with some winter fuzzy boots. It isn't freezing out but there is a little nip in the air.
“They are curious is all,” Ethan says as we step onto the elevator.
“Nosy is more like it.”
“That too.” He laughs as he hits the button to the top floor. “They aren't used to seeing me here so late or holding a woman’s hand.”
“I wouldn’t take my one-night stand to work with me either,” I try and joke. It's something I always do when I’m uncomfortable.
“You tried to make us a one-night stand. Not me.” He looks down at me as he tucks me into his side. “How’s that working out for you?”
I laugh. “You’re a hard one to shake. I’ll give you that.” Not that I really wanted to shake him. Him showing up has been so surreal. He tracked me down. Came looking for me. I’m not sure he knows how much that makes me want him even more. Believe in him. Trust.
“I don’t mind chasing if it’s something I really want.” He leans down. “I always get what I want in the end.” He brushes that mouth of his against mine. He has no idea that with me now comes a baby. I wonder if that might change his mind. I should tell him. I really should, but I find myself pushing into the kiss.
A throat clearing has him pulling back. The elevator doors are open. A very tall dark haired woman stands there looking perfectly put-together and making me second-guess my outfit choice.