Part 17 (1/2)

”Sorry,” she mumbled as her cheeks burned red.

I softened my voice. ”No, no, it wasn't that. I'm sorry. But, Ellie, you are capable of anything. Anything.”

The skin between her brows wrinkled like she didn't understand what I was saying, and any other emotion I was feeling turned to heartbreak. I quickly brushed it all aside so I could focus on the girl in front of me.

”And I'm here to show you how.”

”Okay,” she said quietly as a smile lit up her face.

”So I've been receiving a lot of orders lately and I don't have time to fill them all. That's where you come in,” I said as I started shoving things into her hands. I spent the next hour teaching her the basics of knitting and watching her work on a simple plain blue scarf that a longtime customer had requested a week ago.

”I feel like an old, settled housewife.” Ellie laughed as she balanced the knitting needles on her stomach. ”I really like it,” she said softly. ”Is that weird?”

”No. It looks good on you.” I reached over and squeezed her hand before she started working again. We worked in silence for a couple minutes longer when Ellie began wiggling around and nervously s.h.i.+fting her eyes to mine. I waited, allowing her time to work up the nerve to say whatever she was holding back. When she still didn't say anything, I put my needles down and swiveled toward her.

”What?”

She startled, looking up as she lost her place and her own needles fell. ”What what?”

I smiled. ”You wanted to say something. Spit it out.”

Ellie scrambled to get her scarf straight as she blushed. ”I don't know what you're talking about,” she mumbled. I merely raised my eyebrows, waiting for her to give it up.

”Well... I was just... wondering...” She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before letting out a defeated exhale. ”DoyouknowGrayson?” The words came out quickly before she peeked up at me from under her lashes.

”Who?”

”Damien's friend... Grayson.”

I frowned. ”I don't actually know any of his friends.”

”He doesn't really have any. Between working and me...” She shook her head. ”D doesn't have much time. That's part of the reason I was so surprised. But he...” Trailing off once more, her blush grew deeper.

”He, what?” I laughed as I lightly poked her in the side with the flat end of the needle.

”He was really nice. I've never...” She shook her head, looking dejected. ”Never mind. It's stupid.”

”What's stupid?”

”Thinking about a guy right now. I'm pregnant.” She paused to wave at her rounded abdomen. ”Pretty soon I'll be waddling,” Ellie complained before wrinkling her nose in annoyance. ”I'm going to be a waddler. How s.e.xy.” She rolled her eyes.

”To the right man. Yes, it could be extremely s.e.xy.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

”I'm pretty sure my brother would have a heart attack if I started dating. Besides I barely even talked to him. I'm being crazy right now.” Ellie bit her lip. But I could see her considering it, what a relations.h.i.+p with Grayson would be like. Hope lit up her eyes and a small smile tugged at her lips.

I didn't say any more on the subject as we continued to work in silence. The only thing I said was, ”For a beginner, you're getting the hang of it really fast.” She mumbled her thanks, and at least seventy-five percent of it felt like she believed me. ”Also, if we're gonna be friends, the first thing you should know is that I'll always call you on your bulls.h.i.+t.”

”We're gonna be friends?” she asked shyly.

”We're already friends, that was just an expression.”

She smiled so wide, I thought her face might split. As I looked at Ellie, I realized how similar she was to a little kid, and it broke my heart to think about her having an addiction. That someone that innocent and kindhearted could be pulled into such a tragedy. It was true, addiction didn't play favorites.

My smile was wide as I left a laughing Ellie on the couch, and dragged my girlfriend back to my room. I'd come home to the two of them talking and laughing on the couch, knitting supplies abandoned on the table in front of them. My curiosity was piqued when they told me it was about Ellie working for Naomi-I hadn't even known about this side business she had. But I didn't dwell on it too much, figuring I'd have plenty of time to learn more about it. Right then, I just had to get Naomi alone.

Coming home that way had been one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen, something I'd gladly get used to.

”Hey,” I murmured against her lips.

”Hi.” She nipped at my bottom one before kissing me. ”How was work?”

”Not bad. I got commissioned to do a large piece for one of our regulars. He always tips well and his designs are always fun to draw.”

”That sounds good,” she said softly.

”Hey.” I gripped her chin lightly and tilted her face up. Frowning, I asked, ”Are you okay?”

She nodded, but I must have still looked concerned because she let out a defeated breath. I wasn't at all sure what to expect and maybe if her question hadn't been such a shock, I'd have realized her troubled face was about something else entirely. But when she asked, ”Who's Grayson?” all I felt was surprise.

Warily, I said, ”A friend. Why?”

”Ellie mentioned him.” I solidified even further. I had never considered what would happen if Ellie discovered the reason I sought Grayson out. I didn't feel guilty, I had done it with her best intentions at heart, and really, we hadn't even done much in the way of helping Ellie. During the few lunches we'd had, it felt like we'd genuinely become friends. So it didn't feel like a lie when I told my sister that or when I told Naomi now. But I couldn't deny there was an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach over the entire situation. If not for me, then for Grayson.

”What'd she say about him?” I asked as I disentangled myself and made my way over to my closet. I was facing my clothes, as I took off my s.h.i.+rt and worked on the b.u.t.ton of my jeans, when she said, ”Just that she liked him.”

”She's having a baby.”

”So?” she challenged. I could just imagine the look on her face. Her lips drawn into a thin line, and her eyebrow c.o.c.ked in the way that said I'm about to prove a point and make you feel stupid. G.o.d, I hated that look. And I loved it. I hated how much I loved it, and I loved how much it turned me on.

Sure enough, when I turned around that was the face I got. I watched as she pulled her bra out of her top and stepped out of her shorts, leaving her in nothing but a thong and a thin tank top. ”Is this really what you want to discuss right now?”

”I just don't think it'd be wise, that's all.” I phrased it carefully. Because although I loved arguing with her, I was more interested in getting her naked at this point. She must have felt the same way because she merely shrugged, and that was how we called a truce. Neither admitting defeat, but both of us realizing we didn't need the win either.

She smirked as she crossed her arms, gripping the bottom of her tank before pulling it up and over. Naomi threw it behind her and revealed her mouthwatering t.i.ts. I stripped myself down to nothing before walking over and immediately taking one into my mouth. She yelped in surprise before moaning and gripping my hair, pulling me closer to her. After spending a few minutes alternating between them, showering her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with kisses before lightly biting and quickly soothing her nipples, I pulled back.

I laughed against her mouth before giving her a kiss. ”d.a.m.n.”

”What?” she asked, breathless.

”I really, really want to f.u.c.k you right now.”

Her pants filled my ear as she shuffled me toward the bed and shoved me down. My eyes dipped for only a minute before refocusing on her eyes as she crawled into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. I easily brought my arms around her and held us together more tightly. Our nipples grazed, causing us both to hiss, but I tried to ignore the heat flaring between us.

”I fail to see the problem,” she murmured before leaning forward and lightly pressing her lips to mine. My hands moved slowly over her before I twisted and laid Naomi on her back, hovering above her.

”The problem” -kiss- ”is” -kiss- ”you're loud” -kiss- ”and my sister” -kiss- ”is” -kiss- ”in the other room.”

”So?” I smiled against her skin at the confusion and longing in her voice. Pulling back, I grinned down at her as I softly ran my fingers over her damp panties.

”Surely someone has told you that you're very... vocal... and loud.”