Ellis found it hard to breathe through his nose. His eyes, intense, came back into focus as they stared down into heated ones. He was in an impossible situation. Haven’s sex lay displayed before him glistening like a tasty morsel waiting for his touch. Her hand still gripped him as she slowly moved it up and down.
Ellis hissed. “Damn.”
Begrudgingly, Haven released him. An impish but sexy as hell grin appeared on her face when she spoke. “We can finish this inside, or we can finish this now.”
Ellis was hard as a rock, but still able to have a moment of clarity. What in the hell was he doing? He couldn’t believe he’d acted on his desire for Haven. Making love to her had disaster written all over it. She was a sweet but confused woman. He wasn’t either of those things. All he could offer her was unforgettable sex. His body said, “Do it.” Take her right here and now. But, his conscious showed up at the worst possible moment. Ellis was really starting to care about Haven. This was not how you treat someone you cared about.
Haven was still caught up in the euphoria of what was happening between them. Her eyes were heavily hooded. “Can you have him pick you up in the morning?”
It took a herculean effort, but Ellis sat back—all the way back on his haunches. Haven unhooked her legs from around his waist while he dragged her dress down. “This is probably not a good idea.”
Haven blinked a few times. Was she hearing him correctly? Her body was ready to combust instantaneously. Her voice was hoarse. “And you’re just now figuring this out? In this moment?”
He ran his hand across his face. Bad idea. It smelled of her. “I know, and I’m sorry. I allowed my body to take over rational thinking. I want you like I need to take my next breath, but we can’t do this.”
“You allowed?” Confusion was written all over her.
“I like you—a lot. But, if we do this, you know me. I don’t do relationships or commitments, and I don’t want to hurt you. If I didn’t give a shit about you, I’d take you right here and now.”
Her pride was stung. “What makes you think I want a relationship?”
“Because that’s the type of woman you are. I can give you some damn good sex, but you want the fairytale. I can’t give you that.”
Out of nowhere, thoughts of Dylan flashed into her head along with the fear that maybe he was right about her. Maybe no one else wanted her. Embarrassed Haven hurried to fix her clothing and got out of the car. Ellis did the same and followed her out toward the apartment building.
She was doing her best to keep it together. “You don’t need to follow me. I can manage on my own.”
“I’m not going to let you go inside alone this time of night.”
She snapped. “I don’t need you to protect me. I can take care of myself—in all ways.”
Ellis could kick his own ass for allowing things to get so far out of control. What started out as a little flirting and dirty dancing between friends had spun out of control. He might have just ruined their friendship. He didn’t say a word, only continued to walk behind her.
When the elevator opened to her floor, Haven rushed out. Although she moved quickly and wanted to run, she kept her back ramrod straight while digging for her keys.
Her hands were shaking so badly that Ellis covered hers with his. Their eyes met and held. Haven’s mouth parted as her chest rose and fell. His eyes immediately went to her full lips that were still swollen from his kisses.
As if a magnetic force guided them, he leaned in and gently pressed his mouth against hers then pulled back touching his forehead to hers. Ellis sounded pained. “Haven, I care about you and would hurt myself before I intentionally hurt you. Please forgive me.”
Haven swallowed hard. Could she fault him for being honest and upfront? No, she couldn’t. Haven took a deep breath and whispered, “You feel how you feel. There’s nothing to forgive.” She pulled away, quickly found her keys, and opened her door.
Her smile was weak. “I’ll see you on Monday.” When she shut the door, Haven closed her eyes and leaned up against it just as Ellis stood on the other side hands spread flat against the door wondering if he’d made a mistake.
He didn’t need to wonder. Yes, he’d made a big mistake.
Chapter 16
Ellis sat in his grandfather’s office, in his old, worn leather chair, with his eyes closed unable to focus. He’d been sitting like that for hours. What the hell, man? He’d been unable to get Haven off of his mind the entire weekend. There was a line in the sand, and he’d crossed it. He wasn’t sure if they could go back. But, Ellis had to make the effort.
He had no idea what he was going to say to her when she came to work. Ellis tried several times to contact her over the weekend, but his calls had all gone straight to voicemail.
Hanging out with her was supposed to be fun—safe. But it was entirely too much fun and the complete opposite of safe. Their date turned out to be a disaster for so many reasons, not the least of which was that his grandmother would kill him. They didn’t want the same things,
