I didn’t need too much convincing after that. “Okay, Elijah,” I nodded as my lips lifted, trying to hide the enormous smile and not look too desperate. Feeling the need to say something to him after he poured out his feelings, I did the same. “You were always the one I wanted. My heart was already set on you from the moment we met. I just didn’t know it. I just didn’t know how to let Liam go.”

“Sometimes we don’t know how to let go of what’s comfortable. We just need a little push. But I also know I pushed you away. We can make this better now. Come home with me.”

I gave Elijah the biggest smile that I could, no longer holding anything back. That was my reply, but it was cut off when his lips began savoring mine. He pulled me tighter to him as his arms traveled up my back.

“You taste like milk,” he said, giving me sweet little kisses on my lips while speaking.

I laughed at his comment. “I just had some.”

“With cookies?”

“Yup.”

“I don’t taste the cookies. Maybe I need to reach in deeper.”

There were no more words. His tongue slid into my mouth, reaching deeper. With hunger and desperation, he conquered me, sucking me in, making me want more than just a kiss. Panting, he pulled away.

“I’m going to do more than just a kiss if I don’t stop,” he said breathlessly. “And I’m sure Lexy would like to come back inside.”

“Where did she go?”

“I bet she’s outside, waiting.”

“Oh, no. We better let her in.”

“We can tell her the good news on our way out.” Elijah gave me that mischievous grin. He was up to something. “Do you have a warmer jacket? I need to take you somewhere.”

“Where? And no, I don’t have one.”

“To your Christmas present.” He twitched his brows playfully.

“I don’t need a Christmas present. You already gave me you,” I said, and I really meant it.

“Oh, no.” He shook his head with a grin. “You’re not getting out of this one.”

“What?” I walked to Lexy’s room and grabbed my purse. Elijah reached for my hand. “I’m not going until you tell me where you’re taking me,” I said with a playful scowl.

“Remember when you told me you wanted to do something for your dad, but you were too chicken to do it.”

My eyes grew wide with excitement and a whole bunch of nerves flooded through me. “I’m still a chicken.”

“But you want to, right? You just need a little push, right?”

“Elijah, I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”

“I’ll be right there. I’ll hold your hand.”

I paused to think, but no matter how much I wanted to do it, I was scared. “I need a push.”

“You got it, Freckles.”

Next thing I knew, Elijah picked me up off the ground and threw me over his shoulder as he walked out the door.

“Put me down, Elijah,” I laughed, smacking his ass. It was nice and firm, just how I thought it would be. “I didn’t mean this kind of push. And what about Jimmy and your frat code?”

“I don’t care. He can kick my ass a thousand times. I’m not letting you go. No f**king way. You’re mine.”

Lexy had great timing. She was headed back to her place from wherever she had gone. “Everything okay there?”

“We’ll call you later, Lexy,” Elijah said, passing her. He didn’t even stop. “Don’t wait up. I’m taking my roommate back.”

Chapter 34

Alexandria

“I’m not getting on that. That thing is huge.”

“That’s what all the ladies say,” Elijah said, teasing in a sultry tone.

“Hey, I wasn’t talking about….” I stopped and giggled, not knowing whether he was thinking I meant something perverted. With Elijah, it was easy to think that way. His bike was shiny silver, with a black leather seat; and it was the coolest thing to know he actually drove one. He had made my ultimate bad boy dream come true.

“But I was,” he winked. He placed his leather jacket over my shoulders, helping my arms through the sleeves. “I’m guessing you’ve never ridden before. I need you to stay safe. After my leather jacket, this Harley Davidson is my other pride and joy.”

The sleeves of the jacket hung past my fingertips and it looked like a dress on me. Laughing, I flapped them as if they were wings. When I looked up, Elijah was giving me a naughty grin, checking me out. “What?” I looked at myself.

“Sexy. I’m imagining seeing you naked underneath my pride and joy leathers.”

“Maybe one day you will.” I shyly turned away with a smile, only to look back again when I felt the helmet slip onto my head. It fit perfectly. Then he put on his.

After Elijah swung over and sat on the seat, he helped me settle behind him.

“I can’t believe you had one all this time and I never knew,” I said.

“You never asked and I never said.” He touched my hand, making sure I was steady. “We’re not going that far. I’ll go slow.”

“Okay,” I replied, holding tightly around his waist. I pressed my head against his back, ready for take-off. Though I was nervous, I knew I would be safe. It felt good to hold him this way, but more than that, I couldn’t believe we were together. I’d have to take a picture with Elijah and me on his bike and send it to Emma. She was going to flip out.