FULL NOVELXO Playing for Keeps: Chapter 22
When I wake in the morning, it’s to the feel of a warm palm rubbing light circles over my chest.
Elise is already awake and when I open my eyes, she smiles up at me shyly. “’Hi.” Her voice is soft, just above a whisper.
“Morning.” I grin at her. “How long have you been awake?”
She laughs. “Sorry, just a couple of minutes. I promise I’m not a creepy stalker watching you sleep.”
I smooth her hair back from her face. “Didn’t think you were.”
Stretching one arm leisurely over my head, I bring it around Elise. It feels so nice to wake up here, to be warm and affectionate with each other without having to rush off or steal moments when no one’s looking.
Lightly touching her skin, I turn her chin toward mine and give her a soft kiss. Elise sighs and leans into me, kissing me back.
I roll over and pull her up on top of me. She sits up, her legs on either side of my waist. I realize I’m still naked. I can feel the warmth of her through the cotton boxer shorts she wore to bed. She’s so tempting, and I barely resist the urge to rock my hips up, creating the magic of friction between us. I want to push her little shorts aside and sink into her slowly, but then my brain snaps on, and I recall the previous time I woke up in her bed when Elise had turned me down after I’d suggested morning sex because she was too sore, and so the last thing I want to do is pressure her when she’s not ready. Even if it was strange being told no for the first time in a decade. I need to behave. At least for now.
“I had fun last night,” I murmur, lifting up on my elbows to bring my lips to hers. She meets me halfway and gives me one last gentle kiss.
“Me too.”
I still can’t believe that she’d wanted to have sex without a condom. Everything about last night was perfect, and making it special for her with flowers and candles and champagne eased some of the guilt I still feel about our real first time.
I heft myself up and rise to standing while holding Elise. She makes a little squeal as I place her carefully down on her feet.
“Let’s make pancakes,” I suggest.
She rewards me with a grateful look. ”Sounds perfect.” She’s smiling as she quickly dresses, adding a pair of yoga pants over her tiny shorts and t-shirt ensemble.
In the kitchen, Elise starts the coffee while I mix the pancake batter and get the skillet heating.
I absolutely love this domestic, chill thing we have between us. And as amazing as the physical stuff between us is, I’m also really glad we rekindled our friendship after all that went down last year. Hearing her admit her crush on me while we laid in bed was one of my favorite moments from last night. I mean, I kind of suspected it, she didn’t exactly hide it very well, but watching her lips tilt up in a grin as she remembered was so damn cute.
Elise and Owen are the closest thing I have to family, and they’re both amazing friends. Even if I hate the thought of lying to Owen right now, for now, this is how it has to be.