“I was a little shell-shocked when he left,” Starlight added, feeling delightfully wicked. Elijah looked at her, blue eyes narrowing.“Oh, it was mutual, believe me.” The look in his eyes made her tingle. She’d been more than satisfied, even if he hadn’t. But was he still interested? She hoped he was. She cleared her throat. “Next time, maybe we can finish our conversation?” she asked, her voice tight. Starlight saw him swallow, the flare of his nostrils, the absolutely gorgeous ridge of his jaw locking. His nod was stiff but it was enough to have her throbbing.“Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation…” Meghan murmured. She and Elijah looked at Meghan in unison, making Meghan grin widely.“Well, I would love to stay longer but I have pies to get in the oven… for the auction…” Mrs. Thomas stood.“You’ll come, won’t you, Starlight?”“I’d like that...” “There are so many parties and events this time of year. And a wedding…
Starlight’s smile touched his heart. He’d missed that smile. He’d missed her.“Now let’s get some food,” Meghan said. “Need anything, EJ?”“No, I’m good.” Meghan nodded and headed out the door. Starlight smiled up at him.“You sure you don’t want anything?”“You know I do. But we’ve got all night,” Elijah promised, his gaze shifting to her full red lips. “And I plan on taking advantage of that.” She shivered.“Who said last night’s offer was still on?” Elijah smiled.“It’s still on.” Starlight opened her mouth, then closed
He placed her in the middle of the bed. The cool air of the room caressed Starlight’s naked body, and she shivered a little. Watching Starlight, his heart thundered in his chest, his body begging him to touch her all over, with his hands, his mouth, his tongue.“Touch me, Elijah… Don’t keep those hands to yourself…” Starlight whispered, then made a sexy noise and parted slightly her thighs inviting him to take what was rightfully his… at least that night.“I won’t, little Star…” What Elijah wanted was to climb over her sweet, naked body and impale her until he gave them what they both wanted. But he didn’t want to rush things… Elijah wanted this night to be endless… ‘Okay, let’s take it slow this time… and play a little…’“Where do you think I should touch you?” he asked and, on his lips, appeared a mischievous smile. Starlight rolled onto her back as his fingers crept across the mattress. When he reached her stomach, Elijah brush
Elijah withdrew almost completely. For a moment, Starlight worried he was having second thoughts, then in one quick thrust, he plunged deep, slamming her down on the bed and giving her what she asked for. At that first sweet stab of pleasure, a gasp ripped from her lungs and Starlight wrapped her arms around him to hold on for the ride. He stayed still for a moment as his fullness stretched her apart, filling her in ways she’d never imagined possible. She shifted, encouraging him to move, and in no time at all, he began pumping. Starlight threaded her fingers through his hair, her body opening for him, eager for Elijah to take them both where they desperately needed to go.“So good…” she murmured as his groin pounded against hers. The
Elijah looked at her face. She was so easy to excite, so responsive. To see her come alive under his touch was the most powerful aphrodisiac. He couldn’t get enough of her, never could. Starlight was meant for him… Her body was meant for his touch. And she was offering herself to him for twelve days. Twelve days of no-strings-attached sex. With Starlight... The only woman he’d ever loved… The only woman he’d really wanted…“You think twelve days will be enough?” Elijah asked, stroking her nipple with the pad of his thumb. She hardened beneath his touch, and she had the exact same effect on his body. He’d come twice in the last hour and he was already ready for round three. Starlight clasped his wrist, holding his fingers in place against her br
Starlight stretched and rolled onto her side. But when she opened her eyes, she realized she was alone. A bit confused, she sat up.“Elijah?” she called out. No answer. A peek at the clock told her it was eight-fifteen. Sleeping in was a rarity. But after last night... Starlight smiled, stretching with a soft squeal before collapsing back on the mattress. She stared up at the ceiling, enjoying images from last night to warm her up. Elijah… Her first love… Her greatest love… Elijah’s hands and mouth and his incredible body. Last night had been... Her breathing grew a little unsteady and her heart rate picked up. How she could want him again, and so fiercely, whe
“I’ll carry it,” Starlight offered, taking the large pot from Mrs. Thomas and heading up the path.“I’ll be in, in just a minute, sweet girl!” Mrs. Thomas offered, making the three men groan. “Oh, shush you three, I only have a few ideas… The right ones, as always!” Meghan hooked arms with Starlight and headed inside.“The cider was totally a ploy.”“My aunt is amazing!” Meghan said laughing. “It’s hard to argue with her when she’s bringing you something to eat or drink. She’ll probably keep them out there for another hour… the least…” Starlight glanced back at the group, the three men stooping to hear whatever Mrs. Thomas was telling them.“Smart lady!”“She is!” Meghan exclaimed n
‘Our house.’ Those two wonderful words… Those sweet, unexpected words that Starlight said jolted him.“My pleasure,” Elijah said, winking at her before he hurried out of the kitchen. Once out of her sight, he shook his head. Maybe he liked what she’d said a little too much. After finding more strands of white Christmas lights, Elijah set about filling the holes his mother had found. And he tried his hardest not to let James and Gary linger inside a hell of a lot longer than five minutes. The smile James wore when he did finally show up rubbed him the wrong way. Ever since they were kids, James liked to get a rise out of him.
Her phone was ringing. When it had started, Elijah didn’t know. And, at the moment, he didn’t even care. But the ringing sent Starlight into a tailspin, smoothing her tangled hair into place and holding her sweater closed. He frowned, reaching for her, trying to process what he’d heard. She loved him? She loved him, and he was staring at her like an idiot. She answered her phone.“Hey, Megs.” Elijah wasn’t prepared for the anxious look in her eyes. Or the uncertainty on her face.“He’s here,” she replied to his cousin. “His key doesn’t work.” She paused, then nodded. “Okay… I’ll send him down.” Did she seriously doubt how he felt? Because he’d be happy to fix that… now. Elijah waited as she hung up the phone.“You need to go… Your mother needs you now,” she said, brushing past him into her bathroom. “Don’t forget to have your key fixed.”“Star… Darlin’…”“Baby, tonight is about Jeremy and Anna… We can wait…” Starlight murmured.“You
When they arrived on floor seven, Elijah brushed past her, eager to get to his room and take a very cold shower. But Starlight followed him down the hall until he reached his room. She went around him, to the door next to his.“Well… Looks like we’re neighbors,” she said, smiling his way. He nodded stiffly, trying not to think about the fact that she’d be so close. His hands fumbled with his card key, dropping it. Starlight smiled and disappeared into her room.“Dammit,” he growled, picking up his key and resting his forehead on the hotel room door. She’d gone off to California and hung out with firemen? And did tequila shots? And who knows what else…! And then she came back wearing… what she was wearing. Elijah adjusted himself, his erection pressing against his already fitted pants. He tried his key. It didn’t work.“What the hell…” He tried again. Still nothing. Elijah punched the wall.“Dammit!” he bit out, then stared at her door.
Starlight smoothed her hands over her hair and straightened the tie on her sweater. Her skintight black pencil skirt, clinging cream wrap-sweater and tall black boots hadn’t been the most practical traveling outfit, but it had definitely drawn a lot of attention her way. Hopefully, it would have the same effect on Elijah. He’d been right all along… They really needed to talk. And even though she’d shut him down, Starlight hoped he’d give her another chance… Being vulnerable was something she avoided at all costs. And Starlight was nervous as hell. The last five days had been good for her but not great. Kara had been a truly generous host and friend, showing her the sights of San Diego, the coastal beauty, and the friendly people. There’d been a lot of laughing, a lot of drinking, and too many late nights talking about what they wanted out of life. Starlight hadn’t wanted to bring up Elijah. But Kara had asked.“‘Talk to me about him… I’ve been dy
Starlight finished cleaning up the cups of cocoa, empty bowls of popcorn, half-eaten cookies, and candy cane wrappers. Meghan busied herself straightening the pillows and putting the television cabinet back to rights. And Elijah was asleep in the recliner in front of the fire. He’d dosed off halfway through the movie and had been snoring softly ever since. Every time Starlight brushed past him, she hesitated. “Are you ready for tomorrow?” Meghan asked. Tomorrow… California… Going away… She hoped, with time and distance, she could finally let go of Elijah. She couldn’t exactly start over if she was holding on to the past. “Not quite.” “What time is your flight?” Meghan asked again. “Seven thirty,” Starlight answered. “On Christmas Day?” Meghan frowned. “You could have waited.” “I didn’t know how depressing this year would be,” Starlight admitted, sitting at the kitchen table. “Not as bad as you thought it would be?” Meghan suggested.
Starlight stretched, feeling all sorts of aches and pains. All of her right side was covered in bruises. She groaned, going limp against the sheets. Everything ached. “That’s gotta hurt,” Elijah said, standing in the doorway. “It does.” “I brought you something.” Elijah sat on the edge of the bed, offering her some pain pills and a glass of water. “God… Best present ever.” She sat up and took the pills, aware that his eyes were fixed on her bruises. “I know it looks bad…” He winced, shaking his head. “You were extremely lucky. Unless your car…” Starlight wanted to reach for him. She loved the concern that creased his face. And hated herself for it. She’d lied to him last night. And she would keep lying to him. He didn’t need to know she was coming to him. Or that she loved him. Or that the way she felt, how overwhelming it was, scared her. She didn’t want to be scared… to hurt. Seeing his face in the hospital room,
Starlight turned the moment Meghan was entering the room. Her face was pale. “Aunt Hazel called…” she whispered. “Elijah?” Starlight asked, already knowing the answer. Meghan took her hands. “He’s okay, sweetie.” “What happened?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Don’t freak out, okay? He was stabbed…” “What?! No!” Starlight yelled. “He’s in stable condition.” Meghan hurried to the door. “Where is he?” Starlight asked. “Saint Croix Hospital…” she said then paused. “But... EJ said for you not to come.” Starlight frowned. “Oh…” “I need to take Aunt Hazel. She can’t drive on the ice, too jumpy,” Meghan replied, hugging her. “I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.” “Okay,” she whispered, feeling numb. After closing the door, Starlight stood still, like a statue. The man she loved was hurt… But he was stable enough to tell her not to come. Starlight hugged herself, hating how cold she felt. “If he doesn’t want me there,
Elijah woke to Christmas songs, laughter, and singing. It took a minute to understand where he was… He groaned… This was Starlight’s bed, alone, covered in blankets. A shout of laughter made him grin. Starlight and Meghan, from the sounds of it. He kicked back the blankets, ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and glanced at the clock. Elijah covered his face with his hands and groaned again… It was almost 6:00 p.m. He had an hour before he needed to be at the station. Elijah turned on the bedside lamp and stretched. It had been a long time since he’d slept a solid five hours without waking. It made sense that he’d done it in Starlight’s bed. It was the one place he could truly relax and just… breathe. He glanced around the room, taking in the many changes made by her and Meghan. The pom-pom and trophies were gone… The walls were bare. Even the curtains had been pulled down. Swallowing hard, Elijah remember
The next day, Meghan came over and helped her weeding through her old things. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. There were three large boxes that she and Meghan tackled together. But there wasn’t much. Mostly pictures and keepsakes gathered from before her father had left them. Nothing from her high-school years, or her life with Daniel… They hauled the boxes onto the front porch.“I can call James…” Meghan offered. “My brother has a truck.”“No, Megs… After what I did at the party... I can’t keep leading your brother on.”“Girl, you just kissed him under the mistletoe,” Meghan said, nudging her. “I didn’t see tongue, or groping…” Starlight laughed.“Be
“Okay, dude,” Edward said, “tell us what the hell did you do… We’re here for you… So, start talking…” Elijah took a deep breath.“Remember our breakup?” he asked.“The one where you were basically catatonic for a year?” Edward asked. “Yeah, good times… Fun times!” Elijah flipped him off.“That was a hell of a long time ago.” Jeremy crossed his arms over his chest.“I know we were kids, but I really loved Starlight. I mean… she was my everything. Losing her was a nightmare. I believed we were forever. It felt like it would be. But if you love someone like that, you have to put them first, right?”