Page 19 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)

fourteen

. . .

Eloise

I blinked my eyes open, startling when I glanced around, remembering that I wasn’t in my bed.

The spot beside me was empty, but the covers were rumpled where he’d slept.

I lifted the covers to see that I was fully dressed, and memories of my head hanging over the toilet flashed in my mind.

I’d woken up in the middle of the night and vomited several more times.

Clark had gotten up with me, holding my hair up and comforting me.

And he stayed beside me through the vomiting and slept beside me the entire night.

He probably ran off this morning as flashbacks of me heaving all night had horrified him.

I covered my eyes with my hand and groaned. I’ve crossed so many professional lines at this point, yet we still hadn’t kissed.

And that certainly wasn’t going to happen now that he’s seen me with my head in a toilet.

I heard footsteps coming down the hallway, as the wood floors creaked with each step. I tried to frantically pat my hair in place, tucking it behind my ears and brushing a hand over my black tank top.

I was grateful he had a spare toothbrush that I used in the middle of the night, and at least my breath smelled minty this morning.

He strode through the doorway with a pair of navy basketball shorts slung low on his hips, his muscled chest on full display.

“Good morning, Weeze. How are you feeling?” He walked to the side of the bed where I was lying and set down a glass of blue Gatorade and two pieces of toast.

I reached for the glass and took a long sip as my mouth was unusually dry.

I set it back down on the nightstand and glanced over at him as he sat down on the bed beside me.

“I feel a little horrified, but otherwise okay, I guess. I don’t feel nauseous anymore, and the cramps are gone.”

His lips turned up in the corners, as his back rested against the dark rustic wood headboard. “I mean, you were bragging about how you never get sick right before you projectile vomited like someone was extracting the devil from your body, so I’m sure it’s a little horrifying.”

I fell forward on a chuckle. “I literally haven’t been sick in years. I blame you for breaking my streak.”

“It’s not like I’ve kissed you, so I don’t know why I’m getting blamed,” he said, his voice all tease.

“You’re getting blamed because you had it first, and you made me do that damn pull-up competition, so I probably got your puking cooties from that.”

He smiled, and then his sage green eyes softened. “I’m sorry for getting you sick.”

“I’m just kidding. It’s not your fault. And I appreciate you taking care of me last night. That was really sweet of you.”

“I’m sweeter than I look.” He waggled his brows, and my God, even after a night of tossing my cookies, I found the man so ridiculously sexy I had a hard time controlling myself.

I wanted to run my fingers along the scruff on his jaw.

I wanted to press my lips against his, just to see what they felt like.

I squeezed my thighs together in response, begging my body to stop reacting to the man.

“You are, actually. I had you pegged as this womanizing playboy, and you appear to be the opposite.”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Eloise,” he said, his lips turning up in the corners.

And why was it so sexy when he said my real name?

Maybe it was his deep voice or the way his eyes were staring at my lips.

“I’ve been with my fair share of women. But I’ve always been honest about the expectations.

During the season, my focus is hockey, and I make it clear that I don’t have much to give.

Most women have been fine with that, and it’s worked for me. ”

“I’m not built that way, Clark. I kind of wish I was at the moment,” I said. “But I know myself well enough to know that I’d want more.”

“Maybe I’m not looking for just a one-night stand either. I want to get to know you,” he said, his hand stroking my cheek.

“So what’s different now?”

“Well, I’m sort of crazy about my coach’s daughter,” he said, putting his hands up when I started to interrupt, because he knew I was going to tell him it was a mistake. “And I don’t know what it means. I know it’s risky for you, and it’s risky for me, as well.”

“How so? The team will never cut you for an inappropriate relationship.” I quirked a brow.

“Because I look up to your father, and I respect him. I also respect the hell out of you, so trust me, I’ve tried to push these feelings away.

It just hasn’t happened. And maybe we’re better as friends, and we’ll find that out quickly.

But, I don’t know, something tells me it’s worth the risk. And I’m a man who trusts my gut.”

He reached over on his nightstand, opening the top drawer, and pulling out our notebook. “I wrote you something because I know it’s your thing.”

I was still processing his words, but grateful for the distraction. My eyes moved to the notebook in my hands.

Hey Weeze,

We’ve spent weeks working out together and talking more than I’ve ever talked to anyone. I’ve seen you at your most vulnerable, with your head in a toilet and puke coming out of your nose. And yet, I’m not running away. I only want more.

I know you're scared, and I get it. We don’t know what the future holds. But right now, I’d like to take you on a date. Just you and me. No gym. No work. No contracts or rules.

No one has to know, and it will be two non-professional friends on a date. Maybe it’ll go nowhere, which would be easier for both of us. But I’d like to just try. One time.

What do you say?

CC

“You had to mention the puke coming out of my nose, didn’t you?”

He barked out a laugh. “You’re even cute when you’re puking, Weeze.”

I sucked in a long breath. “I’m not having sex with you. That will complicate things for me.”

He nodded. “I understand that.”

“Sex is probably just sex for you, but for me, it’s just different. It’s a vulnerable thing for me to share that with another person, and I won’t apologize for it. Passion and attraction are great, but I need more from a partner.”

“Tell me what you need,” he said, his gaze studying mine as if what I was going to say was the most important thing in the world.

“It’s an emotional connection for me. I need trust and loyalty when I’m with someone that way.” I waved my hands around now, because I felt childish and embarrassed to have even brought this up.

He wasn’t asking to have sex with me.

He just asked me on a date, and of course, I made it weird.

“I see your wheels spinning, and I think I know you well enough to guess that now you’re thinking that I never asked you to have sex, and maybe I don’t want that.

I know how that brain of yours works, Eloise.

” He reached for my chin and turned my face up so I would meet his gaze.

“I think about having sex with you every fucking day. It’s torture being this close to you and not touching you.

So take those doubts away and tell me your reasoning. ”

My breath hitched in my throat, and I shrugged. “I told you about how my mom and I kept notebooks those last few months of her life, and I saved every single one of them. They were filled with life advice, and some I didn’t understand when I was young, so it has a different meaning now.”

“That makes sense. You were young when she passed away,” he said. His hand playing with mine as we sat facing one another. “What did she say?”

“Well, the one I always reference when I date someone is pretty basic. She said not to give my heart away unless I was completely over the moon about someone, and they felt the same way about me.”

“She was giving you all her mama advice right there in your notebooks,” he said, his gaze filled with empathy.

“Yep. And I haven’t always taken it. The first guy I was ever with was my freshman year of college.

I lost my virginity to him, and we dated for six months before we realized we had nothing in common.

I think it was just this milestone I wanted to knock off my list.” I sighed.

“And then I dated a few people throughout college, but I never crossed that line again with sex, because it didn’t feel right.

And then I met Spencer in grad school, and he was the second guy I was ever with.

I think I wanted to be in love so badly that I sort of convinced myself I was.

And we were together for several years, and he’s a great guy, but it just wasn’t right.

I’ve never felt the way my mom said I should feel, so maybe that’s the problem.

So at the end of the day, I’m just not super experienced sexually.

” I covered my face with my hand and groaned, because what was I doing? Why was I sharing all of this?

“Hey, you don’t need to be embarrassed talking to me.

We’re friends first, Weeze. And I don’t have a lot of female friends.

I want to know this stuff. I think it’s cool that you look at sex differently.

I haven’t had sex since before playoffs started, so weeks before you came to town, which is a long run for me,” he said, wincing like I would find that offensive.

“Why do you think you haven’t had sex?”

“I don’t know, I just don’t want anyone else.

” He shook his head as if it hadn’t come out right.

“That’s not what I meant. I don’t expect sex from you.

I know this is complicated, and knowing how you feel about it, I don’t want you to think that’s what I’m here for.

I’m just being honest, because I don’t want anyone else.

I don’t know what it means. I haven’t been in a serious relationship since high school, and we know how that ended.

I enjoy women. I enjoy sex. I guess I’ve just never been over the moon about anyone either,” he chuckled.

“Do you have a pen?” I asked, as my teeth sank into my bottom lip.

I knew I was making a mistake crossing the line.

Putting myself out there.

Knowing this would end poorly.

Clark Chadwick was a hockey star. Women fell at his feet. He could have whoever he wanted. He didn’t do relationships.

I was a relationship girl. I was inexperienced with sex. And I was not only his coach’s daughter, but I worked for the same team he played for.

This was a line I shouldn’t cross.

I knew it. He knew it.

But when he reached into his nightstand and handed me the pen, I didn’t hesitate.

I turned the page in the notebook.

Good morning, Chadwick,

I appreciate you holding my hair back while I emptied my stomach into your toilet. When we are both back to normal and feeling well, I would like to go on a date with you. No gym. No work. No contracts. No sex.

XX, Weeze

“I added just one rule at the end.” I handed it to him, and he laughed.

“I can live with that.”

“What if the kiss is awful?” I asked.

“Then we get off easy, no pun intended on that one,” he smirked.

I shoved him in the chest and chuckled. “It would be great if the first kiss sucks. Then we would just be friends, and we’d stop thinking about it. And then you can go back to sleeping with random women, and I can find a guy who I’m over the moon for.”

“Here’s hoping the kiss sucks,” he said with a wicked grin on his face as he held up his glass of blue Gatorade, and I reached for mine and clinked it against his.

“So, today we rest. Tomorrow, pending you’re feeling better because I feel back to normal today, we’ll get back to our workout routine, and I’m taking you on a date after. ”

“Our date is tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’d take you out today if you didn’t have vomit breath.” He barked out a laugh.

I placed a hand over my mouth and fell back on the pillow. “We’ve done everything backward. You know all my dirty secrets, and you’ve seen me praying to the porcelain gods, and we haven’t even had our first kiss.”

“I’m kidding. I’ve never met someone who brushed their teeth so aggressively after vomiting. But I’ve never discussed kissing someone so thoroughly before just doing it, so now I figure it shouldn’t happen when you aren’t feeling great. So, if you’re better tomorrow, plan on it.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I pushed to my feet. “I’m feeling a lot better, but I need to go home, take a bath, and put on some clean clothes,” I said, surprised that he looked disappointed that I was leaving.

“I’ll give you a ride.” He moved to stand.

“I can walk,” I said, waving a hand in front of me. “You’ve done enough for me.”

“You aren’t used to anyone taking care of you, are you?” he asked, as he went to his dresser and pulled a tee out of the drawer, tugging it over his head.

I processed his words as I slipped on my shoes. “I’m just used to taking care of myself.”

“Well, regardless of how our date goes, that changes now.” His gaze locked with mine. “When you need anything, or you aren’t feeling well, or someone at work gives you a hard time, you call me. I will drop everything for you, Weeze.”

I swallowed hard, looking away because the intensity in his gaze nearly took my breath away. “Why?”

“Because you showed up for me when I needed you after the injury. I would have started running too soon. I would have reinjured myself, and you made sure I did things right. And I don’t know, Eloise, at the end of the day, I just like you, so when you need me, you just have to say the word.”

Damn you, Clark Chadwick.

I was still holding out hope that the first kiss would suck, and now the man goes and says the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

I nodded. “Same. I’m always here if you need me.”

“All right. Let’s get you home.”

The ride to my house was quiet. Almost as if we were both processing all that had happened.

Even though nothing physical had happened between us.

It felt like things had shifted.

He pulled into the driveway at Emilia’s house, where the guest cottage sat at the end of the driveway.

“All right, get some rest. I’m counting on that date tomorrow.” He winked.

“Practice first, Hotshot. And then you can kiss me after.”

“Get ready to be knocked off your feet,” he said, before coming around the truck and opening my door. I swung my legs out, and he stepped forward, his big hands finding each side of my hips as he lifted me down, sliding my body slowly against his before my feet hit the ground.

Our faces were so close that my nerves were jumping, and my stomach fluttered at the heat in his gaze. His lips were so close to mine I could feel his warm breath on my face.

“I’m hoping neither of us is knocked off our feet,” I whispered.

“Yeah, that sure would be a lot easier.”

I stepped back, holding my hand up and waving as I pulled my key out of my purse and pushed inside.

I said a silent mantra a couple of times just to settle my nerves.

Please let it be the worst kiss ever.

Please let it be the worst kiss ever.

Please let it be the worst kiss ever.

One could hope.