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CHAPTER NINE

I SEE YOU

RHODES

Now

It’s like an endless cycle with me and Elle, one that she has no idea she’s on…where I’m about to lay out my feelings for her and I get cockblocked. In college it was Alfie and a few other guys…and for the past few years, it’s been Bern ard. When I see him put his hand on Elle’s arm at Bree’s reception, I don’t do the same thing I’ve always done.

I get my ass over there and put my arm around Elle’s shoulder. I can hear her quick intake of breath and the way she stiffens at first, but then she leans into me and it feels so good, so right.

Her red dress hugs her curves like a glove. She looks like a goddess tonight. When her skin and hair brush against my hand, they feel like silk.

Bernard clears his throat and I reluctantly pull my gaze from Elle’s. For a second, I’d forgotten Bernard was here. He stares at me with his bulgy eyes, his nose and lip already curling in distaste at the sight of me. He looks between the two of us like he’s about to be sick.

I see you, motherfucker. I see right fucking through you.

“You couldn’t wait five seconds to get your hands on her, could you?” he says between his teeth.

“Regardless of what you’ve always believed, Elle is not an object.” My voice is level and calm, but inside I’m raging.

He’s a fucking narcissist dressed up in a nice suit, who says all the right things to her parents, while treating Elle like shit. The night she broke up with him was one of the happiest nights of my life.

I’m surprised when Elle’s hand splays across my chest. My hand skims down her back and lands on her waist and she leans deeper into me. We feel like a force staring down Bernard and this is the only way I ever want to face the man again.

“Bernard! I’m surprised to see you here.”

Another surprise is how calm and friendly Elle sounds to Bernard…while her hand moves over mine, her thumb caressing my skin.

“I came as Marissa’s plus one.” He points toward his cousin across the winery, his eyes never leaving us. “So, what…the two of you are together now?”

My mouth parts, but before I can say anything, Elle does.

“Yes, we are,” she says.

Holy hell.

My insides go on a dancing spree, leaping all over the place, before realizing, Oh right, this is to throw off Bernard. This is not real. Hard-on, abort. Heart elation, dial down.

But I can’t help but go with it in the moment.

I tilt Elle’s chin up and press my lips to hers, and even though it’s only a few seconds long and I don’t go in deep like I’m dying to, fucking butterflies burst out of my chest, and I swear I can hear violins swelling to a huge crescendo even after our lips part. She stares up at me in shock, and I grin at her and then back at Bernard.

The way Bernard looks like he’s been hit in the gut is really fucking satisfying. He smooths back his blond hair and loosens his tie before taking a step closer to Elle.

“You really want to do this, Elle? You know he’s going to get tired of you and move on to the next bed like he always does.”

I reach out to grip his shoulder and Elle puts her hand over mine, pinning me with her gaze.

“Don’t make a scene,” she says, her eyes pleading with me.

I shoot her what I hope is a reassuring look, but when I face Bernard again, it’s through gritted teeth, my hand still on his shoulder.

“I’m not going to even honor your statement with a response. I don’t give a fuck the way you talk about me, but the way you’re putting down this woman that I love while doing so? I’m not okay with that at all.” I squeeze his shoulder again before letting go. “She doesn’t want us to make a scene, so we won’t.” I look at Elle. “Are you ready for that dance?”

She nods, and when I smile at her, she smiles back, giving my heart another race around the block. We move to the dance floor and her hands loop around my neck, while mine tug her waist close to me. We don’t say anything for a minute, our bodies moving in time with the music.

If all Elle and I ever did was dance together, the world would be a perfect place. I don’t know how, but being near Elle makes my heart rate skyrocket to the heavens, and yet it also calms my entire nervous system. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it’s always been true.

“I’m sorry about that back there,” she finally says, looking up at me.

“You don’t ever need to apologize to me for Bernard’s behavior.”

She bites the inside of her cheek and flushes. “No, I meant what I said about us being together. I don’t know why I did that. I wasn’t thinking. I’m just so tired of him acting like he stands a chance of getting me back.”

I knew what she was doing with Bernard, but it still stings. I want her to say she’s mine so bad I can taste it.

“Oh, that didn’t bother me at all,” I tell her.

She snorts and pulls back, laughing harder when her eyes meet mine. “Yeah, I could tell. Of course you have to go all in and kiss me. Always so dramatic.”

I start laughing too and then I smooth her hair back and whisper in her ear. “You didn’t think I’d miss an opportunity like that, did you?”

She shivers in my arms and I pull her tighter against me.

“You’ve just been waiting to give Bernard a piece of your mind, haven’t you?” She smiles up at me and damn, she’s so beautiful it hurts.

“You have no idea. But that kiss had very little to do with Bernard.”

She tugs her teeth over her bottom lip, trying not to smile when I say that.

“Rhodes,” she whispers. “You can’t say things like that.”

“Right,” I say. “Except we’re together now, so…”

I would not be Rhodes Archer if I did not tease Elle Benton at every opportunity. I know that little show wasn’t for me and am under no delusion that we’re suddenly a couple.

No matter how much I wish it was the truth.

She groans. “Forget that even happened. I did the whole foot-in-my-mouth thing with my ex…thank you for filling in as my boyfriend…”

I don’t like where her words are going, so when the next song is that sexy throwback, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, I let our bodies do the talking. I want so much more than her body, but when her ass sways against my dick, I make the most of the situation. My hand slides down her side and grips her hip as I grind into her before flipping her around to face me. She doesn’t look at me, but there’s not even a breath of space between us as our bodies move in perfect time.

The next song feels even better, “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic. Elle looks so fucking sexy as she gets lost in the music. She always has. I used to think I had something to do with the look of euphoria in her eyes when we danced together, but it’s just her. She comes alive with the music, her body knows exactly what to do, and every ounce of restraint that she typically carries comes undone when she dances .

It’s why I’m so glad she’s finally doing something for herself. I don’t get to watch her out on the field the way I want to, but I know it’s her happy place.

It helps get my head back in order. I can chill and wait until she’s done with the Mustangs before I try to pursue her. I have no idea if I can change her mind about us being together, but I’m not done trying.

God knows I’ve waited this long, and she’s worth the wait.

My phone has blown up when I crawl into bed after midnight.

Penn

I didn’t need a date tonight. I got mine when I watched Rhodes and Elle dance together tonight.

Henley

No shit. I got mine with my actual girlfriend, but I’m not gonna lie, their little show stoked the flames.

Weston

Sadie was climbing me before we’d even gotten all the way inside the house.

Bowie

I swiped right.

Penn

No fucking way, Bowie. Good for you, man!

Bowie

Kidding. But I thought about it, and that’s saying something.

Henley

I wouldn’t blame you, Bowie. The pheromones were hoppin’ tonight. Speaking of…Rhodes, you sure are quiet.

Weston

Maybe he’s moved beyond the foreplay and getting his.

I laugh despite my pent-up frustration.

Glad to be of service.

Bowie

He speaks!

Penn

Tell us you got yours, Rhodes.

I wish.

Fuck, do I ever wish.