Page 14 of Reluctant to Love

7

Eleanor

Ifeel like I’m making a huge mistake, pushing Roderick away. I want to feel that spark of connection again, to know a man still desires me and clearly, Roderick does. But there are scars I still need to hide until I’m sure he’s ready to see them.

He runs his hand down my arm and slips it between mine before leading me to the much larger, much more luxurious master bedroom.

“Holy shit,” I murmur as I take in the opulence. I thought I was winning with a spacious en-suite, but this room is bigger than most apartments back home. “You’re damn right I’m going to sleep in this room.”

Roderick laughs at me. “Who knew that getting you into my bed was going to be this easy.”

“Honestly, you should have showed me the room first.” I walk back to my room to grab my pajamas but also for a little privacy. I abruptly ended my phone call with my mother when Roderick bombarded me in my room earlier in the day. She’s probably worried and if I wait until tomorrow, she’ll likely get out her Tarot deck and start reading the cards, looking for signs of trouble.

“I was waiting for you to call,” my mother answers sweetly.

“I’m sorry to call so late. Little princess already in bed?”

“Oh yes. She had a slight fever today so she’s been asleep for hours.” I hear shuffling in the background, and I roll my eyes.

“The cards are out, aren’t they?”

“Just one, Eleanor.”

“Mom, tell me about the fever. Did it break?”

“Knight of Cups, dear. Very good. Whatever you’re facing this week, follow your heart. Maybe you’ll receive some kind of invitation this week.”

If only my mother knew just how right her cards were. She’d probably blush at Roderick’s invitation.

“Okay, follow my heart, yadda yadda yadda. How’s the little princess feeling now?”

“Well, her fever finally broke.”

I sigh and sit down on the bed. “Okay, I’ll call and check on her tomorrow. Call me immediately if her fever spikes. I’ll come right home.”

“I can take care of things here. You just focus on your meeting.”

“I’ll try.”

“Do you want me to draw another card?”

“No, mom. Goodnight.”

The call ends and I quickly change out of my jeans and t-shirt and into an oversized shirt that once belonged to Roderick and a pair of shorts.

There’s a soft knock on the door. “Come in,” I call out.

“Just checking to see if you changed your mind,” he says with a shy smile that widens when he sees what I’m wearing. “I thought I lost that shirt.”

“You didn’t; I took it.” I pick my phone up from the bed and follow him out of the room.

Having his hands and mouth on me felt wonderful. More than wonderful; it felt divine. It made me feel alive.

When we enter the master bedroom, Roderick spins me into his arms. One hand tangles into my hair and tugs my head until my face is upturned. He brushes his lips against mine softly before deepening it. His other hand skims my belly, gathering the material of my shirt in his fist.

When we break apart, there’s a satisfied look on his face. “I love being able to do that again.”

“It’s been a long day,” I say awkwardly before I brush past him, heading straight for the bed.