Page 84 of Tangled Hearts

We sit for a while, and I look out over the lake while Eli molds himself to my body. I let my fingers explore his skin, soaking him in.

There’s someone walking down the path toward us, and for a second, panic rushes through me. But then I remember we can do this. We don’t have to hide here. When the older couple walks past us, Eli pops his head out of his hiding place and offers them a smile. “Nice night for a walk, huh?”

The man smiles, slowing his pace a little. “Sure is. We’ve been making this walk for forty years. Even before the restaurant was built.”

“Wow,” Eli breathes, tone reverent. “That’s a long time.”

The woman chuckles. “How long have you been together?”

“Not long,” I answer.

Her eyes crinkle at the corners as she smiles. “Just you wait. This’ll be the two of you, all old and wrinkly like us.”

That makes my heart pound heavily in my chest. “I sure hope so,” Eli says, sighing wistfully, and my heart pounds even harder. God. Me fucking too.

She reaches a gnarled hand out to pat his face. “You will. It won’t always be easy, but nothing worth having is. You boys have a good night.”

The gentleman gives us a nod, and the two of them continue their walk down the dimly lit path.

Eli sighs, tucking his face back into my throat. “I wish I was yours.”

His words nearly stop my heart. How can he not see that he is? How does he notfeelit?“Look at me.” He sits back, staring at me with soft, vulnerable eyes. “Youaremine. You’re mine here. You’re mine at home. You’re mine quietly and out loud, and you’re always going to be mine.” I press my lips to his. “You’re mine in every way that matters. And in two weeks, everyone will know you’re mine. And even if they don’t like it, not a single fucking thing will change for me. Not one. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks. I’ll fucking kidnap you and run away with you, Eli. Period. You’remine.”

His bottom lip trembles, and my heart’s damn near pounding out of my chest. “Really? Even if no one accepts us? What happens then?”

I shrug, abject horror at the thought clawing at my heart. I hope that doesn’t happen. I really fucking hope that doesn’t happen. “LikeI said, nothing changes. You’d better be ready to be kidnapped. I’m not giving you up for anyone. Or anything.”

He blinks at me slowly, his chin quivering a bit, then his lips tilt into a sly smile. “Can we stop for ice cream?”

“What?” I ask, confused.

He laughs. “In this kidnapping scenario? Can we stop for ice cream?”

My heart nearly explodes with joy. “We can stop for anything you want.”

“Perfect.” He settles his head back against me. “I don’t think they’re going to be mad, you know? They may be worried, but I think they’ll want us to be happy.”

“I hope you’re right.” I squeeze him a little tighter to me. “But even if they don’t, it’s you and me. That’s it. I’ll still choose you. I’ll still want you.”

Eli nuzzles my throat, nodding. “Me too. Always.”

Silence settles over us again and we sit together for a while longer, listening to the sounds of the lake. We’ll have to head home soon, but for now, I’m going to take every second of this I can get.

On our way home from our date, Eli has his hand tucked into mine, and he’s singing along to the radio. It’s adorable, and I’m happy all over again that I could take him out and show him off. Even if hedideat my dinner.

I let my thumb brush the back of his hand as we speed down the highway. This night has only solidified how badly I want to tell everyone. I know logically why we put the timeline in place, but thedeeper we get into this, the more I question why we’re even waiting. Two weeks or tomorrow, what does it matter?

“Why haven’t you let me give you a blowjob?”

Eli’s question comes out of left field, and I swerve so hard I almost put the Jeep in a ditch. He laughs like the menace to society that he is. “What?”

He gives my fingers a squeeze. “Do you just not like it? I really want to try it.”

Who doesn’t like getting their dick sucked? “Of course I like it.”

I glance at Eli, catching his pout. “So why haven’t we done it?”

“I just don’t want to rush you.”