Page 51 of Trapped With You

“There’s a crystal shop in downtown that I really like.” She arched a brow. “Why, you want to take me there?”

I nodded.

She grinned. “Do you want a crystal too?”

“Only if you want to give me one.”

Ella gazed inquisitively at the table. She picked up a black crystal and handed it to me. “You can have this one. It’s an obsidian. It’ll help with any stress you’re feeling and block off any negative energy. It also has protective properties. Promise to keep it with you at all times?”

I touched the opaque crystal, its shiny black surface gleaming. It was the size of a knuckle. I shoved it in my pocket. “Thank you, Ella. I promise I’ll always have it with me.” I laid a gentle peck on her cheek. “Is this your way of making sure I’m kept out of harm’s way?”

I meant to use a teasing tone. Instead, my voice came out gravelly.

“Yes.” Ella caressed her thumb over my jaw in a soothing stroke. “I know you’ve had a rough past, even though you don’t talk about it. Though I can’t do anything about what’s happened before, I want to protect you in any way I can moving forward. If anything or anyone hurts you, I’ll fight them tooth and nail. No one hurts myqueridoand gets away with it.”

A myriad of feelings rushed through me. Emotions I never experienced until this moment bubbled to the surface and threatened to spill over. A slave to the pull between us, I drew her into my arms quickly.

She was my match made in heaven.

Mine in every sense of the word.

Ella hugged me back and rested her head over my wildly beating heart.

She understood everything I wished I could say but was unable to utter.

After Ella tossed my leather jacket around a sewing mannequin with a wink, my girlfriend swore to bedazzle it with her mark. Then she led us towards the couch in the middle of the room and put on a scary movie.

Most people tended to watch movies in silence. Not Ella. A total chatterbox, she kept giving her commentary. I didn’t mind, though. For so long, my life was filled with silence. Ella’s talkative nature was welcomed. I liked hearing everything that was on her mind.

It all mattered to me.

We watched the movie while Ella knitted something with black yarn, completely unafraid of the horror setting.

I remembered her telling me she had an affinity for spooky things. Ghost stories. Mystery movies. Halloween. Etc.

There was a bad girl hiding underneath that good girl façade.

And I was thrilled at the thought of unravelling her layers and beholding them in a way no man hadorever would.

“Are you excited for Initiation Night?” Ella asked sweetly, while the demon ate away at the priest in the background, shrilling noises echoing through the surround sound system in the room.

I was fascinated with how quick her fingers moved over her creation. “Yeah. Shaun gave me a quick rundown. It sounds like fun.”

Her eyes sparkled with joy and I was once again hypnotized by her beautiful gaze. God, how was she so perfect? “Oh, it’s fun all right. I played last year and came in second place. I’m hoping to win this year now that I have a better grasp on how the game works.”

I liked her competitive spirit. “I hope we get paired together, Ellie.”

“Me too. We’d make the best team ever and kick ass!”

Her happiness was infectious. Smiling, I leaned forward to kiss her, tasting a combination of chocolate and the orange lollipop she’d been suckling.

“That reminds me,” she whispered against my lips. “I’m knitting a sweater for you.”

I blinked. “Is that what you’ve been doing this whole time?”

“Yup.” She pointedly lifted the black fabric attached to her knitting needles. “You always wear crewneck style sweaters under your jackets and I…wanted to make you one.”

She’s so sweet. “Thank you. I can’t wait to wear it.”