Page 63 of Tripped Up
Wyatt
I’ve showered, shaved, and dressed in a suit and tie. Henry tried to tell me I was going overboard by bringing two dozen roses, but when Elsy opens the door, I know it was all worth it.
A sleek, dark green dress hugs her every curve. Her hair is pulled back from her face, the blond curls fanning out over her shoulders, and her makeup makes her look like herself, only amped up to ten.
But it’s the look of appreciation in her eyes that takes my breath away.
“Elsy, you—”
She shuts me up by grabbing me by the tie and yanking me closer. The flowers drop to the floor as I pull her into my arms mere seconds before her lips crash into mine.
It’s like a puzzle piece inside my soul is set into place. This. This is what I was missing. This is what I’ve needed.
Her lips rove over mine, taking control. Her tongue licks into my mouth, tasting me, tangling with my own.
A growl rumbles through me, and I crush her to me until we’re fused together and it’s impossible to tell where she ends and I begin.
She pulls back, gasping for breath, her chest heaving. She looks beautifully ravaged, her lipstick mussed. I lick my lips, desperate for one more taste of her.
“I’m sorry,” she blurts, as I duck down to retrieve the flowers.
“Don’t be sorry. What are you even sorry for?”
“I… mauled you.” Her cheeks flush a pretty pink. “I just attacked you.”
“I’m giving you free permission to attack me. Any time.” I thrust the flowers into her hand. “For you.”
“Wyatt…”
“You look gorgeous, Elsy.” My eyes rove over her body again. “I almost wish we weren’t going out tonight.”
Her eyes flash. “Excuse me?”
“Right now, I want to stay in and lick every fucking inch of your body.” I drink her in and shake my head. “We’ll just have to table that for later.”
“Yeah, later,” she echoes. Exhaling, she straightens her shoulders. “Let me put these in water.”
She gestures me into her apartment and I take in her space. I didn’t get a very good look the last time I was here. A painting of a single white daisy on a black canvas hangs on the wall above her couch, and another is mounted above the fireplace, this one a bright teal portrait of more flowers. A planter sits in the window, filled with herbs.
“So you like plants?” I ask, tucking my hands in my pockets.
She hums, arranging the flowers in a vase. “I like pretty things.”
“You’re a pretty thing.”
Elsy rolls her eyes. “I already agreed to go out with you. You don’t have to say things like that anymore.”
Crossing the room and setting my hands on her hips, I cage her in from behind.
“Babe,” I whisper in her ear. “You are a pretty thing.”
She shivers.
“Now let me take you out and prove to you that you are the most gorgeous person in every room.”
Turning in the circle of my arms, she winds hers around my neck. “You’re pretty confident for a guy on thin ice.”
“Good thing I skate for a living.” I tease a kiss across her lips. “Let’s go.”
