Page 31 of Elijah’s Whim

Changing the subject seemed like the best way to derail her self-flagellation.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s really not a big deal. Now tell me what happened at your parents’ house tonight. You weren’t in the best mood when you came home, and then when I teased you about Shibari, you had an anxiety attack over something pretty innocent. Makes me think you were already on edge.”

She chewed on her bottom lip a little but didn’t answer. I couldn’t tell if she was considering what the best way was to explain the situation or if she was trying to come up with another diversion.

“Do you want me to give you a choice? Will that make it easier for you to talk about it?”

“That’s a good tactic. It just might work. It will take the burden off my shoulders, and I’ve been realizing that I really need more of that in my life. But I also know I’m the one that has to relieve myself of a lot of them.”

“You’re right, you have to do the leg work, no doubt about it. But I might be able to help steer you in the direction you want to go. Especially if we talk more openly about things going on around us. It will teach me a lot about your tendencies.”

“I’m not going to lie, man. When you get all bossy and nerdy at the same time? It’s ridiculous.”

“Is that right?” My eyes were riveted to hers as we flirted. In my thoughts, I begged her to close the gap between us. I didn’t think I could continue being noble around this siren for much longer. I wanted her. But the want was speeding way past harmless whimsy, and I needed to pump the brakes or I’d spook her.

After letting a few moments pass by in silence, I reached up and gathered her hair in my hand. “This has to get so hot when you’re cooking. I’m surprised you never cut it.”

“Oh, I’ve been tempted, trust me.” She sighed with contentment.

“Hmmm. That sounds like there’s a but in there.”

“The man misses nothing, ladies and gentlemen. Stunning good looks and omniscient. You’re a dangerous combination, Elijah Banks.” Hannah chuckled while issuing the comment, but her mirth was surface level. It was her definite tell.

I’d keep that card close to the vest, though. So far that was all I had up my sleeve. Once I figured out how to play her, all bets were off.

“You don’t know the half of it. And stop changing the subject. You think you’re clever about it, but you’re kind of shit, actually. Whoever you’ve had to be sneaky around is either dumb or lazy.”

She raised one brow and said, “Neither, actually. And maybe you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm, interesting the way your first reaction was to defend the person. So, you know you’re doing it, but you don’t stand up for yourself and change your circumstances. My guess is it’s your parents or grandparents, then. This behavior is out of loyalty and respect with a little side dish of guilt thrown in because what else are families for? Now, do I know what I’m talking about?”

“Do you make this stuff up as you go? Just keep taking random stabs in the dark until something sticks? Until you get a rise out of the person you happen to be harassing at the time?”

Given how fired up she was getting, I knew I was really close to the truth if I hadn’t hit it on the head squarely.

“I don’t do anything randomly, beautiful. Remember that.”