Page 46 of Elijah’s Whim

“Yes,” he answered and let a little smile peek out. “You know what? I don’t want to talk about either of them. I don’t really want to make it to dinner with them, if I’m being honest. I’d much rather stay here and just hang out with you all night. I’m sorry I let all that get to me just then. I get a little sulky sometimes when things don’t go my way, or the way I envisioned them going. Only-child syndrome never corrected.”

“No way,” I said, laying on the sarcasm. “Will you please answer a question of mine?”

“I’ll do my best, yes.”

“Tell me why my answer changed your mood so drastically. You encourage—wait, no… You insist on complete honesty but then act like a brat when I give it to you. You have a past. I’ve had three, possibly four, sexual partners in my entire life, and I’m almost thirty.”

“Possibly?” He screwed up his face at my weird answer to a very basic question, and I had to laugh at his expression.

“It really depends on who you ask,” I said in an effort to clear it up.

“Is your answer three or four?” Elijah asked.

“I say four.”

“Why would the other person involved say three?”

“Because he didn’t get off.”

“Why didn’t he?”

“Dude, that’s something you’d have to quiz him on. I’d also warn him about your honesty policy beforehand, though. He always struggled with the concept. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure he’d love nothing more than to have his ass spanked by the likes of you. Which may also be the reason he didn’t get off with me, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.”

Elijah threw his head back and laughed so hard, he had tears rolling down his cheeks. “You’re really funny. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“My sister Agatha and I really can get going. I know she appreciates my humor.” I smiled warmly thinking of her.

“She’s the one you were going to send my picture to.”

“That’s right. Good memory, Mr. Banks.” I smiled at him because I was probably about to get into trouble. “Not bad for an old man such as yourself.”

He narrowed his hazel eyes and stared. I didn’t know if he was playing or if he was truly upset. Uh-oh. Had I taken our teasing too far?

Before I could defend myself, or protest, or run away screaming to the security guards to protect me, Elijah had me facedown over his knees while he sat on the side of the bed. How he maneuvered us that way so effortlessly and so quickly would probably keep me up at night until I figured it out.

“No! Elijah! Let me go.” I was laughing so hard, I could barely hold on to his legs so I didn’t topple to the ground. “Move fast for an old man, too.”

“Keep going, girl. See what happens.”

I wasn’t sure who was laughing more, and that gave me an idea. If I fell off him, he wouldn’t be able to swat my bottom. Instead of trying to hold on, I started squirming as much as possible so it would be too difficult for Elijah to keep me across his lap. It was a much better plan. I could hear the frustration in his warning tone when he growled my name one last time before my butt hit the ground with a solid thud.

“Shit!” Elijah barked. “Shit, girl. Are you okay? I’m so sorry.” Before I could say anything, he scooped me off the floor and stood with me cradled in his arms. We both looked down and realized my robe had fallen off completely.

I was naked in Elijah Banks’s arms.

He looked back up into my eyes, and I watched so many different emotions flicker across those icy green irises, it was fascinating.

“What are you thinking right now?” I put my flat palm on his temple and cheek as I had once before, and he tilted his head into my touch. “I know that’s completely cliché for a woman to ask a man that, but I saw so many things happen in your eyes in one second. I just need to know. This color of yours shows so many of your feelings.” I watched as he digested my words, and still I added, “You are so beautiful.”

“Thank you, Hannah.”

“You can put me down. I’m not hurt.”

“I kind of like this. Holding you here. Especially given your state of undress.” He grinned, and I saw a teenaged boy getting away with copping his first feel. Wow…so many facets to this complex man. I wondered which one was closest to the real Elijah Banks.