Page 43 of Defying Ella
“You’re making it rather difficult to avoid poking the bear. I hope you recognise that when you wake up.” I didn’t bother keeping my voice down. I couldn’t work myself out of his grip without miraculously turning into a contortionist. He’d just have to deal with his actions; there would be no escape now.
“Like it’s not going to be my fault that you went all he-man on me.” I wiggled, trying to move away from him. His hold tightened on my waist. “See! I’m trying.”
He groaned against my neck. The vibration sent another bolt of desire shooting down my spine.
“Can you stop doing that!”
“Why are you shouting?” he mumbled against my neck.
“Because that is not a pillow you’re using to smother yourself, buddy.”
Wait… I froze, attempting to side-eye him but failing for obvious reasons. His fingers flexed against my side again and then his entire body tensed. Ever so slowly, he raised his head. His dirty blond hair stood on end, like I’d spent the night running my fingers through it, while his eyes were glassy with sleep.
His gaze roamed my face, his forehead scrunched up with confusion. “Why are you so close?”
“Ask me that again and see what happens.” My brows rose. “Go on, I dare you.”
The nerve of the guy, invading my space and blamingmefor it.
His attention dropped to his arm before his brow furrowed, and the firm press of his body against me lessened. For a second, his concerned gaze bounced between my waist and my face. Then it cleared, as if by force, replaced with a carefree smile.
“How about I make you some tea instead, Sparky?” He pushed up onto his knees and scrambled out of the bed, chuckling all the while.
I propped myself up on my elbows, my frown deepening as I watched him whistle his way to the kitchen. “Did I wake up in an alternate dimension? What the hell is happening right now?”
“Good one.” Jared filled up the kettle and set the stove, ignoring my question.
“Did I sound like I was joking?” I threw the blanket back, determined to chase after him. Then the bite of the freezing cold air hit me, and I yelped. I hastily pulled the blankets back and settled for glowering at him. “You were spooning me and you’re acting all chipper. This is not normal.”
“I’m not going to get annoyed at you over it, Sparky. Chill out.” He didn’t even bother to turn around.
I collapsed back against the pillow, my gaze once again fixed on the ceiling like it might hold at least one explanation. “I’m so confused right now,” I muttered to myself.
A mug hovered into my line of sight, dragging my gaze back to the amused drummer. Did he have to look delectable in the mornings? We’d both been through the same hellish night. He should have at least been a little grumpy, surely.
“Can you sit up before it burns my fingers, please?”
I shuffled up and accepted the mug, but my frown didn’t ease. “One night, and it’s like you’ve been body-snatched,” I mumbled into my mug. “I missed something. I must have missed something.”
“Or maybe I decided that I’d pushed you hard enough?” Jared placed his mug down on the coffee table without looking at me and turned his attention to the fire.
I eyed his back, silently willing him to explain. Of course he didn’t, that would have been too easy.
“Please elaborate.”
He snorted at my growled request. “You’ve never tried to hurt me, Els. I know I’ve been an asshole, and I’ve definitely hurt you plenty of times in the last few months, but you’ve never gone out of your way to return the favour.”
I chewed my lip, at least thirty pretty dirty barbs springing to mind. “Are you sure about that?”
He shut the wood stove and turned on his knees until he could study me from the bottom of the bed. “Absolutely.”
“What about the time in Paris when I wished crabs on you?”
He shrugged. “I said worse.”
“Or when I suggested you should spend more time in the gym because you were developing a beer gut?” He wasn’t.
“Els, stop.” His voice rose, snapping in the quiet. “You never topped me.”
