Her Touch, page 8
“Morning, sunshine,” he says, placing a plate with a bagel and strawberries in my spot on the breakfast bar.
I set down the plate of brownies and slide into my seat, unsure of what to say. Instead of trying to force it, I give a small mumbled thanks. I don’t want to face whatever it is he has to say. So I choose to eat as fast as I can so I can leave.
I can feel him watching me the whole time as I eat my food. When I’m finished he takes the plate from in front of me before I can grab it to take to the sink.
“I’m taking you to school,” he says, shutting down any chance I had of a quick goodbye.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Maggie, I’m driving you.” This time he says it with more force, and I clench my teeth.
I’m mad that he’s calling me Maggie, because it makes what he’s saying feel like an order. And it is. Technically, he’s my guardian, and I have to do as he says.
“Fine.” I turn and grab my backpack. Walking outside, I fish out my cell phone and scroll for Sam’s number.
“Hey,” Sam says when the call connects. He’s always so chipper this early in the morning.
“Hey,” I say back.
“What’s wrong?” Damn, I thought I was hiding it better. I tell him what happened as I stand outside Eli’s truck. Well, a short, quick version about my dad.
“God, Maggie, I’m sorry. I’m sure he’s fine,” he tries to reassure me.
I watch Eli come out of the house and head for his truck. His gym shorts and shirt are gone, and now he’s wearing slacks and a buttoned-up shirt rolled at the sleeves. God, why does he have to look so hot? I notice he doesn’t even limp a little anymore. I hear the truck unlock, and I tear my eyes from him and climb in.
“I know he will,” I agree.
“What can I do?” he asks.
“Will you check on Alice for me today? She’s not feeling well and—”
“Of course,” he says quickly. “I’ll go between classes. I have a three-hour break in the middle of the day.”
Eli climbs into the truck and starts it up.
“You’re a lifesaver, Sam. Thank you. It means a lot.”
“Anything for you, Maggie.”
Eli stares at me, and his hands clench the steering wheel. I swear I see jealousy burning in his green eyes. I say goodbye to Sam and hang up, putting my phone back into my bag.
“I know your dad lets you date, but you won’t be dating while I have a say in it.”
“What?” I snap, pissed off. I’m not even dating anyone, but the nerve is ridiculous. He’s been in charge for five whole minutes and he’s acting like an asshole. “You know what? Whatever.”
I throw my hands up. Eli leans over toward me, and my breath freezes as I wonder what he’s doing. But the sound of my seatbelt clicking pushes down my excitement as he leans back in his seat. He throws his truck in reverse, and then we take off down the road.
“I’m jealous,” he finally says, and I glance over at him. His knuckles are nearly white as he drives, and his eyes are hard as he stares straight ahead. “So fucking jealous it eats me alive.”
Something about his confession soothes the anger inside me. Knowing that the thought of me with someone else makes him angry does something to warm my insides.
“Sam is a good friend. Nothing more. He’s always there when I need him.” I know the last line is a dig at him, but I can’t help myself. Him leaving me is still raw.
Eli drops his head a little, and I feel guilty for the comment because it’s not needed right now. We are all already in enough pain. I shouldn’t add to it like a selfish brat.
“Sorry,” I whisper, but I know he hears me.
He takes a quick glance over at me before he returns his attention to the road. We are already at the school, but he doesn’t go to where people are normally dropped off. Instead he pulls into the parking lot and parks.
“I’ve been here for you more than you know.” I stare at him in confusion as he turns off the truck. His body moves to face me, and I feel the full intensity of his attention. “Sunshine, a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t seen you since I left. I couldn’t stop myself.”
“What are you saying?” I ask, knowing that can’t be possible.
“Sometimes…” He shakes his head. “Okay, all the time, I follow you to school and home, making sure you get there all right. Hell, I even get reports about your work at the center every day. Don’t you see it? Don’t you understand what I’m telling you? I’m—” His words are cut off when a knock sounds on his window. We both turn to see Ms. Petty standing there with a bright smile on her face.
Eli hits the button and rolls down the window for her.
“Mr. Dark Roast With One Sugar. I missed you at the coffee shop for our morning date.” She holds up her coffee cup with ‘Mojo’s Coffee House’ stamped on it. Now I’m the one feeling jealously rush through me. Of course he’s been dating. Here I was thinking he was about to confess his undying love for me. Now I just feel stupid.
“Maggie.” Ms. Petty turns her smile on me.
“Hey,” is all I’m able to say.
I can’t sit here and listen to them flirt, so I grab my bag and jump out of the truck. I need to get away from both of them as fast as possible.
Chapter 14
Eli
“Damn it,” I say under my breath as I watch Maggie head into the building. I can’t get out because the chick I see at the coffee shop is standing in front of my door. I could knock her out of the way with it, but causing a scene right now might not be the best idea.
Every morning when I was away from Maggie I used to get up early and go grab a coffee before I came to sit at the school, waiting to make sure Maggie got in safely. I went around the same time so I often bumped into the same people on their morning commute. This woman was always super friendly, but I never spoke more than a word or two to her. I never even asked for her name. I didn’t give her mine, so she started referring to me by how I took my coffee. I could tell that she was pushing for some sort of flirty conversation, but I wasn’t interested. The only person I had eyes for was Maggie. Maybe I should have been more direct, because now she’s standing beside my truck like we’re longtime friends.
“What was that?” she asks, leaning in a little.
“Nothing,” I mumble, cranking up the truck. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go.”
“No need to rush on my account.” She gives me a flirtatious smile, and I try my best to be polite.
“Just need to get to work.”
“I didn’t know Maggie had an older brother. I’m Rose, by the way. Rose Petty.” She reaches her hand out, and I awkwardly take it, giving it a small shake. “It’s nice to meet you…”
“Eli,” I say, taking my hand back. “I’m her…” I pause for a second, trying to think about what to say. “I’m not her brother. I’m taking care of her while her dad is away on business.”
I don’t know why I add the last part. It’s none of her business, but I want to make it clear that she’s much more to me than that. I remind myself that she’s still in high school so decide to keep my mouth shut. Especially when talking to one of her teachers.
“Oh. Okay then.” She looks at me for a second and then shakes it off. “Well, Eli. I hope to see you tomorrow morning. Or maybe sooner.”
I give her a tight-lipped nod, neither confirming nor denying her request as she walks away. She looks back as I start to pull out and gives me a small wave. I begin to wave back before I think better of it and shake my head as I leave the parking lot.
When I get to work I throw myself into it and try to push away thoughts of Maggie and Major. I don’t want to worry about if he’s okay because I know he is. He’s the best Marine I know, and he could survive any situation. If he was able to activate a signal when he landed, then I know he’s going to be okay. It’s just a matter of time when he comes home.
Maggie, on the other hand, is a whole other ball game. We need to talk, and I know this might not be the right time with the stress of the situation around us, but I don’t know if I can keep my distance much longer. She’ll be eighteen in a month, so she can make any decision she wants after that. But I need her to know how I feel in my heart and that I’ll wait for her to decide.
By the time the alarm on my watch beeps, I know it’s time to go get Maggie from school. I have a bounce in my step knowing that I’m going to get to see her again. Yesterday was bittersweet, and last night was rough. Knowing I was in the same house as her again but not able to talk to her was the worst. Hopefully today we’ll be able to have some time together and I can get this weight off my chest.
Chapter 15
Maggie
This might possibly be the longest day of my life, and I’m not sure if I’m thankful for that or not. It doesn’t matter. The bell is about the ring, bringing the school day to an end, and I’ll have to face him. I thought about dodging Eli and not riding home with him, but what’s the point? We’ll just have to see each other at the house. I would be avoiding the inevitable. I need to get this over with. We have to come up with a new plan. No way can I live with him for the next month until I’m eighteen. I won’t make it. One thing I am sure of, I’m definitely not going back to my SAT class. I don’t think I can face interacting with a woman Eli has been seeing.
The idea of him with someone else makes me want to throw up and punch something at the same time. My eyes water as I think about it again. God, I don’t know if I can do this. I know I have to get it together. I can’t be a mess in front of Alice. I’m the strong one, the one who calms everyone, but I’m not sure if I can do my fake smile anymore.
What he was saying to me when he got interrupted doesn’t make sense. It isn’t adding up. He made it sound like he’d been mildly stalking me. Well, maybe not mildly, but still. I think knowing that now could make it worse. If he had feelings for me and still dated other women… That would be so messed up. A tear escapes, and I quickly wipe it away, not wanting anyone to see.
When I get outside, I spot Eli’s truck. He’s staring right at me, and I know he saw the tear slip free. I want to run, but he must see it in my eyes. Before I know what’s happening, his giant body unfolds from the truck and he’s standing in front of me. His eyes never stray from mine.
“Sunshine.”
How can he say my name so softly but still imbue it with a warning? If I run, he’ll chase me. I see it written all over his face. It reminds me of the times we’d practice self-defense and how it would turn playful and fun. God, I miss that. I miss him so much, but I’m starting to think maybe he hasn’t missed me the same way. It was easy for him to find a substitute for me.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I move around Eli and walk to the passenger side of the truck. But he’s there just as fast, opening the door for me. I climb in, and he closes the door behind me. I buckle my seatbelt as he comes around—I don’t want what happened this morning to happen again. I can’t stand for him to be that close to me.
He jumps in, starts the truck, and pulls out.
“I didn’t know that woman’s name before this morning when she told me,” he fires out like he’s been dying to tell me the words.
“Oh, so you don’t even bother with their names first?” I throw back. I’m suddenly so angry I yell at him.
“I guess you could say that. Maybe because I don’t give a shit about other women. There have been no other women. There’s only you!” he yells back.
I stare at him, and the tears I was holding back fall.
“Sunshine, don’t cry. I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to yell. I just can’t handle you thinking I’ve been with someone else, that I’ve betrayed you like that.”
His words don’t stop my tears. They only make them flow more.
“Shit. I’m making it worse.” He pulls the truck off to the side of the road, and it’s then I notice where we are headed. To the lake. Where we shared our first kiss. I’d thought so many times about that night. I was never able to bring myself to come back here, though.
He parks in the same spot and then turns off the truck.
“If you’ve been with someone, I don’t care, sunshine,” he growls. “Okay, I care. I fucking care a lot, but I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself. I should’ve done more than just leave that note, but I was scared if I talked to you in person I wouldn’t do the right thing.”
“I didn’t read the note,” I admit.
His mouth opens a little and quickly clamps shut. He looks like he’s trying to get himself together, but then I hear a string of curses leave his lips.
“No wonder you fucking hate me. You thought I walked out without a glance back. That…that night was the best thing that ever happened to me. Knowing you had been feeling the same things I had been. I wanted you to be my life. I want you to be my life but I knew I had to step away for a little. Let you grow up a little more, then I could have you.”
“I don’t hate you.” My words come out breathy, and it’s like a weight is being lifted off my heart. Eli unclips my seatbelt and pulls me into his arms.
“Oh God, sunshine. You must have thought I was an asshole,” he says softly as my face burrows into his neck.
“What did the note say?” I mumble against his warm skin.
“I love you and I’ll be back.”
I pull away, wanting to look into his eyes. I know my face is still blotchy from the crying earlier, and I’m sure I look a freaking mess, but I don’t care. I’m smiling so big it almost hurts my face.
“There you are. That’s the sunshine I’ve been missing.”
Chapter 16
Eli
“You love me?” she asks, running her finger along my jaw.
“With everything in my heart. I love you so much, Maggie. That’s what’s been eating away at me. You and Major had become my family, but you were too young for me to have those feelings for you. When they started to change and I knew I couldn’t have you, it was tearing me up.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then that kiss…”
“That kiss,” she repeats, leaning her body into mine.
I can’t stand it anymore and I put one hand on her neck, bringing her mouth closer to mine. “I think I need to see if it’s as good as I remember.”
My lips connect with hers, and every memory I had of that first kiss is nothing compared to now. The image I had doesn’t hold a candle to the way she feels in my arms, the softness of her lips, or the warm heat of her tongue. The kiss is consuming, and her arms go around my neck as I hold her close and enjoy the feel of her. The first time we kissed it was like throwing gasoline on fire. This time it’s like hard woods that have turned to simmering coals, where the heat could melt glass. Everything about this kiss is different, yet it’s like I’ve come home.
I run a hand over her hip while the other trails a path from her jaw to her neck. Her delicate skin, softer than the petals of a rose, has me entranced. I can’t get enough of her, but I don’t want to rush it. I know I can’t.
With more willpower than I ever thought I possessed, I break the kiss and press my forehead to hers. “Better. It was better than I remembered.”
“I love you, Eli,” she says, and I pull back to see her big blue eyes so bright and happy.
“I knew it all along,” I tease, and give her another soft kiss. “But we have to be careful, sunshine.”
“It’s okay, I’m on the pill,” she says, and bites her lip.
“Maggie, that’s not what I meant.” I clench my eyes shut thinking about the fact that she’s already on the pill, or that she wants to have sex. Jesus. I need a second to catch my breath. “You’re seventeen. I love you so much, but there’s only so much we can do right now. And I want to wait until your birthday.”
“But—” She starts to protest, but I place my finger over her lips.
“Please, sunshine. This means a lot to me. I care about the Major, and as soon as he comes back I want to talk to him about this and let him know my intentions.”
The reminder of our situation at home makes her sit up a little straighter in my lap.
“Okay,” she answers. “I get it. Maybe this isn’t the best time to take that step.”
“I wanted to wait until your birthday to come back. But now that I’m here, I won’t deny my feelings for you. We’ve got plenty of time to figure out us. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise me.” She narrows her eyes on me, and I smile as I rub her jaw.
“I promise you with all that I have. I’ll never leave you again. You’re my heart, Maggie. Leaving it behind was absolute hell. And I’ll never do it again.”
I take her lips in another kiss, and she holds on to me fiercely. I can feel her love pour through me, and it’s the sweetest, most powerful thing I’ve ever felt. Her body starts to move on top of my lap, and my aching cock begs for more. He wants friction of any kind, and I’m sure I could get off from dry-humping her in my truck. But we have to wait. As much as I want her and want to feel her against me, I have to put both hands on her hips and hold her still.
“Not too far, sunshine. Just kissing.”
“But I’m seventeen.” She nearly pouts as I take her off my lap and put her in the passenger seat.
“Right now, I’m your legal guardian, and you’re underage. For the sake of the law, let’s keep it to kissing.”
“Fine. But I want lots of them,” she says, smiling now.
I give her another kiss as I buckle her in, and it seems to ease some of the sting. We take off toward home, and I feel a sense of peace come over us. It’s not completely covering us because there’s a piece of home that’s missing. But I know in my soul Major will be back soon.
Chapter 17
Maggie
