“After you and Kat stopped arguing and before I slapped Lola, I had a really nice time.”
Elijah’s smile lit up his eyes and I couldn’t resist kissing him again. Since we were at a stop sign, I didn’t have to worry about running him off the road. Elijah was a good kisser and I thought that might be my last opportunity to kiss him, so I took advantage.
“What was that for?” he asked.
I couldn’t speak. I didn’t want to tell him that I wanted to kiss him before Alfred came back. How stupid would that sound, even if it was the truth? Once Alfred was back, I planned to pick up where we’d left off. That just wasn’t fair to Elijah, but he’d known my plans from the beginning.
After I didn’t answer for a few minutes he whispered, “It’s alright. I understand....”
“No, you don’t,” I interrupted. “I never meant to hurt you I just....”
“You haven’t,” he said softly. “I knew what I was getting myself in to.”
I started to get misty eyed and turned back to face the road. We drove for several more minutes before Elijah tried to lighten the mood by asking about what had happened with the bouncer. I recounted for him the whole discussion, including the part where I pressed my claw against the front of his pants.
“Ah, that’s where she got the idea that you were groping him,” he said.
“Yeah.”
“Lilith, this is off the subject, but I just wanted you to know that I didn’t look that night we were kidnapped,” he blurted out.
“What do you mean, you didn’t look?”
“When Bade ripped up your clothes, I didn’t look,” he said.
During the struggle between Bade and me that night my leather catsuit had been ripped completely from my torso, revealing my breasts, and eventually winding up around my ankles during my attempt to escape Bade’s clutches.
“Then how do you know what happened?” I was half teasing, but Elijah was serious.
“I was getting my ass kicked pretty bad for one thing. By the time I realized all of my body parts were still attached, Alfred had taken off his shirt and covered you with it. Before that, I could hear you still fighting, so I knew you were alive.
I just couldn’t get free to help. I felt so helpless. I couldn’t even save myself, and I thought I could help you. Of course by the time I got loose, Alfred showed up and shot everybody, so what did it matter?”
He was so serious that I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“What exactly are you getting at?” I asked carefully.
“I’m just saying it’s no wonder that you would rather date somebody like him.” He sighed. “I can’t even save myself.”
“Elijah I....”
“Don’t know what to say,” he interrupted. “I know. That’s because I put you on the spot and I’m sorry. I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
“You wanted me to know that you’re overly morose about something that was out of your control? Or was it that you wanted me to know you felt worthless for not being able to single-handedly take on a pack of werewolves?”
He just stared at the road.
“Elijah, don’t feel bad,” I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Most people would not have survived the night.
You didn’t embarrass yourself.”
He sighed again. “I just felt like I could have done more.”
“Well, you couldn’t. Alfred’s had a lot of years of experience. You couldn’t possibly have been expected to live up to killing a pack of werewolves. First, it’s not your job and second, you’re only human. Even Alfred is used to working with a partner. Don’t beat yourself up.”
When he didn’t argue the point further, I asked, “Would seeing me naked make you feel better?”
He burst out laughing. “That was not the reason I mentioned that. I just wanted you to know I didn’t try to take advantage. I didn’t want you to feel awkward thinking I’d sneaked a peek.”
“Sneaked a peek? You come up with that one all by yourself?”
“Shut up.” He chuckled.
It was
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