Chapter Five
“You know it’s raining right now,” Eli said, stepping into the dark bedroom where he sauntered over to a window, opening it.
“Yes. I know. I was just too lazy to get up,” Natalie said softly. After she’d taken a long, hot shower thinking about Eli, of course, she didn’t feel like getting up. She was relaxed in her bed – the scent of the vanilla lotion she rubbed all over her body aromatized the room. Along with the sound of rain, all she needed now was him – Eli – beside her.
Eli had showered after her and, instead of going to bed immediately, he went into the living room to do a set of fifty push-ups and jumping jacks, and now, after he’d opened the window, he eased into bed next to her.
Feeling him get comfortable in bed made shivers run through her. Eli was the only man who had that kind of effect on her. He may have been the source of most of her frustration, but it didn’t take away from the fact that she loved him dearly.
With his eyes, Eli traced the silhouette of her. Once his pupils adjusted to the darkness in the room, he’d see her face. For now, he’d just use his sense of smell. She smelled good. Sweet, like vanilla pudding. Good enough to be his dessert.
Facing her, Eli looped his index finger in her damp her then said softly, “Hi.”
Natalie smiled. “Hi.”
“Thanks for cooking dinner.”
“You’re always welcome, Eli.”
Natalie closed her eyes, taking pleasure at the feel of his fingers meandering through her hair.
“Did you know I used to hate the rain before I met you,” Eli asked.
Natalie grinned. “You did?”
“Yes. I hated it. Now, I love it because it reminds me of the woman I love more than life. The woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He pressed his lips against the tip of her nose while placing his hand at her waist.
She quivered. Her entire body shook at his kiss and the feel of his warm hand against her skin while a breath caught in her throat.
“Why did you just do that?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“I felt your body shake when I kissed you just now. I’ve kissed the tip of your nose before. I’ve placed my hand here in the past. Why’d you jump just now?”
“Because it feels different now, Eli,” she said, her warm breath bouncing off of his lips.
“Why does it feel different?”
“Because we’re more than friends now. We’re engaged and pretty soon, you’ll be my husband.”
Eli smiled. He liked the sound of that. After the ‘trust’ conversation at dinner, he wasn’t sure if she would go along with the idea. The sound of her referring to him as her husband gave him much needed relief. “Let’s play a game tonight.”
“A game?” she said, grinning.
“Yes.”
“Eli, it is,” Natalie sat up to glance at the clock then continued, “11:58 p.m., and I have to work tomorrow. Both of us have a long day tomorrow.”
“We can still play a game.”
“And what does this game involve?” she asked.
“It’s simple. You tell me something you like about me, physically, and I’ll do the same for you.”
“Just one thing?”
He smiled. “Yes, one thing, but feel free to throw in extras if you choose.”
“Why don’t you go first?” Natalie said.
“How did I know you would say that?”
She grinned. “Because you think you know me soo well.”
“That’s because I do know you soo well.” He smiled. “Let’s see…um…I love your lips. I love the way they look…the way they feel.”
A smile grew on Natalie’s face. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, what do you like about me?”
“I like it when you let your hair grow out. I love these little curls,” she said, strumming her fingertips across his hair. “And I love your eyes. They look intense…mysterious. I’ve always loved your eyes. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes that were so cold and dark, but at the same time, so full of love. And your build is nice…love your muscles. Your complexion is beautiful and you have nice lips, too.”
“Interesting.”
“Why is it interesting?” Natalie asked.
“Because I never knew any of that.”
“Why would you? It’s not something I would’ve readily told you.”
“I know, but for a long time, I didn’t think you found me attractive, you know, with the scar and all.”
“Of course I found you attractive. I still do, Eli. Gosh, there are so many things I love about you. So many things. But do you know what I love the most?”
“What’s that, baby?”
“I love that you love me. I love the way I feel when you hold me,” she said, scooting closer to him, sliding her leg in between his legs. When her face rested against his chest, she pulled in a long inhale of him. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head in pure delight. “And I love your smell. It relaxes me.”
Eli grinned. “I didn’t know I had a smell.”
“You do.”
“What does it smell like, baby?”
“Like a man.”
He erupted in laughter. “If that’s the case, then you can run around New Orleans smelling all kinds of men.”
“No. Only the man I love.”
“Then you don’t mind smelling me for the rest of your life.”
Natalie laughed so hard, her body shook against his. “Don’t mind at all,” she told him, rubbing her hand across his shirt-covered chest. Across the indentations of his pecs.
“Even when my feet stink, you’ll still love me?” he asked, amused.
“Yes. I’ll love you and your funky feet.” Natalie laughed.
Eli did, too. “So, tomorrow, you’re not going to change your mind about the marriage?”
“No.”
“Are you sure, because you’ve been unsure about it these last few days.”
“I know, but I do want to marry you. I’m sure.”
“Then I want you to do something you’ve never done to me before to seal this deal.”
“Which is?”
“Kiss me. On my lips.”
Natalie propped up on her elbows. “We’ve kissed several times before.”
“No. I’ve kissed you. You’ve never initiated a kiss. So kiss me, Allie.”
Natalie glanced at his lips. Without confirming if she would, she leaned down and kissed him, wedging her bottom lip between his lips.
Lying flat on his back now, Eli pulled her on top of his body like she was a blanket and buried his hands in her hair while lifting his head off of the bed to deepen and control the kiss.
Whimpers lost themselves in the sound of the hissing rain. Moans from them both made melody in the room. When Eli swiped his fingertips across her bare back, her body shook on top of him.
Eli broke the kiss, intentionally. He wanted to see her eyes. He needed to see what she was thinking at that precise moment. “Are you okay, Allie?”
“Yes,” she said a little louder than a whisper.
“Sure?”
“Yes. I’m still trying to get used to the idea of us like this.”
“I know you are, and I know I’m asking a lot of you, but I do love you and I will never hurt you, my sweet yene konjo. Never. I love you too much.”
“I love you, Eli.” Natalie left a kiss at his chin then rested her head against his chest. She stayed there, on top of him. Tonight, she’d be his blanket, and his rock-hard body would serve as her mattress. And while she enjoyed the rain tapping against glass, along with the feel of his warm body underneath her, she pondered his last statement – I love you too much. She wondered if that was really possible. Could a man love a woman too much?