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Eli slid his hands down to her waist and pulled her against him. "You're a good cat mama, getting up with her in the middle of the night to feed her."
"Whatever helps her, I do." Holly ran her fingers down along his abdomen. "Mmm, you have delicious abs. So sexy."
"Yeah?"
"You know you do," she said teasingly, leading him back into his bedroom. "They're perfect."
He eased her back onto the bed. "You'reperfect.”
"Eli," she murmured as he hovered above her, his hands roaming restlessly along her hips. "We have to talk."
"About?" He kissed her collarbone. "Less talk and more action, baby."
"I'm serious."
He sat up, then frowned. "Talk about what? What's up?"
"You, and me... and whatever this is. This ‘friends with benefits’ thing. We need to keep this strictly between us."
"Okay..."
"You know it wouldn’t look good if Lyla finds out. I'll seem unprofessional. Not that I give two shits what that idiot thinks of me, but she's the only person that can give me a job reference. And I don't need people thinking I slept with you to get some exclusive byline."
"Yeah," he said, scratching his beard. "I know."
"Let's face it, this whole thing with us actually being friends is so new. We're just getting to know each other again. We shouldn't be sleeping together right now, but..." Holly glanced away, then shook her head.
"What?" He tipped her chin up with his finger. "Tell me."
"I just can't help it."
He smiled at her—a warm, sweet smile that took her by surprise.
"What?" she asked, defensive.
"I like that you can't help it. Newsflash, neither can I. But I need to know something Holly. I need to know that when all this shit is said and done—the playoffs, the feature, all of it—that we're not over."
Holly hesitated.
"I want to earn your trust, Wilkes, because I want to be more than your fucking friend. I'm not going to stop trying to do that, okay? But being friends with benefits isn't going to be enough for me."
"I need time to get my head around things, Eli. Can you be patient while I do that? Because honestly? I still might need more time when these thirty days are up."
"Can I ask you something first?"
"Okay," she said, lifting her shoulder. "Sure."
"Do you want to be my girl?"
Holly stared at him, a spark of fear blooming deep in her chest. She'd wanted him and missed him for seven long years. She thought they'd never find their way back to even being able to be civil to each other, let alone where they were now.
But deep down, she was still afraid she would never be enough for him. Not after the life he'd led.
"Holly, I know you're afraid that I'll hurt you again—"
"Then give me the time I need," she said softly. "Be patient. Am I asking too much?"
"No. I can try to be patient."
