The Last Thing She Wants (Chestnut Hills #1)

8

theo

I had yet to really meet Daisy outside of the few minutes outside the elevator over the past weekend. In that moment though, staring at Ellie in bright pink leggings so tight they looked like they were painted on her, I was sending Daisy a telepathic thank-you. Watching her walk down the hall, her hips and ass swaying in a rhythmic motion, did something to me. Hypnotized, my body had a compulsory reaction, and I struggled to maintain composure as I strained against my shorts.

The light smile that played across her lips as she nodded for me to enter, causing her hair to sweep across her shoulders with the motion, made me want to bring her mouth to mine as I wrapped my hands in her ponytail. Covering my lust with a small smile, hopefully not too eager, I jogged to her and took over the position of holding the door open. She should never have to open her own door, and never will as long as I’m around.

The scowl that built on her face triggered an intense desire in me. I resisted the urge to tell her all the beautiful and dirty things I thought of her. Instead, I thought better of it and left it as a small compliment. I noticed the pink that crept its way into her cheeks, and I hoped it came from enjoying the flirty exchanges as much as me.

Per her usual routine, I learned, she liked to start at the free weights with a light warm-up. Deciding to start with dynamic stretches in the side room, I grabbed a mat, and on all fours, I threaded the needle. Bringing my right arm straight above, I twisted my torso and brought my right arm down, guiding it through the gap between my left arm and leg. I released a deep groan at the warmth that built in my muscles. I repeated this a few times, adding a few jumping jacks to bring my heart rate up.

After wiping down my mat and returning it to the storage rings along the wall, I began my routine at the cable machine. A few minutes passed before Ellie stepped up next to me, taking a position in front of the cable to my right. I pretended not to notice and kept my focus on the machine in front of me.

My admiration for Ellie had only grown over the past few weeks. Through our daily conversations, I learned how creative and driven she was, grinding at work and even nailing a recent promotion. On top of that, if I hadn’t had a first-class window seat to the demise of her last relationship, I would have never known what she just went through. The way she used sarcasm and playfulness to create fun was adorable, but the way she laughed was downright sexy.

Since turning thirty, my mind kept drifting back to my mom and dad. Had I wasted too much time chasing fun, meaningless flings? I had always felt that I had a soulmate of my own, but I figured we would find each other when the time was right. And yet, since Ellie crashed into my life, using apps like Dately was beginning to feel forceful. A stark contrast to how effortless being with Ellie felt. I knew this was how it was supposed to feel .

Refocusing my train of thought, I cranked out my last set of tricep push downs. I pulled the height adjuster on the cable machine and bent at the waist to bring the position down and move into my bicep curls. At that exact moment, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and realized Ellie had accidentally kicked over her water bottle. Time slowed as she bent down to set it upright. It was too late before I noticed the trajectory of our heads. With a resounding whack , our heads collided. The momentum from our opposing movements amplified the blow.

Stars formed in the blackness of the back of my eyelids, and I stumbled back.

“Shit,” I could hear Ellie, but couldn’t see her as I squeezed my eyes shut and reached for the pounding lump on my head. “Geez Theo, you got a rock—oh no,” she cut herself off mid-sentence with a horrified gasp. “You’re bleeding!”

Briefly, I opened my eyes and slowly brought the hand that was on the wound to my face. A grisly sight caught me off guard as crimson red trailed down my fingers, and all I could muster in response was a groan.

Despite my quickly building migraine and disbelief at my painted hand, Ellie was my primary concern. Searching her face, I need to make sure she was alright. I found her face perfectly and beautifully intact, looking at me with worry. “Are you okay?” I asked woozily, finding it challenging to regain my balance.

“I’m fine, but you’re not,” in a swift motion, she reached for the hem of her shirt. With a quick yank, she pulled her shirt over her head and revealed a matching bright pink sports bra.

Fuck. So hot.

I swore I saw a smirk play at her lips and I prayed I didn’t just say that out loud. I also decided that from now on I would pray to Daisy, because she had a knack for making my dreams come true when it came to Ellie.

The bra hugged firmly against her breasts, pushing them up to create pronounced cleavage between two exquisite, beautiful mounds. She neatly folded her shirt and leaned over, bringing it to where I presumed I was bleeding from, just above my left eye. Her chest came into full view and I groaned again, this time praying to Daisy that I wouldn’t get an erection.

Wouldn’t that be something? A man wobbling around, unsteady, blood oozing from his head, and a right tent pitched below the waist?

“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I hurting you?” she sweetly spoke in barely a whisper.

Refusing to make eye contact, I cleared my throat. “No,” my hand covered hers and I silently took over, holding the fabric to my head. A sharp and electric sensation pulsed up my arm from my fingertips at our contact, and did I just see her pull her bottom lip between her teeth before anxiously looking around? “Thank you,” I smiled appreciatively, “are you sure you’re okay?” I reached up to stroke her cheek.

Pulling away, she crossed her arms across her midsection and sighed. “I’m sure. We should go get that checked out, though. I’m worried you might need stitches.”

Despite insisting that I take myself to the nearest urgent care, Ellie refused to take no for an answer. She apologized profusely while maintaining it was all her fault. According to her, it was her responsibility to see that I got appropriate care. Caving in, slightly warmed with the care and attention from her, I agreed to let her chaperone me. Of course, after making a joke about needing a signed permission slip first .

Going back and forth over if I needed stitches, and if I was okay to drive myself, I noticed the way she clung her arms to her stomach, as if they had been glued in place. Regardless of what I thought of her, she was clearly uncomfortable in the Barbie like outfit. While I wanted nothing more than to stare at her that way for an inappropriate amount of time, I insisted she changed into something more comfortable.

If I was being honest, it would also be a kind service to myself if she changed. Painfully, my dick continued to threaten to spring free at any moment. It was like I could almost hear it calling her name from beneath my shorts, Ellie, Ellie, Ellie.

Yeah, I knew it was weird. But until you had Ellie Branson in a curve hugging pink spandex outfit in front of you, I didn’t want to hear shit.

She sat quietly next to me in the urgent care waiting room, now fully covered in a matching blue sweatshirt and sweatpants set. Her hair hung lazily over her shoulders in chocolate waves as she scrolled through a social media app. Sneaking sideways glances at her when I could, I took in her effortless peace and lips pressed together in a light smile.

“So, you’re going to swipe through Dately right next to your hot date?” I nudged her with my elbow on our shared armrest, so she knew I was joking. She put her phone in her lap and turned to face me, her phone screen locking with a click. “Rude,” I said with sarcasm and drama before giving her my warmest smile.

Her eyes brightened with a spark, responding to my unspoken challenge. “I mean, there’s no way there’s going to be a second date. The guy is a hot mess. His idea of romance is bleach and antibacterial.” She gestured around us to the half-filled urgent care waiting room, her arms wide .

A beat passed before she turned back to her phone. I caught a sly smile quickly appear, right before she continued, “even if he said I was, and I quote, ‘so hot.’”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in embarrassment, just as a blush crept up her cheeks and neck, reaching her ears. I noticed she did that a lot around me. Blush, that is. It made me wonder what other parts of her body I warmed and what it looked like.

“Huh…so, I said that out loud,” I stated, rather than questioned. Dragging my hand down my face, I tried to wipe away the memory from both our minds.

“You did,” she slightly nodded. Shifting in her seat, she brought her left leg up and turned to face me, placing her back against the opposite armrest. “Also, I wasn’t on Dately…I’m not sure I’m there yet.”

A nurse in teal scrubs stepped through the double doors that led to the exam rooms and called my name.

“Emerson?” the nurse called in a tone laced with exhaustion. Before having the opportunity to respond to Ellie’s vulnerability, she stood and began walking towards the waiting nurse.

One hour and five stitches later, we were alone again, waiting in the sterile room for the nurse to return with after-care instructions. The gnash proved to be bigger than I’d realized. While I appreciated Ellie’s concern and urging for me to get evaluated, I thought that surely her head couldn’t have caused that much damage. Throughout the evening, I appreciated having Ellie there. Including her ability to joke about the situation.

She sat opposite me on the cracked vinyl seat and as I looked at her, taking in her presence, I was smacked with a fervor to solidify our bond. I wanted to make her mine. Our budding friendship had been fulfilling in its own right, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were meant to be more. Regardless of how much time it took.

However, one thing I knew for sure was that I had to at least make my intentions known first.

“I’m so sorry, Theo,” she stood and approached where I sat on the exam table. Walking to me, she reached out to give my stitches a phantom stroke, keeping her hand an inch away, hovering above my head.

“All good, Lead Head,” I playfully offered. “Just don’t let it happen again.” She smiled at the lighthearted name. “On a brighter note, you now know what kind of devastation this weapon of mass destruction can create.” I placed my hand on the side of her head and stroke her cheek with my thumb. Barely audible, her breath hitched as I rubbed the pad of my thumb along her cheekbone once more before pulling away.

“Listen,” she jumped at the door to the room opening before I could continue. The tired nurse in the teal scrubs had reappeared.

“Emerson?” she didn’t wait for my confirmation. “Here are your aftercare instructions. Come back in if you experience a fever or see any sign of infection. You’re free to go. Have a nice night.” As quickly as she reappeared, she disappeared again, leaving the door open behind her as an invitation to leave.

Time had passed quickly during our impromptu urgent care visit. The sky had fully deepened in color and the moon was visible. Entering the elevator, I glanced at my phone and realized it was pushing eight o’clock.

“I appreciate you taking me to urgent care,” I led hopefully. “Let me repay you by ordering us a pizza. I’m starving.” I demanded rather than asked in an attempt to sway any refusal she might throw at me .

She appeared to think the invitation over for a moment, chewing on the inside of her cheek. “It’s a bit late, and I have a project I need to wrap up for presentation to a client tomorrow. Rain check?”

Although a little disappointed, I realized I would do anything for her, and gratefully accepted the rain check. Pausing back a beat, I allowed her to walk ahead of me off the elevator. We stopped at our doors across from each other and I recognized the moment as a “now or never” one and held my breath.

“Ellie,” she paused at the call of her name, her door ajar. “I realize earlier you said you wanted to wait a little longer before pursuing anything…but I have to ask,” I cleared my throat, “can I take you out sometime?”

“Oh, Theo,” she gave me a small smile that read pity, and my chest caved. I waited for her to take her contemplative breath. “I think I would like to focus on being friends for now, if that’s okay with you?”

I only allowed my smile to falter for a second before forcing it back on. “Of course, I understand. Anything for you.” I watched her reaction as her brows lifted in surprise. “Have a good night.”

Shane was a dick, that much I knew. Obviously, a cheating dick. Over the last few weeks, she’d only lightly led on her hits in self-confidence. It was hard for me to understand, given every time I saw her my body reacted like I was thirteen again and seeing a Playboy magazine for the first time. But her gentle nature and bone deep kindness were things I think he took advantage of, and for that, I wanted to show her all the ways the world could be kind back. Or, if not the world, at least me.

At that, she disappeared behind her apartment door, taking my heart and hope with her.