Not His Bride Anymore novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Free to Say No

"Not done," I said.

Elliot didn't move.

The card trembled slightly between my fingers, and I realized he was holding his breath.

"Say it again," he said.

"Not done. I'm not ending anything. I'm not using your word, and I'm not giving it back."

"Ainsley."

"I'm keeping it. In my bag. Where I can reach it."

He let out a long, shaky laugh.

He put his hand over his eyes.

"I want to be clear," I said. "I'm not engaged to you. There's no bet, there's no deadline, there's no ring. I'm just not done."

"That's plenty."

"It's not a promise."

"I know."

"I might change my mind on Thursday."

"Then you'll tell me on Thursday."

I laughed and tucked the card back into my bag.

When I turned around, he had pushed up on one elbow and was looking at me with his whole face open.

It was a lot to be looked at.

I climbed over him, one knee on each side of his hips, and sat.

"You said slow," I said. "At the door, with the zipper. Slow for you."

"Yes."

"I'm driving this one."

His hands came to my waist.

He didn't pull me down or take over, and his eyes went dark.

"Then drive," Elliot said.

I leaned forward and kissed the bruise under his jaw.

I kissed his throat, his chest, the flat of his stomach.

I took my time.

I felt him tighten under my mouth, and I felt the long hard line of him against my belly, and I slid down the bed and took him in my hand.

"Ainsley..."

"Hush."

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