Superposition (Starting Position Sequel)

Chapter 34

Three weeks later, the interview was finally published in the campus newspaper. Elliot was curled on my lap as I sat on the couch in my apartment with her head resting in the crook of my neck. She held the article in front of us, and though I could easily read the text, I was too distracted by the feel of her body and her scent to care; she read the article aloud, and her voice wrapped us in a warm blanket.

    "...with children, teachers, and staff all praising his commitment and talent towards the demonstrations..." she read, her words covering me.

    Lifting a hand, I ran it over her bare shoulder and down her arm. Her skin was smooth; the feel sent electricity through my fingers. She shifted on my lap and glanced upwards.

    "Are you listening to me? I poured my heart and soul into this article. You better be listening," she said, mouth serious but eyes not.

    Smiling, I continued exploring over Elliot's arm. "I'm listening," I said.

    "Really?" she asked. "And what have I said?"

    I thought pensively. "That I'm amazing – the best chemist you know – and no one could ever compare."

    Elliot gasped playfully and stiffened. "Oh, yeah? Is that what I've been saying? I don't recall including that when I was writing the article..."

    Grinning, I swooped over her and said as seriously as I could, I said, "Well, you definitely should have."

    Her cheeks tensed as she tried to keep the smile she was holding at bay, but a full laugh burst through. "One article. That's all it takes for you to get conceited, huh?"

    Her hair was splayed over the arm of the couch and across her chest. I brushed my hand along her face – loving the angle in which she was laying over me – and pushed some hair behind her ear. "Yes. That's all. Now keep saying how great I am."

    Narrowing her eyes, she lifted herself from my lap and swung her legs so they straddled around my hips. We were alone in the apartment today; Ian was with Samara and Dev and Justin were at a library group apparently stocked with girls. Elliot, apparently, was as much aware of this as I was, as after she settled herself onto my lap, she brought both hands around my neck and closed what little space was left between us.

    "I think you're great, Ben Harrison," she breathed as she loosened my hat and tossed it away.

    "I know," I smiled. "I read all about it in the article."

    With that, she shook her head so that hair spilled all around me, and pressed her mouth to mine, kissing me slowly. Elliot's kisses were hard to describe; they were firm and soft, like two parts of her were working together in unison. Her fingers traced over the nape of my neck and eased into my hair, running them through gently and sending heat coursing through my body.

    She kissed me deeply and then pulled back, making me crave more, and just when the waiting was too much to bear, she pressed into me; her entire body worked cohesively as she moved in rhythm with her powerful mouth.

    My hands were glued to her body. They moved over her arms, down her back, around her hips – everywhere. I didn't think I could ever get used to how this felt – how perfectly she molded with me – and my hands clung to her as if I could store in memory for when we were apart.

    "Hi," she breathed, after parting from me.

    "Hi," I said.

    Her lips were bright pink and a flush played in her cheeks. Using her nose to nudge mine, she asked, "Remember the first time we did that?"

    "Yeah," I said, because I was not likely to forget our first kiss on her porch any time soon. "And now I have a picture to remember the kiss after the months-that-shall-not-be-named." After Elliot rolled her eyes, I said, "I still can't believe they used that picture."

    "I mean, he used the one of us laughing," Elliot said. "I said they could. The PG-13 one is in my personal collection."

    "Oh, is it?"

    She nodded and clasped her hands around my neck. "Yep. Mine and mine alone."

    A few moments of quiet fell between us as we sat together on the couch. Elliot's fingers still played at the base of my neck, and my hands slowly worked their way over the curve of her back.

    "Ben?" she said softly.

    "Hmm?"

    "Do you think you'll see him again? Your father?"

    I had explained everything to Elliot after the day we shared in the lab. Everything. She was very keen to learn about the experience with my father, and in Elliot fashion, listened more than she asked questions. I hadn't realized how much I needed to say everything out loud until the moment was over, and I was thankful it all went to Elliot; she would keep everything I said safe. That was how we worked. Two separate people but connected.

    "I don't know," I said. "Maybe. I have to talk to Erin."

    Elliot nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure that was difficult for Erin too."

    "She was upset after the lunch." I said. "Although, I didn't exactly make matters better."

    "That wasn't your responsibility," Elliot said. "You had a right to tell him the things you did, and even more of a right to show up at his door afterwards. He needed to hear all of that – what he put you through."

    Smiling weakly, I said, "I'm just glad I did it."

    Me too." Elliot swept a hand over the side of my face. "I'm proud of you." Her fingers continued trailing my face as she continued, "You're the bravest person I know."

    I met her gaze. "Funny. Are you sure there isn't a period of time you're forgetting about?"

    She pursed her mouth and said, "I'm serious, Ben. I'd rather forget that part, anyway."

    "Yeah, well, you're pretty brave yourself," I stated. "Have you talked with your dad about Sarah recently?"

    She shrugged. "A little. He wants us to have a discussion about it when the semester ends." She lifted her eyes in thought. "It's fine. I'll be fine. I think it was just unexpected. I like Sarah, and honestly, I should have known this was coming. My dad was married to mom for over twenty years. I think people who have relationships like that need to have someone. You know what I mean?" she asked, tilting her head.

    "Yeah," I said. "I do."

    She pushed back a piece of hair. "It'd be hard to be alone after that – after losing someone you love." She paused. "So, yeah, I'm still a bit in shock that they're getting married, but I get it. And I'm happy for them."

    I wrapped her hand in mine. "See?" I said. "True bravery."

    Elliot laughed and kissed me again. "Will you be my wedding date?"

    "Me?" I asked. "You're asking me?"

    "Who else?" she said simply.

    I took in her features once more. The sun was sinking lower, and its light was pouring inside the living room window, casting rays around Elliot. Her skin glowed, but it always glowed. Her hair shone, but it always shone. Her eyes were deep, but they were always deep. I had that same feeling again, like I was exactly where I needed to be. And as she sat on my lap and I looked at her, even the sun couldn't make her features any brighter or warmer than they already were, and that was how I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.

    "Yeah, Elliot," I said, "I'll be your wedding date."

xxx