Forbidden Serenade

Chapter Twenty-Three

My eyelids slowly opened as my head immediately pounded. I groaned, my hand lifting to protect my forehead from the hammer hitting it relentlessly. My eyes moved around the unfamiliar room in confusion. Movement beside me sent my head, very slowly, rolling to my left. Elijah laid on his side, studying me with his blue eyes shining as bright as the most beautiful summer day.

He smirked, a dimple piercing his cheek. His hair lay sprawled all over the pillow. Somehow, even after a wild night out drinking and a couple hours of sleep, he looked absolutely stunning. I could snap a photo and slap it onto a magazine cover and women would go crazy.

"Mornin'."

I tried to smile, but my head was killing me. "Good morning. How are you so happy and perfect after last night?"

He shrugged. "I'm used to it."

"And young," I mumbled. "I'm too old for this."

He moved forward and kissed my forehead. "You're not too old. You grew up too fast." Rolling away, he got out of bed and walked naked out of the bedroom. I laid unmoving, wondering what he was doing. A moment later, he returned with a cup of water. Walking over to me, I sat up. He held out his hand with some pills. "Aspirin. For your headache."

Taking the pills and water, I smiled up at him in gratitude. "Thank you."

He plopped into bed beside me and looked up at the ceiling. "When do you have to leave?"

"Probably soon," I mumbled. Putting the pills into my mouth, I washed them down with water. Right now, my only concern was my pounding head.

Curling back beside Elijah, he took me into his tattooed arms and held me close. His fingers grazed up and down my arm. Closing my eyes, I listened to his soothing heartbeat. It was like a lullaby. A soothing reminder this man was real. It didn't scream at me about his youth or fame. It simply told me he cared.

I dozed off in his arms, but the sound of my ringtone soon woke me. I groaned, opening my eyes. Elijah's hold on me tightened.

"I have to go," I whispered. I had never texted Callie last night. She was probably looking for me.

It took a second for Elijah's hold on me to loosen. His desire for me to stay mirrored my reluctance to depart. But reality was waiting for me in two jobs and kids at home.

Slowly, I got out of bed and padded into the restroom. My headache had subsided slightly, so I could function, but every inch of me was sore. The partying and Elijah's love making had done a number on my body.

When I reentered the bedroom, Elijah was out of bed. Sweatpants hung low on his hips. My eyes gazed over his perfect abs and defined V. A small trail of hair led a line to below his pants.

Blinking away my lustful gaze, I slipped on my bra. Scooping up my skirt, I attempted to shimmy into it when Elijah spoke.

"You don't need to wear that again." He grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt and tossed them to me. "Isn't it the walk of shame to wear the same thing the next morning?"

I caught the clothes he threw at me and looked down at them. "You want me to leave wearing your clothes?"

He grabbed a hoodie and tossed it at me. "In case the plane gets cold."

I eyed him curiously, wondering if this was chivalry or possessiveness. Either way, I was grateful to not squeeze into my short skirt from the previous night. I slipped on the clothes as Elijah strolled out of the room.

Once dressed, I ran a hand through my hair, grabbed Elijah's hoodie, and wandered out to the living space. I could hear Elijah's voice talking softly and followed the sound. He stood near the door talking to Joel. As I approached, he turned around. He held a cup of coffee in each hand. Handing me one, he motioned toward Joel.