Looking For A Legend (Book 1)

Looking For A Legend Chapter 41 - Elijah & Valentina

            Eli felt much more like himself after his shave and haircut.  He normally would handle his own razor, but he felt like treating himself.  His barber had gone a little tighter on the sides and the back than Eli normally wore his hair, but in the end he liked the way it looked.  Dressed in his favorite oxblood button down and black trousers and suspenders, he’d gotten a few looks in the market, but Eli was sure they were just looks of surprise of a man dressed so well, shopping so late.

            He was putting away the last of his groceries when Valentina arrived, with her bag on her arm and flowers and cider in hand.  Eli helped her inside and unburdened her, then greeted her with a long kiss.  At once, he forgot he was mad at her.  Valentina’s hands slid up his chest, lightly gripping his suspenders.

            “I was afraid you were mad, Eli.” Valentina met his eyes.  He looked incredibly handsome in his glasses.  They were alone in his apartment, but she didn’t speak above a whisper.

“I was, before.  But I thought about it, and yes, I was disappointed that you didn’t pick me up, but the real probability was that I was jealous of Billy Duke.”  Eli told her, guiding her into the kitchen.  He’d set the table for dinner, with two meals set out for them.  Valentina’s cider made a nice addition.  It was the same bottle she had brought the first time she’d come to see his apartment.

“You don’t need to be jealous of him, Eli.  He’s a child and you… You are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.  And that dinner look’s delicious.  What is it?”  She asked as he pulled out her chair for her.  He slipped into the seat beside her.

“We have chicken breast with a rhubarb and cucumber salsa, and spring vegetable risotto.  It looked good, and it was already cooked.” Eli laughed mentally as he unfolded his napkin.

“This was already prepared at the market?” Valentina was incredulous.

“Okay, the chicken breast was cooked, and the risotto was made.  I added the vegetables.”  Eli blushed.  Valentina opened the bottle of cider, and Eli poured out two glasses.  They toasted to his health and to their love, and shared a kiss before sipping their drinks.

“So, what was so important that he stole you away from me?” Eli asked as their meal began.

“It was double trouble.  Leibe finally called me.  She’d invited Billy over to my apartment, without asking me, so that I could tell him something for her.” Valentina tried not to sound like she was complaining.

“Why couldn’t Leibe just tell her him for herself?” Eli asked as he ate.  He did usually do that, always trying to treat his telepathy as actually speaking, but his appetite was voracious.

“It’s probably because she’s a sociopath.  But I apparently had to tell Billy that she is pregnant.  And I don’t know why she couldn’t just call them and keep it between them.  It’s their problem not mine.  But Leibe’s always been like this.” Valentina sighed.

“Billy Duke is spawning.”  Eli dropped his fork, and nearly lost his appetite.

“Yeah, it’s terrible.  He didn’t take it well, either.  He actually tried to tell her that she was just getting fat.” Valentina laughed.

Eli shook his head, not sharing her amusement.  “How far along is she?”

“Eight months.  It’s not subtle.” Valentina told him.  His eyebrows raised in surprise.  She decided to change the subject.  Pregnancy and Billy Duke were not typically aphrodisiacs.  “This risotto was delicious.  Oh, and the chicken… Did you learn to cook in your dreams? Since you cooked, I’ll clean up, Eli.”

“Thank you Valentina.” Eli helped clear the table just the same.   While Valentina washed the few dishes, Eli found a vase.  He put the flowers she brought into water and placed them on the kitchen table.

There wasn’t much cleanup to do, but Eli had time watch Valentina as she rinsed and scrubbed at the plates.  He poured another glass of cider as he admired her clothes, knowing that Valentina carefully crafted every detail of her outfit for his benefit.  When he saw her red shoes, Eli became keenly aware of the last time she wore them.  It was the day she first saw his apartment.  It was the day she surprised him with lingerie.  It was also the last time they had sex.  It was the night she nearly broke his nose.  It was three months ago.  Eli was still trying to get comfortable with how much time he lost.  He would never get those weeks back.

Valentina crossed the room, her heels clicking on the hardwood of his kitchen.  She put a hand on his arm and disturbed Eli from his thoughts.  “What’s on your mind?”

“You, Valentina.” He told her, pulling her into his arms.  “You look amazing tonight.  And I’ve missed you.  I’ve missed this.”

“You missed holding me?” She mused, slipping her arms around his neck.  Valentina looked up to meet his eyes and got a smile.

“I missed everything about you, Valentina.  Your smile, the way you scrunch your nose up, your perfume.  I missed the way you dress… You always look so perfect, beautiful and simple, but I know you’ve crafted every detail.  You drive me crazy in the best way.  I’ve missed the way you tug at my collar and open my shirt.” He smiled, catching her in the act as she teased the top few buttons of his shirt open.  His hand slipped down to her hips and moved her closer.  “I’ve missed your fetish for my chest hair.”

Valentina laughed and blushed.  “It’s not a fetish!  I need more of you than just your chest hair.  And even if I do have a fetish for your chest hair, you have one for my scar.” She joked with him as she leaned in for a kiss.  Her lips moved over his skin, trailing up his neck and drawing a series of moans from Eli’s mouth.  She pushed his suspenders off his broad shoulders and worked at his shirt again.

Eli felt a little guilty for getting physical so quickly, but Valentina didn’t seem to mind.  He pulled off her belt and let it fall to the floor.  It was followed by her shirt getting pulled over her head, and his shirt being pushed off his arms.  Valentina kicked off her heels, and then pushed Eli to the couch.  He sat up long enough to pull his shoes off, before taking her by the waist and bringing her down on top of him.  In a flurry of kisses, Eli’s hands traveled over her body, catching his thumbs in her skirt and working it down until she kicked it off.

Eli sat up again, this time with Valentina in his lap.  He got to his feet with her in his arms.  Valentina let out a call of surprise as she threw her arms around his neck and he carried her through his home to the bedroom.  She captured his face in a fierce kiss, working her mouth against his.  He set her on the bed, and in the next moment both pairs of hands fumbled at Eli’s pants.  Their last few layers of clothing were shed away.

He pulled her against him, his hands slowly traveling over her body.  It had been too long since he felt her under his touch.  He wanted to learn her curves all over again.  Eli wanted to rediscover every spot on her body that would make her moan in pleasure.  “Valentina, you are so amazingly beautiful.”

Valentina caught his hands in hers, lacing their fingers together as he moved on top of her.  “I love you, Elijah.” She whispered to him.

“I love you, Valentina.” Elijah kissed her.  Together, they lost track of the time.  But as long as they were together, Eli didn’t mind.