#after this jenny'll learn he doesn't lie busy / all/ night

[clubsmarties]

—

"You'd have three very angry people at your door," he laughed even though he knew it would be true. Isa, Inez and Emma would truly dislike anyone who he didn't get on with. "I wouldn't set you up for failure. I'm offended," his dramatic gesture made his hand fall on his forehead like she had truly hurt him. "But, it would require a lot of trust on your part."

"Waffle shaped into Mickey Mouse ears. I am on expert on that and since working at the diner I feel like I've conquered breakfast foods. So, I've got breakfast covered for you." Truly if it wasn't for Emma he wouldn't really have stepped into the kitchen. He was grateful they did send him more than poptarts in their care packages.

He smiled like she had just amused him. "I think being stuck here with you is not too shabby of a life. You've made Texas a little less insufferable." Eli shrugged and smirked. "If you're there when I clock in, I'll make you the freshly made batch."

He let out an audible gasp as his chest breathed heavily, eyes following her every move. She had a captivating way to hold his attention. As her fingers moved to remove his hoodie off her body, he felt the gravity of this moment. He trailed his eyes up slowly as he drank her in and took in that silent nod. His hands cupped her face and continued to kiss her? This time taking her down so that half of his weight laid on his elbows. One hand roamed down her side to her hip, the touch was deliberate as his mouth moved against hers in an unspoken word of I'm yours.

The other that framed her face stayed at her haw for a second before it moved to the dip between her breasts. Familiarizing himself with the soft skin, the way they were so uniquely Laurel. He brushed her hair aside, letting his breath dance across her skin, his leg slipped between her thighs a second later.

His lips trailed from her mouth, across her cheek, to her neck and had his tongue sweep across the spot he knew noticed her whole body tingle in arousal. He grinned against her skin, enjoying the fact that he found key points. He groaned into the crook of her neck at the skin to skin contact. He kissed down her neck to her clavicle, dragging his tongue along the bone, before dipping down to the valley between her breasts. Eli was deeply aware to make sure she was ready the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

For that matter he traveled his mouth down her neck, teeth biting into her collarbone wanting to see the bruises blooming after he lapped his tongue around to soothe it.

—

"So, breaking your heart is off the table then," she pondered out loud, though her grin was in plain view. "I'm kidding. I wouldn't dream of causing you any harm," she said sincerely. Hurting him was the last thing she wanted to do. After all the kindness he had shown her, Laurel would hate herself if she ever did hurt him. "Dancing with no other details, sounds like I'm setting myself up for failure, but okay. Deal," and with that, she took his hand to momentarily shake on it.

"Now, you're definitely feeding my ego," an amused shake of her head followed. "Yup! That's the best part, the cheese pull. Conquering chicken noodle soup, you make anything sound like a huge feat. I love it. What's in your cooking repertoire then?"

"Fair, airports are rough. People are meaner I think, probably rubs off on them from TSA. That, and you're just nicer than most people." Laurel was too amused by the final destination, her home state. So, maybe that invisible string was working overtime. "No way! Bay Area, you might've crossed paths with my friends if you did. But, good choice though. It is definitely chilly out there, and heavy fog too. But nope, you're stuck here with me now," she joked, still holding his hand. "It sounds disappointing, yuck. You have the key now though, with the machine. Making the perfect cup, maybe I'll try that next time I stop by the diner."

Laurel's quiet laugh trembled against her lips before he pulled on her bottom lip, the sensation sending a flare of warmth down her spine. Third option won then. There might've been some thought about this being too soon, not the right time, but she was not concerned about that in the slightest. She was full of bliss and her eagerness was only growing with each passing second. Her smile grew with the small peck, and she leaned in closer to him as he sat in front of her. Already enticed by his touch, she had to inch closer until distance became a foreign concept.

The warmth of his hand against her skin made her hum happily, and now Laurel was glad that she had forfeited wearing her blouse under the hoodie. It was new, to hear the soft sounds coming from him, but once wasn't enough. No. It made her feel a sense of pride, knowing she elicited them from him. She wanted to hear more, touch every bit, and learn every trace of him. There was no hurry to do so either, and she was thoroughly enjoying that they were going slow, as if taking the time to remember every moment that passed. Tentatively, her hand reached for the edge of his blue sweater, hand resting against his side as she knelt in front of him to better position herself. No words, just her hazel eyes looking into his, silently confirming that this was okay. That he wanted this too, before she moved to pull the sweater off her. Her boldest action thus far, but she did say she'd try anything once. Gently dropping the sweater to the side, she leaned into his lips once more. He had said it'd be cold in his room, but with the warmth pooling in her chest? Well, cold was the last thing she felt.