"Mom, please," Eli complains, swatting her hand away from his face.

Lizzy has been fussing over his injuries again and again since we've woken up two hours ago. It's nearly 5pm now.

"Good God, Eli. Let me take care of you, you stubborn prick," Lizzy scolds him just as his dad, Ray, walks into the kitchen.

"Leave the boy alone, Liz. He's not five, anymore," he grunts, looking at the two squabbling about.

"You still need help fixing your car?" Eli asks Ray, seeing a chance to escape his worried mother.

"Yeah, that'd be great," his dad nods.

Without another word, Eli follows his dad outside. Lizzy sighs heavily next to me, making me look at her.

"I don't understand why a young thing like you would put up with a grump like him," she mumbles, despite the small smile on her lips.

I try to hold back my laugh but fail. Lizzy looks at me with curiosity.

"What? You don't agree with me?" she inquires.

"Oh no, I do," I assure her. "Let me show you just how much I agree." I pull my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and show her the name I gave Eli in my phone. Now, she is the one laughing.

"Alright, I guess I don't have to worry about you, then," she warmly smiles at me and I give her a smile back.

"I worry about him, though," she continues. "Where did he get all those cuts and bruises from? He refuses to tell me."

I clear my throat, unsure about my standing in this situation and how much Eli would want me to share.

"I am not sure it's my place to tell you about this."

Lizzy nods in understanding.

"But, I can tell you this much. Him getting into a," I clear my throat, again, "uhm, physical altercation, was not a completely unjustified reaction, given the situation. I have to stress, I am not a fan of violence. I can understand his reaction, though." I study Elizabeth's face to gauge her reaction but she just nods for me to continue.

"It wasn't a 'someone accidentally bumped his shoulder and he irrationally beat up the guy' type thing and it's also nothing too serious, like criminal or illegal stuff. So, I guess what I am trying to say is, you don't need to worry," I finish with an awkward smile.

To my surprise, Lizzy takes my hand and gently squeezes. "I think you are good for him."

"Oh, uh thank you," I tell her, warmth spreading through me at her compliment and approval.

"And you don't have to confirm or deny anything because I don't want to put you in a tough position with my son, but I can smell that this thing has to do with that god-awful ex-wife of his," she scrunches her nose and let's go of my hand, walking toward the fridge.

"So, you don't like Janet, either?"

"Let's not talk about her, hm honey? He was so in love with her, he wouldn't listen to anyone's opinion during that time." She shakes her head. "How about you help me with dinner, instead? Eli told me you love to cook. Any allergies I need to know about?"

"I do love to cook. And I am vegetarian."

"Alright, I can work with that. How does spinach cannelloni sound?" she expectantly looks at me.

"Sounds delicious," I nod, sliding both of my palms into my jeans' back pockets.

We are preparing dinner in comfortable silence when a thought pops into my head.

"Oh, I saw a cat this morning when we arrived. On your porch. Is it yours?" I ask Elizabeth, the thought of the cute cat making me smile.

She laughs lightly. "Yes, that's Pommers, our cat. We got it after Eli moved out. He is outside mainly, but you will probably catch him tonight in front of the fireplace."

"Good to know," I beam at her.

When I go to set the table, Lizzy is quick in taking the plates out of my hand. "Let me, dear. Why don't you go outside and let the boys know that they can come in?"

"Yes, of course," I can't help but smile at her motherly tone, a wave of sadness hitting me at the same time. Why can't my parents be this affectionate?

I quickly put on my shoes and step outside. The air definitely is cooler here than at Bennett's lake house. I think it's because it's much windier, too. I hug myself and walk over to a silver car, parked behind Eli's truck. Both he and his father have their head under the hood.

Ray is a quiet man, much like Eli. Or rather, Eli is a quiet man, much like Ray. Anyway, they seem to get along which makes me happy to see. In case this is for the long run, I am glad we have at least one loving and happy family to visit.

Pulling my head back from the future-induced thoughts, I knock on the hood two times to get the guys' attention.

They both look at me in sync, making me bite my lip to hide a laugh.

"How's it going?" I ask.

"Good, sweetheart. Thanks to Eli, here. Still helping out his old man," Ray responds.

"Do you need anything?" Eli asks me, looking over my body as if to check I am physically okay. His eyes leave a trail of heat in their wake. He looks good; hot. Sweat glistens on his face and his shirt accentuates his muscular torso in all the right places. Grease is smeared across several places on his skin and I get a little nervous at the thoughts popping into my head. Thoughts of the things that have transpired between us. His hands on my skin. My mouth around him. I can feel a blush rising on my neck and face and quickly talk to cover up my aroused state.

"Nope, just wanted to let you know that dinner is ready." I rock back and forth on my heels to get some of the building energy out of my body.

"We'll be right there, baby," Eli assures and I internally groan. I love it when he calls me 'baby'.

I quickly glance at his dad but his face gives nothing away. I turn and trudge back into the house and straight into the bathroom, splashing cold water into my face.

Get your head out of the gutter, Romy. His parents are right there!

Not like that stopped me in the shower this morning, though.

Erasing the indecent thoughts from my brain, I hurry back into the kitchen, my stomach grumbling with the need for sustenance.

"Tell us, Romy. You in college?" Ray asks, taking a sip from his glass of water.

"Yes, I study international business."

"So, what will your job be then?"

"I don't know, actually. I just chose this major because I found it mildly interesting and my parents wanted me to go to college," I quietly explain.

Eli places his hand on my thigh, squeezing in a comforting way. His thumb brushes back and forth on the outside of my leg.

"What would you rather do?" Lizzy asks me.

"Uhm, I'm not sure." No one has ever really asked me this before. "I think I would like to have a small restaurant someday. With what I am studying, I could first work as a consultant or something and save some money. I need some capital to open up my own restaurant." I feel stupid as the words leave my mouth. They're probably gonna make fun of my silly idea.

"That sounds wonderful," Eli's mom smiles at me.

"If I could I would invest in your restaurant because the cannelloni have never tasted this good before," Ray winks at me. "Sorry, honey," he directs the apology at his wife who playfully smacks his shoulder.

I laugh along with them, relief washing over me.

"That's very kind of you to say," I reply earnestly.

"Your parents are literal angels, I am jealous," I tell Eli as he walks into the living room.

I am lounging on an old, large, leather armchair. Pommers has made himself comfortable on my lap and I can't complain. His dark brown fur is soft and warm under my palm as I rub behind his ears. His purrs music to my own.

"We can stay for a while if you like," he says, walking over to me and Pommers.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude. And Tess probably misses me like crazy already."

"I think Simon takes care of her needs, don't you?" He quirks an eyebrow.

"I guess so," I muse, stroking Pommers back.

"We can stay for a couple more days, and we'll be home before Wednesday?"

I smile up at him. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan."

"Get up," he grumbles after eyeing the cat for a moment.

"Why? I am very comfortable where I am." I snuggle deeper into the worn-out leather. The fireplace is crackling in front of me, casting a warm glow throughout the room. Liz and Ray have gone to bed after dinner, letting Eli and me hang out in the living room.

"What did I tell you to do when I say 'get up'?" he growls.

"I don't recall," I pretend not to remember what he told me after the whole Tommy fiasco in the backyard back at the house.

"Romy."

"Eli."

I hear a heavy sigh leave his mouth. I look away from Pommers and at Eli's face. He looks tired, a little angry.

"I am not a trained pet, alright? You can't just order me what to do. And anyway, if I get up now, this sweet little angel will be disturbed and leave my lap," I complain to him.

"Please, Romy. I don't give a fuck about the cat right now. I just want to hold you." His voice is barely above a whisper and I suddenly feel bad. I haven't done anything wrong so I know I shouldn't but still.

"Okay," I say and gently lift Pommers from my lap to put him on the floor. He lets out a disapproving meow and my heart breaks a little. "Repeat after me: Romy, could you please get up so I can sit with you?"

"Please, get up and let me sit with you, darling."

"We need to work a little on your task comprehension, my friend," I tease and get up from the chair.

"Boyfriend," he grunts and grabs a blanket from the couch before sitting down in the armchair.

"Right, my bad," I laugh and get situated in his lap. My back against his chest, my head on his shoulder. He throws the blanket over us even though it's plenty warm in front of the fire. His arms snake around my waist and one of his hands wanders a bit further down, finding the hem of my shirt. He tugs it up a little before sliding his hand up over the skin of my belly and stopping at my boob, grabbing it firmly. The most content sigh spills from his mouth and I chuckle a little.

"Were you jealous of Pommers?"

"Yes," he snips and kisses the side of my head.

"You're ridiculous, he's a cat," I shake my head.

"Yeah, and he was laying on my pussy."

I gasp loudly, not believing what he just said. I am certain my face is as red as a tomato and I sit straight up, Eli's warmth leaving my back.

"Where do you think you're going?" he questions me and pulls my back with the hand that still has hold of my boob.

"Eli! You can't just say stuff like that. Especially not in your parents' house. Are you insane!?"

"They are asleep, don't worry."

I huff at his indifference. "And this is my vagina, mind you."

"I beg to differ," he chuckles.

I turn my head to get a better look at him and see he is fully relaxed, his head rests on the back of the chair. A lazy, amused smirk sits on his lips. This cheeky man is just riling me up for fun.

"I don't care what you beg, and I know what you're doing and it's not working."

"I beg to differ," he repeats and I groan in annoyance.

"I hate you," I hiss at him. Pommers would be proud of me.

"I beg to differ."

Okay, I ran right into that one, didn't I? Goddammit, Romy.

"You're insufferable."

He opens his mouth but I see it coming and beat him to it.

"And if you say 'I beg to differ' I will never kiss you or any of your bodyparts ever again," I threaten. "So, smart mouth, what do you say to that?"

He closes his mouth briefly before opening it again.

"I say, I beg to differ to both of those things."

"Okay, that's it!" Before he can tighten his hold on my breast, I am up and out of the chair, running to the other end of the small living room.

"Forget kissing, I will never touch you again and you will never get to touch me again," I point a finger at him.

Eli slowly rises from the chair, draping the blanket over the back of it before pinning me with his eyes. "You're wounding me, darling," he says and places his hand over his heart.

The coffee table between us gives me a sense of security, even though it might be a false sense. I put my hands on my hips, trying to show him that I don't believe his lies. This is new - Eli being playful like this. He must feel really at ease here, in his childhood home. Back at Bennett's place, he is always tense, on guard. It's good to see him like this.

"Self-inflicted misery, baby," I wink at him with a smirk on my lips.

He starts to round the coffee table and I do the same, keeping the distance between us.

"When I catch you, I will have you on your knees in front of me, just so you know," Eli growls, a determined look in his green eyes.

"If you catch me," I correct him, a shock of pleasure ripping through me at his crude, but delicious, words.

"You sound awfully confident for someone in your position."

"I'll take my chances. And you wouldn't do that with your parents in the house," I try to sound convinced but if the shower incident is anything to go by, he doesn't seem to care about that.

"As I told you, they are fast asleep. And with my cock in your mouth, you wouldn't be able to make a sound, anyway," he shrugs as if talking about something mundane, like the weather but I see the mischievous glint in his eyes. I swallow heavily and his gaze zeroes in on my bobbing throat. Oh, shit.

"How long without you catching me until I win?" I ask, my voice a little shakier now.

"Let's say three minutes because I won't need more than that."

Only three minutes? That's easy. "Game on," I tell him and sprint out of the living room, Eli hot on my heels.

The house is pretty small and once in the hallway, I don't have many options. My eyes fall onto the front door. I probably have a better chance outside. Casting a quick glance over my shoulder, I see Eli entering the hallway in quick strides. The sight makes me jump into action, not wanting to lose the chase.

I rip open the front door, the cool air of the night hitting my exposed skin. Without pondering anymore, I take off.