Page 16 of I Think We’re Alone Now

“What us?”

“What us? How can you ask that after the last two weeks? Or do you just think that I sleep with all my security guys?”

“Of course I don’t think that. Not at all. And I have enjoyed our time together, but…”

“But what? But the assignment of having to hang out with me was only tolerable if you were getting your rocks off too?”

“No! How could you think that? Elle, you’re special. To me, to the whole world. You’re not just some random lay. But we’re on different tracks. You’re a fucking pop star for crying out loud! You were always going back out on tour. You don’t need to be worried about some cop back in some small town.”

“And if I want to be worried about some cop in a small town?”

“You don’t. I assure you.”

This conversation had taken a turn, and I had no idea how to get us back on track. Why on earth was she so hung up on “us”? There was no us. I’d enjoyed every moment we spent together these last couple of weeks—naked or otherwise—and was going to miss her. A lot. Probably more than I wanted to admit. But that didn’t matter. We both had things we needed to move on to.

“So now you’re telling me how I feel?”

“That’s not what I’m doing at all,” I stammered. How they hell did we get here? I was so confused, and the scowl on Elle’s face told me that I was missing something. But fuck if I had any clue what it was. “I thought you’d be happy for me that I got a spot.”

Elle walked over to the kitchen table and heaved a sigh as she collapsed into one of the chairs. Closing her eyes, she threw her head back, resting it on the back of the chair, her long blonde hair moving across her shoulders and exposing her very kissable neck. My dick twitched, remembering yesterday up in the tree house, where I’d worshiped her whole body with my tongue, lavishing her with attention in all the secrets spots I’d come to know. There was a part of me now that wanted to pick her up from that chair, carry her out to the tree house, and make it so the only reason she was screaming my name was because an orgasm of my making was tearing through her. But another part of me could tell by her body language that if I took another step closer to her I would be a dead man.

“You’re right, I should be happy for you,” she said, opening her eyes and sitting up. “The police academy is what you’ve decided on. Everything is set. Congratulations.”

“You don’t sound like you mean it.”

“You should probably pack, and I’m sure your parents will want to spend time with you before you go. I’ll let the label know.”

“Elle…” I said, letting my voice trail off. My heart ached seeing her this upset. I just wished I understood why.

“Bye, Travis. Good luck,” she said, getting up from the table and walking out of the kitchen. I knew better than to follow her, so I just let her go, feeling as if I was watching the end of a bad movie.

Maybe I was.