11. Elle

ELEVEN

Elle

4:57 pm

I take a sip of my latte, savoring the rich flavor as I sit across from Isabella in this chic little coffee shop downtown.

The atmosphere is cozy, with exposed brick walls and soft jazz playing in the background. I can't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me as I take in the charming details of this quaint space.

The warm glow of Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling casts a gentle light on the vintage-inspired decor, and the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingles with the sweet scent of pastries. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger for hours, lost in conversation or a good book.

Isabella sits with flair. She has a little steamed milk froth on her upper lip. I motion with my finger and laugh. It feels good to be silly with her.

"So, how is rehab going? You going to bust out of that joint at the end of the week?"

I've been dreading this conversation, but I know I can't keep it from my best friend any longer. I'm a terrible liar, anyway.

"So, Izzy, there's something I need to tell you," I start, my heart racing. "I'm... staying at Shep's house."

Isabella's eyes widen, and she nearly chokes on her coffee. "What? Wait, Dr. Shep? Your ex, Shep?"

"Mmm hmm," I nod.

"Are you serious? Isn't that some kind of ethical no-no?"

"Well, he isn't my doctor. He is just a doctor at the same hospital. I don't think there is any conflict there."

"Hmmm. I'm not so sure I'm convinced. Why the hell are you staying with him?"

I quickly explain about the pipe bursting incident and how Shep got permission from Dr. Hampton for me to stay there while things were fixed. "It was either that or getting shipped off to who knows where for rehab."

Isabella leans in, her voice lowering. "Okay, but blab. What's really going on?"

I bite my lip, hesitating for a moment before confessing, "We slept together last night."

"Holy shit, Elle!" Isabella exclaims, drawing a few glances from nearby tables. She lowers her voice again. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I know, I know," I groan, nervously pulling at my shirt sleeve. "I'm so conflicted. But it was amazing..."

Isabella gives me a sympathetic look. "I bet it was, Elle. But is it safe?"

"Who's thinking about that when you're sitting on a bougie outdoor sofa overlooking an aqua pool on a mild night? No one, that's who."

"And what are you thinking today, in the light, without the romantic ambiance?"

"I'm wondering if it was a mistake. I'm constantly second-guessing myself."

"Are you falling for him again?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. I think it is more that I am getting a second chance for the closure I've wanted from him all these years. I vacillate from one minute to the next about this. Enjoy the sex or run like the wind, and don't look back."

"Look, if you'll be stuck here, you might as well enjoy the perks of staying with Dr. McDreamy. But try to keep your heart out of it. This likely isn't going anywhere once you leave Birmingham."

I nod, knowing she's right. We chat a bit more about my recovery, and I mention the tenderness in my hand.

"The therapist seemed worried today," I told her. She said to call Dr. Hampton's nurse if it doesn't improve.

Isabella smirks, unable to resist one last jab. "Maybe it's from all those bedroom acrobatics with Dr. Hottie."

I roll my eyes but can't help laughing. Despite the complications, a part of me is thrilled to have this unexpected time with Shep.

5:51 pm

I approach Shep's front door, feeling caught between two worlds. Are we at the point where I walk in and announce myself? Or do I knock and wait for someone to escort me in?

My hand hovers over the doorbell, hesitating. Before I can decide, the door swings open, revealing Opie's beaming face.

"Miss Elle!" he exclaims, his eyes lighting up with recognition.

My heart melts a little. "Hi, Opie! Is your daddy home?"

He nods enthusiastically, grabs my hand, and tugs me inside. As we move through the house, a mouthwatering aroma hits me. Sizzling onions and something rich and savory fills the air, making my stomach growl.

We enter the kitchen, and there's Shep, donning an apron and stirring something on the stove. He glances up, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Hey, you're back," he says. "Dinner should be ready soon. I hope you're hungry."

"Starving," I admit, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at the sight of him being so domestic.

Shep reaches into the fridge and pulls out a bottle. "Rosé?" he asks, already pouring me a glass.

I can't help but smile. "You remembered my go-to." I'd like to think it is just me, but I have a feeling this is a skill he has honed over the years.

He hands me the chilled glass, our fingers brushing. "Some things are important. Like which drink helps a person unwind."

As I sip the wine, the tension in my shoulders starts to ease. Opie tugs on my shirt, eager to show me his latest creation.

"So, what does L stand for?"

"What's that?" I ask, caught off guard by his earnest question. This precious little thing stands there with his hands behind his back like a little man.

"Like, L-M-N-O-P. What does the L stand for? I know your name can't just be a letter."

"Oh, I get it! It sounds like a letter, but it is my nickname, which is short for Eloise. Which, as it turns out, starts with an E."

"Okay, that makes more sense. Look what I made!" he says, holding up an intricate Lego structure.

I crouch down to his level, examining it closely. "Wow, Opie! This is incredible. Is it a house?"

His face lights up as he launches into a detailed explanation of his fireman house, as he calls it. I listen intently, asking questions and praising his creativity. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Shep watching us, a soft expression on his face.

As Opie chatters on, I finally feel entirely at ease. I no longer feel like a complete interloper.

7:48 pm

I'm sitting on the patio, enjoying the peaceful evening, when Shep joins me after putting Opie to bed. The cool air makes for another peaceful night in Shep's little slice of paradise in the middle of the city sprawl.

"Dinner was amazing," I tell him, genuinely impressed. My taste buds are still tingling from the explosion of flavors.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I pulled out all the stops to impress you."

"You succeeded."

Shep holds his wine glass high, accepting the praise. I can't leave it there, though. My mouth is still watering at the thought of it. "You've got some serious culinary skills hiding behind that doctor's coat, Shep."

Shep grins, looking pleased. "I enjoy grilling. I've picked up a few culinary skills over the years."

"I can tell. Quite the change from the guy who could barely boil water for ramen."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel the shift in the air. The remainder of our shared past hangs between us, heavy and unspoken.

Shep clears his throat. "Elle, about that... about us, back then… I want to talk about that if it's alright with you."

I brace myself, waiting for the familiar urge to change the subject. But it doesn't come. Maybe it's the wine softening my edges, or perhaps it's Izzy's words echoing in my head. Whatever the reason, I find myself ready to listen.

"Sure. That's probably not a bad idea, considering everything."

"I owe you an apology," Shep continues, his voice low and sincere. The way I treated you and ended things wasn't fair. I was selfish, so focused on my career that I didn't see what I was throwing away."

I watch him, feeling a mix of emotions I can't quite name. Part of me wants to brush it off, to say it's ancient history. But another part, a part that has grown hard and mistrustful with my feelings, needs to hear this.

"I'm sorry, Elle. Truly. I know it doesn't change anything, but I needed you to know that."

I take a deep breath, letting his words sink in. The weight of years seems to hang between us, heavy with regret and what-ifs. My heart flutters traitorously in my chest, forcing me to stay composed. After a moment that feels like an eternity, I find my voice.

He brought this up, and he didn't have to address it. I haven't pushed it, and he still got in my pants. I have to give him credit.

"Thank you," I say finally, my tone softer than intended. "I appreciate that." The words feel inadequate, barely scratching the surface of the emotions churning inside me.

Part of me wants to say more, to unleash the flood of hurt and anger I've kept bottled up for so long. But another part, the part that's grown cautious and guarded over the years, holds me back. I meet Shep's gaze, searching for something I'm not sure I want to find.

We sit silently for a moment, the weight of the past settling around us like a heavy blanket. It's not comfortable, but it's not as painful as I'd feared.

The air between us feels charged with unspoken words and lingering regrets. I find myself studying Shep's face, noticing the subtle changes time has etched into his features. The faint lines around his eyes speak of long nights in the ER, while the set of his jaw betrays a tension that wasn't there in our college days.

I take a deep breath, my heart racing, as I will myself to be comfortable with fewer words. I can accept his apology and not feel the need to say anything at all.

The crickets chirp softly in the background, and their rhythmic song is a soothing counterpoint to the tension between us. Before I overthink it, I lean in and press my lips to Shep's.

Sometimes, kissing is easier than talking.

The world seems to stop for a moment. His lips are warm and familiar yet thrillingly new. I feel a surge of electricity course through my body, igniting every nerve ending. My free hand finds its way to the nape of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair.

Shep responds immediately, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, and I feel the last of my carefully constructed walls crumbling. Years of protecting myself, of keeping my heart guarded, melt away in the heat of this moment.

As we break apart, breathless, I look into Shep's eyes. They're filled with a mixture of surprise, desire, and something more profound that makes my heart skip a beat. I realize with a start that I'm falling for him all over again. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

"Elle," Shep whispers, his voice husky with emotion.

I silence him with another kiss, not ready for words to break this spell. For now, I want to exist in this moment, where the past doesn't matter and the future is unwritten. I'm falling, and for once, I'm not afraid of where I might land.

I'm lost in the sensation of Shep's lips on mine, the world around us fading into nothingness. It's just him and me, the past and the present colliding in a moment that feels inevitable and new. The warmth of his body next to mine is a balm to the ache I've carried for years.

With a newfound boldness, I stand and straddle his lap, lowering my body to press against his. The feel of his arousal against me sends a thrill of desire coursing through my veins, stoking the fire that's been smoldering since our first kiss.

My heart races, my breath comes in short, sharp gasps, and I can feel the heat pooling in my core.

Our kisses grow more fervent, more demanding. His hands roam my body, igniting a trail of fire wherever they touch.

I arch into his touch, craving more, needing to feel his skin against mine. I unbutton his shirt with deft fingers, my good hand working with a desperation that surprises me. I need to see him, to touch him, to run my fingers over those firm ripples on his abs.

Shep helps me, his urgency matching mine.

He pulls off my pants, then my panties, not waiting for my one hand to do the slow job. Our clothes are hastily discarded, a tangled fabric on the stone floor. The cool night air kisses our bare skin. But it does nothing to dampen the heat that blazes between us.

He pulls me back onto his lap, using his knees to spread my thighs apart, guiding my center to his. I slowly lower onto him, his tip at my entrance. He throws his head back, aching for more, but I want to tease him a little longer.

Finally, I take all of him inside of me. His giant cock fills me, making me whole.

His hands cup my breasts, his thumbs teasing my nipples into tight peaks. A needy whimper escapes my lips, and I grind against him, seeking friction, seeking release. Shep's response is a low growl of approval, his hands moving to grip my hips, guiding me in a rhythm that quickly drives us both to the brink.

I feel the tension coiling within me, tightening with each thrust. Shep's breath is hot against my neck, his own need evident in the urgency of his movements and the hoarseness of his voice as he whispers my name in my ear.

With a final surge, he flips me onto my back, driving us home. We tumble over the edge together. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over us, leaving us both panting and spent. He collapses against me, his head resting against my shoulder as we both struggle to catch our breath.

For a long moment, we stay like that, neither of us willing to break the spell that holds us captive. The night is still around us, the gentle lapping of the pool and the distant chorus of crickets the only sounds that pierce the silence.

Eventually, Shep shifts above me, gently kissing my temple. "I want to hold you again tonight," he murmurs, his voice a soft rumble in his chest. Would that be okay?"

I nod, feeling a sense of rightness settling over me. Tonight, I want to bask in the warmth of Shep's arms to savor the connection we've rekindled. I want to believe that this time, things could be different.

As we gather our clothes and head inside, I can't help but wonder what this means for us. But for now, I push those thoughts aside. Tonight is about reconnecting, about exploring the possibilities that lie before us. The future can wait until the light of day.