Tough Love

Chapter One Hundred Fourteen

Chapter One Hundred Fourteen

Dani

As I'm talking to Ash and Connie about the new house, I can feel Eli's eyes on me. The thought leaves a funny feeling in my stomach and chest. I am embarrassed that he's staring at me, but I also feel a bit special. Out of all of the people here, he's focused on me and no one else. While that would normally be a bad situation for me to be in and it would stir up major fear in me, I know this is Eli. I know he's not going to hurt me. He has shown me that a million times over in the time I have known him. I do trust him. Even if it's not complete, blind trust, it still is trust. It is as much as my jaded mind and heart will allow right now. I say right now, because I have changed so much in the last few months so who knows what will happen over the coming months and years. I only hope Eli will stay with me for that long; that he won't get bored or frustrated with me and leave. I know he says he won't now, but the fear is still in the back of my mind. I don't know if I'll ever really be able to release that fear.

Ash chuckles and mutters, "He's staring at you, Dani. You think he's trying to drag you over there by his superpowers?"

I whisper, "Is that another one of them?"

Ash looks shocked at first and then he laughs, "What other powers does he have? Or do I not want to know?"

I feel the blood rush to my face and I'm certain I am beet red. The familiar pang of fear appears at Ash's words; at what he's insinuating. I guess he realizes what he's said because he apologizes quickly.

"I'm sorry, darlin'. I wasn't thinking. Sorry."

I bite back my fear. I know Ash means me no harm.

"It's ok. And his hearing is his superpower. He probably can hear us now..."

Eli's voice is right behind me when he says, "Yep, I can. Sorry, I didn'tmean to make you jump, sweetheart."

I let out a squeak at his voice as I jump. I try to steady my heart and Eli speaks in Russian, "You ok? I saw he made you panic. Everything ok?"

I nod because words aren't forthcoming right now. I'm still working on slowing my heart down and I involuntarily place my hand on Eli's chest to count his heartbeats. He looks down at me, eyeing me closely, but he doesn't miss a beat in the conversation.

"You think I have superpowers?"

I nod, embarrassed.

Ash laughs and Connie coos at us.

Ash's laugh softens to chuckles as he says, "Don't worry, she only told me about your hearing."

"Babe, you really think I have supersonic hearing?"

By now my heart is beating at it's normal rate and I know it's my Eli here. He's not going to let anything happen to me, so I'm a bit braver with my answer.

"Of course you do. You hear everything."

"It must be the bat in me..."

He shoots me a wink and I gasp, turn bright red again and splutter out,"You heard that?!"

His chuckle is the only response I need.

"All this time you knew and you didn't say anything?"

"I thought it was cute and I didn't want to ruin that..."

Ash interrupts our dialogue, "And I think that's our cue to leave the couple alone, Momma C. I don't want to be hearing all of that mushy stuff..."

I know he's not serious because he laughs and sends me a wink before taking Connie's hand and leading her away. Eli holds me close and kisses the top of my head.