Cherished (Wanted #4)(55)
Author: Kelly Elliott

I quickly walked to the front door and out onto the porch. I perched myself up against the post and waited to lay my sights on the P.U.R.E. Azurdee.

How in the hell does a girl in her early twenties stay a virgin these days?

As I saw her Toyota Camry pull up and park, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw it was a Hybrid. The moment she stepped out of the car, she stretched, and my knees about buckled. I grabbed on to the railing.

Holy fucking shit. That hasn’t happened in a long time. Get a grip, for Christ’s sake, Williams. She’s just another pussy. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

I watched her as she took her hair down from her ponytail. She had long, wavy dark brown hair that went down to the middle of her back. She pulled it back up into a ponytail as she turned and saw me standing there. I followed her eyes as they moved up and down my body. When her eyes caught mine, she smiled.

Jesus Christ.

“You most certainly are not Scott,” she said with a smile.

It took me all of thirty seconds to get my wits about me. “No, ma’am, I am not. You must be Azurdee,” I said as I made my way down to her car.

I put my hand out, and she shook it. I was pretty damn sure she just felt the same thing I did when we touched.

She looked away quickly before glancing back at me and focusing in on my lips. “You have an advantage on me, it seems. Mister…”

“Lark Williams, old college friend of Scott’s. Going to be staying for a few days.”

I purposely licked my lips and bit down on my bottom lip. She sucked in a small breath as her caramel eyes darkened. They were breathtaking, and I swore they sparkled.

Those are the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen. I wonder what they would look like when fucking her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Williams,” she said with the cutest damn smile I’d ever seen.

“Lark, please call me Lark.”

She nodded and looked around. “Azurdee Emerson. Are Jessie and Scott here?”

She seemed nervous as hell, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“I promise I won’t bite, sweetheart,” I said with a wink.

“Azurdee.”

I tilted my head at her. Feisty. “You don’t like the word sweetheart?” I asked.

Now, it was her turn to lick her lips before biting down on her bottom lip. She tilted her head back as she said, “Oh, I love the word sweetheart. I just don’t like it coming from a guy who probably bags at least two girls a week.”

My mouth dropped open as she pushed past me. She opened her trunk and started to pull out her suitcase. Then, she stopped and looked at me.

Pure, my fucking ass.

I walked over and took the suitcase from her. I made my way into the house and up the stairs as she pulled out her cell phone and called Jessie. From the sound of it, Jessie was freaking out that Azurdee was here alone with me.

“Honestly, Jess, I’m fine. It was my fault for coming in a day early. I finished up work, and I was so excited to see you that I didn’t even think of calling.”

I made a beeline straight to the bedroom next to mine. Before I walked into the room, she cleared her throat. I stopped and turned around to see her standing outside the bedroom at the end of the hall. She smiled and pointed into the room.

Fuckin’ A.

“Yep, and Lark is being such a gentleman by carrying my suitcase.”

She let out a laugh, and when I walked by, my arm brushed up against hers.

Shit! What in the hell is with the weird feelings every time I touch this girl?

I put her suitcase down on the bed, turned, and ran my hand through my hair. I didn’t like the way I felt when I was around her, and I’d only been around her for about ten minutes. When I looked up, I saw she was staring at me.

“Oh, um…what did you say, Jessie?” She quickly looked away. “Okay, I probably will because I am starving. Okay, see y’all soon.” She hit End and looked at me again. She gave me the sweetest smile. “They’re, um…they’re going to be heading back soon. Have you eaten dinner?”

My heart dropped to my stomach, and I was starting to get pissed-off at how my body was betraying me. I just needed to either fuck this girl or completely ignore her.

“Nope,” I said, cursing myself the moment the word came out of my mouth.

She nodded as she set down the two bags she’d carried up with her. Then, she turned and walked out of the bedroom. I followed her out and down the stairs to the kitchen. I sat down as I watched her open the refrigerator. She took a quick look, and then she went to the pantry and looked around. She pulled out powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and the bread. She walked back over to the refrigerator and pulled out some eggs.

“Do you like French toast? I’ve been craving it so bad the last few days.” She pulled out a bowl and began cracking eggs into it.

I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I could talk. “I love French toast.” Nikki used to make me French toast all the time. I miss her so much.

“Hey, are you okay?” Azurdee asked as she placed her hand on top of mine.

I instantly pulled it away. “Yeah. Why the fuck wouldn’t I be?” I snapped.

The hurt in her eyes made me instantly regret snapping at her. She took a deep breath and went back to mixing everything in the bowl. She got out a frying pan and put some butter in it.

“Jesus, you sure do know where everything is. Do you come here often?” I asked, trying to make up for being short with her.

She gave me a weak smile and began dipping the bread into the egg mixture.

“I’ve only been here a couple of times. I made Scott and Jessie dinner a few times. I love to cook, and I’ve been told I make a pretty damn good fettuccine alfredo,” she said as she wiggled her eyebrows. “All from scratch, I might add.”

I let out a small laugh as I shook my head. “I think maybe I need to be the judge of that.”

She flipped the toast in the pan. “You got it. I’ll make it while we’re here. When are you leaving? I’m staying until the third and then heading back to Austin.”

The feeling of disappointment washed over me. I wanted both of us to stay longer. I wanted to leave my world behind just for a few days more, so I could get to know this girl better.

“I’ll probably leave on the third.” I got up and took out two glasses from the cabinet. I grabbed the orange juice and poured us each a glass. I glanced over and noticed her watching me.

Yeah, I just need to stay away from her as much as possible.