Forbidden Cravings-Chapter 295: Leaving Elizabeth

The living room felt warm and quiet, the morning sun slanting through the tall windows and painting soft golden patches on the cream couch. Elizabeth was still straddled on my lap, her thighs hugging my hips, her sweater loose and slipping off one shoulder. Her hands rested gently on my cheeks, thumbs brushing my skin like she was holding something fragile. Our faces were close, close enough that I could see the tiny flecks of green in her eyes and the faint freckles across her nose.

"Promise me..." she said softly, her voice low and serious.

"Hmm? What?" I asked, looking straight into both of her eyes, trying to read what was coming next.

She didn’t answer right away. She just held my gaze, her ass resting soft and warm on my groin, but the weight of her words felt heavier than her body. I could feel her heartbeat through the thin layers between us steady, but a little faster than usual.

"That if you ever need anything..." she continued, pausing for a second like she was choosing her words carefully, "...anything at all, Ezra... you’ll give me a call right away."

My eyes widened. I hadn’t expected that.

"But—"

She pressed one finger to my lips before I could finish. "No buts, wuts," she said firmly, though her eyes stayed soft. "I have connections to almost everything in this country. Everything is just one call away from me, and I want to help you in any way possible."

I stared at her, heart suddenly feeling lighter. For so long I’d been carrying this heavy weight trying to build something better, trying to give Aeri the life she deserved, trying to prove I could stand on my own. And now, here was Elizabeth offering a safety net I didn’t even know I needed. A cushion I could fall back on. The knot in my chest loosened, just a little.

"Hmm... okay," I said, nodding slowly. A small, real smile tugged at my lips.

"Promise?" she asked, her face lighting up. She lifted her hand and held out her pinky finger, eyes bright and hopeful.

"Promise," I said, hooking my pinky around hers in the old childhood way.

We stayed like that for a second—fingers linked, smiling at each other like we’d just made the most important deal in the world.

She grinned wider, then leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. "You have my number now, right?"

"Yep, I do," I said, nodding with a small laugh.

"Good." She rested her forehead against mine, still smiling. "Because I’m serious, Ezra. One call. Any time. Day or night. I’ve got you."

I felt the last bit of tension in my shoulders melt away. "I know," I whispered. "Thank you."

She gave my cheeks one last gentle squeeze, then kissed me again slow, soft, and full of something warm and steady.

The room stayed quiet around us, just the faint sound of birds outside and the soft ticking of the wall clock. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I wasn’t carrying everything alone.

The living room felt warm and lazy in the late morning light. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, turning the cream-colored couch golden and making the polished wooden coffee table gleam. Two half-empty teacups sat on the low table, steam still curling up in thin wisps, carrying the gentle scent of jasmine tea. The faint smell of jasmine tea mixed with the clean, slightly sweet scent of Elizabeth’s skin and the distant hint of coffee from the kitchen.

Elizabeth was still straddled across my lap, thighs hugging my hips, her loose grey sweater slipping off one shoulder, black pants snug against her legs. My hands rested on her waist, thumbs brushing slow circles over the fabric.

"Well, even if you don’t have my number..." she said with a teasing smile, trailing her fingers lightly down my chest, "I know exactly where to find you, mister manwhore."

I laughed, the sound low and easy. "Hahaha, true." I gave her ass a small, playful slap through the pants. "Just hop in whenever you want."

"Will do..." She exhaled a soft sigh, leaning her forehead against mine for a second. "Sigh..."

I felt the shift in her mood. "Well then, I guess I should go now," I said, starting to move like I was getting up.

"Yeahh... you should," she agreed quietly, sliding off my lap and standing up. She offered me her hand, pulling me to my feet with her.

I stood, stretching a little, and glanced toward the bedroom doorway. Clara was still fast asleep, curled under the blanket like a kid, one bare shoulder peeking out, hair fanned across the pillow. She looked completely peaceful.

"You don’t want to say goodbye to her?" Elizabeth asked, tilting her head toward the door.

"Nah, she’s sleeping so peacefully. Let her be," I said, chuckling softly.

Right on cue, Clara mumbled in her sleep, rolling onto her back.

"I want to eat muffinsh... hhinn..." Her voice was tiny and slurred. The blanket slipped down, exposing half her naked chest to the sunlight.

Elizabeth burst into quiet laughter. "Hehe, she’s like a little kid."

"Yeah, truly," I agreed, laughing along with her. "Completely innocent... most of the time."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, walking ahead toward the hallway with a playful sway in her step.

"But she got her fair share of time," she said, glancing back at me over her shoulder.

I grinned, following her. "Sure..along with the queen as well."

She laughed, the sound light and happy, and we both headed toward the front door together. The mansion hallway was quiet and cool, sunlight filtering through high windows and making long patterns on the polished marble floor. Our footsteps echoed softly as we walked side by side, fingers brushing every few steps. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Elizabeth stopped just before the big double doors, turning to face me. She reached up and brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, her touch gentle.

"Call me if you need anything, okay?" she said quietly.

"I will," I promised, leaning down to give her one last soft kiss.

She smiled against my lips, then pulled back. "Go on. Before I drag you back upstairs."

I chuckled, gave her hand one final squeeze, and stepped outside of the hall in the big mansion as I made my way to the door.