Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 29

EVA.

"What are you doing with a spatula, dude?" The familiar voice echoes into the kitchen and I turn off the stove at the brown rings over the pancakes.

"What else would I be doing with it?" Comes Emerson's response then the sound of laughter and it isn't just from one person.

"I never saw you as one who cooks, babe. You just turned the whole thing around. " I grimace at the pitch of Paige's voice and there's silence before there's the sound of the slam of a door.

"It smells nice in here, Em. Can we have whatever it is you're making? Oh wait— what about that hot roommate of yours?" Another voice that I don't recognize speaks.

"She isn't hot. " I roll my eyes at Paige's voice.

"Well, she's certainly hotter than you and that's fine by me. "

"Fuck you, Leo. " Leo. Leo from the frat party.

"What are you guys doing here?" Emerson's voice asks this time.

"Don't you miss us, babe?" A shudder rolls off my shoulders at the sound of Paige's whiny voice.

"Can you stop with the pet name? It isn't cute, red. " Someone complains and I move from my spot, edging towards the end of the kitchen.

"It isn't my fault all your bitches call you such boring names, fucker. "

"And they are clearly better than you are. " I turn my head to the side to get a clear view of them. There are four standing and about two of them on the couch.

Sage and Jaxon are standing at one side with Emerson and Paige standing at the other side– Paige perched to his side like she always does.

"Can you two stop with the back and forth? You've been at it on our way here. " Jaxon hisses before he turns his head to his friend. "Hey dude, go get dressed. We're heading out. "

"So you all came here to hang out?" Emerson asks.

"These fuckers crashed at my place after a wild night, " Jaxon nods to the two on the couch, ones I can't get a good view of. "Seems like Leo is on a hunt for a new chick, Paige wanted you to tag along and Sage got dragged here. "

"So we should be on our way unless there's something more important you're doing here?" Leo suggests and just as Emerson starts to twist his head in my direction, I'm quick to move back with a racing heart.

"Nothing more important than spending time with his friends. "

"Do you guys want some pancakes?"

"Are you sure you cooked it all by yourself? The Emerson Ford I know doesn't cook. "

"I don't cook doesn't mean I don't know how to. " Emerson responds.

"I don't think we should. We should get going. "

"I want to have a taste. "

"Of course you do. "

"Keep your mouth to yourself, Leo. " There's the sound of Paige's snappy voice before the sound of footsteps draws nearer.

I move from my spot to the edge of the counter and Emerson appears in the kitchen with Paige beside him.

"You were cooking with her?" She says the words in disgust at the sight of me and Emerson gives no response as he strolls toward me.

"Is it done?" He asks and I hum.

"I'm heading out with my friends. " He informs me as he passes me the spatula and I move it to the side.

"I couldn't care less, Ford. " I tell him and his lips curves. "I know, Carson. Keep mine? I'll deal with it when I get back. "

"I can eat this on my own. " I say and he frowns. "We made it together, Carson. It's only fair you let me have something, at least. "

"Fine. " I give in and he smiles before he turns away, leaving me with a scowling Paige. I cock my brows at her and wait for her to say something, but she merely gives me another look of disgust before turning away.

There are minutes of whispers and chatters before they all move out of the house, and I stare down at the pancakes before me.

"N*****x it is, then. "

~

I swipe my hand across my face to wipe my tears at the overly emotional movie I honestly should have stayed away from as I exit N*****x, and the time glares at me from across the screen.

It's almost ten and more than six hours since Emerson has been gone– something I noticed against my better judgement.

I move my laptop to the side and grab my phone to reply to Aliya's text.

ME: Sage was here earlier.

I click on the send button and Aliya's response comes instantly.

ALIYA: For what? Did she speak about me?

ME: She was here with Paige and the rest of her friends. Why would she speak about you?

ALIYA: Nothing, I just thought she might.

ME: Did something happen between the two of you?

My wait for Aliya's text is cut short at the creak of my door and I lift my face from the screen– Emerson Ford.

"What are you doing?" I question as Emerson shut the door behind him and saunters toward me.

"Sleeping. " He mumbles as he climbs on the bed from the other side, and I stare at him dumbly. "Your room is next door, Ford. Are you drunk?" How did I not notice him come in?

"No, " his response comes muffled as he struggles to get under the sheets. "My room is too hot so I need to sleep here tonight. "

"There's the living room. " I tell him and Emerson shakes his head. "Too cold. "

"And how am I to give a fuck about that? It's your problem so you should solve it on your—" the rest of my words comes out as a yelp when Emerson wraps a hand around me and pulls me closer to his side, the phone falling from my grip in the process.

"Be quiet, Carson, " he whispers as he ducks his head to meet my eyes. His chest falls in a sigh as he softens his gaze, "I need it, please. "

Realising the meaning behind those words, I nod and gently slide closer to his side. "Did something happen out there?"

Emersons gives one nod as he shuts his eyes, and I question further. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Nuh-uh. " He responds and there's silence before he speaks again. "I just want to close my eyes, and sleep. With you. " He opens his eyes after the last words and the air between us shifts yet again.

I have no response to his words, nor am I able to form one so I look away from him, but that doesn't last long before Emerson lifts his hand to my face, twisting my head to his gaze and cupping my cheek with his hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" My question hangs in the air of the night as I try to take a glimpse of Emerson's hand from the corner of my eyes.

His lips stretch in a tiny smile as he strokes my face with his thumb– the touch just barely but I feel every swipe of it. Slow and soft. It feels good, and I find myself resting more of my face in his hand.

"Carson, " Emerson calls and I hum in response. "Sleep with me?" He requests and I stare down at our bodies.

"We're sleeping right now. " I tell him, staring into his brown orbs and trying to uncover the truth behind them; I end up with nothing. Reading Emerson Ford when he closes off is probably one of the most– if not the most– difficult job to do in the entire world. If he isn't willing to pull down his walls, then there's no way for you to climb through.

"Not this—" Emerson starts, distracting me from my thoughts and my brows raises to my hairline at the double meaning of his words.

Emerson chuckles and shakes his head, as if catching up on my thoughts. "Not that either, Carson. You should have your mind cleansed. "

"You aren't any better than me. " I throw back and he gives another stroke to my cheek– lighter than the previous.

"Move closer. Wrap your arms around me and let me do the same to you. Give me some of your warmth, Carson. " He explains and I swallow down my throat. He needs it– I was able to tell the moment Emerson Ford climbed into my bed with his soft gaze and the lowered voice.

"That's too much intimacy. " I tell Emerson and he nods. "I know. "

"There shouldn't be too much intimacy between us. "

"I know that too. "

"I hate intimacy with you. "

"I'm aware of that. "

"Don't go soft on me after this, Ford, because I won't. I'll go right back to kicking you in the face after this. " I raise a warning gaze to him and Emerson lets out a tiny chuckle. "I hate you too much to do that. "

After his words, I pull the palm resting on my face away and climb off the bed.

"What are you doing?" Emerson asks, but I give no response as I hook my fingers around the waistband of my shorts and drag it down to my ankles before moving out of it. I pull my cropped tank over my head and toss it alongside the shorts, then take my hands behind me and unhook the clip of my bra, leaving me bare to his gaze with the exception of my panties.

"I sleep better this way. " I tell him when Emerson's eyes roam across my body and his infamous smirk climbs on his face when he meets my eyes. "This means I have your tits for the—"

"Fuck you. " I scowl at him. "I use a shirt. " I turn away from him to grab my thin shirt. I clad my chest in it before turning back to Emerson.