Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 46

EVA.

Emerson is staring at me, with his arms still around me with no words coming from him, as if he didn't hear the words I just let out.

"Are you not going to say anything?" I speak in annoyance and he surprisingly shakes his head, bringing his face closer to say, "Repeat those words. " His voice is soft, and his gaze drifts to my lower face.

"No. Let go of me. " I tell him, instead of complying with his demand, suddenly aware of how he's everywhere around me.

"Repeat the words, Carson. I want to hear them again. " He insists and I raise a brow, "Why?"

"Because I'm not sure I heard them right. " He confesses and I let out a laugh, "Smartly played, Ford but I'm not dumb. You wouldn't be asking me to repeat them if you didn't hear them right. "

"Carson—" he drawls with his lips turned in a frown. "Just repeat the damn words. "

"Just accept you heard them, or let's pretend I never said that. " I counter and several heartbeats pass before he heaves a sigh and shakes his head, "You just have to be fúcking difficult always. "

"Isn't that why you're obsessed? You love the game. " I call him out, looking down to the hands that are pressed to his chest and lowering down to his stomach before raising my head to meet his gaze, and brown eyes stare deep into mine, threatening to unravel every shield that encompasses my soul as he says, "That's right. I love the game. " I feel his hand move from my middle to my ass, giving the flesh a hard squeeze and I suck in a harsh breath at the sensation that spurts through me from that contact.

"Should I stay over tonight?" He proposes, looking down to my chest with a lick of his lips before he meets my eyes, and continues, "We could make good use of it. " The request is tempting. Both tempting and relaxing, but it's also risky which is why I say, "No. "

"Why not?" He arches his brows and I throw him a dumb look before I say, "Because you could get caught? And I wouldn't even try to defend you when that time comes. I'll say you came in through my window. "

"That's harsh, Carson. " His lips tug up in a small smile and a smirk climbs on my face as I lean forward to brush my lips against his before I draw back to say, "Harsh is the new fun. "

The smile on his face doesn't fade as he lifts one of his hands from my back to my face, and pushes back a strand of hair that escaped from the rest behind my ear before he lets his hand rests on the side of my face and I hum, relaxing into the warmth that comes with his touch.

"I'm used to having you beside me, Carson. " He whispers, and I want to tell him the same goes for me, but instead I take a breath and say, "I won't always be beside you, Ford. "

Emerson's face falls for a millisecond, and I'm not quick enough to catch onto the emotion that masks his face before he puts on a neutral look. "Why do you say that?"

"Because it's the truth? Time changes things, Emerson and soon, all of these will—" I don't get to finish my word before Emerson shifts his hand from the side of my face to press a finger to my lips, interrupting me.

"More. " He reminds me of our previous agreement, and I give a small nod. "More. "

"No thoughts of the future. Think about now. " He says again, letting his hand fall to my chin. "Think about what we're doing right now, Carson. Not what we'll do after. "

"You still have to leave. " I tell him and when he purses his lips, I proceed to say, "You can't; we can't. We'll get caught. "

"A few more minutes? Then I'll leave. " He promises, and I nod, letting my hands fall to his sides as he slides his hand to the back of my neck and presses my head to his chest while the other slips underneath my shirt to knead my ass through my panties.

Comforting silence surrounds us and I press my body into his before Emerson breaks the peaceful atmosphere when he asks, "Where do you want to go?"

I move my head from the side and press my chin to his chest to lift my gaze to meet his. "What do you mean?"

"Where's your favourite place to go right now?" He explains, and as I open my mouth to speak; Emerson beats me to it and says, "Not a bookstore, Carson. I want something else that intrigues you other than books. "

I take a second to think about his words before I say, "Flowers. "

"Flowers?" Emerson repeats with furrowed brows and I hum, "I love flowers. Something is attractive about it that brings me happiness when I'm surrounded by it. " I let out.

"So gardens?" He says and I give a bob of my head. "It's been so long since I visited one. "

"Meet me at our spot tomorrow. " Emerson speaks, bringing my attention back to him and I say, "Why? Where are you taking me this time?"

He throws me a small smile as he shifts underneath me so I fall to the side with him laying on his. "To be surrounded by flowers. I told you; I want more of you, Carson. "

My heart flutters at his words, and I can't hold back the grin that spreads to my face. This side of Emerson Ford is adorable, and enticing and I'm afraid it'll do a lot more damage than good with the way he pulls at the strings of my heart with words I never knew could come from him.

Clearing my throat, I speak to break the tension that arises between us. "Are you sure you'll make it? Flowers are pure, and I don't think they would want them to be tainted by someone like—" I jerk my head towards him as a reference to the last of my words, which earns me a glare from him and causes me to laugh.

"Wake early, and dress cute. " He says, dismissing my trial to taunt him and I hiss, "Stop giving me dress references to meet up with you, Ford. I know how to dress. "

"Everyone else doesn't think so; there's a difference. " He says with a mocking smile and I lift my hand to show him my middle finger, earning a laugh from him before he brings me to his chest again.

"You said a few minutes earlier. " I remind him of his previous promise and Emerson hums above my head, "I did, but I changed my mind. I'll leave after you sleep. "

When I attempt to push my head back to speak, Emerson presses harder. "The earlier you close your eyes; the easier it'll be. "

With a sigh, I close my eyes and wrap my hands around him as I drift into tiredness.

~

My eyelids flutter and I open my eyes to meet my white ceiling as a yawn escapes from my mouth. Turning to my side, Emerson is out of my room true to his words and I avert my gaze to my window which is closed– by him no doubt.

My lips stretch into a small smile and I sit up on the bed to smooth my sore muscles before I grab my phone from the side to see it's almost nine.

Looking past the time across the screen, there's a new text from Aliya.

ALIYA: First morning back at home and I already regret it here. The only thing holding me back right now is seeing that woman again. Good morning, bitch. Want to go out today? I'm afraid I'll be forced to my death if I stay here any longer, and I have something to tell you.

I lift my brows at the last words before I begin to type out a reply.

ME: Why am I not surprised? You're being adorable this morning with your greeting, and no, I don't think I can make it; I have plans. Can we switch it to tomorrow or I'll come later tonight?

Did I just reject a hangout with my best friend because I have a plan with Emerson Ford? Yes. Am I questioning myself about it? Also yes. Will I allow myself to dwell too much on the thought and accidentally do something I would regret? Absolutely not.