I squeeze my grainy eyes shut before opening them to find Eli standing in the doorway. I squint at him. “Did you just call meKitty Kat?”
Eli wiggles his eyebrows, hops onto the bed, and plants his cowboy hat on my head. For a moment I just breathe, taking him in. He seems younger somehow. It’s weird. Nice, but weird.
I sit up, my eyes widening at the grin on his face. “Who are you and what have you done with Eli?” I reach out and poke his cheek. “You’re smiling. You’re like a happy little puppy.”
“Kinky. Does it turn you on?” He smirks, a trace of the old Eli coming back. “Or do you need this?” He grips my ankle, yanking me down onto my back and wedging his knee between my thighs.
I gasp as he pins me to the bed by my hair and brings his teeth to my neck. My core throbs against his jeans covered leg as he grazes the sensitive skin on my throat before soothing it with his tongue. I took off my pants to sleep last night and Eli’s jeans are rough against the thin material of my panties.
He trails his hand up under the hoodie and pinches my nipple till I’m squirming, then he smirks down at me.
His dirty blond hair has grown longer while I’ve been gone, and it falls around his face, cloaking his gaze. “Don’t worry, Kitten, I can still be dark for you.”
I bite my lip. I’m way too aware that we shouldn’t be doing this, that I am far too angry with all of them. But I’m tired and I’m lonely and for just one moment I want to forget that I ran, to forget how complicated everything is. I want to justbewith him.
“Eli,” I breathe, reaching above me for his hat. I place the Stetson back on his head and curl my hand around his neck, drawing him down so I can kiss him.
He pauses for a second, his breath skating across my lips as his eyes trace my face. “God, I’ve missed you.” His mouth slams against mine and I arch into his touch, needing more. Needinghim.
I spear my fingers through the hair at the base of his skull, knocking his hat off and holding him close as our lips battle against each other. I feel like I haven’t been touched in years and my body is starving.
Eli kneads my breast, harsh fingers pinching and tugging my nipple to the edge of pain.
I moan into his mouth, a breathy, desperate sound. My hips roll as I rub myself against his leg, chasing the friction I need.
Eli breaks off the kiss and drops his lips to my ear. “Such a greedy little kitten. Look at you, grinding that sweet cunt against my thigh like a cat in heat.”
Warmth blooms in my cheeks but I’m too turned on to be that embarrassed.
Eli lifts up, his eyes dropping to my panty covered core.
I slow my movements, but he pinches my hip. “Keep going, I want to watch you soak those pretty little panties.”
Before I can do as I’m told though, a knock sounds against the door and Jude pushes it open. He pauses, his mouth parted as he takes us in. He’s still got his durag over his curls and his gray slacks sit low on his hips.
I want to touch him. I want to kiss him till I take away all the pain I caused. I want him to say, ‘fuck it’ and come join us.
His eyes settle on my core and hope flutters in my chest but then he averts his gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows hard. “Breakfast is ready,” he says before leaving.
The heavy door shuts behind him and I slump back onto the bed, staring at the blank ceiling.
Eli sighs and eases away from me. He holds out a hand. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
I stay lying on the bed. “I should change.” Other than taking off my pants to sleep, I’m still wearing yesterday’s clothes.
Eli tilts his head and purses his lips but eventually he nods. “Your clothes are in the closet. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
“Gee, thanks,” I deadpan. I can’t believe I actually forgot for a moment that I no longer have the freedom to come and go.
Eli picks his hat back up and flips it onto his head. “If you want to be bratty, I’m happy to stay and play.”
Heat burns my cheeks. “I’m locked in my room Eli, I’m not being bratty, I’m fucking angry.”
The humor drains from his face as he curses. “Yeah, okay, fair enough.” His eyes trace over me for a long moment, his lips twisting. Then he tilts his head back and huffs. “I’ll see you downstairs.” He leaves the room without looking back.
I draw my knees in close and rest my forehead against them. I feel bad for snapping at Eli when I’m ninety percent sure this was all River’s idea. Still, the others could have fought against it but they didn’t, because none of them trust me anymore.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow and I move like a zombie as I climb out of bed and check the door to see if Eli kept his word.
