Page 24 of near

Smiling, I turn to face him. “Absolutely.” Absolutely wrecked in the best possible way.

A satisfied, wicked smile curves across his lips before he kisses me deeply again.

When my breathing steadies, Elijah pulls back. “Let me get you something to drink.”

After putting on some sweatpants, he walks out, leaving me alone in his room.

The walls are painted white and lined with some abstract art pieces in acrylic, and the furniture is sleek, made of black wood with metallic accents here and there. It gives off a luxurious feeling with the minimalistic dark decor.

I roll onto the side and scooch closer to the nightstand. It’s made of the same black wood as the rest, with a lamp and a clock on top. It’s 3 am. 3 am!

Would it be normal to stay over? No, right? I mean, what should I expect? Pancakes in bed? I can’t believe I have lost track of time so easily.

I get off the bed and start gathering my clothes, slipping them back on. Except for my slip, which is missing.

My eyes dart around the floor. Where did it go? Ah, got it. I grab the slip and hold it up like a trophy, only to see Elijah standing in the doorframe with two glasses of water in his hands.

His eyes are narrowed, and his lips are set in a tight line. “What are you doing?”

“Heading… home.” I lower my head while dropping my hand, holding the slip. This is so embarrassing.

“You should stay the night.”

“I should get back.”

He remains silent and sets the glasses down on the dresser. I tense up as he advances towards me, stopping mere inches from me.

His index finger nudges my chin up to meet his eyes. “You’re not leaving. So either you can get out of this dress yourself, or…” He looks me up and down. “I will do it for you.”

“I’ll stay.” I avert my gaze, sweep past him to the dresser, and take a sip of water, feeling it refresh my throat. “Thanks for the water.”

“Didn’t you forget something?”

Chapter 8

As I glance in his direction, he directs his finger towards my dress.

“Ah.” I turn back to the water. He really meant it.

His soft footsteps sound behind me. Is he going through with the threat?

Elijah’s body brushes against my back as he reaches over my shoulder to grab the other glass before… stepping back.

Mesmerized, I follow his movements and watch him take a sip. His eyes never leave mine, dark and intense over the rim of the crystal tumbler. A bead of condensation trickles down the side, and he catches it with his tongue, his pink tip darting out to lick a slow, deliberate path along the curve of the glass.

How can he make everything so sexy?

Elijah sets his glass back down with a soft clink. Then, his fingers travel along the nape of my neck.

“You want to shower together?”

“No. No. You go first.”

He lets out a laugh and retreats towards a door on the other side, which gives me the perfect view of his back.

Tall and muscular, with thick arms and wide shoulders that fill the doorway to the bathroom. Right before he disappears, he sneaks a glance at me over his shoulder and winks.

I need to stop ogling him. He’s hot, and he knows it damn well.

---