Page 23 of Eat Me

“I wouldn’t mind if that is what you want. I will enjoy helping.” He tells me teasingly before he moves back, but not before reaching out to brush his hand along my cheek which I’m sure was bright red.

"Just... give me some privacy," I mutter, eyes narrowing as I saw the look of amusement on his face. He’s enjoying this.

Elijah smirks at me. "You have ten minutes. If you're not done by then, I'm coming in." With that, he stepped out and closed the door with a sharp snap.

Chapter Nineteen

Victoria

I’m trying to make quick work of my shower and I’m having to keep my hand on the wall half the time because of still being a bit dizzy. I would have liked to stay in the warm water longer so reluctantly I turn off the water. Not feeling comfortable knowing Elijah is close and is able to walk in at any time, speeds up my movements. No, thanks. I don’t want to chance that.

Grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my body, I quickly make sure it’s secure around me before grabbing another one for my hair. I’ll have to be careful as I dry it. My body’s acting weird. Still feeling flushed. I take a deep breath, trying to shake it off, not knowing why I felt like this.

“It’s fine… you’refine,” I mutter to myself as I look at the half steamed up mirror. I wince lightly as I slowly dry around the wound. I know you usually don’t wash stitches, but the blood needed to go. It’s fine. I needed the blood out of my hair and that was the only way to do it.

The sight of my dirty clothes causes me to sigh. I have to put them back on because I know I’m safer with them on. I don't want to be caught undressed right now.

“You done?” My head snaps to the door, causing pain to travel through my head and making my eyes widen as I hear the door handle move. The door swings open soon after. I manage to hold my towel tight around me, allowing the one in my hand to fall onto the sink counter.

“So, you are done. I thought I heard the water go off.” Elijah spoke, his eyes raking over my body before they catch my eyes. His green eyes seem to go dark with hunger, the hairs on my body are standing on end.

I clutch the towel tighter around myself, feeling extremely vulnerable under Elijah's intense gaze. "I-I was just about to get dressed," I stammer, hating how unsteady my voice sounds.

Elijah's eyes rake over me once again, and he seems to linger on my bare shoulders and legs. "No need to rush on my account," he says, with a predatory smile curving his lips.

Feeling trapped forces me to swallow hard. The small bathroom suddenly feels stifling. "Could you please leave so I can put my clothes on?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and firm.

"Hmm," Elijah muses, stepping further into the room. "I don't think I will. You see, I’m quite enjoying the view."

I back up until I hit the counter, my heart pounding. "This isn't funny. Get out." He ignores my words, moving closer until he’s only inches away. I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My skin’s tingling, a mix of fear and something else that I don't want to examine too closely. Pressing myself back against the sink, as I’m desperately wishing I had somewhere to retreat.

"You're still flushed," Elijah murmurs, reaching out to brush his fingers along my cheek.

Jerking away from his touch, my skin’s burning where his fingers grazed my cheek. "Don't touch me," I hiss.

Elijah's eyes flash dangerously. "Careful, darling. You're in no position to be making demands." He was right, and we both knew it. I’m trapped, vulnerable, and completely at his mercy, there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. Fear and anger are warring inside me.

"Don’t."I repeat, hating how shaky my voice sounds. I’m trying to be firm, but this situation still feels off – my body’s hot and my head is fuzzy.

Watching his hand move toward my face, I flinch away from Elijah's touch, my skin’s now burning from his fingers. "Don't," I said again, my voice is barely above a whisper.

Elijah's eyes darken more as he steps even closer, caging me against the counter with his arms on either side of me. "Don't what?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't touch you? Don't look at you? Don't want you?"

Looking into Elijah’s hooded eyes, I know mine are wide with a range of emotion. I hate feeling or even looking weak on an ordinary, normal day. Looking weak at this moment is downright devastating.

Elijah smiles with an expression of pure hunger. A hunger for me that I don’t understand. “You are one of the first ones to interest all of us. We thought we would find someone decent, not necessarily someone who can keep us on our toes and second guessing.”

I’m forced to shake my head, trying to clear the fog that seems to be settling over my mind. My body feels feverish, every nerve ending is hypersensitive. “Because I have a brain? I fight to try to escape?” I didn’t know how I was interesting to them… to him. I’m a normal person; sure, I have some quirks, but nothing too special.

“You are much more than you think. You’ll fit in with us once you prove to the family and us that you can fully handle everything. We have a lot of secrets that you aren’t aware of yet.” He’s speaking so softly as he melds his body against my own. He brings his hand up to cup my face. His thumb’s stroking along my cheekbone.

“You,my darling, are going to bloom into something magnificent at the end of this.” Pure pride radiates through his voice, making me want to cringe. I don’t like the sound of that. His hand’s resting on my cheek and feels like lava.

“No…”I mutter out, eyes snapping to his trying to convey something to him. My body seems to be going sluggish. Did he give me something? My mind flashes to when he was treating my wounds… did he give me something then? Why?

Elijah's eyes take on a predatory gleam that makes my stomach flip. "Oh darling," he purrs, "I've only just begun." Before I can react, he closes the distance between us. One hand gripping my hip while the other tangles in my damp hair, tilting my head back. His lips crash against mine in a bruising kiss.

I pull away from him, trying to catch my breath as I feel strong arms bring me even closer to him. Sucking in a breath, “What did you give me?” Was this really going to happen?

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