Page 101 of Devilry

“I'm sorry,” I say again. “I got carried away. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

The sound of a door slamming brings us both back to reality, my body jolting away from his, officially ending my attempt at an apology.

“So, how's your night?” I ask, trying to appear as casual and friendly as possible.

Elijah chuckles at the change, but continues the conversation. “They really went all out for me.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Nobody’s ever done that before.” Soft and vulnerable, I watch Elijah struggle to process his feelings. The understanding that for him, life will never be the way it was. From here, it can only get better.

“If I could, I would wrap you up in my arms right now and hug you so tight,” I tell him. “Just so you know how important you are. To Aiden. To Callie… To me.” I guess he isn't the only one feeling a little bit raw tonight. “This won't be the last time people will want to do things for your birthday. I can promise you as the years go on there will be more than the three of us on that list.”

Giving in to temptation, I close the distance between us, possessively resting my large hand against the column of his neck. I let the insinuation hang between us. Let it thicken the air, and the weight of it settle on our shoulders.

I won’t correct myself or clarify it. I won’t hide under the guise of unknown feelings and guessing games. I’ve already passed the point where I can justify any of my actions.

Feeling a little bit bold and whole lot reckless, I want Elijah to know that if I can somehow erase our expiration date, I will.

That’s where I’m at right now. Feeling it hard. Feeling it deep.

“I really am sorry about tonight.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “When it comes to you, I feel like I’m going a little bit crazy.”

“In different circumstances, I would have no problem with crazy.”

“I’ll make it up to you,” I say.

His eyes shimmer with excitement. “You will?”

“Well, not in a place where the restrooms are my backdrop.”

Hands dangerously grip my hips. “I’m still coming over this weekend, and now you can give me two presents instead of one.”

“Don't be so smug, sweet boy. You know how much trouble it can get you in.”

He clicks his tongue. “Only the good kind.”

My gaze flickers between his eyes and lips, reading the want, understanding the hunger.

This is why public places are so dangerous, because he’s so close, and everything about him is so tempting.

Slowly, I turn my head to the right.

Clear.

Then to the left.

Clear.

Before either of us changes our mind, my mouth is on his like a full force collision. Tightening my grip around his neck, I squeeze as I grind my hips into his. I stake my claim like the crazed animal I am in the only way this forbidden situation allows.

In hidden corners, and dark corridors, I kiss him hard. I kiss him long. I kiss him until I can’t kiss him anymore.

“Eli?” Three letters. Short. Sharp. Accusing.

Elijah’s head turns first, and I deliberately punish myself by watching his face morph from elation, to all consuming dejection.

This is all my fault. He fucking warned me.

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