Page 81 of Playing with Fire

You must understand those words were never spoken by me. I smile and shake my head.

Her expression reveals everything, yet I remain amused and head back to the shade.

The intensity of my hangover increased with every passing hour today. The combination of headaches and stomach pains forced me to leave the beach before everyone else.

A shower might help, it always helps. The shower gave me relief to its Maximum extent, yet I still experienced tiredness and cold when I came downstairs.

As the others returned to the house an hour later and began showering, I remained seated in the kitchen. Kylie informed me that everyone chose not to leave because they understood that I was feeling sick.

She decided to ignore my words and left the room without a response. I stayed behind in the kitchen by myself while the pounding in my head continued unabated. I rested my body on the countertop and closed my eyes while my brain pounded the sides of my temples.

My breathing remained steady while I started to fall asleep.

A warm hand lifted my chin as my head dropped down. Hey sleepyhead, why don't you get down for a nap?

The sound of his soft voice reaches me from above as I open my eyes. As my head draws back from his touch I mutter "I should" through a yawn.

"Are you okay?" he asks. He added "From last night" while his gaze displayed excessive concern for me.

"I am." I nodded. "And uhm, tHazelk you. For carrying me back."

"Don't worry about it."

When I raised my eyes to him his softened gaze met mine. My stomach starts fluttering again without any pain but as if butterflies from a whole sanctuary lived inside.

I reminded him about the promise he made to get me. "Why?"

He falls quiet as he seems to internally question his thoughts and feelings.

"Why not?" he counters. I find myself wondering aloud whether it sounds believable that I would fulfill my promise as he takes a calculated step and positions himself between my legs.

I clear my throat, growing embarrassingly nervous. "I mean, yeah. The constant arguments between us made me think-

Bickering constantly doesn't bother me at all. His hands grip my face while he fights me and I experience emotions I shouldn't feel. The only person I argue with is you. He shares his thoughts while pushing a loose piece of hair behind my ear.

The heat rising in my face was immediately familiar to me. I moved closer to him and pressed my head against his stomach while keeping my face hidden from his view. I felt a shiver when his hand encircled my neck and drew me nearer.

I wrapped my arms around his torso without thinking.

My surprise turned into disappointment when he tensed up because it made me feel as if I had ruined our moment together. This moment stands out so clearly that a blind person could detect it.

I don't know what happened to us. Usually, I can't stand him. He stands as the last person I ever want to encounter. I always wish to avoid his voice as much as possible. I hold the position of Jaxon Rowan Hate Club president, but I find myself gradually losing grip of that role.

Stop it, Emerson. You know this can't happen. It shouldn't, and it won't happen.

The intensity of these emotions signifies that I'm losing the wager. I never accept defeat and not from him. I need to improve my performance without question.

But right now, I can’t care less. Currently I have no energy or interest because I'm exhausted and hungry and there's no time to accomplish anything.

I will stay in this position and hold him until he stops rubbing my back because I'm not planning to move.

Not even an inch.

"Em?" He softly speaks my name while his hands remain motionless. I let go of him and bring my arms back to my sides.

I respond with a hum while I force myself back to reality and adjust to the kitchen's bright lights. I experienced a sensation of awakening from sleep.

"Just don't do something that stupid again. You're smarter than that." His touch disappears completely when he tells me about my mistake before stepping away. The brightness makes it difficult to gaze upward, yet I force myself to do so.

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