Page 10

“Thanks for letting me drive your car,” I say, trying to fill the silence. “Even though you tricked me into taking the long way.”

“You’re welcome.” His tone is so smug I want to escape.

Instead, I settle deeper into the couch, trying not to notice how the space between us keeps shrinking. His thigh brushes mine, and I pretend not to notice.

“So,” he says, his voice dropping, “what’s your deal with dogs?”

“What?” I glance at him, caught off guard.

“In the elevator. You practically jumped into my arms.”

“I did not,” I lie, my cheeks heating.

He chuckles, low and rough. “You did. Don’t worry, I didn’t mind.”

I glare at him, but it lacks heat. “I had a bad experience when I was a kid. That’s all.”

His teasing fades, replaced by something softer. “What happened?”

I shrug, not wanting to get into it. “Got bit. Or almost bit. I don’t know. It scared me.”

His hand lands on mine, warm and solid. “I’ll protect you. Even from scary dogs.” His grin is back, and it’s doing things to my insides I don’t want to name.

The buzzer interrupts whatever weird moment we’re having, and Eli pushes to his feet. “Let me get that.”

I exhale, grateful for the distraction, but as he heads to the door, I can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. Ridiculous or not, Eli Grayson is impossible to ignore.

I hear him murmur and then I hear the low voice of someone else.

Eli walks back into the living room, his phone still in his hand. “You have your ID on you?”

I glance at my bag. “Yeah, why?”

He motions for me to follow him. “Come here. Need you to sign for something.”

I hesitate, curiosity prickling at me, but I get up anyway. “What am I signing for?”

He doesn’t answer, just smirks that stupid, cocky smirk and leads me to a sleek black screen on the wall near the door.

“Right there,” he says, pointing at the screen.

I stare at it, then at him. “What is this?”

“You’ll see,” he says, and his tone’s all casual, like this is no big deal.

The screen flashes to life, and a message pops up.

Add New Resident: Enter Biometric Data and Full Name.

I blink. “What?”

He leans against the wall, arms crossed. “Adding you to the access list.”

I shake my head, stepping back. “No, you’re not.”

His smirk deepens. “I am. What if I punch another wall and you need to get in?”

I gape at him. “That’s your reason?”

He shrugs. “It’s a good one.”

“That’s so stupid. I’m not doing it.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Eli… No, I’m not.”

“It’s for emergencies, princess. If you haven’t noticed, I’m here all alone.”

“You mean you don’t have family or parents or siblings or roommates?” I ask, looking around.

He shakes his head, and my stomach plummets. “I need someone I trust.”

“You trust me?” I scoff. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough, California girl.”

I chuckle. “I’m not from California, New York.”

His eyes glimmer as he watches me. “I won’t beg, princess.”

I glare at him and then glance at the screen. “Fine. It’s not like I’ll ever be here or need to use it anyway.”

I roll my eyes but step up to the screen. The scanner blinks red, waiting for me. “This is ridiculous,” I mutter, placing my thumb on the scanner.

“Full name,” he prompts.

I sigh and type it in. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The screen flashes green, and Eli straightens, locking the door behind us.

I open my mouth to argue, to tell him this is way too much, but before I get a single word out, his hand shoots out, grabbing the back of my neck.

His mouth crashes into mine, and everything stops. My thoughts, my protests, even my breathing.

His lips are firm, demanding, and I’m clutching his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me upright.

“Eli—” I manage to gasp, but he silences me with another kiss, deeper this time.

His hands move, one sliding to my waist, the other tugging at the neck of my hoodie. I feel the scrape of his teeth against my collarbone, and my knees buckle.

I’m drowning in him. His scent fills my head. The heat of his body presses against mine, unrelenting.

“Eli,” I whisper, but it comes out shaky, unconvincing.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his gray eyes burning. “What, baby?”

Baby. That word. The way he says it, low and rough, sends a jolt straight through me.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. “I can’t do this.”

“Why not?” His voice is soft but firm, like he’s daring me to argue.

“Because,” I stammer, “I just got out of a relationship. And you have girl trouble, making you punch library walls, and you’re screwing your real estate agent?”

His mouth quirks up. “Her name’s Janet.”

I glare at him. “Whatever. It’s still—”

“She was a hook-up,” he cuts me off, his tone dismissive.

That stings more than it should. I push against his chest, but he doesn’t budge.

“I don’t do hook-ups,” I snap.

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “You’re a virgin, you told me.”

I cross my arms. “Exactly.”

He smirks. “Pretty sure everyone’s a virgin before sex.”

“That’s not a funny joke.”

“Never said it was.” His voice drops, going serious. “But you can’t stand there and tell me you’re not interested.”

I scoff, stepping back. “This is all wrong. I’m not your type, Eli.”

He steps forward, closing the gap between us. “Keep telling yourself that, but I know for a fact that if I slipped my hand between your legs right now, princess , I would find you fucking dripping for me.”

My breath hitches. His gaze is heavy, intense, like he’s stripping me bare with his eyes.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the heat spreading through me. “Just give me my book. I’m leaving.”

For a second, he doesn’t move, just stares at me like he’s trying to figure me out. Then he nods, walking to the couch to grab my book.

He hands it to me, but before I can turn away, he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “You can come back anytime, Sienna.”

I don’t respond, don’t trust myself to speak. I clutch the book to my chest and head for the elevator.

As the doors close, I lean against the wall, my heart racing.

I’ve never wanted someone like this before. Never.

And the worst part?

A tiny, treacherous part of me wishes I would stay and let him ruin me.