Page 111 of Hate You Up Close

We barely got any sleep last night. I think I may have gotten one solid hour of sleep. But it was beyond worth it.

I’m not sure when Elliot found the time to buy condoms yesterday, but thank God he did. I don’t think anything could have stopped us last night.

After Elliot carried me into the shower, he made it abundantly clear that he wasn't done with me. He fucked me against the shower wall before he washed and dried me with so much care that you would have thought I was a vintage car. We barely made it out of the bathroom before he lifted me onto the dresser and fucked me for a third time.

The shower was absolutely pointless because once we made it back to bed, we kissed until our damp bodies were rutting together. Elliot slipped inside of me and made me come for the fourth time in one night. After that, we were tooexhausted to shower again. I fell asleep in Elliot’s arms, using his warm chest as my pillow. We slept peacefully in sweat and cum-stained sheets, but neither of us cared. For one night, we had each other and that’s all that mattered.

I rub my cheek against Elliot’s chest, skimming my fingers up and down his toned stomach.

I don’t want this to end. I never want this to end. Nothing has ever felt this good…this right.

I close my eyes, replaying every second from last night, trying to burn it into my memory forever. My stomach tightens as I recall the way Elliot felt inside of me, his length stroking me slow and gentle before switching to hard and frantic. I think of how he kissed me as he came, groaning into my mouth and inhaling my breath because the air in his lungs simply wasn't enough.

I shudder as I remember him kissing every inch of my body, memorizing each dip and curve. Goosebumps pebble along my skin as I remember his touch, his rough fingertips tracing the lines of my back, arms, breasts…anywhere he could touch.

He treated me like I was the love of his life, not just a one-night stand.

I feel grateful because I know that most women don’t get this kind of experience with Elliot. He’s said it himself, he’s a fuck-once-and-done kind of guy. But for some reason, he’s different with me. He trusts me in a way that he doesn't trust most people. My heart clenches at the thought.

He’s the beautiful, broken, golden boy with chains guarding his heart. And somehow, he has let me break a few of those chains.

After last night, I can’t deny it anymore. I want to be his person.God, I wish he would let me be his person.

I don’t care about his secrets or what he did in the past—I just want him. Which is why I’m not going to pry or push him…not yet at least. Not until I know that I have him. I just have to stick to my original plan and go at his pace. Let him know that I’m not going anywhere.

He can try his hardest to make me hate him. He can try to push me away with all his strength, but I promise you this; I will be thelastperson he tries to push away. Because I’m determined to make him realize that he’s worth it. He deserves things like happiness, family, friends, and love. He, of all people, deserves a second chance at life. I just need to help him see that.

Elliot’s the type of person who likes a chase. A challenge. He wants what he can’t have, so I need to play it cool and act like my heart isn't lunging for him each time he walks into a room. I can’t let him know how much he affects me. Not yet.

But we do need to have a conversation about this weekend. Whether he wants to admit it, a lot has changed between us.

“We better start getting ready,” Elliot croaks, squeezing me tightly against him and pressing a sweet kiss to my forehead.

His morning voice is better than the strongest coffee. It’s better than waking up to being snowed in on a school day. I want to ask him to recite the alphabet, and then recite it backwards when he’s done. It’s gravelly and gruff and warm like a simmering fire.

“We have to catch our flight,” he adds, stroking my hair.

I love his soft touches.

“Mmmm,” I let out a grumpy groan against his chest.

I just want to stay in bed with you all day.

“I know,” he breathes. “I don’t want to leave either,” he mutters, threading his fingers through my hair.

But we have to. Elliot has meetings scheduled all day tomorrow starting first thing in the morning.

“I’m gonna hop in the shower,” he sighs, bracing his arms behindhim on the mattress before pushing up into a sitting position. “Feel free to join me if you want,” he smirks.

I’m thrown off by Elliot’s playfulness. I fully expected him to wake up this morning and act cold and standoffish. He made it clear yesterday that he was allowing himself to have me for one night only. But now…he’s not really acting any different with me. He’s still flirting and being sweet, which is so unlike Elliot.

I’m just confused.

“Wait,” I rush out, placing a palm against his chest. He stares down at me through furrowed brows and sits back against the headboard.

I maneuver into a sitting position and face him, covering my naked breasts with the sheet.

“What is it?” he asks. His hazel eyes flicker between mine.