Hatred With Benefits

F I F T Y - E I G H T

EVA.

I slam the door shut as I pace to my bed, slipping out of my slippers before I climb on it and slide under

the duvet.

I pull it up to my chest and turn to lie with my back against the bed as I stare up at the ceiling and

Emerson's words flow through my mind.

I shake the voice off my mind and try not to think of the commotion that the topic has caused between

the two of us as I stare at my door; half expecting Emerson Ford to walk through it, and half wanting

him to not.

I know I won't sleep well without Emerson's arms around me and his body pressed to mine, but I force

my eyes closed as I turn on my side, knowing confronting Emerson again is the last thing that I want to

do, because things will be said and more damages will only be done.

One angry word will lead to two and two will lead to several. Several words will lead to unthoughtful

decisions in a fit of rage, and then I'll come back to regret it when I'm calm and out of the fury. I would

rather not have that with him.

~

A moan falls from my mouth as I open my eyes to the sight of the white ceiling. Turning to my side, the

space beside me is empty and I sit up on the bed, looking across the room and about to question

where Emerson is out of bed so early when the remembrance of the occurrence from the previous

night washes over me and I hold my tongue.

I spread my hands across the mattress in search of my phone, and when there are no new notifications

on the screen; I move out of bed and make my way to the bathroom.

Emerson is standing in front of the sink when I walk inside the bathroom and he turns his body in my

direction at the creak of the door. His eyes roam down my body and I'm suddenly aware of the fact that

I'm still in his shirt from last night.

"Good morning, " he greets when he meets my eyes and I hum, moving from my spot. "Good morning.

" He doesn't speak a word after that and I remain silent as I pull the shirt over my head before I walk

through the glass to get under the shower.

Standing under the pouring water, I angle my head to the back and coil my fingers through my wet hair

to move the strands to the back.

"Hey, " I flinch at the sound of Emerson's voice behind me before his arms move around me. "Let me

wash you. " He requests in a tiny voice, pressing my back to his front and I can feel the length of his

cock against my ass.

"I have hands. " I tell him with a swallow down my throat, heat spreading through my entire body and

settling between my thighs to create the familiar ache at the feel of his hardness.

"I'm aware of that, Carson but I want to do it. Let me?" He requests again, and when he waits seconds

without a response from me; he adds, "Please. "

"Okay. " I give in, not wanting him to push away from me and he rubs my arms before he moves away

to grab the body wash.

"About yesterday—" he starts when he moves back behind me and I don't let him finish his words, "We

should forget about it. "

"Eva. "

"I'm serious, Ford, I don't want to speak about it. " I state firmly and his breathing is heavy on the skin

of my neck before he hums. Seconds pass before I feel Emerson's touch on my back and I suck in a

harsh breath as he rubs the skin, smearing the body wash across my body. I shut my eyes and struggle

to remain on my feet as I'm aware of every skin his touch melts against and every inch his breath

covers.

"Hmm—" the sound leaves my throat before I could hold it back, my eyes opening instantly and

Emerson's hand movements stop as he drops his head on my shoulder to take a view of my face. "Do

you love that?" He asks as he glides his hands down my back to my sides.

"Tell me, Eva. Do you love my touch on your skin?" He strokes the curves of my breasts and I press

back into him intentionally, earning a grunt from Emerson.

"You tempt me too much, Carson. " He pushes back from me to remove his head from my shoulder.

When he steps in front of me, his eyes drop to my chest and the tiny buds harden than they already are

under his intense gaze.

"Eva–" he calls out in a grumble as he closes what's remaining of the gap between our bodies till my

chest is pressing into his, and I hold the moan that threatens to fall from my mouth at the feel of his

cock against my lower skin, wanting it to go higher– high enough till he meets where I throb for him so

fucking badly.

"Fuck, you have no idea..." Emerson's loud groan pulls me out of my thoughts and he lifts a hand to my

face. He gives gentle strokes to my chin as his gaze settles on mine and my heart race wildly in my

chest with each inch that's closed between us the more Emerson pushes his face forward.

His lips graze over mine and he's about to capture my lips in his when I pull back, turning my head to

the side.

"Eva, please–" his voice is unbearable to my ears and the sound of Emerson's words is almost enough

to have me melt right on the spot. Almost.

"Move back, Emerson. " I murmur, but he doesn't listen. He presses his thumb to my chin as he guides

my gaze back to meet his. "Baby. " Oh fuck. He knows what he's doing and he's playing the game so

fucking well judging by the more the wetness between my thighs turns slippery at that name falling from

his mouth.

"I think I should shower first. " I manage to tell him, ignoring the way every other part of my body

screams for him.

"Are you still annoyed about last night?" He asks and I take a step back before I go back on my words.

"Eva–"

"I'll leave if you want to go first. " I interrupt his words and he stares at me for a long time without

another word, letting me burn under his heated gaze before his shoulders sink in a sigh and he turns

his head away from me.

He drops the body wash to its spot before he looks back at me. "You should go first. "

And he walks out of the room, intentionally swaying his fine ass in my face, might I add.

~

"Hey you, " Aliya smiles at me as I drop to my seat next to her and I match her gaze with a small smile.

"Hey, you. You're here early. "

"Yes, the dorm was exceptionally loud today, " she hisses. " I texted you to let you know I'd be in first,

but you didn't reply to any of my texts. "

"I didn't check my phone. " I mumble as I bend over my desk to drop my bag.

"What's wrong with you?" Aliya's question pull my gaze back to her, and her eyes are narrowed at me.

"What's wrong with me?" I repeat her question with a look of confusion and she gives a bob of her

head. "You tell me. Why do you look so out of it? Did something happen?"

"No. Just had a bad night. " I tell her, and Aliya proceeds to question, "The nightmares?" Worry creeps

into her voice and concern mask her expression.

"No, not that. I just couldn't sleep well. " Gratitude to the presence of unwanted thoughts and absence

of Emerson Ford by my side.

"You don't have to look so worried; I didn't stay up all night doing anything sad. " I assure her and she

asks, "Are you sure?"

"Bad nights are normal, Aliya. Stop overthinking it. "

"Okay. Just let me know if anything is bothering you. I'm always here for you. " She beams at me and I

nod, "I know. "

"Noel came up to me today. " Aliya surprises me by saying and I lift a brow at her words.

"Noel? Dan's friend?" When Aliya nods her head in confirmation, I furrow a brow, "Why?"

"His friend is miserable for what he did to you, and he wants you to accept his apology because he

can't bear to see him like that any longer. " Aliya doesn't hide the amusement in her voice.

"I'm not punishing him. I've already forgotten about what he did. Moreso, I saw him yesterday and he

didn't look miserable. " I tell her.

"The familiar games, " she chuckles. "I told him to fuck off. "

"You did it right. He's the last thing I need right now. " I mumble and Aliya grins as she squeezes my

shoulder. "I know your judgment even before you make them. "

"So fucking cheesy, " I frown at her, swatting her hand from my shoulder and she lets out a laugh

before she adjusts in her seat. I look away from Aliya with my smile remaining on my face as I stare in

front of us with my fingers drumming against the desk.

I prop my elbow in front of me and look to the door at the same time Emerson walks inside with Jaxon

trailing behind him. Our eyes meet for a split second before I break the contact and stare down at my

thighs. I feel him move through the corners of my eyes, his figure passing by my front in a blur.

"Um– do you want to explain?" I lift my head to Aliya. "Uh?"

"Emerson is staring at you. Hard. " She informs me and I look to my side to see Emerson occupying

the seat there with his watch on me.

"He hasn't removed his eyes off you since he walked in. " Aliya pronounces, bringing my attention back

to her.

"Pretty sure he spaced out. " I raise my shoulder and Aliya makes a sound of disagreement. "No, his

eyes are on you. He's staring right at you, and I think he wants you to be aware of that. " All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"Ignore him. " I mutter and Aliya drops her head to meet my eyes. "Did you guys go back to being at

each other's throat again? "

"Nothing serious to talk about. " I say and she proceeds to call my name, "Evie. "

"Just pretend he isn't there. " I say and her eyes move from me to the spot beside me, then back to me

before she sighs, nods and leans back in her seat.

~

"And you're sure nothing happened between you and Emerson? He didn't keep his eyes off you

throughout the entire class. " Aliya questions as we walk out of class and I say, "We're not speaking at

the moment. "

"Aww, are you guys having a couple's fight already?" She coos in a teasing manner and I hit her arm,

earning a laugh from her as she staggers a bit forward.

"I'm just saying. " She utters when she falls back into steps with me. "Are you heading to your place?

Or mine?"

"Yours. " I tell her and she lifts her gaze to me, a smirk climbing on her face and I know the words that'll

leave her mouth even before she parts her lips, "Trying so hard to avoid your boyfriend, aren't you?"

"Mention him one more time and it'll be my fist this time. " I pin her down with a glare and she snorts

out a laugh. "Fine, I'll stop teasing you. I need your help on a topic, anyway so this is good. " And she

drops a hand over my shoulder, pushing my head under her arm as she drags me along while I

struggle to get out of her hold.