Page 126 of Dare To Fall

Eli loves me.

I can’t stop smiling. “I love you too.”

He crushes me against him and kisses me fiercely. When we break apart, we’re both breathing heavily. Nothing else exists but the boy in front of me. I’m still not sure if this is real or if I’m dreaming. I might splinter apart from the sheer emotion I’m feeling. After giving me such a scare moments ago, I’m stunned by his declaration.

I look down at the necklace. “Will you help me put it on?”

He takes it carefully out from its bed of velvet and fastens it around my neck. “There.”

I stroke over the padlock with my fingertips. “It’s perfect. I’m never taking it off.”

Eli smiles. “I can’t wait to see you naked with it on.”

“If you’re lucky, you might just get your wish tonight.”

He kisses the end of my nose. “No more keeping things to yourself.”

I clutch the boxes to my chest. “I promise.”

“Good girl.”

“Get a room,” Kellan says. “Some of us are trying to eat.”

It’s enough to have reality filtering back. Shocked faces are staring at us from all around the cafeteria. Lacy’s jaw is practically on the ground. Everyone looks stunned at what’s unfolded between us.

I try not to laugh. Eli helps me off the table, then pulls me down onto his lap when he sits in his chair. “This, right here, is your place now.”

I loop my arms around his neck, and he hugs me to his chest. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I’m done playing their game, and so are you. We’re together. I’m not going to lose you, Ari. If you’re where I can see you all the time, they won’t be able to force you to do anything.”

“You’re serious about me moving into your dorm room?”

“One hundred percent.”

Kellan rolls his eyes. “Don’t mind me. I’m just his roommate.”

“If you don’t want me—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Eli is right. Keeping you close is safer.”

Eli’s mouth finds the side of my neck, and kisses along it. “You can relax, Kitten. No more fear. No more being alone. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be now.”

I want to stay frozen in this moment forever. Eli has made a claim in front of the entire school.

I’m his.

He’s mine.

I’m in the arms of the Monster of Churchill Bradley Academy, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Chapter 85

Eli

“What do you want to do?” We’re walking across the grass to the dorm building after the final class of the day. “Go and grab your stuff now or wait until after dinner?”

“Let’s do it now. Work up an appetite.”

---