Page 38 of Anathema
I headed into the closet, searching for something to wear, leaving Derek to lay in bed, watching me like an overprotective hawk. I needed a favor from Eli, and it couldn’t wait until tomorrow, so Derek wouldhave to wait.
After throwing on a lime green tank top, black shorts, and a denim jacket, I approached Derek, who looked far too comfortable in my bed.
“Where are you off to so early? It’s not even eight…” Derek picked up his phone to check the time before his eyes met mine.
I crossed my arms over my chest and sucked on my teeth.
“I have errands I need to run, and I am not going to avoid them just because a naked you is taking up real estate in my bed.” I gestured to where he was sprawled out, the duvet barely covering him.
I felt my cheeks heating as my eyes traced every curve of muscle down his ripped body. I was still incredibly sore from last night and did wish I could crawl back into bed with him and sleep the rest of the day away in his arms. But I also knew the longer I stalled, the harder it would be to get Adrian’s attention. I was still pissed off at him from the manor situation.
As if with perfect timing, Derek’s phone chimed, and he opened his messages.
“I guess you’re in luck. I have to meet up with Dean today.” He groaned, sitting up and moving to the edge of the bed where I stood.Thank god.
As Derek got out of bed, he wrapped a hand around the back of my neck and pulled me into him, wrapping his other hand around my waist. His fingers then gripped my chin and tilted my face to meet his. Goddamn, I loved the way he handled me. His movements were rough with intention, and they always turned me on.
“I’ll be back for you tonight.” He murmured, bringing his lips down to mine, parting them as he dipped his tongue into my mouth.
I raised my hands to tangle in his hair at the back of his head and welcomed him in deeper. His kiss sent a shockwave down my spine and right between my burning thighs. The taste of him pulling a moan from within my throat.
Fuck, I wanted him more now than ever before. My walls were crumbling as fast as I was building them up, and I had a feeling that I would eventually give in and just let him take them down completely.
The war that had been raging inside of me since the day I met him was slowly coming to an end, and I wasn’t sure which side I was on anymore.
DeancalledDerekwhilewe were in the middle of our heated make-out session; I had never seen him leave my apartment so fast. I didn’t question it; this meant I didn’t need to worry about him following me to Eli’s apartment or pressing me to find out where I was going.
Banging my fist on his door, I waited impatiently for Eli to answer. Crossing my arms over my chest and tapping my foot on the floor. He wouldn’t like what I was about to ask him, but I had no other option and needed his advice. Eli was close with Monika,and she worked for Anathema. He had to know more than what he was willing to tell me.
The door opened, and Eli stared at me with sleepy eyes before running a hand down his face with a groan. Even half awake, he was attractive. No wonder Monika was all over him.
“Princess.” His tone was rough and groggy from sleep.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you? Maybe you should try going to bed earlier.” I teased with a smirk, pushing past him and entering the apartment.
I loved annoying Eli when I could, and waking him up when I knew he probably didn’t go to bed until dawn broke was one of the easiest ways to do just that.
He sighed, closed the door, walked across the room, and collapsed back onto his bed.
“What do you want?” Eli mumbled, rolling onto his back, covering his face with his hands, and rubbing his fingers over his eyes.
He wore a white tank top, and his gray sweatpants barely covered his hips. I’m guessing he lazily pulled them on to answer the door with how low they were hanging, leaving nothing to the imagination of what lay below the waistband.
“I need some help, but before I say anything more. I need you topromiseyou won’t freak out or yell at me.” I said, fidgeting with the buttons on my jacket.
“Okay… I’m curious why you need me to promise not to yell at you. This better not be anything regarding Anathema.” He came up onto his elbows, raising a brow at me.
I rested my lower back against the kitchen counter, refusing to meet his stare.
And then it clicked…
“Alexis…” Eli growled, launching himself off the bed and immediately stepping into me. He was so fast that I could barely inhale a breath before he gripped my chin to look up at him.
“What the fuck did you do.” He hissed.
I swallowed, afraid to give him the answer he already knew. Eli was pissed, and I knew why. Because I had put myself in the exact same position as Monika once was when he explicitly warned me not to pursue them.
“Eli, let me explain.” My voice was gentle as I raised my hands to grip his forearm, attempting to calm him down.
