Page 6 of All Hallows' Rage
“Oh, absolutely. Which makes teasing you even more fun.” I looked at him then, the nervous energy cracked, and laughter filled the space between us.
“Well, now that you’ve read me like a book, what are you in the mood for?”
“You.” The simple, teasing response had my eyes closing as I took a deep breath. “Blushing again. This really is a fun game.” I had to chuckle at myself despite it being something far out of my control.
“Okay, you got me. You have a serious effect on me, and I can’t stop the nerves or reactions,” I admitted, waving a finger around my reddened cheeks. Elijah set his plate on the coffee table and slid down the couch to press into my side. He freed the remote from my indecisive hands and flipped through the titles himself.
“Relax, there’s nothing to be nervous about. If it’s expectations, I have none. Outside of that hot ass janitor’s closet kiss, you’re a genuinely great guy I want to hang out with. Kiss me again, don’t kiss me again—there’s no pressure. I’m here for you, not for what you can give me tonight.”
He settled on a movie and the opening credits bled through the speakers, but I could only watch his side profile. There was no one else like him that I’d ever encountered, and I couldn’t quite figure out how to respond.
“Actually,” he says, turning to look at me. “I guess that was a little fib. If you’re going to kiss me again, I’m definitely staying for that with all the selfish intent.” The sly grin he gave me broke through another layer of nerves, and as my hand cupped his jaw, the movie was forgotten.
Bravery came from left field as I tilted his face up to me and leaned in. The scent of cologne filled me again as I pressed my lips to his. It wasn’t a hungry, urgent kiss, but I wanted to show him that his presence was appreciated and desired. The kind, sweet touch said what I couldn’t find the words to convey. I wanted so much more, but this intimacy was everything I needed.
* * *
“This is what I mean!”Elijah said, waving his hand out to the TV. “That is lazy writing at its finest.” We had leaned into each other in a comfortable snuggle that almost had me dozing off before the end of the first movie.
“I have to agree. There was a better plot twist option than that, I’m sure.”
I watched the weak screenplay unfold as fingers tickled across my scalp and played with my hair. The pizza had been demolished before the second movie movie, and what would’ve been the end of a bad choice led to a curiosity for how much worse it could get in the sequel. The feeling of his hands on me worked a shiver through my body that demanded I abandon this shit show for something . . . more.
Elijah rested his head against mine as he whispered, “This movie really sucks.” His laugh shifted the wavy strands of my hair.
I twisted around, propping myself up, and asked, “Are you happy watching the shittiest horror movie franchise all night?” He stared deep, searching my eyes and face.
“I’m with you. I’m happy.”
Before I could talk myself out of it, I sat up fully and moved over him. I tipped his head back as I stole another kiss, taking him deeper as I slid my tongue over his. Catching up, Elijah’s hands roamed over my body—grabbing, tugging, pulling—but it wasn’t enough. Cupping the back of his neck, I gave him a gentle push toward the seat of the couch. He went willingly and brought me on top of him. This thing was stupidly small with the both of us lying across it.
His fingers slipped under the hem of my shirt, tickling my sides as he worked it up and over my shoulders. I pushed up, taking my tee and tossing it across the room as he mirrored me—electing to drop his just by the couch’s edge.
I lowered myself over him, framing him in my arms as I gripped the cushion and teased him with false kisses. My necklace shifted over his jaw before he flicked his tongue out and caught it between his teeth, releasing it with a soft laugh.
“There are gold flecks in your eyes. I want to watch how they dance in the light every day that I’m with you,” I admitted. “Handsome and attractive are a given, but you’re beautiful, Eli.”
“Definitely not leaving,” he murmured, pulling me to him.
His kisses were strong and soft, a delicate balance between having it together and losing control. My hips rolled against him, and a firm hand urged me on. Threads of the seam beneath my grip started to pop. When I moved again, a warning groan from the frame halted me. Frozen above him, I looked around the room.
“We’re going to break the couch at this rate.”
“Absolutely awful and definitely not something I’m dying to see happen one day.” His sarcastic words brushed over my chest and left goose bumps in their wake. Eli slid his hands between us and pushed me back as he sat up. Hot and heavy touches became light and peppered. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that?” It didn’t matter what he proposed. I was too far gone in him to disagree.
“Kiss me in your bed like you promised.” That had me sliding off the couch and reaching for the waistband of his pants as I pulled him to his feet.
“With no trouble,” I teased, kissing him and leading him out of the room and down the hall.
I kicked my foot back, gently opening my bedroom door without breaking our touch. My hands were all over him as I made my way to his jeans, unbuttoning them and pushing him onto the bed. I worked them over his hips and discarded them by the door.
“Come here.” Eli’s voice was grittier, and his eyes were laced with lust.
Standing between his legs, I watched him trace the lines of my abdomen and playfully bite where he touched. He made quick work of my jeans and freed my cock.
“Beautiful,” he whispered before dragging his tongue along the underside and teasing the tip. “Lead or follow?” He mocked my first word-vomiting fumble, but the sexual tension and frustration was the same if not more now.
