“I don’t think you know or fully appreciate how much I genuinely love you.” She whispers and looks up at me with swollen eyes.
“I really do,” I say, equally as softly.
I don’t allow her another moment to wallow. I kneel beside her and quickly scoop her up into my arms before she can protest or push me away.
“What are you doing?”
I ignore her and manoeuvre her so I can pull open the door.
Kissing her temple as her arms hold tight to my neck, I carry her to the bathroom and nudge the door open with my foot.
“Isaac,” she hisses, now waggling her legs in an attempt to break free.
I kick the door closed behind me and let go of her legs.
Our eyes meet as I tear her dress up her body, loving the way the silky material clings to her frame as I pull it off. She lets out a shudder but says nothing as I kneel before her, kiss her navel and peel her thong down her legs until she steps out of it, leaving her totally naked and all mine.
I remember when she used to be shy in front of me and I’d find it so endearing, the way she’d blush and try to cover herself. She’s right. I also miss the thrill that we felt in the beginning, but I still love her all the same now.
Her confidence in herself and her body is just as endearing and so fucking sexy.
“What are you doing?” She asks as I slide both hands up one thigh and kiss her just below her belly button. Her fingers wrap in my hair and tug my head back. Green eyes question my motives, so I stand and quickly rid myself of my own clothes before walking her backwards into the shower cubicle. It’s small which means I have to press myself tightly to her in order to fit.
When I turn it on we both yelp and laugh as the cold spray hits us.
“Finally,” she mumbles as it starts to warm. I feel her hand wrap around the hardening flesh between the juncture of my thighs, but I push it away. This is about her. This is all about and for her.
Finding her soap on the shelf, I squirt a generous amount between my hands and rub them together to create soapy bubbles. She huffs when I immediately start on her breasts, rubbing and circling them in my hands, slick with soap. A chuckle escapes me and I kiss her nose, loving the way it crinkles at the touch of my lips.
I then kiss her eyelids, mesmerised by the way the water clings to her long and thick lashes.
“I’m still mad at you,” she tells me, but I already know. Her body is so tense. I want to fix that, so I spin her around and wrap my arms around her from behind before burying my face in her neck and kissing the skin softly.
“Apologies are pointless,” I say quietly, allowing my hands to roam freely across her dripping skin. “We’re both in the wrong.”
Eloise
I want to push him away but I just don’t have the energy. If I’m honest with myself, I can admit that I love what his hands are doing to my body. Sometimes I just don’t know how to resist this man.
He washes my hair, taking care to detangle the mess with his fingers tips, which are lathered in conditioner. I rest my head back against his shoulder as he rubs my scalp slowly and sensually.
It feels so good.
“Close your eyes,” he says, though it’s unnecessary as I haven’t opened them since he started touching me. I feel the spray of warm water hit my face as he squeezes the conditioner from my hair, still being gentle. It sends a shiver through me. “You’re so beautiful, Elle. Sometimes I wonder what you see in me.”
“It’s your penis,” I joke and it earns me a slap to my rear. “Me too. But you have to trust me.”
“I… I do trust you.” He finishes rinsing my hair and presses his lips to mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen it without shame. My body presses against him, trapping his hot length between us. I know he wants to grind. I can feeling him twitching, almost as if his cock is begging him for more stimulation. He doesn’t, though, out of respect for me and the fact we’re still technically arguing. “I trust you with my heart. My soul.” He kisses my neck and presses me against the cold tiles. “My body, my everything.”
“Then why…”
“Jealousy. I’m not good at reeling it in. But, in my defence, being half naked in a hot tub warrants my anger. You’d be the same.”
I let out a sigh because I know he’s right. I would be. “I just want to have fun, but not at the expense of your feelings and happiness.”
“I just want you to have fun too, but I think last night you had a little bit too much.”
I bite my lip to stifle my smile. “It won’t happen again.”
“And I’ll call you before I go out.”
Cringe. “Don’t do that. I don’t want to give you permission and I don’t want permission from you. We should just be able to do these things without the drama, you know?”
He nods. “Okay, but I only want to know where you are so I know you’re safe.”
“Fine,” I relent. “Deal. I’ll call or text you before I go out drinking.”
“Me too.” He says, smiling softly. “Now, seeing as I’m already here, let’s go out.”
“Where?”
“Sightseeing. Cambridge is a beautiful place and I bet you’ve not fully enjoyed its sights and highlights yet.”
He’s not wrong. “Okay.”
“Come on.” He steps out and ties a towel around his waist as I turn the shower off.
His arms spread out with a towel between them. He wraps it around me and lifts me into my arms. I squeal with delight and pull the door open for him.
Jordan stares at us, his mouth around his sandwich. “I’m going out.” He announces, his words barely coherent due to the food in his mouth. With a wink at us he leaves, taking his sandwich with him.
Suddenly I’m dropped on the couch, causing me to let out a screech. Instantly I’m covered by a smiling, damp male and find myself tracing his neck with my tongue.
Isaac
I hold Eloise’s hand as we stroll along the grassy bank that surrounds Mill Pond. It’s a beautiful place and the weather is just perfect and crisp for a nice walk.
England is unfortunately hit and miss with the weather. More often it’s a miss with its unpredictability, but we seem to have gotten a hit this time.
I glance at Elle as she takes in the sights. Looking across the pond she spots a restaurant with an outdoor seating area, called Bella Italia. We make our way towards it, swinging our hands between us as we go like children. It’s Elle that is doing the swinging; I’m just happy to be with her.
“How were your classes this week?” I ask and smile as she chats animatedly about herself and Kira getting passes on their assignments. She didn’t get the level she wanted but she passed and that’s what matters.
My Eloise is very intelligent but she’s distracted too easily.
“I’m not sure I’m enjoying the course though,” she admits with a light shrug as we finally make it to the large, grey building. I open the door and usher her in. “It’s exactly what I thought it would be, but I’m not sure it can truly help me in the long run.”
“You’re not thinking of dropping out…”
“God no,” she gasps as we’re shown to a table by the window.
I order two lattes and fruit salad for us to snack on. We ate already so I don’t fancy anything light. Eloise doesn’t object.
“I just… I might change courses.” Her eyes are nervous as she gauges my reaction.
I’m not sure how to react. I just want her to be happy. “To what?”
“Architecture.”
I’m surprised she didn’t choose this to begin with. I know she wanted to do business so she’d have a better understanding of how things work, but buildings are a passion of hers.
“Do you think they’ll let you?”
“Not this late in the year, but maybe for next year. I have a meeting to set it in motion.”
“Since when?”
“Since yesterday. My advisor says it’s not a bad idea. It’s just whether or no
t there is space on the course next year.”
I rub my chin and take her hand over the table. “Whatever makes you happy. How long is the course?”
“Three years, but I’d like to do my Masters in Architecture and Urban design.”
I raise a brow. “You do know that you need to be able to draw, right?”
She only looks slightly offended as she leans over the small round table and smacks my arm. “I can draw! I’m no artist but I have a basic grasp on how to use a pencil.”
She’s adorable when she pouts. I retake her hand and bring it to my lips. “If that’s what you want to do.”
Her eyes light up and her entire body relaxes. “I’m glad you’re with me on this.” And then she grins wider, seemingly excited. “I can’t wait to tell my Da…”
Just like that, her face falls, so I squeeze her hand over the table. “Call him tonight. He misses you.”
She nods, her brows furrowed. “I suppose it’s time.”
Chapter Sixteen
Eloise
I tip the glass and pull on the tap until the pint glass fills to the rim with only half an inch of a frothy head on top.
“See?” I say, turning to Jordan and winking. “I’m a natural.”
“Good. Now make a slippery nipple.”
“A what now?”
He chuckles and hands me a shot glass. I fill it to near the rim with Sambuca before carefully pouring a layer of Baileys onto the top. Jordan pats me on the back and drinks the shot down in one. “Welcome to Rouge.”
“Woohoo!” I cheer, throwing my hands up in the air. “Thanks J.”
“No problem E.”
Apparently due to a girl getting stalked online and followed a few months ago, people who work at Rouge now call each other by the first letter of their name for added security. It’s easier than remembering nicknames and, to be honest, it sounds really cool.
Eloise: I got the job at Rouge!!
Isaac: I knew you would. Well done. I’m sending pepper spray.
Kira: Drinks on Eloise!
Hayley: She’s not into that, Kira. I tried but she hates anyone touching her bellybutton.
Eloise: You’re a freak, Hayley. Why the hell would you want to do body shots anyway? Gross…
Hayley: You have no sense of adventure.
Kira: You didn’t see her in the hot tub last week. Everyone is still calling her mermaid.
Hayley: Why has nobody told me this?
I found it easier to just open up group chat on Facebook so that Hayley and Kira wouldn’t have to keep screenshotting messages.
Kira has become the welcome third wheel to our little group. I can’t say I don’t like it because we’re all so alike and get on so well. It’s nice to have girls to turn to when needed.
Dad: I’m proud of you. I’m also sending you pepper spray.
I laugh and grip my phone tight to my chest.
My first conversation with my Dad a week ago didn’t go as I thought it would. It was almost as if nothing had happened. We spoke about work, school, life and friends. We spoke for over an hour with promises to stay in touch. I didn’t realise how much I missed my dad until I first heard his voice and honestly… I thought I was going to cry. He was so understanding about my switching of courses too, which lifted a heavy weight from my shoulders.
According to Isaac he’s been a much nicer person to be around at work, although Isaac hasn’t been getting the hours he needs so we’ve had to dip into my savings again. The good thing is that I now have a job and it pays well, so he won’t have to send me any money anymore.
I feel a lot better in myself now that I have my independence back.
The only down side is…
Eloise: I’m not going to be coming home for inter-semester break :(
Isaac: I’ll come and see you if work allows it.
Eloise: Yay!
I work alongside Jordan and two other young women who go by the letters C and B. They’re both stunning girls, especially in their uniforms which comprise of rouge vest tops, tight black jeans and shiny black heels, although I’ve opted for flat dolly shoes for my first few nights. The heels are optional but the rest of the outfit isn’t.
It’s not as hard as I worried it would be, but it’s also not as easy as I’d hoped. Tonight isn’t a busy night but the tips I get are amazing. We split them at the end of the night, which is fair, and I ride back home with Jordan on his bike. I have to say, sitting on the seat as Jordan stands and rides his bike is a totally new experience.
He wasn’t happy when I bit down on his arse cheek which was at my face level. I thought it was hilarious.
It’s definitely nice working with someone I know.
I pull my scarf from around my neck and take my seat beside Kira in Professor Franklin’s lesson. He’s an attractive man with light brown hair and a greying goatee that Kira loves with a passion. She finds men with beards highly attractive and I don’t blame her for it at all.
I’m pulling my notebook from my bag when knuckles tap on the desk only inches from my face.
I look up into the warm, dark eyes of Damon. “Hey,” I smile, wondering what on earth he’s doing here.
“I tried to catch you going in but just missed you it seems.” He pulls his jacket tighter around himself. “There’s a few of us going out on Friday. I was wondering if you’d join us.”
I blink, shocked at having been invited somewhere. Most people in this place seem to give me a wide berth. “I’d love to, but I’m working Friday.”
“Ah, shame. Where do you work?” He tilts his head to the side and watches as the students continue to file in through the door.
“Rouge. I just started last night, so I can’t take a day off unfortunately.”
“No worries. What about Thursday morning? Study session over coffee?”
Kira nudges me with her elbow and nods.
I shrug. “Sounds good to me. I have a free period at eleven.”
“Great.” He beams and shrugs his bag up his shoulder. “See you there.”
I wave him off and wonder why he didn’t just text or call, seeing as he has my number.
“He is so fucking hot,” Kira mutters as he descends the steps between the desks and finally leaves the classroom.
“He’s not bad,” I agree, my eyes still on the door where he just exited. “I think I made a new friend.”
“It’s about time,” she laughs, waving at Professor Franklin who seems to be looking at us both with curious eyes. “He’s also very hot. Think you can lend your teacher seducing powers to me for a night?”
I snort laugh. It’s not attractive and has Kira in a fit of giggles, which she struggles to stop when the lecture begins. I stuff her scarf into her mouth, my cheeks pinking with embarrassment at the awful noise I made.
“So, data analysis for business.” Professor Franklin yells and the room falls silent. “Our new module. What can you tell me about it?”
Yep, I so can’t wait to ditch this class.
Isaac
I’m surprised at how much Darren seems to have softened towards me these past few days. He’s still a prick but he’s not targeting me anymore. I still don’t trust him, though, and I doubt we’ll be going out for beers anytime soon.
“Petal asked how you were last night,” Tony says, his brow raised. “Said you didn’t have a good night.”
I frown. “Is she allowed to say shit like that?”
“Probably not, but she knows we’re tight.”
I dip my paintbrush into the tin and slowly spread the dark green colour across a blank patch of wall. This isn’t so hard. It’s the heights part that I don’t like. The ladders are rickety as fuck.
“I lost a bit, no big deal,” I lie, because it is a big deal.
“She invited us out for a few drinks this Friday. She specifically gave me instructions to invite you.”
I frown. “Why?”
“We’re all basically friends now, right, and I don’t think she�
��ll go if it’s just me and her.” He lets out a laugh. “It’d be too much like a date.”
“How many times has she rejected you now?”
He waves me off, his face set with determination. “She’s just playing hard to get. She’ll come around eventually.”
I sigh, knowing I owe him one after he took on my work load last week when I skipped the day to go and see Elle. “You really like her, don’t you?”
“What’s not to like? She’s funny, sweet and gorgeous.” I think he just swooned. “And her arse…” his hands remain suspended in the air as he pretends to squeeze with his fingers. This means he isn’t holding the step ladder I’m standing on and I almost drop the paint tin on his head. “Sorry.” He quickly grabs the metal to steady it. “So… will you?”
I roll my eyes and smile. “Fine. I’ll come.” I’m sure Eloise won’t mind.
“Wicked. Thanks pal.” He punches at the air with both fists, meaning he lets go of the ladder again. I drop my paint brush in an attempt to steady myself on the handle at the top and it hits his boot with a splat.
I feel no guilt.
“You did that on purpose,” he grumbles, moving back to hold the ladder once more.
“I didn’t, but you’d have deserved it if I did.” I grab the brush that he holds out for me and wait for him to wipe the green from his shoe before continuing.
Justin seems to be working on some kind of mural on the far wall. I’m just glad he’s away from us. I really can’t stand the guy.
“Is Ryan coming?”
“I’ve asked him but it’s doubtful. He’s busy a lot lately. His Dad’s ill.”
I wince, knowing deep down to the depths of my soul how he must feel. Speaking of which, I’m taking food to my parents’ later.
Destruction: The Distraction Trilogy #2 Page 21