Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 56

EVA.

I cover the pot after adding the sauce to the pasta before I press my hands to the edge of the counter with a fall of my chest.

I steady my feet at the sound of footsteps, and then Emerson is behind me. "Hey, " he whispers as he buries his face in my neck, his breath fanning the skin.

"I thought you weren't going to cook?" He queries as he turns me around to meet his view and I say, "You went to take a call, and you said to look after it. I couldn't exactly sit and watch. "

He smiles and brushes his lips against my nose. "My good girl. "

I drop my eyes from him to his pocket where I'm sure his phone lies before I look back at his face. "Only sometimes. "

"I love both sides, " he nudges my nose with his finger before he lifts me in his arms and walks forward to drop me back on the counter.

"I'll take it from here. " He squeezes my thigh before he attempts to walk away, but my hand shoots out to grab his; stopping his movement.

When Emerson looks back at me, his brows are raised in silent query and I take a swallow down my throat at the words that sit at the edge of my tongue before I let them fall. "The phone call. "

"Oh, yeah. Just an urgent matter. It's all settled. " He assures me with a small smile before he removes his hand gently from my grasp and walks to the other side.

I bite down on my tongue as I stare at his side view, wondering why I'm pissed off at the fact that he went out to take that call. Pissed off to the point where I want to ask him questions– questions I don't think I have the right to ask.

This feeling that's swelling through me at the moment of what his urgent matter is: it's odd and strong. And I do not fancy it a bit.

"What are you thinking about?" Emerson's voice brings me out of my thoughts to the happening before me as he settles between my legs.

"Nothing. " I tell him as he places his hands on my thighs, slipping them underneath the shirt to caress my inner thighs– just a touch away from my core.

"Are you sure? Anything you want to share?" He cocks a brow and I blink once. Emerson doesn't say anything after and he keeps his gaze on me as he applies pressure to his touch.

When he removes his hand from underneath the shirt and glides it to my back, bringing me closer to the edge as he takes my lips in his– all thoughts of a certain redhead evaporate to be replaced by thoughts of how much I enjoy having Emerson's lips on mine.

~

"You look healthier, " I joke as I catch up to Aliya's steps and she turns to me with a grin on her face. "I know. I've been doing things that keep me healthy. "

When I give her a look of revulsion, she slaps my arm. "God, you have such an extremely dirty mind. I didn't mean that. "

"Sure, you didn't, " I chuckle as I adjust the strap of my bag before staring ahead of me to see Dan walking across the field with his friend, Noel by his side. Just before he takes the corner that'll move him out of my sight, he turns his head and our eyes meet. His eyes linger on mine for seconds, and he offers a smile before his frame disappears.

"Are you okay?" Aliya's voice by my side brings me back to her and I hum, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just checking in on you. " She replies and I drape a hand over her shoulder to shove her to my side. "Did you meet Sage yet?"

Aliya's mood shifts from vibrant to overly excited at the sound of the name; her cheek and ear turn red and she looks down at her shoes shyly.

"Look at you all blushing at the mention of her name. You're so fucking in love with her. " I call her out in a tease and she tries to cover her shy expression with a frown, "I'm not. "

"Did you say the words yet?" I raise a brow, ignoring her words of denial and she groans, shrugging my hand off her shoulder. "Don't ask me. "

"Why? You can ask me about Emerson, but I can't ask you about your girlfriend?" I emphasize the last word and Aliya shakes her head, "We aren't dating yet. I told you we're taking it slow. "

"You're taking it slow while being in a relationship. Don't act stupid, babe. " I taunt her and she parts her lips to speak, but hangs, her eyes widening at an unknown sight.

I furrow my brows when I wait seconds without her attention before I trail her gaze, and in a not surprising way; it lands on Sage who's striding down our path, a bright smile on her face as she talks to the girl beside her. Her blonde hair is in a brighter shade, which brings out her gorgeous features.

"Damn, " I whistle as I drop a hand on Aliya's shoulder. "Is it just me or did she manage to turn hotter in weeks?" When Aliya doesn't give a response, I look away from Sage to her, to see her entire focus on the girl in front of her.

"Hey, bitch. You're drooling. " I snap my fingers in front of her face and she flinches, turning to throw me a glare. "I'm not joking. You have your saliva out of your mouth; that's gross. " I grimace and she lifts her hand to her face to feel it, only to turn back to me with a deadly look.