Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
I hear a few scattered claps from the crowd. Someone whispers, "Damn."
Mia's face is red, her perfect composure cracking. "You ... you can't..."
"Can't what? Tell the truth?" I smile, feeling strangely light. "You haven't changed a bit. We're already in our late twenties, and you still act like you're twelve."
Dana and Kerry exchange glances, subtly stepping aside from Mia as if her humiliation might be contagious. The absolute worst henchmen of all time. As it turns out.
Mia seems to realize she's losing, her eyes darting around for support and finding none. "Whatever. Have fun with your fifteen minutes, Elise. We all know it won't last."
She turns to leave, her heels clicking rapidly as she pushes through the crowd.
For a moment, I just stand there, heart racing, not quite believing what just happened.
Then Elias turns me to face him, his expression a mixture of pride and something else. Something deeper and more intense.
"That's my girl," he says, and then his mouth is on mine.
This isn't like our previous kisses. Not the careful ones from practice, not the heated ones from his couch, nor the sweet one from the dance floor. This is him staking his claim. He wraps a hand around my jaw, holding me steady as he kisses me like he's trying to suck my soul. Like he wants everyone to see, to know, that I'm his.
And I kiss him back just as fiercely, my hands clutching his lapels, pulling him closer. In this moment, I don't care who's watching. I don't care about the reunion, Mia, or any of it. All I care about is Elias, the way he makes me feel, the connection we have.
Someone wolf-whistles. Someone else calls out, "Get a room!"
We all stand frozen in our own little bubble … until James clears his throat rather loudly. "Normally, I'd say get a room too," he says, pulling something from his pocket. "But I already reserved one for you." He holds out a keycard and grins. "Go. Before I barf from all this pent-up sexual tension."
Elias takes the keycard, never taking his eyes off me. "D'you want to get out of here?"
The question carries weight beyond the obvious. This is a turning point for us. No more pretending, no more excuses. If we leave together now, it's real.
"Yes."
Elias takes my hand, interlacing our fingers together. We walk through the ballroom toward the exit, past staring classmates and whispering onlookers. I catch glimpses of shocked faces, envious glances, and phones capturing the moment.
In the hallway, away from the noise of the ballroom, Elias pulls me close again. "I'm so proud of you," he whispers against my hair. "You were incredible in there."
"I can't believe I said all that." I shake my head, still riding my adrenaline high. "I've been wanting to say something like that to her for years."
"I promise to never make you angry." His hand traces up and down my spine. "Being on the receiving end of your ire is hella scary."
We reach the elevators, and Elias presses the call button. I'm suddenly very aware of what's about to happen, of the keycard in his pocket and what it represents.
The elevator arrives with a soft ding, and the doors slide open. We step inside, and Elias presses the button for the top floor. The doors begin to close, and he turns to me, backing me against the elevator wall.
His mouth captures mine, hot and demanding. One of his hands finds my thigh, the other braces against the wall beside my head.
I arch into him, desperate for more contact, more of him. His tongue coaxes my lips, and I open for him, a small sound escapes my throat as the kiss deepens.
The elevator dings again, announcing our arrival at the floor. We pull apart, staring at each other as the doors slide open.
Elias looks at me, a question in his eyes, giving me one last chance to back out.
I don't want to back out. I want him. I have wanted him for longer than I care to admit.
Tonight, I will be completely his.
===
6
ELIAS
The hallway feels endless as I guide Elise toward our room. My fingers tremble slightly against the keycard, a ridiculous reaction for a professional athlete who performs under pressure for a living. But this is different. This is ten years of anticipation, frustration, desire, and want compressed into a single moment.
"This is us." I slide the card into the door and push it open, letting her enter first.
James has outdone himself. The room is bathed in soft golden light, red and pink rose petals scattered across a massive king bed, champagne chilling in an ice bucket. There are strawberries, candles, and even music playing softly from somewhere. It's over-the-top romantic in a way that would be embarrassing if I could focus on anything but Elise.
She steps into the center of the room, her back to me as I close the door. The click of the lock echoes between us, sealing us away from the world outside.