As soon as I heard a knock on the door, I jumped up and practically sprinted to open it.

I was extremely fortunate (and utterly shocked) that the girls actually decided to give me a break and award us with some privacy for the day, with the promise that I'd fill them in on every little detail, of course.

Now we'll actually be able to study in peace! Thank goodness!

I swung the door open to see Elijah, bouncing on the balls of his feet wearing a boyish and bright smile on his gorgeous face.

He wasted no time before scooping me up in his arms and pulling me against his chest. Before I could even finish saying, "Hi" his lips found mine and my insides melted into a puddle. Was I even breathing?

Who even cares?

I pulled back with a coy smile and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the hallway far enough so he could shut the door behind us.

My door was the first on the right, and I had already set up a little study station for Elijah and me to work productively. That "station" consisted of Elizabeth's and my desk chairs set up in front of my desk and a spot cleared for his computer, which I asked him to bring along.

I was finally able to afford the cheapest computer option at Best Buy, but the girls convinced me to hold out a little longer so I can get one with more storage and better capabilities. I didn't think all the extra frills were necessary, but the larger storage capacity is what sold me. Because it was such a significant investment already, I figured why not get the best I can afford?

"You can just set your stuff down wherever you want." His stunning hazel eyes danced around my room with curiosity. He set his backpack down on the chair to the left of mine and unpacked his books after turning on his computer.

"Before we begin, would you like anything to eat or drink? I have some good snacks that I've managed to hide from the girls long enough so they wouldn't 'disappear' forever." I chuckled at the thought and looked back over towards Elijah, who was staring at me again.

His eyes held an emotion I couldn't quite describe. It was almost like he was trying very hard to hold himself back. I looked at him quizzically.

"Um, I'll just bring a bunch of stuff in." I bit my lip and walked quickly to the living room, where we kept most of our drinks. I got a few bottles of juice and returned to see Elijah standing before my dresser looking at my photos. He was focused on the one to the right of my jewelry box of my mom and me at my high school graduation ceremony.

"This is your mom, right?" I gave a slight nod and walked over to the desk to set the drinks down.

"That's one of my favorite memories with her." I'll never forget how happy she was as she cried in the stands. I looked directly at her while I received my diploma and watched her mouth that she loved me. She looked so proud.

Elijah looked over at me then, almost in admiration. "I see where you got your beauty from. You have her smile." I blushed as he stopped in front of me and brought his fingers to my cheek.

I was breathing heavily in anticipation as the distance between our lips closed slowly. His breath was intoxicating. It made my eyes flutter shut before our mouths even made contact.

He breathed in deeply right as they met. After a few moments, I was feeling overwhelmed. Kissing Elijah felt like too much... something. My heart couldn't take it.

"Elijah..." I whispered against his mouth. He didn't ease up. "We really need to study. We have a test."

"Mhm. Let's study." Elijah's voice was low as he pulled back. His eyes never left my lips.

I was getting lost in his embrace before I snapped back into reality again.

"Okay! So, let's start by going over each of our outlines and adding to our class notes from them. Then, we can transfer all of that to a typed master document. Or, we can make the document as we go. That part doesn't really matter as much." I was flustered. My rambling made it painfully obvious, but I also felt my heart race and my face flush, which must've been very noticeable. Elijah just smirked as he stared at me.

"Let's get started, then." He pulled his backpack off the chair and sat down while opening a bottle of apple juice.

I kneeled on the floor and reached under my bed, behind my suitcase, to grab a box of my secret snacks.

I turned and placed them on the desk to see Elijah chuckling and grinning down at me like a little kid.

"Now this, this is private stock." I opened the box and tossed a chocolate dipped granola bar on his notebook opened in front of him.

"You're adorable, you know that?" He leaned over and pecked my cheek as I sat in my seat and scooted closer to the desk.

My smile widened as I looked at him and blushed. He moved closer to kiss me, making my eyes go wide. I was leaning as far back as I could, putting my hands on his chest to prevent him from coming any closer.

"Epepepepepepep!" He feigned a pout, then started laughing, but I could see past his cover. He really was upset that I didn't let him kiss me.

"Come on, Elijah. We need to show some restraint." I lightly smacked his chest, which made him laugh even louder.

"Now how can I do that when I'm sitting right next to you? You're asking me to do the impossible here." He spoke in an exaggerated manner.

"We need to do this; otherwise we can't study together at all. How would you like that?" That sobered him real quick. I didn't admit, however, that I wouldn't be able to drop him as my study buddy. I didn't even have the strength to go through with that.

  ↞↠  

We hunkered down and worked hard for the next three hours. We had decided to combine our notes and outlines as Elijah typed a master study guide.

Let's just say, I've never felt more tension between two people in my life. Not even between us and Natalie when we were at the pizza place, and that says a lot. But there was something different about the tension between Elijah and me. It was electric.

The entire time, I would feel Elijah staring at me. I could tell from my peripheral vision whenever he would steal a glance or just flat out gawk, just like the first day we met in class.

Don't think I didn't do my fair share of gazing. I tried to catch him while he was typing so I wouldn't pose a distraction. It was so cute the way he focused intently on the document in front of him, making sure all of the information was included and perfectly organized.

I realized then, every side of him that I encounter, I love. His playful side, his athletic side, his caring side, and now his studiousness.

His caring side actually stood out today when I took my brace off for a little while. My wrist was still slightly tender, and I tried to subdue a wince when it came off. The splint was making it feel a bit sore at times, so the doctor told me to remove it periodically to let it breathe.

Elijah noticed immediately and rushed to ask me if I was okay and if I needed anything. When I said no, he gently took my arm and kissed my wrist under my palm, gazing into my eyes the entire time, making me feel better immediately by bringing my attention elsewhere.

His small acts just made everything so much sweeter and more special. Even a study date turned into something magical and sacred.

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"Ughhhhh!" Elijah leaned back against the chair, letting his head dip, and groaned as we finished transferring the fourth chapter.

I laughed at his childish behavior. "Come on, Elijah. We only have one chapter left. Then, we can stop." I was on a roll, already starting to work on the chapter's outline.

"Why don't we just take a break now?" I gasped and shivered as I felt his lips meet the skin right below my left ear. I tried to keep writing and ignore him, but let's face it. I was fighting a losing battle. I stood no chance.

My breath caught in my throat, and my pencil fell from my hand. I was fighting to keep my eyes open. I felt him smirk against my sensitive skin.

"Just a short teeny tiny break. You deserve it. We've been working all day." He was making this very difficult for me. I was rapidly losing my resolve.

"I'll tell you what." I placed my right hand under his chin and held him in place with my fingertips while I turned to face him, cutting off his lips and making him growl, which sent chills down my spine. What have I done to my Elijah?

"When we're all done with chapter five, we won't have to worry about it anymore." I turned his head to his left so I could kiss him where his jaw curved below his right ear, slowly moving to the soft skin below his ear; the same spot he focused on to torture me.

I heard him inhale sharply, which made me feel an intense sensation of satisfaction. I loved being able to make him react like that. Who knew I could make him respond like that?

"I promise we can do something more fun after we finish the chapter. That way, we won't be stressed about it." I explained my thinking between my kisses against his neck before pulling away.

When he turned back to me, I noticed his eyes were dark and dilated, and his breathing was erratic.

He leaped forward to the computer and started typing rapidly. I smirked and turned back to my notes.

"I'm glad we could finally see eye to eye."

  ↞↠  

"Finally! Freedom!" Elijah logged out and closed his laptop faster than I've ever seen him move, even on the track.

"Let me just bring this stuff to-" I stood up to bring our empty juice bottles and snack wrappers to the garbage when I was yanked back down to a sitting position. This time, however, it was on Elijah's lap.

I squealed in surprise, and he laughed in response before he brought his lips to mine.

The garbage in my arms became an afterthought as it fell to the floor.

Elijah obviously preferred a different place for my arms as he lifted them onto his shoulders so I could wrap them around his neck.

My brain turned to mush as he kissed me passionately. Once again, I felt that intense sensation course through me until my heartbeat became a steady thrum and my whole body was surrounded by his warmth.

He wrapped his own arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest, causing everything else to fade into the background.

Until my phone buzzed.

Zzzt.

I tried to turn back to face the desk so I could reach my phone, but Elijah's steel grip held me in place.

"Mmm... I have to... get that." He groaned as he finally released me.

"Tell them you're a little busy studying at the moment." I lifted my brow.

"Yeah! Studying!" I shook my head at Elijah's eager smile.

"Well, I am studying. I'm learning new things...and practicing...and going over what I've learned. I'm trying to master an art. That's a lot of hard work." He placed chaste pecks all over my face as he gave his explanation.

Little did he know, Elijah was already a master in the art of kissing, but I wouldn't inflate his ego just then; otherwise, he'd never let me breathe again.

When I finally opened my phone, I saw a message that made us both groan the name on the screen at the same time.

We're home!

"Elizabeth!"

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So, this entire chapter was Sara and Elijah being adorable. You're welcome!

At least they got all of their work done. Elijah made that a difficult feat to accomplish, but they are Yale students, after all.

I want to know your thoughts and opinions.

How do you feel about this new side of Elijah? I don't think Sara fully realizes what she got herself into with that kiss.

What's your favorite side of Elijah? He's playful, athletic, caring, studious... and you'll see a lot more in the future! (I don't have a favorite, I just want to know if you guys do! It would be impossible for me to choose)

Please VOTE and COMMENT if you enjoyed this chapter! I love hearing from all of you!

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Well...