♀︎

It's in his eyes, the silent question, the silent need to know what is happening in my life. But there is something else there, too, as if he knows the predicament I'm in. He communicates like he knows and understands what I'm going through. He doesn't dig for answers and I instantly know he has dealt with some shit in his life, too. It's written so clearly in his eyes right now. 

I smile at him with a nod, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

He reciprocates my smile, "We talked about the 'fine' before, love. It's not sufficient if you want me to stay away from you."

"You aren't intrusive," I state with honesty and allow our eyes to meet intensely. "Which is why I won't break my neck in trying to get you away from me, we are studying tomorrow after all."

"Yeah, about that," His smile falls and I know what's coming. "Something got in the way, I came here to tell you in person."

The bubble of disappointment washes over me and I see the regret in his eyes, it's funny how he allows me to see emotions on his face, but as soon as anyone else is within an arm's reach, he turns it off. As a switch. I don't even know how he does it, maybe I should work on my poker face.

I nod at him and mask my emotions, I can do this, "Everything is fine, we will find another day."

"I didn't want to say no to you, but," He pauses trying to find the right words, "Something important came up."

"Yeah, I get it. Life gets in the way and it's not like you're standing me up on a date, it's only an assignment anyway."

He smiles at me and his eyes fall to the wound, saddening immediately, "Let's get you cleaned up."

"No, I will fix it," Trying to assure him is a lost cause as he guides me with him inside, the gentle touch of his drives me crazy, but I don't show it. 

"Where is the first aid kit?" He asks. His rough hands unexpectedly lift me up on the counter in the kitchen, the breath is knocked out of my body by how he is handling me with such delicacy and gentleness.

"Under the sink," I point my nervous finger in the direction and he doesn't waste a second. 

Grabbing the red kit, he finds a tweezer and a bandage. Offering him my hand I look away from it, he's quick to get to work as my mind is in overdrive. His gentle hands working on my wounds, how his broad frame is perched between my legs, the thought of how curious I am about his body, how his full lips would feel on mine. It's too much for me. I have wanted a taste of him before and that thought scares me, I can't allow myself to lose my mind over him. 

"I'm sorry, love," He suddenly says and I don't get to answer before a stinging sensation awakes me, I fly forward and pull my hand to my chest defensively. 

"That shit hurts!"

"I know, but I have to clean it properly. Will you let me?" He smiles, the green in his eyes is shining under his wet hair. My mouth runs dry by the sight and I place my hand in his bigger one without thinking. Trying to ignore the stinging to the best of my abilities, but fucking hell it hurts. 

"Here we go," He whispers to himself as he wraps my hand in a bandage, not too loose and not too tight, he must have done this before. 

"Thank you, Elijah," I gently say to him with a small smile, he still hasn't moved from his position and we are so dangerously close. My breasts are almost pressed against his chest and his hands land easily on either side of my thighs. Our eyes are searching for answers and the clenching in my gut returns when he licks his lips lightly, this can't be happening, but I really don't want to stop. 

Both of us are clammy in wet clothes, my hair is officially gone from the bun and his is disheveled, as I like it. Elijah's hands grab my waist and mine inch behind his neck, it's amazing finally being able to touch him. His eyes fall down to my lips and I lean closer, his minty breath caresses my lips I close my eyes on instinct. My gut tightens with lust as I shiver underneath his touch.

"Kota?" A voice yells through the hallway, my dad, "Why is the front door open?"

I jump away from Elijah and push at his chest, he moves away with confusion written all across his face. Jumping down I fix my clothes just as my dad steps into the kitchen, his frown turns to shock when he focuses on the guy standing behind me. 

"You didn't mention we had guests over," My dad laughs in a throaty voice and I shake my head in embarrassment. The moment is officially ruined. 

Elijah steps forward and shakes my dad's hand, "I'm Elijah, a friend of Dakota's. It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Moore."

"Well hello Elijah, just call me Zach. God knows you have more manners than my daughter ever will," He jokes and pushes Elijah lightly, the action warms my heart. 

"Hey, I'm well mannered," I try to defend myself while they laugh at my expense. Directing my attention to my dad, I cross my arms in front of me, "And how did you get home? I was supposed to pick you up."

He quickly sobers up and gives me a small smile, "You stress too much, Kota. I met Tyler Avick's dad at the hospital and he offered to drive me home."

"Tyler's dad? Tyler hates me," I explain with a confused glance in his direction.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean his dad hates me, I would never decline a kind offer like that," He smiles mischievously. "Besides I'm a very likable person." 

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, "Are you saying that I'm not?"

My grinning dad turns to Elijah, "Will you be honest with her, son? Or should I?"

"With all due respect, I do believe you created this mess for yourself," The joking tone of Elijah's doesn't go by me and my heart melts when my dad throws his head back in laughter. 

"You are something else entirely, Elijah," He laughs again and pats the smirking guy on the back. Dad turns to me, "I like him."

"Clearly more than you do your own daughter," I say in mockery, raising an eyebrow at the two of them. "Why are you buddies with my dad?"

Elijah smirks and shrugs his shoulders, "I guess one would refer to me as a highly likable person."

"Men are insufferable," I whisper when my dad once again laughs from the depths of his belly, congratulating Elijah on being a funny person. The two of them spark up a conversation and I feel left out immediately, although I can't control the way my stomach flutters. He is so respectful with my dad, laughing at his jokes and reciprocating small physical advances. Dad has a tendency to pat people's backs and is generally big on hugs, most of the time strangers are thrown off by it. Not Elijah though. 

I lean against the cabinets behind me and enjoy the sight of them, dad has this bright grin on his face and it almost makes him look healthy again. My gut tightens by the thought and I shake my head. Instead, focusing on the guy who minutes earlier was about to kiss me, he grabs my dad's extended hand and shakes it gleefully, laughing at something he said. 

Time passes and their subjects range from how annoying I can be, to which dessert is the best, to how the big football game on Saturday will end. Anything and everything. Both of them are humoring with such enthusiasm, it shocks me how well their charisma matches. 

During this time, it feels like I have gotten closer to Elijah, just by watching him converse with my dad. He appreciates watching football, but would never touch a ball himself. He dislikes the act of being rude to cashiers and waiters. My absolute favorite though, there is only one dimple on his face, not two, but one. The revelation makes him so painfully attractive to me.

In the midst of my staring, his phone beeps in his pocket and he excuses himself to my dad before checking. The color on his face disappears instantly and he hangs up. The silence that ensues is heavy and I find myself breaking it. 

"Let me follow you out, Elijah. Wouldn't want to torture you anymore in my dad's company," I joke and push my father lightly on my way out, he turns around and pushes me as well, completely unexpectedly and my clumsy ass barges into Elijah's back. 

"Dad!" I say in surprise, he always uses his strength against me, and even though it usually is funny, barging into my crush's back is just straight up embarrassing. 

"Don't talk like that, come back in here and I will beat your ass in Poker with my horrific company," He smirks at me. 

"You are so on!" I declare as I close the door behind Elijah and I. 

He is laughing at me when I meet his beautiful green eyes, the traces of his horrified face are long gone. That surely is some solid poker face he has. "That's some bond the two of you share."

Nodding I smile at him, "Yeah, he's an amazing dad. It seemed like you two hit it off as well."

He shrugs his shoulders and smiles, "He is insanely easy to chat with."

"That makes two of you then," I smile.

"You think I'm easy to talk to?"

Nodding, "From what I've seen so far, yes."

"Thank you, love," He smiles genuinely. 

"Probably have to get back in there and kick his ass in Poker," I joke and shake my head, a comfortable silence follows as our eyes meet. It's weird how easily I fall into his stare, "I'll see you Monday. And then we will arrange when we have to study."

"It's a date, love," He smirks, as he leaves the porch and walks down the sidewalk.

"Not a date, Black!" I yell after his retreating figure when my mind begrudgingly returns, he only salutes me with a wink. I can't help the stupid grin on my face and the flutters in my chest. He will be the end of me, surely.