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He takes a dangerous step closer with a tortuously provocative smirk, my first impulse is to withdraw, but for some idiotic and insane reason, my feet are rooted to the spot. "I think I know you pretty well."

My mouth opens in confusion and the suggestive tone to his voice frustrates me, he doesn't have the right to talk about us. I remember everything from that time in our lives though, how both of us found peace with each other only for me to be dumped on the doorstep. I haven't communicated with him since and seeing him here is unbelievable, he has changed so much. His appearance shines with a newfound confidence that I find myself completely and utterly drawn to.

"I'm not that girl anymore," I state, identifying the significant amount of truth to my words. He hasn't faced this version of me, I've changed during these years in Hetdale.  

His green eyes gleam and my heart pounds, the feelings of being near him are scary and too fucking familiar. He scans my body and the trailing of his eyes leaves a hot fire in its wake, "Can't argue with that, love."

Him and I are not doing this. Nope, he can't come here and start flirting with me like there's no tomorrow. We aren't the same anymore, we can't just pick up where we left off and behave as if everything is perfectly fine. Because it isn't.

"I have to go," I silently try retreating, only for him to take a step closer for every advance I attempt getting farther away. His actions are awakening a part of myself I haven't seen in years, not even with Flynn. Elijah is dangerous and sensual, he is passionate and I fucking miss it. His eyes are as strong as always, my breath hitches in my throat when he has me confined against my porch. "Elijah, please leave."

"Why?" He murmurs, gazing into my eyes and my eyes flicker to his full lips. A painful throbbing appears between my thighs and I release a shaky breath. 

These years certainly did him good and the temptation I feel from being close to him is throbbing and intense, there is a piece of that desperate college girl left inside of me, the one needing this exact man in her life. It's almost painful to consider. My eyes flutter when his left hand grasps my waist, drawing me against his muscular figure. Everything is on fire, his hands on me again feels too amazing and familiar. 

"We can't do this again."

He takes my hand in his, strong tingles exploding in feeling his skin again, "I don't see a ring, love."

"I'm not married, but..." I trail off not knowing how to form a coherent sentence, this fucking specimen is messing with my mind.

"But what?"

"We won't work out," I state with finality. "We aren't in college anymore and the truth is that you and I never stood a chance, it wasn't anything else but teasing. You weren't ready for a relationship in college, I wasn't ready for one in high school, there is no reason for us to fight this anymore. We didn't truly have anything."

"Don't assume that on my account," He grimaces slightly, the expression so uncommon for him I take a second to collect myself. 

"Why are you here, Lij?"

He pulls a sharpened breath by the nickname, clearly recognizing the situation at hand as he pulls away from me entirely. The small ounce of vulnerability withdrawn in a second and a smirk takes over, this time the smirk does nothing to me, because I know he's protecting himself from something. It's filled with a desperate need for self-preservation. 

"I just wanted to acknowledge my next-door-neighbor," He suddenly declares and confusion is written all over my appearance. "Say hello to the newest addition to this street, number 32. I had no idea you lived in Hetdale still so I'll consider this a pleasant surprise, love." 

A vibration in my purse throws me off momentarily as I instantly clutch my phone. Flynn's name flashes, and before I realize what I'm doing, I accept his call. 

"Flynn?"

"Well hello to you too, stranger," He laughs lightly, the sound usually provoking butterflies in my gut, but I can't concentrate on him with Elijah being right in front of me. His eyebrow cocks as he questions why I accepted the call, I'm wondering the exact same thing. I don't want to talk to Flynn right now, not with him right here.

"What's up?" I request, shaking my head and tearing my eyes away from the devil himself. 

"I was wondering if you need some company for the night, I'm off now and can come over. Listen, I know the two of us are fighting a little, but some great sex can always make up for that, right?" He pathetically attempts, the annoyance of him bribing with sex frustrates me. This is a normal occurrence by now, it irritates me. 

"I already told you no, Flynn."

A heavy and awkward silence settles between us, which is extremely disturbing, "And I still don't get why the two of us can't have sex, we've been together for four months already." 

Before I have to endure another second of our conversation, I hang up on him assuming that my messed up mind is the reason behind our lack of sex. He is always talkative and very pleasant, so without a doubt he could sense my apprehension in the phone call. Maybe I have to invite him over for dinner one of the upcoming nights, to make amends, and actually work on our relationship. 

"Not married, but obviously in a relationship then?" A hoarse voice breaks the air. Elijah's interested eyes gaze into my own and I try to disregard the deep flutter in my chest, I refuse to fall for his attractiveness again. This repetitive circle we have going on isn't producing anything positive, it's actually only making me even more confused.

"It's none of your business," I spit, an unexpected wave of passion flowing off me. "Now if you'll excuse me." 

As I step past him, he carefully grabs my arm sending sexual shivers up my spine, "I've missed you."

The way he whispers those words and his fingers on me mess with my determination, I'm brave enough to look at him, and he smirks down at me as his manly scent is caressing my body. I pull my arm away from his familiar hold, hastening up the stairs where I unlock the door and all but run inside. 

My heart pounds roughly in my chest as I lock it from the inside, sliding down the wall in my dark hallway. Every pent up emotion comes toppling to the surface again, as I grasp my hair tightly demanding something to hold onto, something within reach, something authentic. 

He and I never stood a chance, but the last time I saw him we fought and that knowledge alone is enough to unsettle me. It's because I haven't slept with anyone since him, that has to be it, he is a man and he's here it's nothing deeper than that. As I conclude this a sigh of relief leaves my lips, maybe I should call Flynn back and apologize for my reaction. That's it, Flynn is an exceptional candidate for me and even though I promised self-preservation this year, I also have needs and he can hopefully meet them.