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I’m so shocked at his display of temper, I literally rear back. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me.”
“You’re right,” I stand and snatch my knapsack off of the floor. “I guess I do need help picking better friends. Especially when it comes to choosing ones that actually trust my judgement. Thanks for all of your help, Donnelley. I’ll see you around.”
“Shit,” he mutters, scrambling to his feet. “Holland, wait.”
I’m reaching for the doorknob when I feel his hand close around my upper arm. I should just shake him off and go, but somehow, I can’t bring myself to do it.
He turns me around to face him, and I can see the regret in his eyes. “Don’t go.”
“Why? Why should I stay?”
Eli stares down at me, still holding on to my arm. Seconds tick by as I wait for him to answer.
His Adam’s apple bobs slightly as he swallows. “Look, I shouldn’t have gotten pissed off at you. You didn’t deserve that, okay? I just... I don’t fucking like him.”
“Can’t we agree to disagree about this?” I ask, gently placing my hand on his chest. “Please? I don’t want to fight with you, Eli.”
He covers my hand with his, and I grow very still. His hand is big and warm, and it feels so damned nice on mine.
“I’m sorry,” Eli murmurs. He lets go of me, then slides his hands down to my waist, tracing his thumbs in little circles along my midriff.
That’s all it takes for my heart rate to hit the fat burning zone. My stomach flips wildly as he skims his fingers lightly along my skin. Then he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
“Forgive me,” he says urgently, his lips brushing against my ear. “Please?”
Oh myGod.
I’m trying desperately not to melt against him, but I’m only human, and he’s making me crazy. A second later, I give up and wrap my arms around him.
“Yes. I forgive you.”
I feel him relax, and he pulls me even closer.
“You know, you owed me a hug anyway.”
“That’s right. I forgot,” I say, cuddling against him. He gives such good hugs, and he smells amazing—that soapy, fresh hint of mint scent that I’ve come to associate as his and his alone.
“I didn’t forget,” he says, his voice smoky and deep in my ear.
He pulls back and looks down at me, brushing a lock of hair away from my face. “It’s been a really long time since anyone’s hugged me. Anyone who didn’t want something from me, that is.”
I bite down on my lower lip, unsure of how to respond. I’m not any better than the rest of them, because I want something from him as well.
But when he’s holding me in his arms and looking down at me like this, how can I not think that he doesn’t want something from me, too?
I close my eyes and try to regain some kind of emotional foothold, until I hear his voice again.
“Hey,” he says softly. “Look at me.”
When I open my eyes, our faces are mere inches apart. He reaches up and strokes my jaw, then traces his thumb down along my cheek. “I’m so happy you came over tonight, sweetheart. So fucking happy.”
Involuntarily, I shiver, and I know he senses the effect he’s having on me because his eyes suddenly blaze with heat.
He’s going to kiss me, and I know I should stop it. I know I should put our friendship first, but my heart wants him.
I want him.
