Page 62 of Merciless

His eyes snap to mine. “What were you doing before I interrupted?”

“Washing myself.”

“You’re a filthy liar.” He smirks.

“What I do alone is none of your business.”

“So you were touching yourself.” He makes it into a statement like he just won a battle.

“What do you want?” I ask through clenched teeth.

His lips part as if he’s about to answer, but the bathroom door opens, then slams shut. My heart drops, and I peek past Elijah to see who interrupted us.

Fuck.

He doesn’t move. Instead, he watches me panic about getting caught with my stepbrother in the shower. It’s not a good look and will only damage my reputation further.

No biggie, right?

I move without thinking and grab him by his jacket collar, then yank him into the stall with me. Water sluices down my head, and Elijah grabs my hips, then turns us so his back gets soaked. I slide the curtain shut and hold my breath, hoping the stranger won’t investigate the noise.

“What are you doing?” Elijah whispers as he squeezes my hips.

“Shut up,” I whisper, then slap my hand over his mouth for good measure.

His eyebrows rise up his forehead, and his lips curve against my palm. He crowds my space and walks me backward until my back meets the cool tile wall.

My heart pounds like a drum. I can’t tear my eyes away from his face, especially his eyes. His gaze darkens with the same hungry look I saw years ago. And this morning while we made out.

His eyes rake down my chest, leaving behind a trail of fire. I suck in a sharp breath, realizing I stopped covering myself in a rush to get him in here with me.

I’m naked. He’s dressed.

And he’s looking at me like he wants to eat me until I’m a puddle at his feet.

“Eden?” Katie’s voice echoes in the bathroom, and footsteps approach the shower.

I turn my head, looking at the closed shower curtain like I can see through it. “Katie? What do you want?”

“I wanted to speak with you about something.” She stops just outside the curtain. “Can you come out so we can talk?”

“No!” I grab Elijah’s vest beneath his opened jacket to hold him in place. Or maybe it’s because I’m afraid my weakened legs may collapse.

“It’s important.”

Elijah’s hands wander down my hips to my ass and cup my cheeks.

I lick my lips before saying, “Can it wait until later? I’m kind of busy.”

Elijah’s eyes dance with amusement. I don’t need to know him that well to understand he’s about to do something I won’t like. He squeezes my ass cheeks, then lifts me. I wrap my legs around his waist and white-knuckle his shoulders as he pins me against the wall with his hips.

A small sound escapes me as he presses his erection against my core. He dips his head and slowly kisses over my throat.

Katie sighs. “I don’t think I can wait. This is the only time I can be alone.”

My eyelashes flutter, and my eyes roll back as Elijah finds a spot on my neck that makes my toes curl. I grind my pussy against him and tilt my head to give him more room.

Elijah’s lips curve against my neck in a hidden smile.