Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
"Good word. How so?"
"You don't seem to take anything seriously, but you do. You brush off any kind of emotional contact, but you love sweet affection. I can't work you out."
I snort wryly, but beneath my flippancy, I feel exposed. "Sounds like you want to work me out."
Instead of admitting that she does, she tips my chin so I'm forced to look her in the eyes. The uncertainty I see there floors me.
"Take me to bed, Elias."
So I do.
I make it raw and sexy, and I know she likes it because it trips her switch until she's clawing at me and whimpering. But after, when I pull her close, I let my fingers wander over her skin with the same gentleness that she showed me, and allow myself to drift beneath her gentle caresses, pushing back the thoughts of Dornan and Travis, and even Eddie. Pushing back my own mumbling mind that tells me I'm a pussy for wanting Celine for anything else other than a fun and convenient fuck.
I let myself rest because the chance feels like one I won't get again for a long time.
15
DORNAN
Travis got the job. I find out from Ellie, who finds out from Gabriella and tells me over coffee in the afternoon. Later, when I'm chilling in my room, I use the 'Fake Date' group chat to share my message of congratulations. It seems like the right thing to do, but when it's sent, I feel a rush of uncertainty.
We're not a friendship group. We shared two nights at Molly's motel, one perfectly innocent and the other totally corrupt, but that's it.
I haven't seen Celine since, and it's been driving me crazy, wondering if she's just busy or avoiding me. Or even worse, is seeing the other two but has decided to leave me out.
Shit.
I run my hand through my hair and mumble that I'm an idiot for letting my feelings for Celine grow under circumstances that are far from ideal. Slumping down on my bed, I stretch out my long legs, wincing at the bruise I earned at the last game and my muscles that ache from training. My socked feet look huge, almost hanging off the end.
When my phone buzzes, I jump up, forgetting my aches and pains and snatching up my phone. It's Travis with a reply.
TRAVIS - Thanks, man. I'm pumped. It's a great role. Better than the one I left behind in Germany. They need me to start immediately, but I asked for a week off so I can find an apartment.
I can see that Celine and Elias are typing.
CELINE - Yay. That's awesome news. Go Travis!
ELIAS - Well done, man. Can I be you when I grow up?
TRAVIS - Are you trying to make me feel old again?
ELIAS - You are old, dude!
CELINE - Can I come apartment shopping with you?
ELIAS - You're supposed to be studying Celine.
TRAVIS - I'd actually appreciate some company. My mom and Gabriella have hair appointments, and my friends are all busy. I don't know what I'm looking for. I have five appointments tomorrow between nine and eleven.
CELINE - I'm in.
Elias is quick to reply.
ELIAS - I'm down.
If they're going, I'm not going to be the odd one out. I type quickly, 'I'm down.'
TRAVIS - I'll pick you all up around eight-forty-five.
Celine responds with a smiley face. Elias drops a thumbs up. I send one of those green tick symbols just to be different, and I feel like a high schooler in the process.
Dropping back onto my bed, I smile at my phone and then toss it next to me. It'll be good to see Celine, and part of me is looking forward to the stupid back-and-forth that flies around the group whenever we're together. I've seen Ellie have the same dynamic with her stepbrothers-turned-baby-daddies and Gabriella with her three neighbors-turned-boyfriends. There's something about three men and one woman that seems to bring out the humor in everyone.
Travis is chill, Celine is fiery and funny, and even though Elias seems to have a giant chip on his shoulder most of the time, he's got a dark sense of humor that amuses me. Before Celine brought us together to play her revenge games, I had a different view of Elias. I still don't like how he can be cutting and egotistical, but he seems to want to care for Celine. His willingness to step in for her when they weren't even very close beforehand says something new about his character that I can't ignore.
Elias and Celine are already in Travis's car when they arrive to collect me. I jump into the backseat with Elias, checking out Celine, who twists to greet me between the seats.
"I can't believe you guys were on time." Celine's hair is still wet, and she has it twisted in a knot at the back of her head. "I thought I'd have time to dry my damned hair."