Page 74 of Merciless

This isn’t good. Having him around is dangerous for him because of the man breaking into my dorm room, but it’s dangerous for me too. I don’t want to catch feelings, and I’m already falling into perilous territory.

Elijah breaks away from his friends and jogs toward me. I widen my steps to stay ahead of him. Not fast enough, because a firm grip on my wrist stops me. He spins me around to face him, and he steps closer until he’s all I can breathe.

“Where are you going, birdie?”

“To the stable.” I avert my gaze.

He tilts his head. “Are you sure you’re not just running away after getting caught checking me out?”

“I wasn’t checking you out.”

“Then were you eye-fucking my friends?”

“I wasn’t checking anyone out. I was simply observing my surroundings before moving on.”

He strokes my cheek with a finger. “Why are you blushing, then?”

For many reasons that I’m not about to offer. I move my head to the side and glare at him from the corner of my eye. “Let go.”

I let out a breath when he releases my wrist. I tense as he settles his hand on my waist.

“You’re looking flushed, sis. Is there something you want to tell me?”

I shake my head.

Elijah grins and leans down until his lips hover beside my ear. “I know what lust looks like in a woman’s gaze. I’m not oblivious to it.” He catches my earlobe between his teeth and softly nips it. “So try again, and this time, tell the truth.”

I suck in a shaky breath. “Your friends are watching.”

“Let them watch.” He kisses a spot below my ear. “Maybe they can learn a thing or two.”

“Our parents could come out any second.”

Elijah taps my temple and kisses another spot. “Always so worried.”

I rest my hands on his bare chest, hating and loving how good he feels. He’s firm, warm, and forbidden. “Fine. I was checking you out.”

His chuckle comes out dark and silken. “See? It wasn’t that hard, now, was it?” He nibbles my earlobe before whispering, “I was checking you out, too. I still am.”

“You’re disgusting.” I shove him, but he doesn’t budge. It’s like trying to push a wall.

“And you’re fucking filthy, baby.” He straightens and smirks.

“I’m your stepsister.” I don’t know how many times I have to remind him of this, but I feel like a broken record.

“We’re not blood, so I don’t see a problem with it.”

“What if we were? Would you still hit on me?”

He chuckles. “That’s a loaded question, sis. How about you answer first?”

“Yeah, you would still hit on me. You give those⁠—”

“You’re a cheeky little bird. I meant if you would still kiss me and let me touch you if I were your brother.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I stiffen.

I force a smile, and his grin fades into a frown. He tilts his head as he looks me over.