Waking in his Arms

Elijah

O nce we had eaten, she went to brush her teeth and I grabbed some pants, putting them on as I scroll through my phone. I cock a brow at the pictures Keira had sent me.

The number had no name, but her bleached hair and fake breasts were proof enough that it's her.

KEIRA: Want to come over tonight?

Does she even know I'm not there?

I delete the images and see three messages from one of the women I had met at training. They lived local and she often used to send me nudes. Glancing at the bathroom door, I hit delete without even opening the messages and block her and Chucky's sister.

Red.

Her body, now that's an entirely different story. She can send me nudes and I'll jerk off to them every fucking day, but I don't need to when the real deal is right here.

She re-enters the bedroom and I put my phone away. She runs her fingers through her hair, glancing at my pants and I smirk. "Sad that I'm wearing pants? If you want, I could sleep naked?"

"No thanks, I don't think that's a sight I want to see. Keep them on." She rolls her eyes as she gets into the other bed and switches the lights off, staring at the ceiling.

I watch her, seeing the small frown that creases her forehead. "Are you ready to face him tomorrow?" I ask after a moment.

Her heart thuds and her expression becomes grim. I'm not sure, but I almost feel like she shuddered under her duvet.

I turn and stare at the ceiling, her silence worrying me. I feel her eyes on me.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready… but I got this. I'm not a child. He can't hurt me anymore," she says quietly.

"You're right, he can't, and I'll be right there. No one's going to touch you," I promise. She doesn't reply, but she doesn't need to. I know this is a lot for her and I may not know exactly what she's been through, but whatever it is has left a lasting effect on her, Jessica and Indigo.

I've seen my little sister go through hell because of him and to think she's the youngest. Even though I don't know exactly what she faced, I know that her father is a monster.

She falls asleep soon after, although she's restless, tossing and turning. I turn, glancing at the agitated woman a mere foot and a half away from me. I can't sleep, not with her scent invading my senses and the impending seriousness of tomorrow waiting for me.

I prop myself up on my elbow, observing her. Her hair falls in front of her face, a deep frown creasing her brow as she stirs in her sleep. I lean over and brush her hair out of her face.

My gaze falls to those plump lips of hers. She really is gorgeous, even without a speck of make-up. She is a natural beauty, and I do not only mean her face. Her breasts, which are half covered by the duvet are inviting, the clingy fabric of her top shaping them perfectly, tempting me.

She lets out a quiet whimper, her heart thumping, and I frown. She moves a little, and the duvet is pulled down, and I'm once again distracted by her breasts.

"Fuck," I mutter, getting off the bed. I push my bed towards hers, closing the small gap between them. A smirk plays on my lips when I get back on the bed and slowly tug her onto my bed.

She stirs and I simply stroke her hair until she relaxes once again. Pulling her against my chest, I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her light floral scent. Hoping she will feel safe and sleep better in my arms.

I continue to comb my fingers through her hair, satisfied when she snuggles against me. I feel the painful hard-on I had just about gotten rid of spring back into action.

This is getting fucking embarrassing, I think. I might need to switch to baggy track pants and oversized hoodies at this rate. Resting my head on top of hers, I try not to focus on the way her delicious curves press against me and instead on the sweet scent of her freshly shampooed hair.

I have never slept with women I've fucked, unless I was completely drunk, preferring to kick them out or take my leave right after I got what I wanted. But with Scarlett, it is different. With these thoughts swimming around in my head, sleep soon overcomes me.

Scarlett

I wake up feeling extremely comfortable, snuggled in a pleasantly warm cocoon – although something is poking my stomach. Half-asleep, I frown, reaching down wondering what it is. I grab it, shoving it hard when I hear a grunt. I freeze, realising the thick hard thing in my bed is not just a random item but-

Fuck.

"Fuck, Red!" Elijah's deep groan comes as he lets go of me and rolls onto his back.

As bad as I feel, this is pure comedy. I cover my mouth, stifling a giggle. "Oops, sorry, but why the hell are you in my bed?" I ask.

He raises an eyebrow, his eyes still full of sleep as he gazes at me, making my heart skip a beat. It's crazy, but it's like I'm living a dream. I woke up in Elijah Westwood's delicious arms.

"Take a look around. This is my bed; you came on to me, sweetheart," he mocks, grabbing me and pulling me against him. I grab onto his bare shoulders at the sudden move, my heart racing as I gaze into those mesmerising eyes.

"I don't know, that's hard to believe," I say suspiciously, trying not to focus on the way his dick is pressing against my lower stomach or the way his body feels moulded against me, sending pleasure to my core.

"Mm, there's a lot of things that are hard to believe. One being that you, Red, are so fucking irresistible, that'd I'd be so damn hooked on you. It's still kind of mind-blowing," he murmurs, kissing my neck sensually, and I'm unable to stop the low moan from escaping me.

He flips me onto my back, my heart racing loudly and he's about to kiss me when my phone begins ringing loudly. I recognise that ringtone.

"Fuck, that's Mama," I exclaim, pushing him off me and rushing to grab the phone I had plugged in to get charged last night. "She's video-calling. Stay out of sight!"

I quickly scramble back into my bed and pull the bed sheets right up, not wanting to risk her seeing any kind of mark on me from last night or today. Although I'm sure last night's marks have disappeared. Accepting the call, I smile at Mama.

"Hey, Mama," I say with a yawn, sensing Elijah watching from the other bed.

"Hey honey, I didn't get one call from you yesterday and Jackson said Elijah hasn't been in touch either. You two are ok, aren't you?" Mama asks, concerned.

Wow… with everything, I can't believe neither of us contacted them.

"Yeah, perfectly fine. I guess it was a long journey and we just slept straight away," I say, my stomach twisting with nerves when Elijah stands up and stretches. My eyes run over his muscular back.

Goddess, is he handsome.

"Scarlett? Is Elijah there?" Mama asks curiously.

"No. I just woke up, I was just checking the time," I reply smoothly, daring not to look at him again. He smirks cockily as he opens his bag and I pray no one hears that.

"Ah, ok. Well honey, please be obedient. He is your future Alpha, keep that in mind and don't make this trip hard on him," Mama says, making me frown as Elijah gives a mock nod.

"Mama, if he's a jerk I'm not going to bow down to him," I say firmly, watching as she measures out flour.

"Scarlett! Like I said, respect and obey him. You may be his sister, but still. He was so sweet and mature to take you along on this trip. So please don't make it hard for him."

"Okay, Mama, I get it. Elijah is the perfect little alpha that I need to obey and never question. Got it. Can I go now? We need to head out and I need to get ready," I say curtly. Both Mama and Elijah are annoying me.

"Okay, love you," Mama says with a sigh of defeat. I hang up, tossing the phone onto my bed, making Elijah smirk.

"As she said, obey your Alpha. Wanna get down on your knees for me?" he teases as he approaches me.

"Fuck you, Elijah," I growl, not in the mood.

"If that's what you want," he counters, about to get on the bed when I jump out of it, away from him. Grabbing a cushion, I throw it at him with full force, but he catches it. I shake my head, storming to the bathroom.

I am so done with Mama's constant irritating remarks.

"You are such a jerk," I mutter, glaring at the man who's finding this all so bloody amusing.

"And you're moody as fuck in the morning," he remarks. I slam the bathroom door in response.

I stare into the mirror frowning. This is it. The day I face my demons.