Hatred With Benefits
E I G H T E E N

EVA.

I take one last glance at my body before walking inside the restaurant.

My gaze moves across the room as I search for a blonde head and it doesn't take long to replace him waving at me from his booth.

"I didn't think you would show up. "Dan smiles as I slide in the booth, taking the seat across him and I give a small laugh. "Why not? I did say I'll be here."

"I know," he nods. "But I was having doubts. My friend will be here, is that okay with you?"

"The more, the merrier. "I confirm and Dan cackles before calling for order.

The woman takes Dan's order of two beers while I go with a vodka soda.

"Just soda? You sure you don't want a beer?" Dan asks as the woman walks away.

"I am. Why? Does that sabotage your plan to get me drunk?" I raise my brows teasingly at him and Dan laughs. "And what could I possibly get from getting you drunk?" "A lot of things. "I lower my voice.

"Darling," he calls with his lips curved into a smirk. "I don't need to fuck with your mind to get what I want. "

"So sure of yourself. "I say and he winks, before letting his eyes roam across my body. "You look beautiful."

"I would say the same about you, but I saw this earlier. "

"So you won't?" He pouts.

"Nice to see you still look the same, Dan. "I joke and Dan laughs, his dimples coming into view this time.

That laugh slowly dies down when another figure joins us and takes the seat next to me. He's the same guy I saw with him at campus, and he's still wearing that scowl from earlier.

"He's my friend. You saw him before. He wanted to tag along so-" Dan doesn't finish the rest of the words when dark-haired throw him a glare.

"I'm Noel. " His voice is soft and smooth, compared to his harsh gaze and I place my hand in his for a brief handshake.

"Eva. " I tell him and he nods. "I know. The fucker ditched our plans for you." He glares at his friend again and a soft chuckle falls from my mouth.

"I'm sorry for that, Noel. "I tell him and he detaches his hand from mine before saying, "That's fine. Your beauty makes up for it.

"

Did he just-

"Noel. " Dan calls sharply and we both raise our heads to him. "Don't fucking flirt with my date. "

Noel leans forward with a taunting smirk on his face. "And why's that? Afraid I'll steal her attention from you?"

The duo glare at each other and it almost seem like it's taking everything for Dan not to move from his seat and throw his fist in his friend's face before they both break into a laugh and Noel draws back.

I'm unable to hold back my smile at the silly interaction. Noel is cooler than I thought he would be at first glance.

The woman returns with two beers and a vodka soda. She drops the soda before me while Dan passes one of the beers to Noel.

"So what inspired the colour of your hair, Eva?" Dan asks.

"What makes you think I wasn't born this way?" I cock my brows at him, relaxing into my seat.

"I can tell you weren't. It's a unique colour. "He says and I hum. "You could say that and I just loved the colour."

"It suits your eyes. " He whispers, keeping his gaze fixed on me and I take a sip of my drink to ease down the tension.

"What do you think of this?" Dan asks again and I draw my brows together. He answers my silent question. "The two of us." "Friends hanging out on a chill night?" I respond and there's this unbelievable expression that covers his face like he expected a different answer. "What?" I chuckle when Dan laughs and he shakes his head. "Just the first time a girl will friendzone me in a very long time. I'm impressed." "Were you hoping for more?" I tease him.

"

"I don't think I need to hope to get more, sweetheart." He speaks confidently and that reminds me of someone else. I close my mind before any further thoughts of him can creep in. "Trust me, you do. "I assure him and he wears a challenging look. "Was that a challenge?"

"Do you think it is?" I retort. I stay still and frown at the sound of a familiar voice. I angle my head to the exit to see Emerson walk in with his circle of friends.

Emerson meets my eyes and if he's surprised to replace me here, he sure as hell doesn't show it because his eyes are off me the next second, going to the redhead beside him.

"Do you know them?" Dan asks me and I turn my attention back to him. With a smile, I say, "Someway."

He smiles in return and turns to mumble something to his friend, while I take that chance to glance at Emerson and his friends. They are in the booth behind us and he's sitting across from me so our gazes are on each other.

"You know Emerson?" Dan asks and I look away from Emerson.

"You do?" I ask with lifted brows and he nods with a small chuckle. "I've seen him around. He's in one of my classes."

"Oh, the same goes for me. "I tell him, leaving out the slight detail of living with him.

My phone vibrates on the table and I gesture to Dan to give me a minute before grabbing the device. It's from an unknown number and I furrow my brows as I open the text.

UNKNOWN: You should have gone with red. Would have caught his eyes better, Carson.

The name at the end is a dead giveaway and I lift my eyes to Emerson, but he isn't staring at me. He has a smile on his face as he speaks to his friends with redhead hugging him by the side. How the fuck did he get my number?

ME: I don't remember giving you my contact.

I lift my gaze back to Dan and before I can drop the phone, there's another beep.

Dan nods for me to take it and I lift the mobile again. A new text from him.

UNKNOWN: The tank top from the night in my car would have been nicer. He wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off your chest. Or his hands if you allow him. You could have done better to seduce a man, Carson.

He's playing with me and God helps me, I'm falling into his trap. I can feel it building up but I refuse to give into it. I refuse to give Emerson Ford exactly what he wants.

I throw the phone to the side and turn my focus on Dan.

"Everything good?" He asks with raised brows and I nod. "Perfect."

"Can you lean forward? I think there's something on your mouth. " Dan frowns and I look at his friend with a confused expression who doesn't seem like he's paying attention to us.

"Really? Where?" I ask him as I take my hand to my lips.

"Just lean in, Eva. " He says softly and I nod, leaning forward. Dan surprises me by moving his head forward, and pressing his lips to mine. It's a short kiss and our mouths are hardly touching because of the table between us and my body not completely leaning in.

Dan's hand moves to the back of my head to press his lips harder into mine and I try to move my lips against his- the kiss almost clumsy and uncomfortable.

He lets go and inches back into his seat with a soft smile on his face and I raise my brows at him, a small smile coating my lips. "I thought you said something?"

"It was," he confirms. "And I helped you with it my style. "

"You stole a kiss. "I argue, giving him a pointed look and Dan laughs, taking a swig of his beer before meeting my eyes again. "Darling, if you think that's how I'll kiss you next time, then you're totally mistaken.

"I

His voice is small but firm and I blink a few times before looking away from him.

Dan laughs. "I'm just joking, Eva but that's not how I kiss. You would be humping me if I did. "

"You did last time and I didn't. "I raise my shoulder dismissively and Dan shakes his head. "That was different. "

I chuckle and part my lips to speak, but before I can, my phone vibrates on the table and I grab the device to see a new text from the same unknown number. I shouldn't open the text again. I should ignore him but my curiosity gets the better of me and I replace my eyes moving across the words.

UNKNOWN: Did you enjoy his mouth on yours, Carson?

ME: What do you think you're doing?

The new text comes almost instantly.

UNKNOWN: I bet he didn't make you feel like I do. Like I'm snatching your breath from you. Leaving you to crave for more. Work for more.

What the fuck is he playing at?

"Are you okay?" Dan asks and I lift my head to give him a nod before shifting my gaze back to the phone.

ME: I'm not playing this game with you.

The reply is just as quick as earlier. How the fuck is he doing it? I don't see him move an inch.

UNKNOWN: Why, Carson? Does it make you feel hot? Unable to enjoy your date? Do I distract you, Carson? I bet I do judging by the way you're clenching your legs.

He isn't even in the fucking view of my legs!

"Eva. " Dan calls quietly and I raise my head to him. "Is everything alright? You've been staring at your phone."

"Yeah. Um... Give me a minute? I think I need to use the restroom.

He nods with a smile. "Can't exactly be charming if you don't have me waiting here."

"Shut up. "I joke with a small shake and he laughs, nodding his head for me to move.

I don't miss Emerson's eyes on me as I move out of my seat and I type back a reply before moving out of sight.

ME: Do not fuck with me, Ford.

The meaning of his next words makes my heart race and with that comes annoyance.

UNKNOWN: Too late. I already did. Twice.

I clench my jaw and glare at the back of his head before striding towards the restroom. I make my way inside the room and put my phone away.

I stand before the mirror with my hands gripping onto the sink edges as I shut my eyes, and take in deep heavy breaths.

"Do I affect you that badly, Carson?" My eyes fly open at the sound of that voice and I meet Emerson's eyes through the mirror. He's leaning against the wall with one leg propped to the lower surface and a smirk pressed to his lips.

Twisting my body to his view, I say, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Emerson doesn't say anything. The smirk slowly fades from his face as he pushes himself off the wall and takes slow strides towards me. He doesn't stop till my ass is pressing onto the sink and his face is inches away from mine so I can feel each inhale and exhale he takes.

"What are you-" the words catch up in my throat when Emerson lifts his hand to my lower lip, giving slow but harsh strokes on it – almost as if he's brushing something from it.

He does the same to my upper lip, an irritated expression smearing his face and without a word, he closes the gap left between our bodies and mashes his lips against mine.

His hand slides to my waist and he swallows every single sound that rises from my throat- both gasps and moans. He presses, sucks and bites on the flesh; his mouth so fucking aggressive against mine I'm almost afraid he'll draw blood.

I lift my hands to his jacket to push his body off mine, reminding myself I'm out with another man who isn't Emerson Ford, but my hands act on their own accord and fists in his clothing.

He tastes like wine and the only thought that goes through my mind is for him to hurl me up against the sink and fuck me hard, despite the mind-numbing pleasure he gave me just hours ago.

Before I can dwell further on that thought though, Emerson detaches his lips from mine and moves away, putting some distance between us.

"Enjoy the rest of your date." He throws me a wink before turning around and walking casually out of the room, leaving me standing with a needy body and a confused mind.

What the fuck just happened?