Hatred With Benefits
F O R T Y - T H R E E

EVA.

"You need to start leaving, Hanna. " Hanna groans next to me at the voice of her brother, and I chuckle, throwing her a smile as she meets my eyes with a small pout.

"He's chasing me away." She purrs and I look at Emerson behind us before looking back at her to say, "I'm sure he has good intentions."

"You're defending him?" She narrows her eyes and I shake my head. "I'm not. Just pointing that out."

"Fine," she rolls her eyes before moving to her feet then a smile covers her face. "I look forward to spending more time with you, Eva. "

"Me too." I utter sincerely and her smile widens before she turns to her brother, "I'm leaving now. Are you satisfied?"

"Do you want me to take you back?" Emerson asks her and she says, "No, I don't think so. I'll be fine "

"I'll take you." Emerson persists now and Hanna shakes her head again as an opposition to his words, "I'll honestly be="

"I want to make sure you head directly home, and not some other places. I'm taking you, and there's no place for an argument." He states, the finality in his voice quite obvious and Hanna's shoulders sink in a sigh before she bobs her head in agreement.

"Good. Stay here, I'll be back. "With those words, Emerson turns away and Hanna falls back beside me. "He's annoying, isn't he?"

"At times. "I chuckle and she smiles, shifting closer. "I'm kind of curious. How did you guys go from hating each other to hanging out and being housemates?"

"It's complicated. "I tell her and she says, "Go ahead. I'm all in for complications. "

When I do not answer, she proceeds to ask, "Do you like him? You know, like like him?"

"What? No! " I'm quick to deny and Hanna laughs. "That was a quick answer. It's usually termed a contradiction when you give a quick answer like that." She teases and I finally see a resemblance between her and her brother.

"I should let you know, though. Emery is a―" Hanna doesn't get to finish the rest of her words at Emerson's reappearance, and she groans before moving from the couch. "We will have this discussion another day, Eva. You'll need it." She winks and throws me a flying kiss before she strides towards the door.

"Are you sure you can handle yourself without me?" Emerson taunts and I snicker. "I love it more without you.

"Careful what you say, Carson. I can easily tell when it's a lie. " He chuckles before he turns in the other direction and goes after his sister. Just before he walks through the door, he turns around and throws me a salute with a tiny smile before he moves out of sight.

I shake my head, and grab the remote with a smile playing by the corners of my lips- a smile that's triggered by the sight of his.

"Semester is almost over, and I just can't wait to fucking get back home. I've missed my mom's meals. " Aliya complains as we slide into a booth after a tiring walk from the campus, and I snort. "You're only saying that because you can't take care of your damn food. "

"You didn't have to call me out, bitch." She frowns and I throw her a wink.

"So what did you guys do last night?" She places her hands on the banquette separating our seats and pushes her face closer with a small glint.

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused and when a tiny smirk appears on her lips, I figure out her words just before she says, "Emerson. I'm pretty sure he gives it to you every night. I can't believe I didn't notice sooner. That explains why you never complain about fucking these days. I'm so fucking mad I didn't pay enough attention. " She lets out in a breath.

"Maybe I'm not as bad at lying as you think I am. " I say with a proud smile and Aliya grimaces, "Please, you're so fucking bad at it. I would have figured it out if I weren't too busy with my complicated life." "You mean your two girls?" I point out just to tease her and she throws me her middle finger, causing me to laugh.

"Speaking of your two girls -" I speak when I caught sight of a certain blonde behind her. "One might just be right behind you. "Aliya furrows her brows before she turns her head to the side, and I watch as she freezes for a second before she turns her attention back to me.

"Who is that?" I ask her, jerking my head towards the guy who stands beside Sage with an arm wrapped around her waist as they speak to the lady at the front counter.

"I don't know-" Aliya mumbles, pulling my gaze back to her. "But they look super close."

"Are you bothered?" I ask her and she snaps her gaze to me. "Why the hell would I be?"

I let out a small laugh at her attempt to appear tough. "You don't have to hide it. I can tell you are; it's practically written all over your face, babe."

"I'm not." She persists and I lift my brows, "Are you sure? So you don't mind the way he's holding onto her? The arm looks very close, and she doesn't seem to have a-"

"Stop." She hisses, and I cackle. "You're so fucking bad at hiding it. I can tell you are, but you shouldn't be. I'm sure he's just a friend. She's got eyes for you only, babe."

"I lost my appetite. We should leave." She suddenly says, grabbing onto her bag by the side, and attempting to move from her seat, but I stop her as I say, "Too late. They are coming towards us now." Aliya's eyes widen. "You can't be fucking serious.

"

"Oh, I am. "I respond and throw a smile at Sage when she steps to our side. "Hey, you.

"Hey, pretty. Where the fuck have you been? It feels like I keep missing you." She says and I nod to Aliya who has her eyes on Sage, "She's the one keeping me away. Wants you all to herself." Sage's cheeks redden at my words, and Aliya kicks my leg under the table, throwing me a glare when my gaze settles on hers.

"It's more like Emerson has been keeping you away from us." Sage responds, and I let out an awkward laugh as Aliya rests back in her seat with a proud face.

"Fuck you." I mouth to her and her smile widens as she presses her middle finger to the side of her face.

"Um, guys. This is my friend from high school, Josh. And Josh, this is Eva. She's a super nice girl.

"Don't flatter me. "I say to her before I look to Josh who extends his hand to me and I take it in mine.

"Have anyone ever told you, you're an angel?" Josh tells me as he lowers his head towards my palm and presses his lips to the skin.

"Not in that way, but thank you, Josh. "I match the smile on his face with a small one of mine and Sage clears her throat when it takes too long for him to let go of my hand.

"And Josh, this is Aliya. My um-" she pauses and I look between the two of them as they exchange heated gazes. God, one look at these girls and you'll realize they're too fucking deep in it.

"She's my um- my gir-" Sage doesn't get to finish the rest of her words before Aliya interrupts, saying, "Friend. Her friend. "I watch Sage's face falls and I mentally facepalm myself at my best friend's dumb intervention as I watch her exchange greetings with Josh.

"So you're the Aliya, uh?" Josh says and Aliya exchanges confused gazes with me. When I raise my shoulder in a shrug, she looks back at him and says, "The Aliya?"

"Yeah, Sage here just happens to talk a lot about-"

"Okay, guys! I think that's enough discussion. We have to get going." Sage pulls Josh by his arm and an amused smile rests on my lips as I watch her glare at the guy discreetly.

"I'll see you around, Eva?" Josh meets my eyes and I give a nod with a small wave before he's dragged out of our sight.

"What the fuck just happened?" Aliya speaks from her seat when they're out of sight and I turn to her with a grin on my face. "Seems like you mean more than just a friend to your precious Sage, idiot. " When she gives no response, I say, "You might want to make up your mind, Aliya. She likes you. Like a lot.

"I know that." She responds with a groan and I lean forward. "Then why are you hurting her? If you ask me, I think it's better with her than with Chloe."

"You don't get it." She mumbles with a small shake of her head. "It isn't just about how Sage feels towards me and how I feel for her. It's about Chloe being in the middle. She just-I can't explain it, Evie. I wish I could, but I truly can't. I can't resist her, but I can't lose Sage either. "

"Well, you will have to do something, because if you don't- you'll end up losing someone who loves you more than you think. Maybe the semester break will help with your decision. " I tell her and she nods, before sinking into her seat with a fall of her chest.

The moment I step through the door, I know there's something different about the room. It's the phone on the couch- one that doesn't belong to Emerson and the purse next to it.

I shut the door behind me, before I still in my spot, my gaze moving across the room and a few seconds slip away before there are sounds, and it isn't just one which means Emerson has someone in. A woman to be exact.

Just as those thoughts flow through, they appear in the living room and Emerson's gaze meets mine before I break it and look to the redhead by his side. Paige. Of course, it's her.

My eyes roam down her body and I don't fail to notice the small details- like the way the strap of her top is shifted from its original position, the fact that she's without a bra, her nipples poking through her top and the fact that the first two buttons of her pants are out of their holes, revealing an almost insignificant view of the red lace she has underneath.

"You're back." Emerson speaks, his voice cutting through the silence and I look away from Paige to him- also noting that he's chest naked with the buttons of his jeans loosened.

"I am. "I utter as a response, nodding my head towards Paige as a form of greeting, which she gladly ignores.

"I'll see you around, babe. Keep your mind to what I told you. "I cringe inwardly at the tone of her voice and the nickname she uses as she steps on her toes to press her lips to his cheek before she walks to the couch, grabs her stuff and walks out of the room- purposely bumping her shoulder into mine, might I add.

"Seems like you had fun. "The words slip through my parted lips as I move from my spot and drop my bag to the couch before I stride in the direction of the kitchen.

"We didn't do anything. "Emerson voices behind me, trailing after me as I open the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water.

"Eva. " He calls when I give no response to his words, and I keep my concentration on pouring the water into a glass. I drop the bottle to the side and lift the glass, and just before it touches my lips- Emerson's hand covers mine as he turns me to meet his eyes, almost knocking the glass over.

"We didn't do anything, Carson. " He repeats his words.

"I didn't ask, did I?" I lift my brows and he says, "You didn't, but you have that look in your eyes.

"1

"What look?"

"The one that says you think I fucked her." He lets out and I cackle. "I honestly don't give a fuck whether you did, or you did not, Emerson. It's your body, and it's your choice. "

"You do. You should. "

"Why?"

"Because it's our rule." He utters in a small voice and I take a breath as Emerson slowly lowers his touch from mine.

"I didn't fuck her. I couldn't." He says and I swallow down my throat before I open my mouth, "Why? You could have if you wanted, then end the agreement between us.

He shakes his head. "I couldn't because I didn't want to. I won't deny the fact that she tried to, but I couldn't follow through, Eva. "

"Why not? She's hot. And you've done it before. " I tell him and he pushes forward, then lets out in a dangerously low and so fucking attractive voice. "Because it wasn't you. I've gotten used to having you, and you only, Eva. I felt no willfulness to touch her even when she had her hands on me- not like I feel the need to touch you right now with you just standing in front of me."

His somewhat of confession makes my heart beat faster in my chest and ignites that familiar rush between my legs.

I turn around and drop the glass on the counter before I turn back to him and say, "Then do it. " Emerson's eyes dart to my lips before he steps closer, taking the space around me till we're surviving on the same breath.

His hand falls to my waist, lowering to the back before resting on my ass and he squeezes my ass- one that produces enough jolts to have me drip more between my thighs, my panties getting unbearably drenched.

"More. "I moan out a plead, and Emerson gives into my request. He gives another squeeze to my ass while his other hand moves to the hem of my skirt and slips underneath the clothing to replace the mess that he and he only has caused.

"Wet and waiting. Just like always." He whispers as he gives faint rubs over my clad pussy and a powerful surge of desire streams through me, leaving me wanting more and more of his touch. The more, I want; the more he gives and the more he gives; the more I want more.

"Oh, yes, yes. Yes, Emerson. "I chant like a prayer as he applies pressure to his rub. He's barely touching my bare pussy yet, and I'm so fucking down for him. So fucking badly.

"Come here." He hoists me up in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he drops me on the counter before he spreads my legs wider.

"Look at me, Eva. Look into my eyes. "The irresistible tone of his command has me doing exactly as he asks, and I meet his eyes. Dark and heated- no doubt that they are a reflection of mine.

"Yes, that's it." He encourages, not looking away from my eyes as he brings my body to the edge of the counter before he slips his hands between my legs; his one hand resting on my thigh while the other brushes against my wetness before he expertly shifts my panties to the side, and pinches my clit.

"Yes, God. That feels so fucking good. "I moan as he plays with my clit before he slips two fingers inside me at once, and my head falls against his shoulder.

"My eyes, Eva. "He tells me and I wiggle against his shoulder as I pant, "I can't help it."

"I love the face you make when I'm driving you closer to the edge, Eva. Let me see that face; look at me. "I raise my head from his shoulder, pressing my hands on the skin instead and he gives me a tiny smile as he fastens the pace of his fingers inside me while he presses his thumb to my clit.

Intimacy with Emerson Ford comes in different shades: he could be gentle-giving you what you want the way you want it, he could be aggressive- taking you the way he wants it until you can barely feel anything but him and he could be wicked-giving you what you want after dragging you through all forms of torture before he lets you have that slice of heaven.

This is him being wicked, and as much as this side annoys me- I can't deny the fact that I love it the most out of all.

Emerson's fingers inside me are bringing me to the point of insanity and I can no longer keep my eyes on him. I can no longer control it.

"Hey, Carson." Emerson calls and I hum in response, my mind all over the place with the way his fingers feel inside me; pumping and driving me to pleasure.

I'm barely paying attention to what's around me- I'm barely in the right state of mind to do that, but that's until Emerson speaks again, "I'm afraid I'll have to break one rule between us.

"I

I manage to grasp the meaning of his words and open my eyes to meet his brown ones; they are staring back at me with a soft glow to them. No, not just a glow. It's more of an expression- one that I'm unable to apprehend.

"What are you talking about?" I finally replace my words amidst Emerson's spoken ones, and his fingers do not stop their torture between my legs.

His tongue peeks out and swipes over his bottom lip, wetting it before he looks down to where he's working his way inside me.

"Ah, fuck!" I let out a cry when Emerson crooks his finger inside me, my hands gripping his shoulder tighter as my legs on his waist start to lose their hold.

"You like that?" He coos as he looks up at me and I struggle to keep my eyes on him. "You like that, Eva?" He repeats and I hum at the use of my name along with those words.

"You know I do." My response comes, and Emerson moves his other hand from my inner thighs to the back of my head, using it as a measure to lower my lips on his. It's just the press of his against mine before he pulls back and says, "You want more?"

"Stop. "I pant in a thick breath, knowing the direction he's taking this. "Don't play games with me, Emerson. Please. Just..." A sound of pleasure breaks out between my words when he adds another finger inside me, stretching my walls and bringing me into another level of pure bliss.

"I'm not. I'm not, Eva. I'm fucking not. " He chants and with a few more strokes of his fingers, my pleasure washes over me in a rather intense way.

I was wrong when I thought he would stop there. Emerson moves back so my legs fall completely from his waist before he drops to his knees and raises my legs to his shoulders.

"I want my mouth on you." It's the only permission he seeks and a nod is the only approval I'm able to give before he yanks the previously shifted panties down my straightened legs. When it reaches his face, he takes a sniff and throws his head back before he meets my eyes, and the way they gaze at me is enough to have me dripping between my thighs; enough to have my body rumble with impatience. Needy and begging for him to make a move.

"Please." I know the power that one word from me holds over him when Emerson lifts my legs from his shoulder to get rid of the panties before he drops them back, and pushes his face forward.

I drop back on my elbows and move my hand to the back of his head to press him closer when he gives one hard swipe of his tongue across my pussy.

"So fucking sweet. " He purrs before his mouth is on me again, brushing against my pussy, licking and sucking before he thrusts his tongue instead.

"Just like fucking that. " I whimper and throw my head to the back, my fingers coiling through his hair and gripping tight as Emerson fucks me with his tongue like it's the thick length of his cock and it isn't long before another orgasm ripples through me with Emerson Ford sucking at my juices till the very last drop.

"Fuck, yes! Your mouth feels so good, Emerson. So. Fucking. Good."

After licking me clean, he draws back; his lips coated with my juices and his hands stroking my trembling legs as he drops the words that leave my mouth open, and an entire wave of a strange emotion washing over me along with the intensity of the pleasure he just gave. "I think it's starting to mean more than just sex with you. You're making me feel a lot more, Eva. "