Hatred With Benefits
E I G H T

EVA.

A tall shirtless frame. A chest that's decorated with abs and muscles, mouthwatering and glowing before me. A chest that leads to a face on which a tiny smirks rests.

Dark short hair complimented with brown eyes which stares back at me with amusement shining through the orbs.

Out of everywhere I thought he could be, I never thought it would be here. No fucking way. There's no fucking way this is possible. The woman told me my roommate was a girl, just about my age so how the fuck did that get switched with him?

"You look shocked to see me, Carson, "Emerson speaks, breaking the silence between us and I scowl at him. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

He raises a mocking brow. "You're dumb, Carson? What the fuck does it look like I'm doing?" My gaze drops to the mug in his hand and I shake my head.

"That's not what I fucking mean. What the hell are you doing here?" It's a stupid question. The man is chest naked in front of me with a coffee mug in his hand, so of course, he lives here, but it could also mean another thing: he hooked up with the girl who's my roommate and spent the night over. God, why does that sound so fucking terrible to my ears?

"Never knew you were this dumb, Carson. Do your fucking maths. "He hisses and I shake my head as I try to fight the voice in my head. "No, that can't fucking be. You can't be my fucking roommate. "You aren't even supposed to be here, you bastard.

"Newsflash, Carson. I am. "A grin climbs on his lips and I scowl at the sight of it.

"How?" I ask him and Emerson draws his brows. "How are you? The agent told me my roommate will be a girl.

"None of my fucking interest. I don't owe you a fucking explanation, Carson. If you're lost, talk to her- not me. " And there goes one of the reasons why I hate Emerson fucking Ford. He's arrogant and God knows that pisses me off than I like to admit.

"You have to leave. "I say in a small voice and Emerson looks around us as if there's another presence in the room before meeting my eyes with a pointed finger at his face. "I'm sorry. Did you mean me?" "Yes, I fucking mean you, Ford. You can't be here. You can't fucking be my roommate. "

Emerson's annoying smirk appears on his face and it grows wider with each step he takes. He stops only inches away from me and I ignore the way my heart picks up speed at his familiar scent. "Why, Carson? I have every right to be here. "He whispers, his gaze dragging down my body before moving to my face again. "Are you afraid you won't be able to handle me? Is daddy's little girl scared?" "I'm not fucking scared of you. "I snap and he gives a mocking nod. "Of course, you're not. Explains the horrified look on your face when you saw me the moment you came in.

11

"I can't stand the fúcking sight of you, Ford. There's a fucking difference. " I grip onto my suitcase and take tiny steps back with each step he takes forward. His gaze drops to our movement and he moves closer till the edge of his slippers are pressing against one of my shoes.

Emerson's eyes are on me when I return my gaze to him. "Right. You aren't scared. You're just fucking scared of what will happen if you stay around me. Afraid you're going to jump at my dick again, Carson?" "Jump at your dick?" A scoff slips through my parted lips and he cocks his head. "I can remember you doing that two nights away. Your screams and the sound of my name leaving your mouth..." Should have fucking known he would taunt me for that. It's Emerson Ford anyway, I don't expect any less from him.

"I didn't jump at your dick, Ford. You seem to have a foggy memory. How about I clear it for you? You fucking shoved me inside your car and fucked me.

"1

"Yet there was no single protest from your side. You wanted more. You begged for more." He retorts and I shut my eyes to calm my breathing before meeting his eyes again.

"You're a fucking bastard. "I cuss and he chuckles, "Not your best, but of course Carson, you should run. We both know you don't stand a chance against me."

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" I ask him, pinning him with a glare and he shrugs before walking away without a response.

I should leave still, but Emerson did that for a reason. The bastard drew a competitive line he knows I'll never back away from and leaving will prove him right. He's far from being right. I'm not fucking scared of Emerson Ford, neither do I have the will to spread my legs for him again.

Emersons twists his head to my side from his seat at the sound of my footsteps and he raises a brow. "You're still here.

"You'll be the one to leave, Ford. Not me. "I assure him and he laughs before jerking his head behind me. "The one to the right is yours."

"I'll decide which one is fucking mine. "I growl at him and a teasing smile climbs on his face as he says, "The one to the left is mine and all my stuff are in there. You're welcome to move them from there if you want." He settles back on the couch and I grumble at his back view before rolling my suitcase across the room, towards the bedroom.

The strong urge to take my right just to piss off Emerson streams through me, but I know pissing him off is the last thing I need in this situation so I take the left.

I shut my door and drop my suitcase to the side. Striding towards the bed, I collapse on it and stare up at the ceiling before the vibration of my phone pulls me out of my thoughts and I fish out the device. "Hey, "I speak as I push the phone against my ear and Aliya's loud voice comes from the other end. "Hey, you. You don't sound so good. Is everything okay? Did you get there?"

"Yes, everything is fine. I'm there right now. " I tell her and there's the sound of a squeal from her end. "And how's it? How's your new roommate? Is she hot or just pretty? Nice or mean? Mean girls are usually -"Except my new fucking roommate doesn't fit with any of those descriptions. This wouldn't have happened if Aliya had just got an apartment with me, but she wanted to experience what it's like to be in the dorms and I respect her decision. According to her, you can't have a full college experience without the dorms.

"It isn't a girl." I tell Aliya, and she halts her words. "What do you mean? I thought you said the woman told you—"

"I know what the woman fucking told me, Aliya and I'm so fucking pissed right now.

"Wow, calm down babe. It can't be that bad living with a guy. "Yes, except the guy is Emerson Ford.

"It's Emerson. "I drop the bomb and silence takes over. Aliya says no word and her breathing is my only proof that she's still on the line.

"Ali-"

"Emerson? Emerson Ford? The guy you hates so much?" And the guy I had mind-blowing sex with two nights away will be my next-door roommate. One I refused to walk away from because I won't give him the satisfaction of victory.

Can my life get any worse?

"Yes, that Emerson. "I respond to Aliya and there's a sound of her laugh. Is it supposed to be fucking funny?

"You both can't stay away from each other, can you?" She jokes and I roll my eyes, "This isn't the time for your jokes, Aliya. I'm more than pissed already.

Aliya laughs, not seeming to care about my words. "You'll be fine, babe. It's not like he'll kill you or something, and if it gets too unbearable then one of you moves out. "No doubt it'll be him. I will not give in to the urge. I will not lose this challenge.