Page 83 of Merciless

Same with Asher, a tiny voice whispers in the back of my mind.

We drive past Asher, who’s been parked off to the side, waiting for us. He glares at us through the lowered window, even though he can’t see us through the tint. The sucker’s stick moves up and down as he watches us pass by him.

For a moment, we lock eyes, despite him being unable to see me. I shrink from the rage in his gaze and stare ahead.

Elijah doesn’t break the silence the rest of the way home. It’s deathly quiet, and a smidge awkward too. I don’t know what to say, and it feels like Elijah wants me to squirm in any way he can get it.

I’m out of the car and inside when we arrive. Elijah grabs me by the elbow and leads me to the kitchen.

“I’ll make you some tea to relax,” he says.

My eyebrows shoot up my forehead.

We stand in silence as he prepares the tea. I check my phone now and again to fill the time while I wait. I don’t know why I’m entertaining him and allowing him to make me a drink. It’s so unlike me.

Maybe I’m trying to gather enough courage to tell him that I’ll only sleep with him once. Because God, do I want to do it.

Elijah turns and hands me the mug of steaming tea. “Get some sleep, birdie. This should help you relax.”

My lips part as he leans in and pecks my cheek before he walks away.

I look down at the mug and squeeze the handle. Next time, I’ll tell him . . . because I can’t fight this anymore.

CHAPTER 30

ASHER

NIGHT 4 OF THE BET

I stand outside Eden’s open bedroom door, seeing nothing but red. I can’t sleep when the image of Elijah kissing Eden keeps popping into my head. He talked about fucking her, even while knowing I was right there.

I stare at Eden’s sleeping figure in the middle of her bed. Her chest rises and falls with deep, even breaths. Not even watching her like this calms the turbulent storm inside me.

She must feel so fucking good, sleeping so well after grinding on my brother’s lap.

It should have been me kissing her and squeezing her breasts until she was breathless. It should have been me who made her tilt her head back and rock her hips against mine as I kissed her neck.

Only I can give her what she needs. Not my brother.

The asshole won the race on purpose, denying me both her secrets and more time with her. I’m the one who wants to know them, not Elijah. He doesn’t give two shits about her.

Watching them was pure torture. Like shards of glass slicing through my skin. I surprised myself by showing self-restraint when I didn’t yank open the car door and drag Eden off Elijah’s lap.

My fingers curl into my palms. I roll the sucker in my mouth until the candy clacks against my teeth, but not even the blue-raspberry flavor can soothe me.

Elijah promised I’d be the one to fuck her. He said I’d be the first and only. That slimy asshole planned to fuck her anyway.

I don’t share, yet I’m hard at the mental image of her making out with my brother. I’m angry and turned on at the same time, which confuses me even more.

A shadow falls next to mine by the door. I don’t need to look to know it’s Elijah.

“You want to know what it’s like?” he murmurs.

I tighten my fists until they turn white.

I nod.

“Then let’s find out together.” A smile bleeds through his voice.