Hatred With Benefits

E I G H T Y - E I G H T

EVA.

"Baby. " Emerson whispers in the dark and I groan as I turn my ear away from him. He chuckles, "Are

you still asleep?"

"Yes. " I respond, gripping the pillow I'm pressed to without opening my eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's late now. " His voice is closer as he answers and I force my eyes open, twisting my head to meet

his eyes and he's leaning over my body from behind.

"Hey, beautiful. " He smiles as he moves his head closer to press his lips to my nose and I hum, my

eyes moving down his body when he pulls away and he's still naked.

"Why are you up?" I ask him when I meet his eyes again and he collapses next to me, wrapping his

arms around me. I remove my hands from the pillow to push back against him, moaning at the press of

his cock to my ass. "I went to the bathroom, and realized it's dark. I've been awake for a while.

Watching you. " His voice sends chills through my body as he sticks his face in the curve of my neck,

inhaling my scent; no doubt I smell of him and I mixed.

"Do you want to go make dinner?" He asks and I shake my head, dropping my hands to cover his

around me. "No. I don't want to get up. "

"Tired still?" He asks as he removes his face from my neck and I turn my head over my shoulder to

glance at him, my eyes looking over his lips instead of his eyes. "You didn't stop. "

"I know. I couldn't control it. " He confesses as he rubs his thumb over mine and I say, "I know, and

that's why I'm drained and can't get up. Let's head back to sleep. We'll make something when next we

wake up. "

"Okay. Come here. " He whispers before he removes his hands around me, letting mine fall off his. He

turns me to meet his chest and he brushes my hair from my face before he lifts me to settle on top of

him.

"I want you like this. " He tells me as his hand slides to the back of my head, guiding it to press to his

chest and I drop my hands to his arms, rubbing them down the skin while I listen to the steady thumps

of his heartbeat.

Emerson makes a sound of satisfaction as his hands drop to my waist, and he slides further down to

my buttocks and leaves it there. No squeeze and no slap. Just the mere touch.

"Goodnight, baby. " He says and I rub my head against his chest in response as I close my eyes, a soft

sigh leaving my lips.

EMERSON.

I know Eva isn't with me the second I open my eyes with nothing heavy resting against me and I

spread my hand across the space around me in search of her. When I end up with nothing, I slowly

open my eyes to a vacancy next to me and I'm about to start panicking when the sound of a door

opening interrupts me, and lifting my head to the bathroom door; my girl walks out with a towel around

her body and her hand in her hair.

My heart swells in my chest and a smile lifts to my face as I watch her shut the door with her other

hand. This feeling— feels like I've been away from it for so fucking long and I've missed it. The feeling

of excitement and satisfaction that comes knowing that I went to sleep with her in her arms and I'm

waking up to the sight of her face, without getting kicked out and having to climb out through her

window the next second because she doesn't want me around for long.

This is really real. She's back to my side. For me.

I don't say a word as I watch her stride across the room to get to the full mirror by the other side,

merely admiring the sight of her before Eva breaks the silence, "How long are you going to sit there

and watch me?"

My smile grows. "For as long as I have to, baby. I can't help admiring such gorgeous sight. "

She meets my eyes in the mirror and shakes her head, a tiny smile showing on the corners of her lips.

"Why are you up there? Come back to bed. " I say and she laughs, "I thought I'm supposed to be the

one to say those words? Not you?"

"I want you back here. " I say again, and she doesn't give me a response as she gathers her hair to the

back before she lets the towel fall from her body, revealing the art that lies beneath and my mouth

waters at the sight, my heart pumping faster in my chest. Despite spending the entire afternoon to night

making love, I still want her back here. I just can never get enough of this woman.

"You should head to the bathroom. We're making breakfast soon. " She mutters and I climb off the bed

to stalk towards her. I press my front to her back and wrap my arms around her as I whisper to her ear,

"Come with me. "

Eva meets my eyes through the mirror, shaking her head gently. "I just got out. I'm not going back in. "

"Why not? I want you there with me. " I insist and she swats my hands off her body. "I'm not exhausting

water, Emerson. And stay away, you're dirty. " She grabs her towel and turns away from me, heading to

the closet now and I trail behind her. "I'll pay the bills this time if you let me. Please, baby. "

"How are you not tired?" She whines as I drop my head over her shoulder and I brush my lips over the

wet skin, receiving a moan from her as I lift my head. "How can I be? I'll never get tired of being inside

you, Carson. I could stay there all day long if you let me. "

She turns her head to meet my eyes, "Get to the bathroom, Emerson. I'm hungry. "

I groan in displeasure but I don't fail to follow through with her words. With a spank on her ass that she

glares at me for, I laugh and move back in the direction of the bathroom, leaving her in the room.

~

After spending a longer time than necessary relaxing in the shower, I finally walk back inside the room

and Eva is absent.

Dropping the towel around my neck, I notice she took care of our clothes from the previous night along

with the bed and I smile before I walk back into the bathroom to get into my room and get dressed.

Drawing the pants up my thighs, I make my way out of my room and in the direction of the kitchen. Eva

is standing with her back to me as I lean against the entrance and my lips tug in a small smile as I

stride toward her.

"What are you making?" I wrap my arms around her, pressing my lips to her ear and she says,

"Sandwiches. I thought you'd prefer some too. "

I hum softly before I move away from her and tug her from the stove, and she yelps when I lift her to

the counter.

I drop my hands on her thighs as I move between her legs, "You stay here, and watch me. I'll make it. "

She lifts her hand to my hair and brushes the curls to the back before she cups my cheek in one hand.

"You look lean. Have you not been eating?"

I edge closer till my legs are pressing against the counter, "I've not been well fed. " I utter and she

seems to catch onto my words quickly.

I drop my gaze to her lips and Eva remains silent as I raise my hand to her mouth and brush a finger

over her bottom lip. Popping the finger in my mouth, I hum before I look into her eyes and say, "I want

to kiss you. Badly. "

Her response is a stroke of her thumb to my cheek and I glide a hand to her waist, gripping her through

the shirt as I push my head closer and take her lips in mine.

I let it stay for three seconds before I pull away and drop my head to the back a bit, groaning at the

familiar taste of her mouth and then they're back on hers; clenching tightly onto her sides as I flick her

tongue with mine, taking her mouth greedily in the only way I know how to.

Eva is squirming in my hold as she shifts her hand from my face to my shoulder, her fingers digging

into the flesh with her mouth attempting to dominate mine and it isn't long before the wet smack of our

lips mixed with her soft moans fills the space around us.

I pull back to meet her eyes as my hand slips to the space between her legs to find her bare.

"Eva?" I call out her name in surprise as my finger rubs over her pussy and she answers my unasked

question with a moan before she says, "Didn't want to put one on. "

"Still sore?" I ask her and she nods once. "Still. "

I take her lips in mine again, rubbing my finger over her pulsing bud before I withdraw both my mouth

and my hand with a smile on my face.

"I love you. " I whisper to her and she hooks her legs around my waist, sliding her hands down my

chest, "I love you. "

With another kiss on her lips, I finally move away from her and to the stove.

"Do you want to sleep in after breakfast? Oh wait— we can't. We have to go get your stuff. " I say and

her brows are furrowed when I turn my head to her, "My stuff?"

"Yes. We have to go get your things from home. You're coming back here, aren't you? " I raise my brow

and she angles her head to the side, with a playful look on her face, "Am I?"

"What do you mean by that?" © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

She raises a shoulder. "I don't know, but don't you think we're better this way? I can continue to stay at

my place, and you can—"

"No fucking way. You're moving back here. " I stop her before she can finish her words and she

narrows her eyes at me, "And if I say I don't want to?"

"Why would you say that? We're back, aren't we?" I question and she nods, "We are, but I don't think

things have to go exactly to how they used to be?"

"Eva, " I groan, taking a step towards her and she laughs as she holds out her hands for me. She laces

her fingers through mine and says, "I was just messing with you, baby. Of course, I want to come back

here. It's been hell without you. "

"I hate you. " I say with a grin and she rubs her nose against mine. "And I hate you more. "

I place a hand on her face with my fingers coiling through her hair as I rest my forehead against hers

and we bathe in each other's comfort before Eva breaks the silence, "I just realized I didn't take my

purse from the car. "

I lift my head. "My phone too. "

"You were in quite a hurry, Ford. " She teases and I say, "Don't use that tone on me, Carson. It's

already more than hard trying not to bend you over this counter. "

She looks down to the front of my pants and I hiss when she shifts her feet there and then brushes.

"Eva. "

"Let's go grab my stuff after breakfast, yeah?" She suggests and I murmur in approval, stroking her

cheek before I move away from her.

~

Eva slides into her seat and I grab my phone from the side; numerous text notifications awaiting me.

I open Elias's first.

EL: If you aren't here by this time, then I'm guessing everything went well between the two of you?

The time reads close to two; when I was busy burying myself in the warmth of a certain gorgeous

woman.

My fingers move across the screen as I type back a reply.

ME: Everything did.

I dump the phone in the compartment before I start the car and drive out of the spot.

"Em. " Eva calls from her seat and I give her one glance before I turn straight ahead again. She's

staring into the rear mirror as she speaks, "Do you think I should shorten my hair? It's getting longer. "

I take another glance to her to see her shoulder-length is now moving down to her arms.

"No, don't. I love it that way. " I respond and she adjusts in her seat. "Really?"

"Yes, baby. But if you do want to then you can go ahead. You're gorgeous either way. " I throw her a

smile and chuckle when she removes her eyes from me and hides her face. I keep my eyes between

my front and her thighs before I take the hand that rests there, weaving it through mine.

Eva meets my eyes as I lift our hands to press a kiss to the back of her palm. Then she drags them to

the space between her legs, keeping them there while we bask in the comfortable silence that takes

over along with the soft beats of the song coming from the radio.

~

"We're here. " I tell Eva, removing my seatbelt to grab my phone at the sound of its beep.

EL: Well satisfied, little brother?

I shake my head.

ME: Not quite. Are you home?

His response comes immediately.

EL: No. I bumped into an old friend and got dragged away. It might take some time before I arrive.

ME: How Elias–like of you.

"Are you coming?" I drop my phone at the sound of Eva's voice and move out of the car. We turn our

heads to lock eyes as we stand in front of her place before we walk inside.

She knocks once before the door is opened and her mom welcomes us with a bright smile.

"Baby!" She calls excitedly as she drags her into her arms while I step to the side, letting them have

their mother-daughter moment.

"Hello there, young man. " She directs her gaze to me when they pull away and I bow slightly,

"Emerson, please. It's nice to meet you, Mrs Carson. "

She takes my hand with a smile. "Delilah, please. And it's nice to meet you too, Emerson. The one

behind it all. "

"And when was I going to get my invitation to this?" We all turn our heads at the new voice, and Matt

Carson is standing in front of us. The last time I saw the man was at the company, and it's safe to say

he didn't come off as quite friendly.

"Oh, baby. You're here. Look who showed up. " Delilah says and Eva moves from her back to greet her

dad. "You're home? I thought you left for the office?"

"I thought I'd spend today with my wife. Don't you think I deserve that, Princess?"

"Of course, you do. " She says before wrapping herself around him.

Once again, their gazes drop to me.

"I'm —"

"Emerson Ford. Yes, I know you and I believe this isn't our first time meeting. " Matt says as he trudges

forward and I take his hand. "With exchanging words? I believe it is. "

"We're off a good start. " He says as he strolls back, and leads us further inside, to the couch. "I believe

the two of you resolved things if you're both here. "

Eva meets my eyes as her parents take one couch while we take the other across them. "Yes, we did

and we're here to take my stuff. I'm moving back with him. "

They exchange glances before Matt speaks, "And why don't you want to stay here? Why do the both of

you need to live together?" Her dad asks and Eva's straightforward response surprises me. "Because

we need privacy. "

"Privacy in terms of?"

"Do you want me to answer that honestly, father?" Holy fuck. She's bold.

Even Matt is taken aback by her sharp response and clears his throat. "I prefer not. But yes, I believe

you deserve what you ask of. "

"Exactly. " She says, moving from her seat and glancing back at me to pull me out of mine. "We'll go

pack my things. "

"He has to come with you?" He nods his head to me and Eva groans, "Dad. "

"I was just pulling your leg, Princess. You can go on. " He chuckles and she drags me away from them

as we walk in the direction of her room.

"Wow! I can't believe I'm coming in here for the first time. " I comment when we enter the room and Eva

laughs. "You'll give yourself out. "

"Am I pulling it off so far?" I close my hands around her, resting my head on her shoulder and she

nods, "So far. If you manage to keep your hands to yourself for the rest of the time. "

"I can't assure you that, baby. That's a quite difficult task, don't you think?"

She lowers her head to meet my eyes. "One you'll have to do. "

"Do I get a reward for it?" I ask and she shakes her head, blinking once.

"Why not? I want one. Maybe I can try to do something here while your parents await us downstairs. " I

take her earlobe into my mouth and Eva is quick to push away from me.

"You won't think of that. " She says and I fold my arms to my chest. "Why not? I don't see you as one to

be scared. Where goes my wild Eva?"

"I'm still sore, Emerson. You're lucky I can walk without my parents having to ask what happened. " She

points a finger at me before she paces to her closet and I say, "You have a boyfriend. They shouldn't be

surprised to find out we had something to make up for—" I don't get to finish my words when Eva

throws one of her shirts at my face.

"Shut up and help me with this. " She orders when I pull it down. "Later, you can think of how you'll fuck

me to sleep again. "

"I like the sound of that. "

"You're obsessed. " She mutters when I'm close and I press my lips to her forehead before I drop the

cloth. "With you; yes, I am. "

When I look back at her, a smile stays on her face as we rearrange the clothes in the bag; a smile that

triggers mine.

Her mom and dad are still in their seat when we reach the living room again, and I drop the bag next to

me as I take my previous seat.

"All packed?" Her mom asks and she nods. "All packed. "

"Alright, give us a second. " She says, moving to her feet with her husband.

I watch as they both walk away, and I lift my hand to Eva's ass, giving it a squeeze. She turns to glare

at me, "It's only been a few minutes. "

"What?" I mouth, giving another squeeze. "I'm just trying to kill nervousness; nothing more. "

"That won't be the case when you're—" she doesn't get to finish her words before her parents appear

again and I'm quick to drop my hand, earning a teasing face from Eva at my action before she strides

closer to them with me following behind her.

Her mom drags her away to the corner, leaving me with her dad and I lower my head to avoid his gaze.

"Emerson?" I raise my head at his call of my name.

"Mr Carson?" I answer and he smiles as he lifts his hand to my shoulder and pats me twice. "Thank

you. For turning out to be just what my daughter needs for her happiness, and I'm sorry we didn't

understand that at first. "

I smile. "Thank you for giving me a chance. I assure you my happiness lies with her just as hers does

with me. "

"I'm pleased to hear that. The both of you managed to resolve a rivalry that's been going on for years.

Love truly is surprising, isn't it?" He lifts a brow, dropping his hand from my shoulder and I nod. "It truly

is. "

He sighs and looks away from me to where Eva stands with her mom, nodding along to what the

woman says. "I thought it was too late, but I'm happy I was proved wrong, and I get to see her smile

like that again. You see that smile, Emerson?"

"My favourite. " I mutter and he looks back at me with a smile. Then it drops as his tone turns serious,

"If you ever make her lose that smile. If you ever hurt her—"

I interrupt his words. "I know. And I won't. She knows that. "

"Mason might have managed to do something right. " He beams before he walks over to his wife and

his daughter, and my chest falls in a sigh before I trail after, dragging Eva's bag with me.

Eva steps to my side when I stop and I take my free hand in hers.

"We'll be leaving now. " She announces and they both nod. "Take care of yourself, baby. "

"You too, mom. " She responds, dropping my hand to engulf her in a hug, followed by her dad then

they do a big family hug and the sight makes my heart flutter. A one, big family. I'm so fucking glad she

didn't get to lose this.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Mr and Mrs Carson. " I say to them when they pull away and Matt looks

into his wife's eyes before they both smile at me. "No lesser than it is here, Emerson. "

They give another parting greeting before we walk out of the house.

"You were so polite back there. " Eva nudges my shoulder as we stride back to the car and I slide a

hand over her shoulder. "When have I ever not be, baby?"

"Every other time. " She says with a straight face and I shake my head, "Now that's a lie, Carson. I'm

positive I've shown you some of this appropriateness. "

"And how's that?"

I lean closer to her ear. "When I'm on my knees between your thighs. "

Her face reddens instantly and a laugh leaves my mouth as she gives my chest a playful slap.

"Your dad seems kind of nice when he doesn't hate me. " I tell Eva and she hums, "I told you he's

nothing to be scared for. "

We move her bags into the backseat before we climb inside and I say, "I believe those words now. "

"What did he talk to you about?" She asks and I smirk, "Don't be nosey now, baby. That's between me

and him. " She rolls her eyes and I laugh.

I cast a glance at my house as I drive out of hers and Eva says, "We can make a stop if you want to. "

"No, they aren't home. I'm just checking in. " I tell her and she looks out her window, "That's such a

shame. I was looking forward to meeting your brother. "

"And why would you look forward to meeting him?" I ask her and her lips curve, "Am I not allowed to?

He's your brother. "

"I don't care. "

"Jealous much, Ford?" She taunts me and I squeeze her thigh, "I am. I always am. You're mine and

you should only be eager to see me; no one else. "

"Possessive. " She remarks, pauses for a second, then adds, "I like it. "

"I know you do. " I wink at her, throwing her a flying kiss before I look back to the road and drive us

home.

Eva teases me throughout the drive and my heart is filled with both happiness and fulfilment to see her

like this again. To see everything right again. Back to how it used to be— or even better. That bright

smile that I was so eager to see on her face again? She had it on through the entire drive. Still does

even as her attention is on her phone. And I'll do anything and everything to see she never loses it

again.

My hands move from the steering at the sight that's in front of us as I park the car.

A redhead is standing in front of the door, and there's only one person I know that goes with that.

"Paige?"