Page 69 of Merciless

“You watched everyone bully me for years, and you stood aside and let it happen. Why?”

He slips his hands into his pockets. “I helped where I could.”

“What do you mean, you helped where you could?” I shake my head. “It wasn’t enough.”

“I tried, Eden.”

“You couldn’t stand looking at me before. Same with Asher. Neither of you could even acknowledge me. I was nothing but a speck of dirt to you.”

“It’s not like that.”

I take a shuddering breath and fold my arms under my breasts. “Why are you helping me now?”

Elijah steps closer to me. The closer he gets, the more the air thickens, and it’s harder to breathe. I tilt my head back to look up at his face as he towers over me. The domineering sneer I’m used to is back, his gaze hardened.

Good. I’m glad he’s annoyed. At least he feels a sliver of what I do about this whole situation.

“I tried to help you, but you were making it difficult. You did things that everyone deemed weird.”

“Like saving birds?” I snort with a roll of my eyes. “If that’s weird⁠—”

Elijah’s palm covers my mouth, and he raises an eyebrow. “I meant it when I said I’m not your enemy. I’m helping you because you’re family.”

I grab his wrist and turn my head to speak. “Does family creep into the bathroom and finger each other?”

Elijah’s gaze darkens. “If memory serves me right, it seemed like you enjoyed my company.”

“That’s beside the point,” I mumble.

He smirks. “You liked it, though. Didn’t you? How I touched you. How it felt with me between your pretty thighs.”

“Stop,” I whisper.

He closes the small space between us until his chest touches mine. It’s hard to breathe with him so close. Everything about him is large, demanding, and downright terrifying. I’ve tried to remain calm around him, but he brings out this side of me that I’ve never experienced. A side that’s hungry for his touches.

I’m already too far gone to ignore this.

“You looked at me with those pouty eyes that begged me to kiss you.” He fingers a lock of dark hair beside my cheek. “Just like how you’re looking at me right now. Admit it, birdie. You want me.”

I step back, needing the space between us so I can breathe without him invading every sense.

“No.” I swallow hard and peek past his shoulder. “This is wrong, Elijah. You’re wrong, and you clearly have no shame.”

“This is wrong,” he says, and tilts his head. “Doesn’t that make this that much sweeter? You want me. I want you. What’s wrong with that?”

The sound of my racing heartbeat fills my ears.

Why me?

“Is this some sort of sick game to you?” I whisper.

“No.”

“I don’t date.”

He grins. “I don’t either.”

“You’re misunderstanding me.” I duck past him. “I mean I don’t do anything with anyone.”