Elias takes my hand, interlacing our fingers together. We walk through the ballroom toward the exit, past staring classmates and whispering onlookers. I catch glimpses of shocked faces, envious glances, and phones capturing the moment.
In the hallway, away from the noise of the ballroom, Elias pulls me close again. "I'm so proud of you," he whispers against my hair. "You were incredible in there."
"I can't believe I said all that." I shake my head, still riding my adrenaline high. "I've been wanting to say something like that to her for years."
"I promise to never make you angry." His hand traces up and down my spine. "Being on the receiving end of your ire is hella scary."
We reach the elevators, and Elias presses the call button. I'm suddenly very aware of what's about to happen, of the keycard in his pocket and what it represents.
The elevator arrives with a soft ding, and the doors slide open. We step inside, and Elias presses the button for the top floor. The doors begin to close, and he turns to me, backing me against the elevator wall.
His mouth captures mine, hot and demanding. One of his hands finds my thigh, the other braces against the wall beside my head.
I arch into him, desperate for more contact, more of him. His tongue coaxes my lips, and I open for him, a small sound escapes my throat as the kiss deepens.
The elevator dings again, announcing our arrival at the floor. We pull apart, staring at each other as the doors slide open.
Elias looks at me, a question in his eyes, giving me one last chance to back out.
I don't want to back out. I want him. I have wanted him for longer than I care to admit.
Tonight, I will be completely his.
===
6
ELIAS
The hallway feels endless as I guide Elise toward our room. My fingers tremble slightly against the keycard, a ridiculous reaction for a professional athlete who performs under pressure for a living. But this is different. This is ten years of anticipation, frustration, desire, and want compressed into a single moment.
"This is us." I slide the card into the door and push it open, letting her enter first.
James has outdone himself. The room is bathed in soft golden light, red and pink rose petals scattered across a massive king bed, champagne chilling in an ice bucket. There are strawberries, candles, and even music playing softly from somewhere. It's over-the-top romantic in a way that would be embarrassing if I could focus on anything but Elise.
She steps into the center of the room, her back to me as I close the door. The click of the lock echoes between us, sealing us away from the world outside.
When she turns to face me, her eyes are wide. "Elias, I need to know something."
My heart hammers against my ribs. "Okay, anything." I take a deep breath.
"The things you said at the reunion, the way you looked at me, touched me ... was it just for show?"
"You mean ... fake? No, none of it was fake, Elise. Not a single second. Not since I saw you at the game. Not since high school. For ten years, I've measured every woman I've met against you. And none of them ever came close." She stands looking down at the floor. Her hands smooth down her already very smooth dress. "How could they?"
She stares at me, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I thought I was invisible to everyone… back in high school. Especially to you."
"You were all I could see." I reach out and brush my thumb across her cheek. "I wanted you then. I want you now. I will want you always, Elise."
A single tear emerges and meanders lazily down her cheek. "I've been just as obsessed with you. I watched you in the hallways. I went to your games even though I hate sports. I followed your career, checked your Instagram even though I never followed you. I've been half in love with you since freshman year, Elias. I never thought you'd notice someone like me."
The distance between us vanishes. I'm not sure who moves first, but suddenly my mouth is on hers. Her fingers dig into my biceps, pulling me closer as if she can't bear even an inch of separation.
My hands find the zipper of her dress and tug it down while her fingers fumble with my shirt buttons. We're frantic, our clothes becoming obstacles to what we both desperately need.
Her dress pools at her feet, leaving her in nothing but black lace underwear that makes my breath hitch, my pulse jump, and my cock immediately inflate. I shed my jacket, my shirt, as her hands move to my belt buckle. Every brush of her fingers against my stomach sends shocks of electricity through my system.
Without another word, I lift her, her legs wrapping around my waist as I press her harder against the wall. The heat of her pussy against me, even through the barrier of my pants and her underwear, is maddening. I grind against her, swallowing her moan with another kiss.
