Chapter fifteen
SIERRA
The night wears on, and everything's starting to blur. I didn't mean to drink that much—again—but somehow it happened. I only realize how drunk I am when I'm sitting on the toilet, my dress up to my hips and my panties hanging between my legs.
The music is faint through the closed door for the restroom, and my head feels like it's going to explode. I don't even know what time it is, but considering that my temples are practically pounding, it's time to go.
The door to the restroom opens, music flowing in louder, which means that someone just waked in. I hear a murmur of voices, and a beat passes before I hear a knock on the stall door.
"Sierra? Are you okay?" Jenny sounds. "And who was that hottie you made out with earlier?"
"I'm dying." I murmur, not even knowing whether she's heard me. My forehead is in my hands, elbows on my knees as I sway slightly, unable to even balance properly while sitting down.
"Open the lock," Mia says, and I realize that both of them are here. "I'll get you some water."
I groan softly, then force myself to finish my business and get decent again. It takes me a good while before I stand up with lots of effort, then undo the lock. The door swings open, and I see both their faces come into view. Mia leaves temporarily while Jenny sips on her drink, holding me steady.
"How you feeling?" she asks, and I step forward, washing my hands in the sink.
"My head's going to fall off," I sigh softly, patting my cheeks with some cold water before we lock arms and get back out there. The rooftop bar is still very much packed, and it looks like the party won't wind down anytime soon.
Mia comes back with a glass of water and I take a few grateful sips before Kyle appears too, looking concerned.
"You good?" he asks, his hand coming to my hips to steady me. I just lean my head into his chest, given up on standing on my own. At this point, all I want is to fall asleep.
"Mhm."
"I'll take you home, alright?" he speaks against my ear. "Let me call a cab and we'll go."
I don't reply, but agree anyway. I feel one of the girls rubbing her hand gently over my back, and their conversation tunes out for me somewhere in the middle.
"I'll take her," another voice says.
"Sure?" Kyle asks, still balancing me.
"Yeah."
"But it's your night, Eli," Jenny says. "We got her, don't worry."
"No, I want to," he says, and some type of understanding passes between him and Kyle. "I'll come back here anyway."
"Okay, man. Text me when you reach." Kyle taps him on the shoulder, and I let Elias lead me away while he wraps his arms around Jenny and Mia's shoulders, taking them back to Sebastian.
I can hardly balance in my heels, but once we're at the sidewalk, waiting for the cab to come get us, Elias wraps his arms around me and tucks my head under his chin. The cool breeze makes my skin prickle with goosebumps, but only because the contrast of his warmth is so soothing.
I relax into him, making him let out an exhale when my hands reach under his shirt. His skin is so soft and I wish to stay like this longer. The familiarity of his presence is almost too calming.
Minutes later, we're in the back seat of the cab.
The low hum of the engine surrounds us, and the smell of a tree-shaped air freshener fills my senses.
I'm leaning against Elias's chest comfortably, grateful that I have someone to keep me safe in this state, and also happy that I'm finally on the way home.
"Why'd you kiss him?" he murmurs against my ear, knowing that I won't reply. I can't even think right now, barely staying awake. I feel his lips on my earlobe, and his low tone is making my spine prickle as he leaves a small kiss there. "Are you trying to make me lose my shit?"
I hear his gentle tone, but I'm so out of it that I can't even react or reply. My forehead is nestled against the side of his neck, my arms around him loosely as I sit on his lap. I let out a low hum, my lips brushing against his skin.
I'm thirsty.
My feet burn.
"You smell like cigarettes," I murmur back, not even knowing if I'm coherent. My eyes are closed, moments away from passing out, and being almost too sure that my nose is deceiving me. Elias doesn't smoke.
"I know, baby," he kisses my cheek and sighs softly. I don't move.
It takes a few more minutes until we're at my place and Elias slides me on the seat before getting out first.
"Come on." He reaches for me and I groan softly, head falling back against the headrest.
"I can't walk."
"You're gonna have to," he says, but his tone is gentle.
I slide out clumsily, and he catches me before I can topple over and possibly hurt myself. Once I'm on my feet, he tells the driver to wait before he carries me inside. My head drops onto his shoulder carelessly.
I hear the shuffle of the lock and the door opening and closing, and his footsteps echoing on the steps when he brings me to my bedroom, then takes off my heels and helps me to my bed.
"You have to get out of this dress," he says.
"You can take it off." I smirk, lazy and warm from the alcohol, teasing as I wiggle my hips.
Elias just chuckles. "Don't say things like that."
"Why not?"
He swallows, and his eyes meet my hooded gaze. His hands are still resting on my ankles, but now they're slightly more tense.
"Because I want to," he says. "God, Sierra. I want to."
The room falls quiet. Elias stands abruptly, putting space between us, pacing before stopping near the foot of the bed again. A long sigh leaves him. "I shouldn't even be here."
My heart thuds against my ribs, and I reach for him without thinking. "Don't go." My voice is small, almost unrecognizable.
His shoulders rise, then drop in a long, tired breath. Then he kneels in front of me. His hand finds mine, fingers gently curling around it.
"I can't take your dress off," he says gently. "Because if I do, I won't stop there."
My throat tightens at the confession.
"And we're both not thinking too straight right now. It wouldn't be right. Wouldn't be fair to either of us."
"Okay," I say softly, leaning into his touch. I know that he's right. Nothing can happen.
I glance at the recliner across the room, still capable of a little rationality. "Can you give me that shirt at least?"
Elias follows my line of vision and reaches for the t-shirt that's draped over the backrest. While I change into it, struggling with the zipper for a moment, he leaves to the kitchen and brings me a glass of water.
"Will you be okay?" he asks, settling beside my legs.
I nod just barely and let out a soft hum. Elias kisses my forehead, his lips warm as he lingers for a moment too long, then he runs his fingers through my hair. The sensation is soothing enough to make my eyes flutter close.
"Get some sleep, alright?" he murmurs. "I'll make sure the others get back home safe."
I'm not sure if I even say anything to that, and I also don't know when exactly he leaves. Sleep takes me away before I can do much else.
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