32. Elijah #2
As hard as I tried not to think about myself, it was inevitable.
I stole a few glances at Eli while the ceremony progressed, and I couldn’t help but tear up, thinking maybe one day this would be us.
For once in my life, I could see this actually happening to me.
The thought was fleeting, but it was there.
The minister clasped his hands together after quieting everyone. “Now for the vows.”
They all used generic vows during the ceremony, saving the real ones for later tonight when they could share them privately. The wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. It was exactly what they both had dreamed about.
An hour into the reception, I noticed Eli at the bar for the third or fourth time, so I intervened.
I put my hand on his back. “Hey, handsome. You wanna dance?”
He turned to me, and I could see he was probably a little more drunk than he should be. “Sure.”
I could tell something was off as we walked to the dance floor. “Is everything okay, baby?”
He looked down into my eyes with a strange, empty expression before kissing me and looking back into my eyes. He ran his thumb over my cheeks. “Can we talk about it later?”
I stepped back, concerned. “There is something wrong. What is it?”
“Baby, I can’t talk about it right now, okay?” He leaned in for another kiss, but I declined and gave him my cheek. “Brie, come on. This isn’t the time or place.”
I paused for a second before agreeing silently, with a nod.
We danced for two songs before I needed to take a bathroom break to help Aubrey.
It took way too long, of course. I had to call for extra help since her dress was so heavy.
I couldn’t do it alone. When we finished and exited the bathroom, I heard a commotion outside the front door.
Elijah was sitting on the curb when I walked out.
“Eli?”
“I am fine, Brielle.”
“Clearly not. Who were you yelling at?”
He stood abruptly. I didn’t recognize the person looking back when he turned to me. “Can you stop mothering me?”
“Wow. So me caring about you is mothering you?”
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Brielle. I don’t want to fucking talk about it. Move on.”
I stared at him for a moment and wordlessly went back inside.
As the night ended, I said my goodbyes to everyone and took the shuttle back to the hotel where we were all staying. Everyone was present except Elijah and Owen. Callie leaned over to whisper in my ear, and her breath smelled sweet.
“Where were Elijah and Owen? I didn’t even see Owen at all tonight. Then Elijah ended up leaving midway through.”
I nervously swallowed. “Owen had an emergency, according to what he told Link. As for Eli, I don’t know. He was acting funny, so I just left him sitting outside on the curb. When I went back to check on him about a half hour later, he was gone, and he wouldn't answer his phone.”
“Hmm. Maybe Link can try.”
Before she could reach over to get Link’s attention, I stopped her. “Oh, don’t worry. I am sure he’s in our room.”
“Oh, okay. Cool beans. Hah, I said cool beans, and we call you Bean.”
I smiled and shook my head. “You are going to feel like complete shit tomorrow.”
“That is tomorrow's problem.”
I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, waiting for Elijah to call me back.
Worry began to eat away at me. I thought for sure he would be here when I arrived.
Instead of harping on it, I sent him another text letting him know I made it to the room before I got in the shower. Two hours had passed since then.
I had just made up my mind that I was going to start calling hospitals when I heard the door lock click open.
He stumbled in and leaned against the door as it shut. I leaned back onto my hands and stared at him. “Are you okay?” I asked as calmly as I could.
He shook his head back and forth slowly. That took me by surprise. Before I could say another thing, he fell to his knees. I rushed over, catching him just before he hit the ground.
“Baby. What happened?” My hands started roaming his body, checking for something wrong. I felt so helpless, holding his heavy body up. “Eli. Baby, what’s wrong? Tell me what happened.”
I tried lifting his head to look at him, but he rejected me and pushed his face further into me. I felt the vibration of his body and realized he was sobbing. My grip on him tightened, letting my own tears fall silently.
We sat in almost complete silence until his movements calmed. I didn’t dare pull away until he did. My hands gripped the sides of his face lightly to get him to look at me. I waited for him to speak.
“He’s gone.”
My insides seized. I didn’t have to ask. I knew who he was talking about. “Eli,” I said with a clipped whisper.
He pulled me into a deep kiss before I could say anything else. His lips were salty with tears. I moved to straddle his legs, but before I could, he rose and lifted me with him. Kissing me, he walked over to the bed and put me down lightly.
“I need you,” he murmured.
His breath smelled of whiskey and soda. I caressed his face and looked deep into his eyes. “I’m here. I am not going anywhere.”
He continued to kiss me as each article of our clothing hit the floor. He covered my neck and chest with slow, hot, sensual kisses.
Elijah slowly moved down my body, covering me with kisses. “I love you so much.”
His voice was so gravelly and sensual. I didn’t think I had ever heard it like that before.
Once the first orgasm passed, he kissed his way back up my body. When he made it to my mouth, he deepened the kiss as he lifted one of my legs over his shoulder and looked down at me for permission. I nodded, and without waiting even a second, he slid his cock inside me.
Something was different this time. It was even more sensual than it had been the first time. It felt like he was reaching a place inside of me that no one could ever replicate. I felt myself falling more in love with him with every moment.
As he spilled inside me, he whispered in my ear, “You were made for me.”
Again, I whispered, “I love you, Eli.”
With his last thrust, he gripped my hair and whispered, “You can never leave me.”