19

As the days went on I noticed Elijah was starting to behave strangely. He was once again touching me at every given chance, he did not care if we were alone or in public... it was a bit odd. He would spend a lot more time around me, no longer leaving me alone for days. I tried not to think much of it, but I couldn't help but let myself go.

I shut everything out when Elijah was around. I wanted to make the most of it for the time being. I was still a little edgy at the thought he would soon snap and leave... the thought itself made me anxious.

Pushing away these feelings, I decide I was not going to think too much into it. I was not going to give Elijah the upper hand. If he choose to be blinded by anger and leave then I was not going to stop him. I nodded at the thought, feeling proud of myself.

I was now preparing breakfast, Elijah was asleep when I awoke and I did not want to wake, though I knew he was not going to be happy. He was just too adorable when he slept, I couldn't disturb such a peaceful sight.

I had just finished breakfast when I turned around and almost jumped out of my skin at the sight of Elijah. He was leaning against the wall, shirtless, eyeing me out. I ignored the urge to stare at his ink filled chest and instead focus on trying to calm down my pounding heart.

"You could've given me a heart attack." I scolded, placing a hand above my heart for emphasis. When he did not answer I awkwardly went back to preparing breakfast.

I gasped when Elijah suddenly grabbed my arm in a firm grip and forced me to face him. An arm wrapped around my waist keeping me put. I was flushed against him and for some reason the proximity made my stomach stir. My wide confused eyes looked into Elijah's questioningly.

"Greet me good morning." My brows arched as I stared at the confusing man in front of me.

"Um... good morning?" Elijah raised a brow, but said nothing. It was only when his eyes flickered down to my lips did I understand. Biting my lip nervously, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Elijah's face was priceless, if we were not so close I might have even laughed. "The fuck was that?"

"A kiss..." Was it not obvious.

"Give me a proper kiss."

"I just did."

"Fuck me... fucking kiss me, Gabrielle." I let out an exasperated breath and pecked him on the lips.

"There, satisfied." He shook his head and before I knew it his lips were on mine. He kissed me deeply and so soft that I subconsciously leaned into the kiss. When he pulled away it me a second to remember where I was .

"That's a kiss," The arrogant man said and I frowned. He pecked my lips once more before moving to take a seat. We ate breakfast silently, it was not a tense silence but more comfortable... it was relaxing. No one but Elijah and I.

I tidied up once we finished, wanting to keep busy myself. It was Sunday so the bakery was close and the last thing I wanted to do was sit around all day. I was becoming bored and needed to get out. Since Elijah been back I was not allowed to do any of my usual errands. 'It is not safe' he would say, I let it go for awhile but now I desperate.

"Um... Elijah I need to go out." He raised a brow. He had just finished getting dress.

"Where?" Um...

"To the shops... I need to get groceries and a few other things."

"What did you do with the money I gave to you?" It took a minute before I realized what he was talking about.

"I gave it to charity." I stated proudly.

Elijah cursed under his breath, but did not look surprised. "Of course, why would I think otherwise."

I nodded. "It was the right thing to do."

"Fucking trouble... what am I going to do with you?" He shook his head. "Get dress," What? "You want to go out, yes?" I nodded slowly and went to get ready. That was a lot easier then I thought it would be, maybe he is too tired to argue.

"Gabrielle, get the fuck back here." Elijah said for the fifth time. During the ride here, he told me not to wander off and to stay close. He also warned me about the consequences if I were to wander too far away from him. "I thought I told you to stay put."

I frowned and mumbled an apology. Elijah grabbed my hand, pulling me along. We shopped for hours... getting groceries and things I need for both the bakery and the house. Elijah refused to allow me to pay for anything, I had tried to reason with him but chose to keep my mouth shut when he sent me a dark look.

"I'll pay you back." I said every time he would pay. He only laughed and mumbled an 'okay'. I knew he was mocking me but chose to ignore it.

Today was good day, and I wanted to make the most of it. Everything was going good that is until we ran into Carter. Elijah had just finished putting the loads of bags in the car when Carter walked by.

"Gabby?" He said grabbing both Elijah's and I attention.

"Oh, Carter, how are you?" I asked sending him a polite smile. He did not return the smile... his eyes flickered from me down to my hand that was intertwined with Elijah's.

"You haven't contacted me lately... I was beginning to worry." I gave him an apologetic look, feeling like the worse friend ever.

"I'm terribly sorry, I been... busy lately. You have no reason to worry." It was not my fault. Elijah refused to let me out of his sight. 'He wanted me to himself' he would say, I did not know what to think of it.

Carter stared at me before his eyes once again flickered to our intertwined hand. Feeling uncomfortable, I tried to tug my hand out of Elijah's, only for him to tighten his grip. I stopped when it became too painful.

"I should get going." He suddenly said. "I'll stop by soon." His eyes looked down at our combined hands once more then at Elijah before he turned on his heel and walked away. Elijah was stating at the back of Carter frame with dark narrowed eyes.

In the car no one said a word. I waited until we got home to bring up what just happened. "You did not have to be rude to Carter."

"Rude?" He asked as if he had no idea what I was talking about. I put me a glass of water feeling parched and knowing I was going to need it to deal with Elijah.

"Yes, rude. You were all but grilling holes into his head. Why are you so mean to him."

He shrugged. "Don't like him."

"Why?" He was being absurd. How could he dislike someone he does not know.

"Well, for starters he wants you and I'll be damned if anyone think to take you away from me." I could not stop the redness that colored my cheeks. "And he's the stalker." Not this again.

I shook my head feeling a headache forming. Instead of responding, I ignored him and continue to put away the groceries. I froze when I felt Elijah press his body against me. Swiftly, he turned me around to face him and pushed me into the counter... trapping me.

I swallowed hard in anticipation. "You are cute when you're frustrated." My brow drew together.

"Is that suppose to be a compliment Mr. Knight."

He shrugged. "Maybe,"

Shaking my head, I took the opportunity to move away from him. "Well I am suddenly exhausted and my head hurts... I'm going to take a nap." I walked away from him and began making my way to the room. My head was spinning and my vision became blurry. I held on to the wall trying to stable myself.

"What the fuck Gabrielle?" Elijah's worried voice only enhanced the pounding in my head.

"I'm fine," I said before I suddenly lost strength in my legs. I would have tumbled to the ground if it wasn't for Elijah catching me just in time. His alarmed eyes searched me for anything that could be wrong. The way he looked at me, he looked... scared. It was an alien emotion coming from Elijah, I blamed it on the pounding in my head that I was just seeing things before I passed out completely.

Waking up, I was shocked to find myself in a hospital room. My eyes flew open in panic but calmed when my gaze landed on Elijah. He was outside the room speaking with a doctor. By the darkness in his eyes I knew he was not happy. His gaze suddenly snapped to me and before I could blink he was by my side.

"You okay?"

"Yes..."

The doctors entered and sent me a small smile, but I could see the discomfort and fear in his eyes when he looked at Elijah. I gave Elijah a disapproving look, knowing he was probably hard on the poor man.

"How are you feeling Ms. Lane?" Asked the doctor.

"Tired." I answered honestly.

"That will be one of the side effects."

"Can you tell me what's wrong with me?"

"You has food poisoning. For the next few days I would suggest you stay off your feet. You will probably have signs of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, might even catch a fever within the next few days. I will send you some prescriptions on your way out. Other then that you are good to go." I nodded.

Elijah helped get dress and carried me to the car. I told him that it was unnecessary but he ignored me. The drive back home he did not say a word, he looked to not be able to handle the fact that I was sick.

Back at home he carried into the room and carefully placed me onto the bed. I was surprised when also got in. It was still early, the was not even fully down.

"Elijah?"

"Shhh..." Wrapping an arm firmly around my waist, he pulled me into his hard chest and buried his head into the crook of my neck. He held me so close as he inhaled my scent as if he was afraid to release me. It felt strange but also felt so right. I relaxed in his hold, never wanting him to let me go ever.