Elora

I walked into the kitchen, seeing Dane in his usual stool at the counter. He's always typing away at his laptop, sometimes I wonder if he works too hard. But then I remember that they can't really get exhausted. Even if, they don't have to work, they're billionaires. Anything they choose to do at this point is just to build their own equity.

Lazy Sundays have always been a thing everyone respects in this house, and I've always appreciated it. I got the slightest sunburn on my shoulders yesterday, despite Duke reminding me to reapply sunscreen every hour. So I dressed in a sports bra, white camisole, and comfy gray sweatpants.

I sat next to Dane, "Whatcha doing?" I asked, grabbing a mandarin orange to peel.

His dark red eyes blinked up at me and he smiled, "Nothing interesting. Wheres Quin? Shouldn't he be whipping you up something to eat?" He teased.

I giggled, "He chooses to cook for me, I never expect anything," I said honestly. I shrugged, "I'm not very hungry anyways."

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes as I picked all those gross white stringy things off of my orange. If it's not perfect, I can't eat it. One time, I spent half an hour peeling one.

I glanced up at Dane again, noticing his hair is a little longer than he usually keeps it. Since I can remember, Dane never let his hair touch his ears. Now, it's almost half an inch past his ears. I knitted my eyebrows together, "Are you okay?" I asked.

Dane stopped typing and turned towards me. He tilted his head, "Of course. Why do you ask?"

I reached up and touched his hair, "I think you're stressed out about something. You never let your hair grow this long," I observed.

Like I tore down a small wall, his shoulders slightly dropped. He stared at me for what seemed like forever as my fingers absentmindedly played with his hair. My eyes roamed his face, trying to figure out what's troubling him- what's making him look at me like this. There's something he wants to tell me, I know it.

I raised my eyebrows, thinking I might have done something to cause his stress. He knows my schedule better than I do, if memorizing my games and club meets is too much on his plate, he should have just told me. "Did I do something?" I asked softly.

He smiled, cupping his hand on my cheek and rubbed his thumb along my cheekbone. "No, sweetheart. Not intentionally," he added before he closed his laptop and walked out of the kitchen.

My hand fell in my lap, and I noticed my fingertips felt normal. I didn't notice it, but when I was touching his hair, the tingles were there again.

At first, I thought it might be a weird coincidence. That whatever part of my body gets tickily whenever I touch them. Now, I don't know what to think. I've never felt those little sparks before, but I always catch myself wanting to touch them more. I like how it feels- how I feel when they touch me.

I stared at my hand, wondering what Dane meant. He didn't seem mad at me for whatever I unintentionally did. He looked more cautious than anything.

I heard someone walk in. Looking up, I smiled at Duke where he stood in the doorway. He's wearing gray sweatpants and a white tshirt. "We're matching," I noticed.

He nodded, "I dressed for a day in the library. Would you like to join me?" He held out his hand.

I hopped off my stool and grabbed his hand, feeling the same tingles. I really missed him. "What are we going to read?" I asked.

I followed him throughout the house, finally getting to the gigantic library. I've always loved it in here. The architecture throughout the whole house is beautiful, but the high archways and woodwork in here is special.

"Whatever you choose. I just wanted to spent time with you," he admitted.

My chest warmed up at his words, and I felt happy. About time. I know we've needed to talk, and we've avoided it. But I think I know what to say to him now.

"We should pick a random one!" I beamed up at him. I don't have anything particular in mind, and Eugene says it's always good to try new things.

Duke chuckled, "Pick one," he let go of my hand.

I looked up and down the halls, trying to pick a book that looked interesting, but not something I would typically pick. "This one looks good, what do you think?" I held it up to him.

Soon, we were sitting on one of the leather couches in the library. Well, Duke was on the couch and I'm in his lap. Why sit by myself when he's right there?

Theo frequently calls me a level ten clinger. And Quin blames my touchie-feely-ness on Duke carrying me too much as a kid. I don't care though, I just like being around them. And they never complain so I'm going to continue popping their personal space bubbles all I want.

I rested my head on his shoulder, with my legs stretched out on the couch. The book was in my hands as I read out loud. I'm not too sure he's even listening, I'm even having a hard time focusing. He's running his hand through my hair like he used to, and it's making my head fuzzy.

Duke knows me better than I know myself, and he knows all my soft spots.

I closed the book after a few chapters as turned to him, putting my legs on either side of him, so I wouldn't have to turn. "Duke?" I started.

He narrowed his eyes at me but hummed a soft "Hm?"

I bit my lip, looking at the collar of his shirt, gathering my thoughts. I looked up at him, "Why did you stop calling?" I asked. Leaving was hard enough, but he stopped calling me after a year and that's what drove the wedge between us.

His eyes softened as he studied me. He sucked in a breath, "I wanted to. But when time zones and schedules changed, it got hard. And after months of no contact, I couldn't hear the thought of you watching the phone ring as I called," he explained.

"I wouldn't have ignored you though," I looked away again. He thought I was mad at him and purposely dodging his calls. That's why he stopped calling, because it hurt him too much.

He rubbed my back, "Hearing your voice just made me want to drop everything and go home. I couldn't do that. That's another reason I stopped calling. The sooner I finished my duties there, the sooner I could get back to you..." he said sadly.

With his other hand he grabbed my chin and made me look up at him, "Elora, there wasn't an hour that went by when I didn't regret leaving," his deep crimson eyes spoke only the truth. "I promise you'll never feel that way again," he whispered.

I bit my lip to stop it from wobbling, and nodded. A ball was in my throat, and I couldn't say anything. I wish I would have known that. I spent years thinking that it was easy for him. Now I know, he was hurting but as much as I was.

Before, it was Duke and I against the world. And in his absence I've gained that same respect with all my other guys. As much as I missed him, there was good that came from it. If he never let, I wouldn't have gotten as close with Eugene, Wuin, Theo, and Dane.

I swallowed the lump and smiled, "I love you, Duke." I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

He hugged me back, "I love you too, baby."

I stayed in his arms for a long time, letting he warm tingles spread through me like wildfire. I could stay here forever if I wouldn't miss my other guys. Duke has always been warm and comforting.

I pulled away and looked up at him through my eyelashes. His prominent jawbone makes his lips look soft and inviting. His hands rested on my hips, and in that moment I felt relaxed and happy.

Dukes eyes roamed my face before settling on my lips, and I felt a blush creep up my neck. Dukes very attractive and him staring at me like this makes me nervous.

My brain stopped working as I saw him slowly lean down, getting closer to closing the gap between us. My heart was hammering in my chest, watching his lips get impossibly close to my own.

My hands held onto the front of his shirt, bunching the material in them.

He's going to kiss me. And I want him to. I know that's wrong of me, but I don't care.

I let my eyes flutter closed, feeling his lips barely touch mine. I sucked in a breath, just barely feeling his soft lips brush lightly against mine.

I prepared my lips for the full impact of his lips on mine, but I felt nothing.

I heard Duke suck in a breath and pull away. I opened my eyes, seeing a pained look in his. He looked like he's struggling against something, I just hope it's the same thing I am. The urge to kiss him that came out of nowhere.

He looked away from me quickly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," he muttered quickly. He didn't look at me as he gently lifted me off of him and began to walk away.

I wanted to stop him, but I didn't know what to say. We almost kissed. And it felt natural. Duke was a millimeter away from kissing me! Bad Elora! I should know better, I just got caught up in the moment and wasn't thinking.

I was thinking... but not what I should have been.

"Duke," I tried to stop him.

"Dinners almost done, we should go eat," he glanced at me before existing the library, the same pained look on his face.

I touched my lips with my fingers, wondering where these new found feelings came from. I have a crush on Duke. And that's bad enough as it is. But to have a crush on all of them is just wrong. I need to push this feeling down before I ruin what I have with them.

Dispute how I feel, I won't risk losing them over feelings I'm sure will go away soon. I think.

I just wanted to thank everyone for reading my book so far! I appreciate all the nice comments you leave, they really make my day <3 if you're not already voting, you should!! Also, if you wanna follow me... you can do that too lol

Happy Wednesday!