Careless Encounters

Chapter 12-

The entire way home Cairo did nothing but hear his words repeating in her head, her heart slamming hard against her ribcage.

Or you could let me keep you.

Let me keep you.

Keep you.

No matter what way she looked at it the words made her happy, her heart fluttered and she wanted to curl up into a ball and giggle.

She glanced at Eli's face hoping to catch some emotion written there. She was holding onto the metal pole on the bus, trying not to sway so much when the bus turned. He stood extremely close to her, shielding her from everyone, his hands just barely above hers on the same pole.

When the bus made another jerking turn everyone swayed and Eli wrapped a protective arm around her waist, crushing her back to his chest. People mumbled apologies for bumping into him, but he paid no mind still looking ahead. The rest of the ride he kept his arm around her waist, her backside firmly against his front. She could feel his hard abs against her and just thinking about it made her face heat up.

“This is it,” he whispered against her ear as he took one of her hands and lead her out if the bus.

“Thank you!” Cai called at the bus driver as she was dragged out.

Eli had dropped her hand once they'd left the crowd behind, walking alongside her.

“Thanks.”

“What for?” He asked looking surprised.

“I was really sad earlier,” she admitted, sheepishly. “And you came to my rescue, it was really fun.”

“Don't worry about it,” he told her with a little bit of amusement playing in his red eyes. “Actually...do you want to pay me back?”

“Umm.” She froze.

“Not that, pervert.” A chuckle escaped his lips.

“What?” She asked more at ease.

“Can I crash in your room tonight?” He asked. “I'll sleep on the floor! I swear, I won't try anything. I just can't go home tonight.”

“And you won't try anything?” She asked after a moment of silence.

“Not even for a kiss,” he reassured raising both hands in surrender. “Unless you want to.”

“Find somewhere else,” she said, pretending to be upset.

“I was kidding! Don't leave me out here to the wolves,” he begged holding both hands together almost like praying.

She laughed seeing his pleading eyes as he crouched down to meet her eyes with a pout.

“On the floor,” she said firmly. “You don't try anything.”

“Yes, madam!”

When they got to her house he told her not to worry, just to open her window for him. She walked in and her mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner, she didn't say anything, not a simple greeting, or even  a single word.

Her dad was sitting on his chair in the living room just flipping through channels.

“Hi, dad,” she uttered softly

“Hmm?” He turned and looked at her blankly before forcing a smile. “Hi, honey.”

Turned back to the television, flipping through channels. They probably wouldn't have noticed if she walked Eli in through the door.

She opened the window, Eli wasn't there, the breeze smelled good, like freshly cut grass. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Sniffing me on the first date?” Eli said and she opened her eyes surprised and almost falling back. Eli wrapped an arm around her waist saving her from a concussion. “I was joking, Cai, don't freak out.”