Sleep.

Bailey

"Are you okay? You've been tense ever since you came back from your car."

"I'm fine."

I frown "Are you mad at me for wanting to work on our date?"

He shakes his head "Of course not."

I close his laptop before fully turning to face him as we sit on the couch and cups his cheek "Then tell me what's on in your mind."

He closes his eyes for a moment as he leans into my touch before saying softly "I think you should stay the night."

My eyes widen in surprise "Oh. Uhm I think it's too soon for…that."

He opens his eyes so that he could look at me "We won't have to do anything, Bailey. You can sleep in the bedroom and I can take the couch." He sighs "I just want you close to me tonight."

I give him a small smile "I'm fine with that. You'll just have to lend me something to sleep in and I have a date with my Aunt tomorrow so I need to be early back at campus."

"Done." He says without hesitation and grabs my legs to put it on his lap before nodding to his laptop "Get back to work, Miss Harper."

My smile widens at his gesture and words before I grab the laptop and continue sorting through his emails while we listen to some music as he draw mindless patterns on my legs, my heels laying on the floor long forgotten. It's not long until I finish and I close his laptop again and glance at him to see him staring at me "Were you watching me the entire time?" I ask in amusement.

"Of course" he says as his eyes roam over my face "You're a breath of fresh air. How could I not?"

I'm so glad that I'm sitting right now because I'm positive my knees would've buckled if I was standing. Not having the words to express how much his words affected me, I just press a kiss to his lips and I feel him smile against my lips which makes me smile too. 'Falling by Harry Styles' starts playing and I let out a happy shriek "I love this song so much. Let's dance."

Before he can even protest, I'm already on my feet pulling him up. He lets out a groan but stands up nonetheless "I can't dance."

"No worries, I can't either. We can sway on the same spot and call it dancing."

He lets out a chuckle before wrapping his arms around my waist and I wrap my arms around his neck. Without my heels on, the height difference is even more noticeable now and I have to stare up at him as we sway to the music.

He closes his eyes as he drops his forehead to mine "I think I might like this song too."

I smile and close my eyes as well "I'm glad."

We stay in each other's arms, with our foreheads pressed together and eyes closed as we sway to the song until it eventually comes to an end. I move to let him go but he doesn't loosen his hold, I glance up at him to see him looking down at me with a slight frown on his face. He lets out a shaky breath before whispering "I think you're my safe place."

My eyes soften and I trail a finger over his jaw "You're my safe place too, Eli."

"I won't let anyone hurt you, Bailey." He swallows before cupping my face "I swear I'll protect you."

I huff out a laugh "I doubt I need protection" when he doesn't laugh and continues staring at me with this intense look, I can't help but ask "Is everything okay?"

He clears his throat and nod "Yeah, all good." He steps away from me "Let me get ready for bed and get you something to sleep in."

I watch him walk into the bedroom, a little confused with why he's acting so weird. I grab my phone to text the roommates group chat -that I begged the others to join- and send a message that I'm staying with my aunt at her hotel tonight. Liliana is probably the only one who would catch my lie but I can't exactly tell them I'm staying at a guy's place, because then they'll want to know who said guy is. I glance back at Eli to see him come out carrying a pillow and blanket while wearing a grey sweatpants. Just that. I saw him half naked that night at the waterfall but it was fairly dark so seeing him like this in the light makes a warm feeling pool in my stomach. I bite my bottom lip as my eyes trail from his broad chest to his toned abs and my lips part as I follow the trail of hair from his belly button that disappears into his pants.

"You look thirsty."

I'm broken out of my daze when I hear his voice and my eyes snap up to his to see him watching me with a straight face but I detect a hint of amusement in his eyes by the way the corner of his eyes crinkle. I clear my throat and straighten my dress to appear like a lady "I do feel rather…parched. But I'll wait until the right time to drink."

Now a smirk does make its way on his lips "And the beverage is respectful of your decision and will wait until you're ready."

Butterflies erupt in my stomach, the fact that he's willing to wait until I'm ready for sex makes him so much more attractive in my eyes.

He nods to the bedroom "I left you a T-shirt on the bed to sleep in. You know where the bathroom is if you want to use it."

"Yeah. Thank you."

He nods "Welcome."

We just continue standing there looking at each other before I clear my throat and head to the bedroom. I glance over my shoulder to see him getting comfortable on the couch "Goodnight, Eli."

"Goodnight, Bailey."

I walk into the room and close the door behind me before leaning against it as I let out a sigh. I find myself not wanting to be away from him even if it's just a door separating us.

I shake my head before heading to the bathroom and washing my makeup off and letting my hair loose before heading back to the room. I grab his T-shirt and bring it to my nose, taking a deep breath like I'm some drug addict finally getting their next hit. It smells exactly like him.

I close the curtains and change into the T-shirt before putting off the lights and getting in bed. I almost get dizzy at how everything smells like him and I press my nose in the pillows before closing my eyes.

Sleep. I need sleep.

I keep chanting in my head when I find myself not wanting to sleep at all and rather wanting to be out there by Eli. No, I'll just stay here and I'll eventually fall asleep. I just need to be patient.