Eli's pov
I stared at myself in the mirror, lips red and swollen, shoulder throbbing where he'd bit me and eyes dazed from the searing kiss we'd shared moments ago.
"I've already claimed you"
His words kept echoing in my head like a broken record, almost like my mind was deliberately making sure I never forgot.
It was torture.
Pulling down my shirt slightly, inspected the area where he'd bit. A purple bruise had already formed, the skin was sensitive and tingling now.
So much for being a Bodhisattva, I thought cynically. No holy man would be in the bathroom alone with another man kissing and moaning.
I took a deep breath and adjusted my collar, making sure to hide the bruise. Then I splashed some water on my face and cleaned myself up like a good boy before returning to the event.
I had to at least survive the rest of the night, I thought to myself.
And if possible, avoid Trevon Lockheart.
So much for the resolution. As soon as I turned the corner, I saw Elena with Trevon, her hand circled around his intimately. Her breasts were pushed against his arm like a subtle invitation, except there was nothing subtle about it at all. The sight was like a physical blow, sharper than the bite Trevon had given me earlier. I flinched at the physiological pain that image brought and instantly felt nauseated looking at them openly flirt. But there was another feeling that bothered me, something new I had never felt before. A feeling that annoyed me because it was so alien. A feeling I couldn't name.
There was also gratitude that they at least did not care to hide it.
But if they were so bold to this infront of hundreds of people, that meant they thought really little of me.
An image of our first meeting came back with full force. That night at Cher Mer. Elena had been late, talked about traffic and then openly eyed Trevon like her next meal at the restaurant.
He had came in later, minutes after she did. And he was alone at the time. Then there was the hickey.
What if…
The doubts were beginning to take shape in my mind and I couldn't find an excuse to dismiss them.
What if, just what if, Elena and Trevon were never strangers. The hickey. He just literally branded me, I thought.
What if that's just what he does?. Going around playing with people's feelings, their hearts and then using their partners in the same way. So he was bi.
Thats not important right now Eli, focus!
As far as I'd read up on him, he and his brothers were bachelors, had been till the youngest got married a year ago. He had never committed to anyone, in fact there was nothing about him and a relationship. Ever.
The thought rattled me a little. He was lonely and was determined to make everyone as lonely and miserable as himself.
So in a nutshell, he's an entitled hot guy messing up relationships because he can't be happy or let others be happy without him. That is literally messed up!. The realization hit me like a hard pill I couldn't swallow.
And it provided the motivation and drive I needed to confront them.
Taking a deep breath, I walked over, fury seething underneath my calm exterior. This saint-like composure was killing me on the inside but I maintained it. There were so many things I'd dismissed, refuted and literally clawed my eyes out so that I could believe the lies I made up to forget.
There were lines and boundaries, most of which had been crossed at this point. I was going all in. To hell with the consequences.
Before I could reach them, before I could let savage Eli loose, and bring Olympus down to Tartarus, I stopped just a few feet away.
Tray's eyes were looking straight into my eyes, without shifting his head. He knew. He could feel the change in my mood from across the room.
As if my pulse was not skyrocketing beneath this suit, I could almost tell that he could read my pulse rate too. His gaze felt like a silent challenge. It wasn't a challenge I was winning though as his words echoed again.
"I've already claimed you"
If you've claimed me, then you can't claim anyone else. Not Elena. Not the next girl or boy down the street. No one but me.
Elena was giggling, her hand on his bicep now. So much for "perfect girlfriend", I thought.
Taking a deep breath, I plastered a smile on my face and finally stepped into their artificial bubble of intimacy. The sheer cringiest of it all made my eyes water slightly. The air suddenly felt stuffy and pressurized. It was a wonder that I still could manage a smile. I didn't look at Elena. I couldn't. If I did, I would've lost every shred of that restraining I was so desperately holding on too. Almost like my life depended on it.
"Elena, I think it's time to leave"
"Eli, the night is still long. Besides, I still didn't bid for the Renaissance painting I wanted"
I looked briefly at her, eyes piercing her like arrows.
"I'm sure they'll be plenty other such paintings that you can bid for later Elena"
"Well Tray was just telling about the ki-"
"I don't care whatever Mr. Lockheart was telling you", I interrupted before I could think it through.
Tray? The kiss? When did they get in nickname basis? Why were they talking about the bathroom kiss? Was this guy just shameless and crazy? I had so many questions. When I finally lifted my gaze after my short paranoid internal monologue, Elena was looking at me with surprise.
It was probably the voice. I had never been harsh with her. Soft words, cuddles and gentle gestures.
Trayet out a dark chuckle, piercing the already fragile atmosphere.
"Since you still need to make the bid and Eli here clearly has something going on, I will take him home. Give you and him some time to think this over Elena"
What???
Now he's playing guardian? To who? Me or Elena? This guy was a master chess player. A strategist. Did he do all this to fracture the image of the perfect girlfriend I had of Elena?
Elena slowly nodded, still in a state of confusion and disbelief.
I was too stunned to speak as he grabbed my shoulder and ushered me towards the exit. I had so many questions and maybe a few punches I'd love to throw his way but I just silently followed him.
Once we were inside his car, he turned to me with a victorious smile and pulled up the right sleeve of his suit.
On the inner crook of his wrist, there was a tattoo.
EJ. I looked up at the smirk on his face.
"Guess what it means"