All Chapters of Ride Me, Don’t Love Me: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

RAINA The hospital came into view, and I drew in a deep breath, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. Please let this work. That was the only thought in my head as Elias parked the car. My heart was already racing, thudding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I hadn’t said much since we left the house, and neither had he. I knew what he was thinking. He was waiting, watching, curious to see what kind of stunt I believed could get me out of this without being caught. I stepped out of the car, smoothing the oversized shirt down my thighs, and he joined me a second later. Without a word, we walked side by side into the hospital. Immediately we entered I saw them. Zane, his parents, and her. Elara. She stood close to him, her hand tucked comfortably around his arm. My steps slowed for half a second before I forced myself forward. My heart began to pound harder as we approached them, every beat echoing in my ears. Elias greeted his father first, then Zane’s mum. But

RAINA "Soon?" I repeated, turning to look at him with raised eyebrows. "You're still on that?" Elias started the car, that insufferable smirk still plastered on his face. "Oh, I'm very much still on that." "You're delusional," I muttered, settling back into my seat and staring out the window as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot. "And you're in denial," he shot back smoothly. I refused to respond. Refused to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I watched the buildings blur past, trying to process everything that had just happened. We drove in silence for a few minutes before I spoke up again. "Stop at the supermarket." Elias glanced at me. "What?" "The supermarket," I repeated. "I need to get some foodstuffs. I'm pretty sure there's nothing edible in your house except maybe expired protein powder and beer." He opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, then closed it. "Fair point." "I know," I said. "So stop at the next one you see." He nodded and took the next turn, pu

ELIASI looked down at my trousers and sighed.I was hard again. Just from thinking about that kiss, about the way she'd tasted, the little sound she'd made when I'd grabbed her…"Fuck," I muttered, running a hand down my face.I knew I’d planned not to have sex with anyone else until I had gotten her… but now I wasn’t sure I could hold it together. I stood in my kitchen with an erection and a wolf clawing at my insides, demanding I go after her and finish what we’d started.I adjusted myself and headed toward the living room. "Raina?" I checked the guest room and it was empty.She'd left.I ran both hands through my hair and exhaled slowly. I looked down again… I was still hard."Goddammit.”I pulled out my phone and scrolled to Kai's number. He picked up on the second ring."Elias," Kai's voice came through. "To what do I owe the pleasure?""I need someone to come over," I said bluntly.There was a pause. Then Kai laughed. "You’ve not slept with her yet?""Are you going to help or

ELIASI stared at my phone, scrolling through the list Kai had sent me.*Raina's Preferences and Habits:*- Drives a black Audi Q5 (one of my car I gave to her)- Coffee order: Iced vanilla latte with oat milk, light ice- Favorite flower: White peonies (says they remind her of new beginnings)- Reads romance novels (current obsession: second-chance romance)- Volunteers at the children's hospital every other Saturday- Has a severe peanut allergy- Listens to instrumental piano music when stressed- Collects vintage bookmarks- Favorite dessert: Strawberry shortcake from Maison Belle bakery…… and the list went on.I read through it twice, committing every detail to memory.This was perfect. More than perfect.Now it was time to act.I opened the tracking app on my phone and pulled up the location of the Audi. The little blue dot blinked on my screen, stationary at a hotel about fifteen minutes away.I grabbed my keys and headed out, my mind already working through what I'd say when I

RAINA Elias set his phone down on the nightstand and came back to the bed, settling beside me. "Better?" he asked softly.I stared at him, my heart doing that uncomfortable flip thing again. "How did you know?""Know what?""That I listen to piano music when I'm stressed," I whispered. "How did you know that?"He was quiet for a moment, meeting my gaze. "I pay attention, Raina.""But..." I shook my head, still trying to process this. "Nobody knows that. I've never told anyone that.""Well," Elias said, reaching out to tuck another strand of hair behind my ear, "now I know."I didn't know what to say. Didn't know how to feel about the fact that he'd somehow figured out something so personal and specific to me.The music continued to play, the gentle piano notes easing the tension in my shoulders that I hadn't even realized was there."You're full of surprises," I finally said."Am I?" he asked, smiling."Yeah," I said, leaning back against the headboard. "You are."He shifted beside m