Текст книги "Taking Chances"

Автор книги: Molly McAdams

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“That's not an excuse.” His voice was soft as he pulled down the covers, “Come on Harper, get in.”

The way his voice wrapped around my name sent a warm shiver through my body and I had to fight to keep my eyes away from his now-bare chest as I crawled into his bed. Even the quick glance at his sculpted chest and abs had my heart racing. After he flipped off the lights, I felt the bed sink down from his weight and I sat up.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“You can't get in here with me!”

He chuckled, “It's my bed, I'm sure I can do what I want.”

I know he couldn't see me, but I glared at him anyway. Flipping the cover off me, I grabbed a pillow and sank down to the floor.

“Get back in the bed Princess.”

I scoffed at my nickname but didn't say anything. I could feel his eyes boring into my back and after what felt like an eternity, heard him sigh and the bed shift. I wanted to ask for a blanket but was too stubborn to ask. Next thing I knew I was in the air.

“Oh my word! Put me down!”

He dropped me onto the bed and crawled over me.

“Chase! No!”

“Calm down, I'll stay on my side. We can even put a pillow between us if it'll make you feel better.” He snickered.

I grumbled and scooted to the edge of the bed. Obviously I've never been in a bed with a guy before, and the fact that he was inches away had my whole body shaking. “I swear if you touch me, I'll go Lorena Bobbitt on you.”

It didn’t take him long to figure out what I was referring to. He put a pillow over his face to muffle his booming laugh. “Oh my God! Princess! You're my new favorite!”

“That wasn't a joke.”

His body was still shaking with silent laughs as he moved closer and trailed his fingers up my arm. “One of these days, you'll be begging for me to touch you.”

I couldn't tell if my next shiver was out of pleasure or disgust but I still growled at him and slapped his hand away. “I'm serious Chase. I'm not like all those girls I saw you with tonight.”

“That's an understatement.” He rolled back to his side of the bed and sighed, “Get some sleep Princess, I'll see you in the morning.”

2

My eyes shot open the next morning when I felt something squeeze me. Looking down I saw tattoos trailing down to a muscled forearm that was wrapped securely around my waist and gasped when I remembered I'd slept in Chase's bed last night. I jumped out from under his arm and off his bed in a move so fast it had my head spinning. My heart took off again as I took in Chase's shirtless body. His tattoos expanded up his shoulders and for some reason I wanted to trace them with my fingers and splay my hands across his well-defined abs and chest. Dear me, this man was gorgeous.

Chase sat up cursing until he realized who I was. “Jesus Princess! You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought I had a girl in here.” He flopped back onto his pillow, raking his hands over his face.

That snapped me back to reality. “Chase?”

“Hmm?”

“Sorry you didn't seem to notice, but I am a girl.”

He dropped his hands and scowled at me but still proceeded to slowly take in my body. My cheeks were bright red by the time he looked back up. “I noticed last night, trust me.” My question mark face must have prompted the rest of his response. “I meant, I thought I let a girl stay the night with me.”

“Uh...?”

“Someone I'd been with Princess. I thought I banged a girl and let her stay here.”

“Oh.”

He snorted. “Sorry, is that too much for your PG ears?”

“No, I just don't understand why that would be a bad thing.”

Sighing deeply he propped himself up on an elbow and looked directly into my eyes. “Girls I screw around with aren't allowed to come in my room, let alone stay the night. This is the only place that is mine, and I'm not about to share it with them.”

            “So you sleep with women and then make them leave?” I didn’t even want to ask where he slept with them.

“No, I screw women…and then make them leave.”

I shook my head and walked toward the door, “You’re a pig.”

He laughed once without humor and watched me leave.

When I got out to the living room I saw Breanna at the kitchen table with a housemate, as soon as they saw me the conversation stopped. I hadn't known I could feel even more awkward, guess so.

Looking at me sheepishly, Bree stood from her chair and pulled me towards the living room. “Harper, I'm so sorry. Brad just told me everything.” Her voice broke at the end. “I swear I would never intentionally do something to embarrass you. I know we just met but I've been looking forward to living with you and I can't believe I hurt you like that after just meeting you.”

“Really, it's fine. I've heard enough stories that I figured you didn't know what you were doing.”

“It's not fine! You should hate me.”

I nodded and looked over at Brad who was grinning at me. “Well I don't plan on seeing any of these guys ever again, so there's no use in making you suffer with me.” I smiled at her, trying to make light of the situation.

Although I was still humiliated, I'd never been one to hold a grudge, and I wasn't about to start now. I had wanted to come start a new life here, and even though I seem to have taken five steps back, I was still determined to make this the best experience ever. Embarrassing moment or not, it's not like I had a lot of options here. Either let this get to me and cower away from people, or hold my head high and push forward.

She still looked sullen and it was making me uncomfortable. “Well at least people don't think I'm a whore.”

That brought on a smile which turned into a light laugh. “You're a glass half full kind of person, aren't you?”

“Definitely.”

Hugging me tightly before walking back to her cup of coffee she said, “At least let me buy you one new outfit.”

“Hah! I won't stop you. Are you sure you're up for that today though? I figured you wouldn't be up for much of anything after last night.”

“Sweetie, I'm always up for shopping. Go change, I'm ready when you are.”

I walked back into Chase's room to find it empty, after shedding his basketball shorts I quickly stepped into Bree's skirt. Before I could pull it up, the door swung open and Chase walked in.

“It's really a shame you don't let anyone see that sexy little body.”

Blushing fifty shades of red, I pulled them up and turned to face him.

“Calm down, you don't have anything I haven't seen before.” He cocked his head and raised an eyebrow making it disappear under his shaggy blonde hair. “Not saying I wouldn't want to see yours.”

“Bite me.” I pushed past him towards the door.

“Is that an invitation?”

“Not even close.”

He grabbed my waist, and pulled me against his chest, his nose skimming along my jaw, “One of these days Princess, I promise you.”

I turned to scowl at him once more, “I would never be desperate enough to want you.” Okay that was a lie; my breaths were already quickening just feeling his sculpted body pressed against mine.

His smile was slow and sexy, “We'll see.”

***

Breanna and I were lying on our beds in the dorm room after an epic six hour shopping trip at an outdoor mall. As promised, I let her pick out all my outfits, and she paid for one of them. Now that we were done, I was regretting how much money I'd spent, but I'd just bought fifteen different shirts, four pairs of jeans, a couple pairs of ultra-short shorts and skirts, three sexy but cute dresses and five pairs of shoes. After that was done we headed to Victoria's Secret, and I blushed my way through the entire store while she picked out all my new underwear, bras and sleeping clothes. Our last stop of the day was at Sephora where we basically purchased my own make-up counter after Bree swore to teach me how to put it all on. And for all that? I think I did pretty well. The only thing Sir had let me do growing up was work at one of the Post Exchanges. Not that kids my age were generally allowed to, but everyone knew our situation so I started there when I was twelve and had saved every cent.

“I'm. So. Exhausted.”

“It was so worth it though! Now you're finally ready for college.”

Looking at the garbage bags full of most my old clothes I laughed and let my head fall back onto my pillow. “I think you're right.”

“Now we just need to get you comfortable being around cute guys and you'll be golden. What's your type?”

Your brother. “Um, I'm not sure I have a type.”

“So no preferences? Hair color, eye color, skin color? Athlete, geek, musician?”

Rugged surfer, with dirty blond shaggy hair, impossibly blue eyes, the most breath taking smile you've ever seen and cover him in tattoos. I'll take that, please? “Nope, none. We'll just have to start from scratch.”

Just thinking about his tattoos had me biting my lip and fantasizing again about tracing them with my fingers. He was exactly the kind of guy Sir would hate, so naturally I was drawn to him.

“Hey Bree?”

“Yeah?”

“There's kind of something I've wanted to do for a whi– You know what, never mind.”

She sat up on her knees bouncing, “No you don't! You have to tell me now. You've wanted to do what?”

“Well there's a lot of things. But it'd probably be a bad idea to do them all at once. I should spread them out, and think about them more.”

“I'm waiting Harper.”

I sighed and scooted up against the wall, “I want to get a couple piercings.”

“Pfft, I thought you were about to say something juicier than that.” Figures she wouldn't be excited, each of her ears had four piercings.

I frowned at her.

“Okay, okay! What piercings do you want?”

“Um, I don't know what they're called. But here, and here.” I pointed a finger to my upper lip, and another to my ear.

“Oh cute! Your lip is called a Monroe, and your ear is a tragus. I actually really want my lip pierced too! Do you want to go get them done together sometime?”

I looked down before stealing a sideways glance, “Could we maybe go right now? Eighteen years of not being able to do what I want, I'm kind of impatient.”

“Harper, I'm pretty sure we're going to be best friends.” Without another word she shot off her bare mattress and headed for the door. Guess that means we're going.

I'm really glad she knew the area, because she drove right to a tattoo parlor, and after chatting it up with the piercer, we were sitting in his room picking out the studs before I could even think about this possibly being a bad idea. To my surprise, I wasn't even nervous ‘til I was sitting on his chair and he was putting the markers on me. “Oh my God, Breanna I need your hand.”

She laughed and sauntered up to me.

“Don't laugh, you're next.” That shut her up.

“Okay deep breath in.” The piercer said, “Annnnd blow out.” After he finished putting the one in my ear, he opened up a new packet and got to work on my lip. “Another deep breath in...and blow out.”

My eyes were watering, but thankfully it was done. I glanced in the mirror and a huge smile crossed my face, I absolutely loved them.

“Oh my God those are perfect for you! Ahh I'm so excited for mine now!” Bree had also decided to get her tragus pierced so we both were getting two, but she and the piercer had agreed her bottom lip would be better for the way her mouth was set.

Another ten minutes and hers were done, I made her eat her words when she grabbed my hand at the last minute and squeezed until I thought I'd never get the circulation flowing again. We paid the guy and ran to her car, looking into the visor mirrors before we left.

“Are your parents going to mind?”

“What? No way. Have you seen my brother? They love his tattoos so they aren’t going to care about this. Besides I'm pretty sure I couldn't get them mad at me even if I tried.” She laughed, “Let me guess, daddy's gonna be pissed?”

“Ha! Yeah, I'm almost positive he's going to try to rip them out. Good thing I'm not going home for ten months!”

“Ten months?! What are you doing for winter break?”

I shrugged, “Stay here. It wouldn't be much different than being there. We don't spend much time together if we're in the same house.”

“Jeez Harper, you had the most depressing childhood didn't you?”

“Not really, I mean it's all I've ever known. I thought it was normal until a few weeks ago when you and I started e-mailing.” I think I need to stop talking about my past, because I always seem to depress everyone. “So...dinner?”

She smiled and turned to glance at me, “You read my mind roomie, let’s grab some burgers then we can stay at my house tonight. We'll move my stuff into the dorm tomorrow.”

3

            After orientation that next week, classes had started this last Monday and the first week had flown by. Breanna and I both loved our professors, and thankfully they didn't seem like they'd be too hard. I hadn't seen any of the guys from Chase's house, but that was my fault, I'd been avoiding them until today. Bree always ate lunch with them and though I'd made excuses the first three days, I was tired of eating alone in my room already. I'd never admit it out loud, but after Bree left for her first class this morning, I changed my outfit three times and spent extra time on my make-up. My entire body was shaking just thinking about seeing Chase and I still had to sit through a class, thankfully I only had one today, and that was the last one for the week. Just as class let out, I received a text from my roommate making sure I'd be there today because she was already holding a seat for me. No getting out of it now.

“Hey, hey! What's up Princess!”

“Princess! Where've you been all my life?”

I bit back my groan and smiled at the guys as I sank into the seat next to Bree, I tried not to let my disappointment show when I didn't see Chase there. No sooner had I cursed myself for spending the extra time trying to look perfect today, than two hands appeared on either side of my plate and I felt a hard chest press against my back and warm breath against my ear.

“Have you been hiding from me, PG?” He chuckled when he felt me shiver.

“Why, you miss me?”

“Of course. You're my favorite, remember?” His nose brushed along my neck and I almost turned into a puddle right there.

I sighed dramatically and leaned away from his intoxicating presence, “Sad to say you're not mine.”

“You sure about that?” He tapped a finger on my arm that was now covered in goose bumps.

“Chase! Stop bugging her, go sit down.”

I blinked over to Breanna, remembering we were at a table with a group of other people. Chase sat a few seats away and I was grateful to be able to think clearly again. I looked around the table to see Chase's four housemates, two other girls I knew to be girlfriends of Brad and Derek, with another girl I'd never seen before who was openly glaring at me. After shooting her a dark look I continued my inventory of the rest of the table, on the other side of Chase were two guys I had seen at the party, but didn't know their names, and across from them was a pair of gray eyes smiling at me. I dropped my face to look down at my salad and counted to five before slowly lifting only my eyes to find him engaged in a conversation with Chase. Raising my head a little to get a better look, I took in his short buzzed hair, warm smile and single dimple on his right cheek as his laughter boomed across the table. His build was slightly bigger than Chase's, and the way his shirt stretched across his chest and shoulders, I’d bet he was perfectly muscled. Dear God, and I’d thought Chase was the most attractive guy I’d ever seen. This guy was…just wow.

“See something you like?” Bree leaned into my side, looking down my line of sight.

“What? No.”

“Uh huh, that's why you're biting the crap out of your lip. He's looking at you again.”

My head shot up, causing the mystery guy to smirk as his eyes met mine. I felt my cheeks start to burn and forced my head back down and towards Bree.

“How do we know he's not looking at you?”

“Ha! I knew you were staring at him.” She grinned and took a massive bite of her burger.

“Wow, that's attractive.”

She tried to talk around the mass in her mouth, “You're just jealous you didn't get one too.”

Looking down at my salad I grimaced. My stomach was flipping so much now I don't think I could eat at all. “Do you know his name?” I whispered in her direction. Before she could answer, Drew interrupted.

“So Princess, how come we haven't seen you lately? It's been like two weeks, I feel so unloved.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes at him, “Oh I’m sorry, did your girlfriend deflate already?”

The entire table burst into laughter and Derek was slapping him on the back while trying to keep his drink from spewing out of his mouth and nose. A couple of the guys started making fun of “Mindy the doll”, and I was glad the attention was away from me.

Bree leaned back towards me and whispered, “His name's Brandon, he lives with the guys too but he wasn't at the party.”

“So you know him well?” I wanted to look at him so bad, but didn't want to risk being caught staring again.

“Not really, he's only a Junior, and he lived in the dorms last year. I just met him this week during lunch.”

“Only a Junior?” I asked confused.

“Yeah, the rest of the guys are Seniors.”

“Oh.” I looked up at her but gestured towards Brandon with my eyes, “Anything going on...?”

She smiled and nudged me before sitting up straight, “I've already got my eye on a couple other guys.”

I nodded remembering that she'd been talking about some guys in our dorm all week that she had classes with. Hearing my name, I glanced up to see Chase's fork paused halfway to his mouth, his jaw set tight, and his eyes burning holes in Brandon who was talking with one of the guys across from him. When he was done killing him a million different ways, Chase's eyes cut across to me and his entire face relaxed. He nodded slightly and resumed eating.

“Party tonight, you girls game?”

Bree snorted, “Seriously Zach? When have I ever not been there?”

“Princess?”

Bree answered for me, “Of course she'll be there.” then she whispered to me, “It won't be anything like the first one. There probably won't even be twenty people there. They save the big parties for Friday nights.”

“Fine.” I grumbled.

“Looking forward to sharing my bed with you again, PG.”

I shot a hard look at Chase, heat flooding my cheeks. He was looking at Brandon with his head cocked the side, one eyebrow raised. I could even see the challenge in his stare.

“Thanks, but I'd rather share a bed with Drew's blow-up doll.”

He turned his glare towards me to me and I struggled to keep my eyes narrowed at him. Is it bad that all I could think about was how his lips would feel on mine? Before I could think on it too much, the girl that had been glaring at me earlier moved around the table and sat on his lap, pressing her mouth to his neck before trailing her lips along his jaw. His hands instantly gripped her hips, but he never took his eyes off of mine.

“I'd be happy to share that bed with you Chase.” Her bubble gum voice made me want to gag. I'm pretty sure I hadn't even sounded like that when I was five.

After she brought his mouth to hers, I spared a glance in Brandon's direction to see him studying me. It wasn't uncomfortable, and it didn't last nearly as long as I would have liked it to, I could have sat there looking at him for hours. I wasn't used to feeling anything for a guy, and now I couldn't stop going back and forth between him and Chase. Butterflies in my stomach with one, and hot shivers with another. I almost laughed out loud when I realized how stupid it was to feel anything for Chase, his current position with the brunette proving why. Brandon on the other hand, I knew nothing about. Other than his laugh, I hadn't even heard his voice. Ugh, I'm ridiculous, one guy is a whore, the other I haven't even spoken to.

Saying goodbye to everyone, I picked up my bag and began walking away as a deep husky voice called my name. I didn't stop walking, but looked over my shoulder in time to see Brandon walking around the table toward me, and Chase holding the brunette's head away from his as he watched us, she just continued onto his neck.

Falling into step with me, he held out a hand, “We haven't met yet, I'm Brandon Taylor.”

Dear Lord that voice could warm me on the coldest day of the year. “Harper Jackson, nice to meet you.”

He smiled as he held the door open for me, “You too. You seem to know the rest of the guys pretty well though we're just meeting, they said you're Bree's roommate?”

“Uh, yeah. I am, but I don't really know them well. I've only talked to them for a total of about ten minutes before today.”

“Really?” The corners of his mouth twitched up, “You seem to make quite an impression in a short amount of time then.”

“Oh I definitely made an impression with them.” I muttered.

He looked at me quizzically but I shook my head so he wouldn't push it. We stopped walking when we got to the path that would take me to the dorms and him to his next class. I turned towards him and shamelessly took in his worn jeans resting low on his narrow hips and fitted black shirt before going back to his face. I hadn't realized how tall he was when we were walking out, but he had to be at least a foot taller than me. His height and muscled body made me want to curl up in his arms, it looked like I'd fit perfectly there. I nervously bit my bottom lip while I watched his cloudy eyes slowly take in my small frame. It didn't feel like the guys at the party, looking at me like I was something to eat. His eyes made me feel beautiful, and it thrilled me that they were on me. Thrilled me that they were on me? Get a grip Harper you just met him two seconds ago.

“Come on PG, let's go.” Chase grabbed my arm and started dragging me away.

“Chase! Stop!” I yanked my arm out and shot him a dirty look. “What is your problem?”

“I'm taking you and Bree to the house, and you need to pack for the weekend so let's go.” He grabbed for me again but I dodged his hand.

“The weekend, what?”

“You're staying with me, go pack.”

I narrowed my eyes and started to turn towards Brandon, “Fine, hold on.”

“Harper.”

“Go away Chase, I'll meet you in the room in a minute. Go find Bree.”

He moved to stand closer behind me so I just sighed and gave Brandon a lame smile. “Sorry, apparently I have to go. I'll see you tonight?” I don't know why I asked, he actually lived there.

A sexy smile lit up his face as his hand reached out to quickly brush against my arm, “See you then.” With a hard nod directed towards Chase, he turned and walked away.

I stalked past Chase and didn't look back at him the entire way to my room. He stood in the doorway as Bree and I packed for the weekend, which made me uncomfortable because I couldn't ask her which outfits I should wear. I threw in things she had gushed over at the mall, a few pairs of underwear, sleep shorts, make-up and all my bathroom supplies before finally saying anything to him.

“Why don't you be a dear and carry this for me.” My tone was laced with anger, and he seemed to find it amusing.

I tried to squeeze by him but he caught me around my waist and pulled me close, his breath warm as he whispered in my ear, “Anything for you sweetheart.”

My heart pounded and my legs started to shake. I stayed in his arms a second too long and he noticed. I pushed him off me as soon as I saw that cocky smirk take over his face. “God you piss me off.”

“Whoa, whoa. Did you just say 'piss'? I'm not sure if that's PG approved.” He laughed when I glowered at him and stormed away towards the parking lot.

As soon as we got to the house, Bree was talking to some guy on her cell in Chase’s room which left me alone with Chase. Not wanting to deal with him, I grabbed the remote and spread out on the couch trying to find something other than him to hold my attention. I made it a point not to look in his direction again. Sighing, I flipped through the guide a few more times without finding anything interesting and just turned on the news. Sir would have been proud.

I hated that I knew Chase was looking at me, or where he was in the room. Why does my skin have to tingle over a guy like him? It's not that I didn't want it to, because to be honest, he's all I could think about the last two weeks. But I've already heard all about his one-night-stand reputation from people at school, and from the stories his sister told me, I shouldn't even want to be with someone like him. He was with different women all the time, I knew what happened in the café was completely normal and Bree said he hadn't been in a relationship for four years because it “just isn't his thing”. Apparently girls felt privileged to have been with him at all, I would hate to be anyone's one nighter. He walked over to the couch and I tried to still my heart when he lifted up my legs and sat down, putting them back on his lap. No need to let him know how being near to him had me coming undone.

“So I see my sister is already influencing you poorly.”

Not like I expected a deep meaningful conversation, but I hadn't been expecting that. “Do I even want to know what you're talking about?”

“This.” He leaned over to touch just above my lips. Damn the stupid shivers that course through my body when he touches me.

“What, you don't like it?”

“I never said that, it's hot as hell.” He let his fingers trail across my jaw before sitting up with a smirk, “But I'm disappointed you'd let her start talking you into stuff already. Figured you weren't one to give in to people like that.”

My mouth dropped and I pulled my knees up to my chest so I was no longer touching him. “Not that it's your business, but I was the one who wanted them and brought it up. I didn't know at that time that she would want to get them too, and I certainly wouldn't let someone talk me into something like that. Glad to know you think so highly of me.” With that I left for his room only to find it locked. I didn't want to go back in there and face him, but I didn't want to stand here like an idiot either. I heard his phone ring and listened to his voice retreat as he went outside before deciding to go back to the couch. I had barely sat down when he was next to me, arm extended with phone in hand.

“It's for you.” His mouth was set in a firm line and I noticed his jaw tick from the pressure.

“He-hello?”

“Sorry to have to go through Chase, but I wanted to talk to you.”

I glanced back at the phone and saw Brandon's name, smiling I brought it back to my ear and relaxed into the cushions. “I don't mind, what's up?”

“I have a few hours before my last class, would you like to grab a coffee with me before?”

I wanted to say something along the lines of Yes, please! I want nothing more than to sit there and look at your smile for the next couple hours! Instead, I kept it simple. “I'd like that. Did you want me to meet you somewhere...?” Does he know I don't have a car?

“I'm on my way to the house, I'll be there in five.”

“See you.” I smiled and handed the phone back to a stone-faced Chase. I ran back to his door and pounded on it so Bree would unlock it.

“Brandon's coming to pick me up for coffee!” I all but squealed.

“I'll call you back!” She pressed end and pointed at me, “I knew it!”

“You knew he was going to call?”

“No, I knew you liked him!”

I scoffed. “Bree, I don't even know him.”

“But you want to?”

“Uh, did you not see him?” He was ridiculously attractive, and had that rugged look that made me quiver. “And oh my goodness that smile.”

“Oh sweetie, you are so falling for him already.”

“Crap, Bree I'm nervous. I don't know how to talk to guys.”

“You talk to Chase and the other guys just fine...?”

“Yeah, but that's because they're more annoying than anything. And so far Brandon isn't, plus he's incredibly gorgeous.” I smiled when she elbowed me.

“Just try to see him like the rest of them, they all love you, and I'm pretty sure he's already completely taken with you; so you have nothing to worry about!”

“If you say so. Do I look okay?”

“Yeah you do! I meant to say something at lunch, you look stunning!”

I laughed at the fact that just this morning I'd been dressing for Chase, and now here I am getting excited about going to coffee with Brandon. And by excited, I mean frantically nervous.

“What's funny?”

Oops. “Nothing.”

She wasn't buying it.

“It's just no one's ever asked me to go anywhere with them,” I lied, “and I'm getting all excited over coffee. I feel stupid that I'm eighteen and I still haven't been asked on a date.”

“Well I have a feeling that isn't going to be true much longer.” Just then we heard Brandon calling for me. “See you when you get back!”

I took a deep breath before leaving the room to meet up with him. Heat zinged across my cheeks when he smiled at me. Did everyone here have to have an absolutely perfect smile and teeth? Thankfully, I'd inherited my mom's teeth, they naturally looked like I'd had braces for years.

“You ready?”

I nodded and ducked my head in an attempt to hide my blush. Unfortunately, I'd also inherited that from her. I followed him out and jumped into the passenger side of his black Jeep that looked perfect for off-roading. There wasn't much of an opportunity for talking, unless I wanted a mouthful of hair, so I sat quietly until we pulled into a parking lot. I grabbed the door handle but stopped when his hand touched mine.

“Wait.” He said with a smirk before jumping out and jogging to my side and opening my door.

Dangerous-model-looking god and a gentleman? I raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Well thank you.”

“Of course.” He tucked my hair behind my ear and a slow smile spread across his face as he took it all in. “Maybe I should put the top back on.”

My face fell and my eyes grew wide.

“Oh! No, I didn't mean it in a bad way. Far from it, I swear.”

I was suddenly fascinated with the pavement.

He put his hand under my chin until I looked at him again. “Harper, I'm sorry for the way that came out. You're already the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but I swear the way your hair looks right now…” he trailed and his eyes heated, “I'm gonna be fighting guys off you for sure.”

He said I was beautiful. My smile grew wide and I put the rubber band I’d been digging out of my purse back in, “I doubt that, but thanks.”