Author: Molly McAdams

J. Carter - ‘Blaze! How’s California?’

Me - ‘AHHHmazing. When are you going to come visit? ;)’

J. Carter - ‘Soon as I get the okay.’

Me - ‘Promise?!’

J. Carter - ‘Of course. What’s my girl up to?’

Me - ‘I met someone and he’s taking me on our first date tonight!’

J. Carter - ‘Uh…really?’

Me - ‘Yes, really. What, am I not dateable?’

J. Carter - ‘Never said that…just wasn’t expecting you to meet someone, or date or anything like that.’

Me - ‘You could at least be excited for me.’

J. Carter - ‘I am. Call me later. Miss you’

Me - ‘Miss you too.’

“Let me guess…Jason?”

I looked up at Bree, “Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Every time he calls or texts you, you stop paying attention to anyone else.”

“Well I don’t get to talk to him often.” I shrugged.

“Uh huh. Does Brandon have some competition?”

“What? No way. Carter’s my best friend. There’s never been anything like that between us.”

Bree just raised a blonde brow at me and turned me toward the mirror.

I was dressed in a green shirt that was loose at the top but form fitting where it rested on my hips, faded jeans with the bottoms rolled up to my calves and flip flops. After getting Bree's approval of my appearance, I left the room to find Brandon.

“You look gorgeous Harper.” He breathed when I walked into the living room.

“Not so bad yourself.” I winked. That was a lie, he looked downright delicious. He had on a pair of reefs, dark tan cargo shorts and a black button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his tan, muscled forearms.

He led me outside and I laughed when I saw the top had been put back on, “I don't feel like fighting guys off you tonight.” He kissed me once and helped me into the Jeep. I wasn't complaining, I'd actually done something with my hair today, I didn't want it messed up.

Bree had been right, I shouldn't have been nervous about the date. We'd had so much fun laughing and getting to know each other during dinner, and the movie was hilarious. As promised, we didn't make out in the theater, but the few tender kisses he'd stolen throughout the night left me wanting more, and honestly I couldn't wait to get back to the house. Chase was long forgotten by the time we were on our way back. We walked into a party much like the first one I'd been to, and I stifled a groan. Hopefully this one didn't end the same as the others. Brandon squeezed my hand reassuringly as we made our way to the kitchen. I was whisked away by Bree to get the play by play of the date, and though she'd told me to keep it clean, she was frowning with my lack of juicy details.

“Uh, who's that?” She pointed over my shoulder and I turned and searched through the sea of people. It didn't take long for my eyes to land on a leggy blonde hanging off Brandon. I smiled when I saw him repeatedly take her hands off him.

I looked back to my friend, “Well what do you say we go find out?”

When we got close enough, I could hear her whiny voice, she was obviously intoxicated. “But Brandon I've missed youuu.” She pouted at him and tried to run a finger down his chest, but he caught it and once again put her hand by her side. “We're so good together, remember? I'm sorry about this summer honey but I want you back.”

Even with him pushing her away, I was starting to get insanely jealous over this girl who was most likely his latest ex. “Kendra, seriously you need to stop. We're done.”

“Come on Brandon, I know you miss me too. Let's just pretend the last few months didn't happen.” She leaned in to try to plant a kiss on his neck but he pushed her back and held her away at arm’s length.

No wonder Brandon tried to beat the crap out of Chase. I wanted to punch this girl and she was falling over drunk. I decided it was my time to cut in, and yes I was going to lay it on thick. “Hey baby.” I purred as I stepped in between the two and pulled his face down so I could cover his lips with mine. Letting my tongue trail across his bottom lip, I whispered loud enough so Kendra could still hear. “I have something for you in your room.” I said suggestively.

He grabbed behind my knees and lifted me into his arms as he walked me towards his room. I caught a glimpse of the girl one more time, and couldn't help but laugh at her expression. Game over bitch. I win.

“Tease.” Brandon whispered in my ear, “But you are adorable when you're jealous.”

“Well I wasn't going to let her keep touching you. That's my job.”

He grinned and pressed two loud kisses to my cheek before locking his door and setting me on the ground. He threw a pair of boxers at me and I held them up confused.

“Unless you want to fight your way to Chase's room, that's all I have for you.”

“Oh.” When he turned toward his dresser again, I switched my jeans for them quickly. They were so big I had to roll them up a few times, but I loved the fact that I was going to sleep in his clothes. “Um, do you have a shirt too?”

He unbuttoned his shirt and sauntered over to me with a mischievous grin on his face. Slipping his fingers under my chin, he titled my head up and nearly kissed me senseless. I felt his other hand trail down my side to the bottom of my shirt, and then his warms fingers were on my stomach, soon followed by his other hand. Other than the second it took to pull my shirt over my head, his lips never left mine and his eyes stayed closed. A chill ran across my body and my breaths started coming faster as I thought about his hands running over my bare body. He shrugged out of his button-up, draped it over my shoulders and resumed to running his fingers over my bare waist and stomach while I pulled my arms through the sleeves. Once my hands were back on his muscled chest he slowly buttoned it back up. I was gasping for air by the time he finished.

I flipped on a lamp and Brandon turned off the light as I sunk onto the bed. Turning back towards me he stopped mid step. “This was a bad idea.”

“Why?” I sat up quickly.

He chuckled and crawled onto the bed pushing me back down and hovering over me. “You're in my bed, wearing my clothes, and your hair was splayed out across my pillows.” He kissed my neck before gruffly whispering in my ear, “You look so damn sexy, I want to take you in my arms and never let you leave this bed.”

“Then why don't you?” I countered huskily.

“God Harper, you're going to be the death of me I swear.” He turned the lamp back off, rolled onto his side and pulled me towards him.

I hmphed and curled deeper into his embrace. “I love how I feel in your arms.” I sighed into his chest.

“You fit there perfectly.” He squeezed his arms around me and kissed the top of my head, “Get some sleep sweetheart.”

***

I was woken up the next morning to Brandon's lips on my neck. I smiled softly and ran my fingers over his head, “I want to wake up to this every morning.” My voice was raspy from sleep.

He chuckled against my throat and placed a warm kiss on it causing me to bite my own lip to stop a moan from escaping. “Does that mean I get to keep you?”

“As long as you share me with Bree. I'm pretty sure she'd kidnap me otherwise.”

Brandon had gently moved the collar of his shirt I was wearing away and was smiling against my collarbone, “I went to Kindergarten, I learned how to share with others.”

I burst into laughter and brought his face to mine for a quick kiss. “Well I don't want you to share me with everyone.”

“I don't plan to.” He propped himself up on an elbow and brushed his thumb across my cheek. “I want you to be my girl Harper.”

A slow smile spread across my face and I was beaming inside. It was Saturday morning, and we’d just met on Thursday, but it didn’t feel like this was coming a moment too soon. There was something about this dangerous looking god that made me feel safe and cherished. Being with him felt so right, it was almost scary but incredibly thrilling to have found someone that made me feel this way. Pulling his face to mine, I stopped less than an inch from him, “I'd love to be your girl.” I whispered against his lips.

Brandon kissed me fiercely, but when I ran my fingers down his side and rested them on the top of his shorts he caught my hand and held it away. “I just woke up with the most beautiful girl I've ever seen beside me, and you agreed to be my girl. If you keep touching me...well, let's just say I can't make any promises.”

I brought his mouth back to mine and wrapped a leg around his hip arching my body into his. I was suddenly extremely aware that his boxers on my body, and his basketball shorts were the only thing separating us, and apparently so was he. I didn't want to go further than this, I just wanted to be closer to him. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen. He pushed me back down to the bed and stood up laughing and shaking his head.

“I'll go make some coffee.”

I pouted and fell back into the pillows. “Fine.”

His mouth curved up on one side revealing his deep dimple as he leaned over to kiss me chastely. “I was planning on spending the day with you in here, but if you're gonna force me into a cold shower, we'll have to find something else.”

I quickly climbed back under the covers. “I'll be good. Promise.” I mumbled.

Deep brown eyes searched mine, “There's no rush Harper. You don't have to prove anything to me, or anyone else. Let's just take this slow, okay?”

My face turned bright red. “Did you go slow with the other girls?” I wasn't sure I wanted to know this, but I couldn't help but feel like the reason for him not wanting to go any further was because he didn't actually want to be with me in that way. I certainly didn't look anything like his last girlfriend, Kendra. That girl had looked like a freaking Barbie.

He sighed and dropped his head to my shoulder. “No. But I know what you're getting at, and you're wrong.”