Author: Molly McAdams

He blinked and shook his head in disbelief, “Damn, sweetheart. That was hot.”

I laughed and jumped over my victim and into Brandon's arms, kissing him fiercely. He still had his shirt off and was covered in sweat, but I didn't care. He was okay, he'd won the fight, and he liked the way I was able to take care of myself. He hissed and sucked in a sharp breath before setting me down.

“Are you okay?”

He was grimacing, but pulled me close, “Yeah, I'm good. Let's get out back and find Scarecrow.”

When we got out of the main room and found Scarecrow and Brandon's shirt, I pulled out my phone to call Bree, but she'd sent a text saying she caught a ride with the guys. Brandon introduced me to Scarecrow who let out an appreciative whistle and clapped Brandon on the back.

“Nice catch man, keep bringing your good luck charm around, I like the money she's making me.” He smiled at us and handed over a massive wad of cash.

Brandon didn't even count it, just shook his hand and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, leading me outside. I noticed the rigid way he was holding himself, and how it took him a little extra time climbing into his Jeep, but didn't ask. Instead I wrapped my hands around one of his and silently inspected him. He didn't look like he had any cuts, or bruises, but I couldn't see much of him now. I wished I'd looked earlier, while his shirt was still off.

He smiled and moved his hand from mine to place it on my thigh, “Do I pass inspection?”

I blushed and looked out at the street, “Sorry.”

“Don't be, I was joking. Did you have fun?”

“Well I wasn't really able to see anything because of that guy, and then I was focused on getting him away from me.”

Brandon laughed and cut off abruptly, sucking in another quick breath, “Seriously Harper, that was by far the best thing I've ever seen. I couldn't believe my girl put someone down faster than I did.” He smiled, his eyes bright.

I smiled back at him and shrugged, “I really don't understand why you all think I'm so breakable. Remember, I spent almost every day of my life with a bunch of horny Marines that treated me like I was their little sister. They made sure from early on that I could handle myself against guys like them.”

“Well, I'm glad for that, and I do know that you can take care of yourself. I'm sorry if I go a little caveman when it comes to you sometimes, but I've never met anyone like you. You're precious to me, and everything in me screams to take care of you.”

My heart started hammering in my chest. How was it possible that he was mine? “Did you just say you go caveman?”

His smile got even wider, and I leaned over to kiss his dimple, “You can't act like you haven't noticed. I was worried it was going to start pissing you off. That's why I tried to stay calm tonight.”

“I'm pretty sure you were justified every time you've done something like that. And don't worry, you're protective, you aren't possessive. That would piss me off.”

“I don't want to own you, Harper, I just want to be with you.”

“I know.” I said softly, thinking about actually being with him, even though that wasn't what he'd been talking about. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

He kissed my hand, “I'd hoped you would.”

When we got back to the house Brandon took me to the bathroom and after helping me onto the counter, proceeded to clean the blood off my leg. I left him in there so he could shower, and went into his room to put on some of his clothes. I inhaled his scent surrounding me and smiled while climbing into his bed. I'd left off bottoms, opting for one of his shirts that came down to my thighs. I hoped it would get my message across, since I didn't exactly know how to tell him what I wanted. He turned off the light when he came in and got in the bed, each movement was stiff and he winced twice.

“Are you sure you're okay?” I really had planned on waiting for him to tell me, but he looked like he was in a lot of pain.

“I'm fine sweetheart, come here.”

Brandon pulled me close to him and kissed me softly at first, when I brushed my tongue across his lips he groaned and deepened the kiss. Before I could let my nerves take over, I pulled myself up and swung a leg over his body, keeping myself from pressing my body to his. I wanted him to be the one to pull me closer. His hands were on my legs, slowly sliding up my thighs and under the shirt, when he realized I wasn't wearing shorts he growled against my lips. “Jesus Harper.” Keeping one hand on my hip, and bringing the other one to the top of my back, he slowly lowered me to him, freezing and cursing when I pressed harder against him.

“Okay, you're lying.” I quickly hopped off and tried not to touch him at all until I knew where he was hurting.

He grumbled and placed a hand back on my thigh, “I bruised or cracked a rib,” he tried to sit up and fell back onto the pillows, “or two.”

“Brandon! When?”

“Kale got a pretty good kick in, but I'm positive they aren't broken.”

“Well do you need to see a Doctor or something?” I started to get off the bed but he held me there.

“I promise I'm fine,” he chuckled lightly, “this wouldn’t be the first cracked rib I've had sweetheart. I just need to take it easy for a few days.”

“Is there something I can do?”

“You can stay here with me,” he kissed me softly, “and when I'm better, we can pick up that conversation where we left off.”

“I'm looking forward to it.” I pressed my lips to his neck and curled up against his pain-free side, falling asleep quickly.

***

“Oh. Dear. Lord! Bree, I can't wear this.” I stared in horror at my reflection in the mirror.

“Why? You look hot!”

“I'm almost completely naked!”

“Uh, that's kind of the point of a bikini. As little fabric as possible.” She was fixing her own suit and checking herself out in her mirror.

I failed at moving the top around to cover more of my chest. “Do you not have anything bigger than this? It's barely holding in my boobs.”

“No that's the one with the most coverage.” She threw a shirt at me before putting her own on over her suit. “Honestly Harper, you have a rocking body. I would kill for your chest, you need to embrace it.”

“I'm not sure that's possible when I'm going to wear this around a bunch of guys.” It was now Thursday, and we were already packed for a weekend at Chase's house. But what Bree failed to mention until the last possible minute was that the guys were barbecuing tonight and we were going to be hanging out in their pool all afternoon.

“Once again, that's the point. It's the best way to show off the goods. Brandon's gonna die when he sees you.”

“I think I'm gonna die before he can see me.” I mumbled.

She rolled her eyes at me and grabbed her bag and keys, “I'm sure you'll live. Let's go.”

I complained the entire way there, and kept it up even after I was in nothing but the bikini and a pair of shorts walking out to the backyard.

“Harper, stop trying to cover yourself. You're not succeeding and you look stupid.”

I glared at my friend, but stopped trying to cover myself. At least none of the guys were home yet. I pulled off the shorts and lay down on my towel next to Bree. She had turned on her iPod docking station on the patio and we rocked out to the songs while we tanned. We had flipped onto our backs again a few minutes earlier when a huge splash followed by freezing cold drops of water interrupted us. We both screamed and jumped up, apparently that's what they'd been going for since we were tackled into the pool as soon as we'd gotten vertical. I came up sputtering and smacked Derek across the head as soon as he surfaced.

“Are you serious?!”

“I'm going to kill you Drew!” Bree shoved Drew back under the water and held him there.

I looked over to see Zach laughing from the side of the pool, I guess he'd been the one that did the cannonball. I swam to the side and hopped out, running to my towel I picked it up to find it soaked from the numerous splashes.

“Awesome.”

I ran my fingers through my hair trying to get the tangles out, and stood there long enough so I was no longer dripping. Bree was still in the pool with the three guys so I decided to go get a few more towels for everyone. I was halfway to the hall closet when Chase walked out of his room. He froze and his eyes got wide as he took in my body.

“Damn Princess. You look...” He cleared his throat and finally met my eyes, “wow.”

I blushed fiercely and crossed my arms over my chest. “I was uh, just coming to get more towels.”

He reached into the closet and pulled out a few. Dropping all but one on the floor next to me, he shook out the one still in his hand and wrapped it around my shoulders. “How are you?” He brushed his fingers across my cheek and down my neck causing me to stifle a moan.

“Huh?”

Chase chuckled against my neck and lightly pressed his lips to my throat. “That good, huh?”

I blinked a few times and pushed away from him, ignoring that smirk I loved so much, “Why do you keep doing this to me?”

“What do you mean?” He went to wrap his arms around me, but I stepped out of his reach.

“This!” I pointed to an outstretched arm, “You can't keep doing this. I'm with Brandon now, you have to stop.”

His face fell into an unreadable mask and he dropped his arms to his side.

“No more notes, no more touches, no more putting your lips on me. This isn't fair to me. Do you have any idea how crazy you're making me?”

Okay, maybe I shouldn't have asked that, his eyes lit up and that stupid smirk was back. “Really now?”

“Chase I'm serious, this has to stop.”

“Give me one good reason why I should.”