You’re Mine by Penny Brooks
Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Harper

My brother is a complete idiot.

Our parents gave us the biggest speech ever about not having peopleover when they're out of town and how our friends broke stuff andraided their liquor cabinet. Ryan put on his best innocent front, tellingthem he had no control over their actions and he didn’t think the partywould get so out of hand.

He took the brunt of the blame because it was more his party thanmine, and our parents knew it. I invited Sadie over. That's it. While Ryaninvited the entire school.

Anyway.

He's got a group of guys out in the backyard sitting by the pool, the tikitorches lit and music playing while they all pass around a blunt. One ofthose guys just happens to be Easton.

An aggravated sigh leaves me and I refocus on my laptop and theEnglish essay I need to write that's only halfway finished. I tap at thekeys for a little bit before ! pause, my mind drawing a blank.

I can't concentrate.

It's so hard, knowing Easton is here. In my backyard. I should be mad athim. I slapped his stupid face for saying such a shitty thing to me. Run atrain ..

I kind of knew what he meant, but not really. The moment I slipped intomy desk at class I pulled out my phone and Googled it, even morefurious when I read the definition.

He wanted to uh...take turns with me with his friends? Gross.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized he was absolutely fullof shit. He doesn’t want to share me with his friends.

He wants to keep me all to himself.

Doesn't matter though. I'm still mad at him. And I swear, he makes meso mad that I also become aroused. Which is just weird and freaks meout a little. Like, what the hell is wrong with me?

Lots of things. Plenty of things. And all of them have to do with Easton.Sighing, I give up trying to work on the essay and go to my window,pulling the curtain back so I can watch the boys sitting at the outdoortable, their long bodies slouched forward, legs spread and headsleaning back against the cushioned seats of our outdoor chairs. Mygaze zeros in on Easton, noting his black hoodie and pants. How helooks ready to commit armed robbery, which is kind of hot.

See? I have issues.

My phone buzzes and I run to go check it.

Easton: I see you.

I glance toward the window, wondering if I should answer him.

Easton: Checking me out?

My fingers start flying. The arrogant jerk.

Me: You wish.

Easton: Why aren't you down here?

Me: Why are you texting me? I SLAPPED you.

Easton: You can't stay mad at me forever.

Me: I should

Easton: Let me see your room.

I pause, staring at his text. Should I? That's risky. God knows what hemight do to me in here.

A shiver slips down my spine at all the possibilities flooding my brain.Me: No way.

Easton: Come on. Just for a few minutes.

Me: Why?

Easton: I want to talk to you.

Me: Fine. But hurry. And don't tell Ryan.

Easton: Like I would.

I toss my phone on my nightstand and frantically get to work. Gatherup all the papers and crap on my desk and shove them in my backpack.Slam my laptop shut. Kick my dirty clothes into the closet and shut thedoor. I straighten my bed as best can, eventually full on making it.

He's still not here.

I go to the window and peek outside.

He's not down there either.

My door quietly swings open and then he’s slipping inside, closing thedoor quietly behind him before he turns to face me, a devilish smile onhis face as he scans my room. His hood is pulled over his head, givinghim a stalkerish air which I should not replace appealing.

Yet I do.

“Nice digs.”

I roll my eyes. “What do you want, Easton?”

“Have I ever told you I like it when you say my name?” He raises hisbrows.

Remembering I don't have a bra on under the oversized T-shirt I'mcurrently wearing, I cross my arms over my chest. “Even when I'm madat you?”

“Especially when you're mad at me.” His gaze rakes over me, lingeringon my legs, which are exposed by the cotton night shorts I like to wearto bed. “Come here.”

It's the unspoken demand in his voice that does it for me. Like I can'tstop myself, I approach him, a gasp escaping me when he snatches meby the waist and pulls me into him. Our torsos are flush, my thin shortsno barrier between my body and his ridged erection.

I'm confused. One look at me and he gets hard?

“Why do you hate me so much?” He touches my cheek with the backsof his fingers, drifting his knuckles down, down, until he’s running themalong my jaw. Goosebumps erupt all over my body and I part my lips,ready to answer him.

But he keeps talking.

“I wouldn't kiss Aisha,” he murmurs, his fingers slipping beneath mychin and tilting my face up. “I'm not interested in her.”

“You're lying.” My voice is shaky and I close my eyes when his thumbbrushes against my lower lip.

“It's true.” His thumb presses against the middle of my lip. “You enjoythat kiss with Blake today?”

I say nothing.

He presses harder.

"Did you?"

My answer is the slightest shake of my head, my eyes still squeezedshut.

“Look at me, Harper.”

My lids snap open to replace his face directly in mine, his blue eyesglittering. “I'm

going to erase every trace of his lips on yours with mine. His lame ass isgoing to be a distant memory in a matter of seconds. Do youunderstand?”

"Yes, 1-

Easton silences me with his mouth, his tongue thrusting, circling aroundmine. I moan into his kiss, my arms coming up to wrap around his neckas we kiss and kiss as if we depend on each other's mouths to survive.He nips at my lower lip with his teeth. I thrust my fingers into his hair,pulling on it hard.

“Fuck,” he whispers, angling his head so he can dive back into mymouth.

I should tell him to leave, I think as he slips his hand beneath my T-shirt, his warm fingers caressing my stomach. I should at least tell himto lock the damn door.

Instead, I do none of those things. I lean into his palm when he cups mybreast, his thumb toying with my nipple, and silently beg him.

More.

Please.