You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 7

Harper

Thurry inside my room and slam the door behind me, anger exploding in my chest. My brother makes me positively crazy. To insist I cover myself up, at a pool party no less, is just absurd. But to make those demands in front of Easton, who offered me nothing more than a look of disgust, is infuriating

It’s like he didn’t even see me out there, oblivious to my existence.

Nothing more than Ryan’s twin.

Maybe that’s a good thing, he’ll never figure out who I am. But if I ever want to kiss him again, how do I get him to notice me?

I just want that glacier blue stare locked with mine.

The one that makes my entire body scream

| go over to one of my windows, moving the blind aside to peek into the backyard. Unlike the bathroom, it’s not opaque, so I carefully search, finding Easton in the pool. He’s in the shallow end with Ryan, sharing the vodka with him, girls splashing around them.

His lips are wet, his skin dripping.

He’s so ridiculously handsome.

The light in the pool shows the ripples of muscle across his chest, biceps that flex every time he moves, a grin I just want to lick.

My body won’t stop humming.

I recall the feel of his tongue. The caress of his hands. The way he exhaled so seductively over my skin.

A chill runs through me as I stare at him.

“Harper!” I hear Sadie shout from the other side of my door, pulling my attention away from the window. “Harper, it’s me, open up.”

I drop the shade and rush over, turning the lock, opening the door a crack. “Hey.”

I’m breathless and I know who it’s from.

Concern is etched across her face. “Ryan can be such a dick sometimes. Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” I roll my eyes. “I’m just annoyed.”

Her eyes widen. “I don’t want to make you feel worse, but I have news that’s going to.”

My stomach drops. “What?”

you, but I don’t want to tell you, but

girlfriend code and all.”

pull her into

breath. “Right after you left, Ryan told me he caught

try

and Easton

“Why wouldn’t he?”

tell someone … like I’m

2

now.” She shrugs.

me, that’s why he wouldn’t tell Sadie. But,

on my best acting and say, “Ugh, I’m bummed

still look smoking hot, girl.” She twirls a chunk of my hair around her finger. “In fact, Ryan can’t stand that his friends are giving you attention.

maxi dress off my bed and hands it to me. “Put this on and let’s go

heart not ready to return to the backyard.

“Are you sure?”

I nod

take too long,”

behind her and climb on top of

another window near the foot of my

Nothing has changed since the last time I looked, he’s still

it possible that he looks even cuter

fingers wrapping around my hips,

skin tingles

I know it‘s not from running

How his lips had so expertly meshed with mine, how his grasp had slid across my stomach and up my chest, how his gaze was

that are

right now.

I can feel him.

Taste him.

Smell him.

And it’s not enough.

I want more.

head sinks into a pillow, and

back. I don’t know this sensation. It’s not something that’s ever visited

there’s a fire between my legs, a need pulsing through

I listen to it.