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,

girlfriend code and all.”

pull her into my room. “Spill

flip-flops, taking a breath. “Right after you left, Ryan told me

she can see my heart beating and I try to keep my face

doesn’t know, and Easton wouldn’t give

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“He probably thinks I’ll tell someone … like I’m

2

now.” She shrugs.

tell Sadie. But, for now, I’m keeping our make out a secret

say, “Ugh,

a second thought. You 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. A few more pool parties, like the one tonight, and

it to

dress from her, my heart not ready to return to

“Are you sure?”

I nod

take too long,” she says and let’s herself

top of my bed, tossing

another window near the foot

the last time I looked, he’s still with my brother, a slew of girls around

looks even cuter

my body still feels like his hands are on it, those fingers wrapping around my

tingles with

the breathlessness, I know it‘s not from running upstairs.

in my brain. 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 impossible to see in the

are taking

right now.

I can feel him.

Taste him.

Smell him.

And it’s not enough.

I want more.

sinks into a pillow,

my foot, staring at Easton while I get comfy on my back. I don’t know this sensation. It’s

fire between my legs, a need

I listen to it.