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?”

I don’t want to tell you,

girlfriend code and all.”

opening and pull her into my

She looks down at her flip-flops, taking a breath. “Right after

beating and I try to keep

know, and Easton wouldn’t give

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“He probably thinks I’ll tell someone …

2

now.” She shrugs.

Easton doesn’t know it’s me, that’s why he wouldn’t tell Sadie. But, for now, I’m keeping our make

on my best acting and say, “Ugh, I’m bummed he was with a girl

finger. “In fact, Ryan can’t stand that

maxi dress off my bed and hands it to me. “Put this on

my heart not ready to return to the backyard. “I’ll meet you

“Are you sure?”

I nod

just don’t take too long,” she

climb on top of my bed, tossing the dress on my

foot of my mattress,

last time I looked, he’s still with my brother, a

he looks even

around my hips,

tingles

it‘s not from running

had slid across my

that are

right now.

I can feel him.

Taste him.

Smell him.

And it’s not enough.

I want more.

into

the blind open with my foot, staring at Easton while I get comfy on my back. I don’t know this sensation. It’s not something that’s ever visited before, its demands so

fire between my

I listen to it.