You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper

"But I didn't fuck her, baby,"

Easton says, his hand moving to my face.

“I didn’t touch her at all.” I want to push him away, but the sound of his voice is what I cling to.

The softness, the rawness, the truth I see in his eyes.

"I couldn't do it,"

he continues.

"I got to her house, I told her how much you mean to me, and that I'm willing to take whatever punishment comes my way but to leave you out of it.” The ache in my stomach turns to something else.

Relief? Tingles? There's so much emotion running through me, I'm not sure I can differentiate my feelings anymore.

But I know I need to hear something again, I need to hear it over and over until it sinks in.

"You really didn't have sex with her?"

He shakes his head.

"No, baby."

His other hand joins my face.

“I didn’t kiss her, I didn’t touch her—nothing happened between us."

His stare deepens.

"I care about you, Harper, more than you think I do.” I fall against his chest and his arms wrap around me, his scent, his warmth, his breath—all giving me so much comfort.

This morning, I didn't know if I'd be here again with him and now I can't imagine being anywhere else.

My eyes close and after a few seconds I ask, “How are we going to get out of this mess?"

“It's my mess, not yours."

I squeeze him tighter.

"You're not in this alone."

"I am because there's no way I'm dragging you into it.

You got enough shit from WHGOSSIP, you don’t need anymore."

I bury my face in his neck.

"What's going to happen?"

"Mrs.

called me this morning and told me she has a meeting

all the questions, but I'm not going to rat

to court.” "Does that mean things between you two will go back to the way they were?”

things will be cordial, but I assure you I won't be asking

class.” I tilt my neck back to look at his face, more relief

can live with

my eyes, back and forth, his

have skeletons in our closet,

just met one

hated hearing that

Scott.

married and all the guys think she's so hot—things I'm trying not to focus on, those layers will only

all have a past and his is

you, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to explain this

wince at the thought of Ryan's face this morning

to

talk to Blake, too.”

"Blake?"

turn around, he's

of it, it needs to end or we're just going to

seem to always

hand lowers to my

wants you, Harper, and I can't blame the bastard,

of my nose, a gesture so sweet it

more games with him, I'm putting a stop to it,

that conversation going

He smiles.

"I'll be good.

was walking up here to the roof, but

"Do you think Mrs.

day we left school? I know that sounds

I sigh.

Easton, and I feel like there's a new one every second.” "I don't

think she's more focused on me right now.”

I hear something, I'll give you a

He comes even closer.

kiss me before

crash against mine and my body lights on

presence—it surrounds me and pulls me in and I'm completely

"Harper,"

he moans.

get enough of, a security I've needed

out of my mouth, and he

much as I don't want to ever leave, we have to go to