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.

this morning and told me she

sure they're going to drag me in and ask all the questions, but I'm not going to rat

last thing I need is for anyone to press charges and for this to go to court.” "Does that mean things between you two will go back to the way they were?” He kisses the top

this is over, things will be cordial, but I assure you I won't

detention for being this late to class.” I tilt my neck back to look at his face, more

can live with

back and forth,

have skeletons in our closet,

met one

hearing that he

Scott.

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

past and his is just much

doesn't change how I feel about you, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to explain this all to my

at the thought of Ryan's face this morning

wants to

to Blake, too.”

"Blake?"

I turn around, he's there, trying to get

it, it needs to end

to always be

hand lowers to my

blame the bastard, you're

the end of my nose, a gesture so sweet it

putting a stop to it, he needs to set his

going to involve

He smiles.

"I'll be good.

settled than when I was walking up here to the roof, but

"Do you think Mrs.

the day we left school? I know that sounds so trivial considering what you're about to face, but I want to prepare myself for what's

I sigh.

like there's a new one every second.” "I don't think you

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

I hear something, I'll give you a heads

He comes even closer.

me before I fucking

against mine and my body lights on

his touch, his all-consuming presence—it surrounds me and pulls

"Harper,"

he moans.

a security I've needed

my mouth,

I don't want to ever leave, we