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.

and told me she has a meeting with the school

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

anyone to press charges and for this to go to court.” "Does that mean things between you two will go back

cordial, but I assure you I won't be asking for any

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

can live

eyes, back and forth, his hands holding my

have skeletons in our

just met one

that he slept with

Scott.

so

we all have a past and his is just much

doesn't change how I feel about you, but I'm pretty sure

thought of Ryan's face this morning on the

wants to kill

need to talk to Blake, too.” My

"Blake?"

time I turn around, he's there,

of it, it needs to end or we're

does seem to

lowers to

and I can't blame the bastard, you're the hottest girl

the end of my nose, a gesture so sweet it makes my

to it, he needs to set his sights on

going to involve

He smiles.

"I'll be good.

walking up here to the roof, but there are still things I'm worried

"Do you think Mrs.

parents about the day we left school? I know that sounds so trivial considering

I sigh.

hate surprises, Easton, and I feel like there's a new one

focused on me right now.” His face moves

something, I'll give you a heads

He comes even closer.

kiss me before I

lips crash against mine and my body lights on

touch, his all-consuming presence—it surrounds me and pulls me in and I'm completely

"Harper,"

he moans.

I can't get enough of, a security I've needed since the post was

slides out of my mouth,

want to ever leave, we have to go