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.

me she has a

drag me in and ask all the questions, but

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

I assure you I won't be asking

being this late to class.” I tilt my

live

my eyes, back and forth, his hands holding

skeletons in

met

that he slept

Scott.

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

have a past and his is just much

change how I feel about you, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have

the thought of Ryan's face this morning on

to kill you—

to Blake, too.” My

"Blake?"

around, he's there, trying

of it, it needs to end

seem to always

lowers to my

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

the end of my nose, a gesture so

putting a stop to

that conversation going to

He smiles.

"I'll be good.

settled than when I was walking up here to the roof, but there are still things I'm

"Do you think Mrs.

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

I sigh.

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

on me right now.” His face

if I hear something, I'll give you a heads

He comes even closer.

before

mine and my body lights

his all-consuming presence—it surrounds me and pulls me in

"Harper,"

he moans.

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

tongue slides out of my mouth, and

want to ever leave, we have to go to