I tried to squeeze by him but he caught me around my waist and pulled me close, his breath warm as he whispered in my ear, “Anything for you sweetheart.”
My heart pounded and my legs started to shake. I stayed in his arms a second too long and he noticed. I pushed him off me as soon as I saw that cocky smirk take over his face. “God you piss me off.”
“Whoa, whoa. Did you just say 'piss'? I'm not sure if that's PG approved.” He laughed when I glowered at him and stormed away towards the parking lot.
As soon as we got to the house, Bree was talking to some guy on her cell in Chase’s room which left me alone with Chase. Not wanting to deal with him, I grabbed the remote and spread out on the couch trying to find something other than him to hold my attention. I made it a point not to look in his direction again. Sighing, I flipped through the guide a few more times without finding anything interesting and just turned on the news. Sir would have been proud.
I hated that I knew Chase was looking at me, or where he was in the room. Why does my skin have to tingle over a guy like him? It's not that I didn't want it to, because to be honest, he's all I could think about the last two weeks. But I've already heard all about his one-night-stand reputation from people at school, and from the stories his sister told me, I shouldn't even want to be with someone like him. He was with different women all the time, I knew what happened in the café was completely normal and Bree said he hadn't been in a relationship for four years because it “just isn't his thing”. Apparently girls felt privileged to have been with him at all, I would hate to be anyone's one nighter. He walked over to the couch and I tried to still my heart when he lifted up my legs and sat down, putting them back on his lap. No need to let him know how being near to him had me coming undone.
“So I see my sister is already influencing you poorly.”
Not like I expected a deep meaningful conversation, but I hadn't been expecting that. “Do I even want to know what you're talking about?”
“This.” He leaned over to touch just above my lips. Damn the stupid shivers that course through my body when he touches me.
“What, you don't like it?”
“I never said that, it's hot as hell.” He let his fingers trail across my jaw before sitting up with a smirk, “But I'm disappointed you'd let her start talking you into stuff already. Figured you weren't one to give in to people like that.”
My mouth dropped and I pulled my knees up to my chest so I was no longer touching him. “Not that it's your business, but I was the one who wanted them and brought it up. I didn't know at that time that she would want to get them too, and I certainly wouldn't let someone talk me into something like that. Glad to know you think so highly of me.” With that I left for his room only to find it locked. I didn't want to go back in there and face him, but I didn't want to stand here like an idiot either. I heard his phone ring and listened to his voice retreat as he went outside before deciding to go back to the couch. I had barely sat down when he was next to me, arm extended with phone in hand.
“It's for you.” His mouth was set in a firm line and I noticed his jaw tick from the pressure.
“He-hello?”
“Sorry to have to go through Chase, but I wanted to talk to you.”
I glanced back at the phone and saw Brandon's name, smiling I brought it back to my ear and relaxed into the cushions. “I don't mind, what's up?”
“I have a few hours before my last class, would you like to grab a coffee with me before?”
I wanted to say something along the lines of Yes, please! I want nothing more than to sit there and look at your smile for the next couple hours! Instead, I kept it simple. “I'd like that. Did you want me to meet you somewhere...?” Does he know I don't have a car?
“I'm on my way to the house, I'll be there in five.”
“See you.” I smiled and handed the phone back to a stone-faced Chase. I ran back to his door and pounded on it so Bree would unlock it.
“Brandon's coming to pick me up for coffee!” I all but squealed.
“I'll call you back!” She pressed end and pointed at me, “I knew it!”
“You knew he was going to call?”
“No, I knew you liked him!”
I scoffed. “Bree, I don't even know him.”
“But you want to?”
“Uh, did you not see him?” He was ridiculously attractive, and had that rugged look that made me quiver. “And oh my goodness that smile.”
“Oh sweetie, you are so falling for him already.”
“Crap, Bree I'm nervous. I don't know how to talk to guys.”
“You talk to Chase and the other guys just fine...?”
“Yeah, but that's because they're more annoying than anything. And so far Brandon isn't, plus he's incredibly gorgeous.” I smiled when she elbowed me.
“Just try to see him like the rest of them, they all love you, and I'm pretty sure he's already completely taken with you; so you have nothing to worry about!”
“If you say so. Do I look okay?”