Taking Chances (6 page)

“You excited to
spend the weekend with Brandon?”

My heart was
racing and I was smiling like an idiot just hearing his name. I glanced at my
left hand that was still tingling from Brandon holding it on the way to
Chase’s. “Yes! I just hope he doesn't think anything is going to happen because
I'm staying here.”

“You mean like
happen
happen. Or am I missing something?”

“No, I'm pretty
sure you got it.”

“It's not like
you're staying with him, you'll be in here with me.”

I nodded and
looked to the door then back to her, “Do you think the guys will tell him?”

“Tell him what?”

“About me being
a virgin?” I whispered the last part, I didn't know if he was home yet and I
didn't know where his room was.

She snorted and
grabbed her perfume to spray us with, “Who cares if they did. It's like you
said, at least you're not a whore, and trust me when I say this Harper...guys
love knowing a girl isn't sleazy.”

We heard the
voices get louder in the living room, so after another quick glance in the
mirror, we made our way out to join them. Bree had been right, there were only
about twenty people here, and they were all currently surrounding the bar where
Zach was chugging a massive drink. I glanced around and saw Chase's face
pressed into some girl's neck and Brandon walking in from one of the halls. We
smiled widely at each other as he came to stand by my side.

“Hey
beautiful.”

My heart
practically beat out of my chest. “How was your class?” I softly nudged his
side.

“Long, but I'm
glad I'm done for the week.”

“Same here,
it'll be nice to always have three days to relax.”

He nodded and
leaned closer, “So you guys will be here all weekend?” I caught a ghost of a
smile on his lips.

“At least
through Saturday.” I tried not to lean into him when I caught a hint of his
cologne. I couldn't place the scent, but it was perfect for him.

“Can I ask you
something?” He glanced over his shoulder before meeting my gaze again.

“Of course.”

“Is there
something going on with you and Chase?”

I leaned away
to look at his face. Was he serious? “No...why?”

Brandon looked
to the side, “No reason. I was just curious.”

My face fell.
“Brandon. What happened?”

“Nothing.”
Brandon sat there for a moment studying my glare before conceding, “After I
dropped you off, he called to tell me to stay away from you.”

“
What
?”

“Yeah, said
that you're taken and he reminded me
again
that you've slept in his bed
and would be this weekend.”

Taken? Hardly.
I pointed to where Chase was sticking his tongue down the same girl's throat
and laughed. “Well you tell me, does it look like there's something going on?”
I turned towards the living room and he followed. “As for sleeping in his bed,
he said he was 'protecting' me from the other guys, and I swear to you nothing
happened.”

“Will you be
staying in there this weekend?” He didn't sound angry or possessive, simply
curious.

“Most likely,
but it will be with Bree. He won't even be in the room.” I hoped.

“And you aren’t
dating anyone?”

I turned to
look at him over my shoulder, “Not yet.”

His smile
turned playful as we sat down on the couch, “So I don't need to stay away from
you?”

My breaths were
coming faster as I stared into his warm eyes that were only inches from mine,
“I really hope you won't.” I caught myself leaning in closer to his face and
saw his eyes look at my lips then back to mine as they turned to liquid steel.
Before our faces could touch I was yanked back and thrown over Chase's shoulder
as he yelled for the beer pong game to start.

“CHASE! Put me
down!” I couldn't even enjoy the fact that his hands were touching my bare
thighs. He'd just stopped what could have been my first kiss, and his shoulder
was really uncomfortable against my stomach.

“No way! The
Princess needs her throne!”

I started
beating my fists on his back, which just made him laugh harder and smack my
butt. Ugh, this was the worst position to be in, I couldn’t even get a good
pressure point to hit. “If you don't put me down I will make good on my
previous threat!”

He laughed for
another few seconds before remembering the night in his bed, immediately his
laughter stopped and I was set down. But of course, I couldn't have the last
word. Gripping my arm firmly, he pulled me towards the front door before
bringing me close to his body so he could whisper roughly in my ear.

“I don't want
you with him.” He growled and his grip tightened. Gah, even that sent shivers
of pleasure through me.

“What is your
deal with him? Is there something he did that you'd like to share?”

“He's not good
enough for you.”

I shook my head
and failed at yanking my arm free, it was starting to get painful. “How do you
know what is and isn't good for me? You don't even know me!” I hissed.

Warm hands were
on my shoulders then, and though he dropped my arm, Chase looked more pissed
off than he had before. I knew he'd been gripping me tight, but my arm was now
throbbing where his hand had just been.

“I thought I
told you to back off man?” Chase’s voice got louder, I swear I could
practically see his feathers ruffle.

I could tell
Brandon was standing in an intimidating stance, but he seemed perfectly at ease
making soothing trails up and down my arms. “I don't really think that's up to
you.”

Chase looked at
me softly, his voice still harsh, “You hurt her, I swear to God I'll break your
neck.” With that, he pushed past us and went back toward the kitchen.

That was a
little much. “Ridiculous.” I blew out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding
and turned to look at Brandon. “Before you ask, I have absolutely no idea.”

He laughed and
wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. “And you're sure
nothing's going on between you?”

“Positive. He
probably just views me as his sister, so he’s a little protective.”

“Hah! I'm
pretty sure he doesn't see you like he sees Bree.”

“What do you
mean?”

I didn't think
it was possible, but somehow his voice got even lower and all I wanted to do
was close my eyes and listen to him talk. “You're gorgeous, funny and just all
around amazing. And what makes it worse is that you don't even see it. All the
guys had been talking about you before I even got here, and after today, I see
why.”

“No they weren't
Brandon.” I rolled my eyes.

He raised his
eyebrow and smirked, “I wouldn't lie to you.  Harper, trust me when I say he
doesn't want to be your brother, but I'm not about to let him try to be
anything else.”

His mouth was
on mine then and my entire world stopped. One hand gripped my hip, and the
other snaked around behind my neck, anchoring my face to his. His full lips
were soft but firm as they moved against mine. Pulling back slightly to look
into my eyes, he smiled and softly brushed his lips across my own twice before
kissing me again, lightly sliding his tongue against my bottom lip. I gasped
and gripped his shirt, pressing my body closer to his. A groan escaped his
mouth as our tongues met, sending goose bumps across my body. Our breaths were
ragged when we broke apart, and I could see myself falling in love with those
lips. The pad of his thumb brushed across my cheek as his liquid gray eyes
searched mine.

“Harper come on
it's our tu- woops! Sorry.” She hardly looked sorry as she sat there smiling at
us.

“What Bree?”

“Oh! Um, it's
my turn at beer pong. I want you to be my partner.”

Okay that was
the second time I'd heard the words 'beer pong', what on earth is that? “I
don't know how to play.”

“Well, duh. But
you're not going to learn by standing back here making out.”

I blushed and
ducked my head again, Brandon just chuckled beside me. “Okay, let's go.”

All the guys
tried to explain the game to me as Konrad – Bree's fling for the weekend – and
Drew set up the table. I nodded and started to worry when they did half a beer
per cup. If these guys were good, I was going to be falling over in no time.

I leaned into
Bree to whisper, “Are the cups supposed to be that full?”

“Not even
close, they're doing it because Drew wants to get you drunk. Let's just hope they
don't make many.”

“I'm pretty
sure he's going to get what he wants.” I felt sick already and I hadn't even
had a sip yet.

Apparently,
it's true what they say about beginners luck, because I only missed one shot,
and only had to drink two cups. Even with those, I was already feeling good and
laughing a little more. I know, I know. I'm a lightweight. They set the cups up
again, this time there wasn't much in each, and Brandon stepped up with Derek.

I raised my
eyebrows and smiled slowly, “Ready to lose?”

“I've never
lost before. Bring it sweetheart.”

The boys went
first, and each made it. We drank the first two before both landing our shots
as well. Brandon made his, Derek didn't. Bree and I both made ours. I started
gloating, but then they both made their shots. I'm really glad Konrad and Drew
weren't this good. Bree made hers and I lined up. Just before I let go of the
ball, Brandon stretched his arms above his head and arched his back. His shirt raised
a little exposing a perfectly muscled V that met his boxers, which were barely
visible above his jeans. I missed that one. He laughed and fixed his shirt.
Cheater. I whispered to Bree as Derek drank a cup and she burst into laughter.
Everyone looked at us like we were crazy, so we just shrugged our shoulders.
Brandon raised his hand, and as he did I bent over acting like I was looking
for something on the floor, purposefully turning so my butt was facing him. He
missed. When Derek went for his turn, Bree bent slightly at the waist, giving
them a better view of her cleavage, her hand trailing along her chest. His ball
didn't even hit anywhere on the table, which landed him a hand across the back
of his head from his girlfriend. We were cracking up as we both made our next
shots. Before the guys could go, two guys I didn't know came up behind us and
made sure we couldn't “cheat” again, not that it made a difference. We were all
laughing so hard from everyone still attempting to distract the other side,
that no one made their next few shots. Although the first half of the game flew
by, it took me and Bree four more turns to make our last two cups.

“I'm done.
Someone else can take my spot.” I laughed and backed away from an advancing
Brandon.

“You think
you're funny, huh?”

I nodded and
continued my retreat but he caught my hips and firmly pressed his lips to mine,
when our lips parted he picked me up and started walking me towards the
couches. I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him as passionately as
my tipsy self would allow. I whimpered when he caught my bottom lip between his
teeth as he sat on the couch. Good God, was this what I’d always been missing?
Or was my blood heating and my heart racing just because it was Brandon? Grabbing
his broad shoulders, I melted against his body, his muscled arms holding me
tight. Our tongues met again and he gripped my hips tighter when I arched my
body into his. Before I could protest from his lips leaving mine, he started
making a trail across my jaw and down my neck, my eyes shot open when a familiar
voice broke through the haze Brandon’s lips and tongue had put me in.

“So much for
the PG rating.” Chase sneered as he made his way towards the back door with the
girl from earlier.

My eyes went
wide when the party came back into view; I had completely forgotten we weren’t
alone. Looking down at the position Brandon and I were in, I quickly climbed
off his lap and sunk down next to him, trying to keep my eyes off Chase.

Brandon looked
at me confused, “Wait, 'PG' is a rating they gave you?”

I blushed
fiercely and looked at my hands. I guess the guys hadn't informed him.

“What, she
didn't tell you? Princess over here was as virgin as someone could possibly get
until she met you. Now she's just simply a virgin, I guess we can raise it to
PG-13 until later. I'm sure she's ready to get rid of it all together. Maybe
you’ll have better luck than I did.”

My breath was
coming quickly for a completely different reason now, and I couldn't meet
Brandon's eyes again, though I knew he was still staring at me. Chase and his
nightly tramp snickered as they walked outside and I took off for his room. I
should have known he would lock it while people were here, but I was two
seconds from breaking it in so Brandon wouldn't see the embarrassment covering
my face. I turned into the bathroom and shut the door as I heard him and
someone else approaching. Less than a minute later, there was a soft knock and
Bree walked in, shutting the door again behind her.

“Will you ever
forgive me?”

I looked up at
her, “Forgive you? For what?”

“For telling
them the last time.”

“Bree you
didn't tell them maliciously. You weren't even completely coherent when you
said it! What he did is completely different.”

She sat on the
floor next to me, and ran her fingers through my ponytail.

“Did everyone
hear him?”

“No, everyone
was still in the kitchen, I just happened to be standing there with Konrad when
they walked by.”

I nodded and
tried to be happy about that. “Can you get the key to his room please?”

“Harper, you
can't just hide when someone tries to embarrass you.”

“Breanna.
Please. I can't face Brandon right now.”

“Why not?”

“Did you not
just hear everything your brother said? How could I after that? He'll probably
start calling me PG like the rest of them.” I looked at her like this should be
obvious.