Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(21)

Chase waited ‘til we heard the front door close before saying anything. “Are you okay? God that's a stupid question, of course you're not.”

“No, I am. I'm fine.”

“How can you even say that?”

“Because I am!” Jeez, did these guys think I was that fragile? I mean, I know I'm small, but my dad is a Marine for crying out loud, I did daily drills and work outs with the guys in his unit. When they weren’t doing anything, they were constantly teaching me how to defend myself. “They don't hurt, I didn't even know they were there until Brandon saw them.”

“I just – I never meant to hurt you, I swear.”

The pain in his eyes was too much, he hadn't done this on purpose. Before I could think about what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pressed his face into mine. “I know you didn't Chase. It really is okay, you were drunk, and I was being stubborn.”

Groaning he leaned back far enough to look at me like I'd lost it, “Don't do that. Don't act like it's okay when it's not. You do this with everyone. And please don't make excuses for me. Yes I was drunk, and I don't always realize what I'm doing after I've been drinking, but that's no excuse Princess.” His voice wrapped around my nick-name lovingly, and though it threw me off for a second, I'd have to think about that later.

“Well maybe you shouldn't drink then.” I joked to lighten the mood.

“Maybe I shouldn't.” His eyebrows furrowed together, but he didn't look angry, just thoughtful. “Why him Harper?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why Brandon? You'd never been kissed, why'd you choose him to change that?”

It was weird to have him not making fun of me, I almost didn't know how to respond. “Why not Brandon?” I replied simply. He snorted a laugh but didn't say anything. “Why does that bother you so much Chase?”

“Because you deserve someone who realizes how amazing you are. You shouldn't have just let the first guy who gave you the time of day kiss you.”

“You're acting like I gave him everything and all we've done is kissed!” I unwrapped my arms and sat down on the bed. “And who are you to judge who I do and do not kiss?”

“Please don't. Don't give him everything.” He placed a hand on either side of my body and brought his face back to mine. “He doesn't deserve you Harper.”

My breath was coming faster, and though I knew I should lean away, I couldn't make myself actually do it. “And who does Chase...you?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

His eyes flashed before he closed them and hung his head. “No. I don't deserve you either. You need someone who will cherish you, protect you and take care of you. Someone that realizes they'd never be able to find another you in the world, no matter how hard they looked.” He looked back up into my eyes and we just stared at each other.

I was blown away, the emotion in his voice when he'd said that was unlike anything I'd ever heard. But we barely knew each other, there was no way he could think all this about me. He moved until his lips were hovering just above mine, and I thought my heart would stop.

“Chase...”

His voice was husky, and I could feel his breath against my lips. That alone was enough to make my eyelids flutter shut and my mouth open slightly. “That first night, I did realize I would never meet another girl like you. But you deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can't Harper.”

I had to bite back a frustrated groan when he moved his face away from mine. My arms gave out and I flopped down to the bed, trying to control my erratic breathing. It couldn't be healthy to feel this way for someone. A whimper escaped my mouth when he pressed his full lips to my throat.

“You're amazing Harper. There will never be anyone good enough for you.”

I secured my fingers in his hair, but didn't pull him closer. To be honest, I was a little terrified of what would happen when I did. If I kissed him right now, I don’t know if I’d be able to stop. And what would that say about me? I finally had my first kiss just last night, and not fifteen minutes ago Brandon had me pushed up against the wall. The way my heart would pound for each guy separately was already frustrating me to no end, I didn’t want to complicate things further by kissing Chase. And even though I hadn’t known Brandon long, I couldn’t stomach the thought of hurting him. Before I could move my arms back, Chase skimmed his nose up the inside of my forearm and kissed my wrist and palm before setting down my hands and walking out the door.

I stood up and tried to shake all feelings for Chase away before going to the bathroom to freshen up for when Brandon returned. When I walked back into his room he was sitting there with an iced coffee and blueberry muffin. I grinned and practically bounced over to kiss him. His stone face broke into a brilliant smile right before he caught me and lifted me off the carpet. That boy seriously liked picking me up.

“Did everything go okay?”

“Yep, he was really nice. Just apologized profusely, said it wouldn't happen again.” I'd already decided what to tell him when I was in the bathroom.

“It better not.” He grumbled into my hair and set me back down.