Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(23)
J. Carter - ‘Blaze! How’s California?’
Me - ‘AHHHmazing. When are you going to come visit? ;)’
J. Carter - ‘Soon as I get the okay.’
Me - ‘Promise?!’
J. Carter - ‘Of course. What’s my girl up to?’
Me - ‘I met someone and he’s taking me on our first date tonight!’
J. Carter - ‘Uh…really?’
Me - ‘Yes, really. What, am I not dateable?’
J. Carter - ‘Never said that…just wasn’t expecting you to meet someone, or date or anything like that.’
Me - ‘You could at least be excited for me.’
J. Carter - ‘I am. Call me later. Miss you’
Me - ‘Miss you too.’
“Let me guess…Jason?”
I looked up at Bree, “Yeah, how’d you know?”
“Every time he calls or texts you, you stop paying attention to anyone else.”
“Well I don’t get to talk to him often.” I shrugged.
“Uh huh. Does Brandon have some competition?”
“What? No way. Carter’s my best friend. There’s never been anything like that between us.”
Bree just raised a blonde brow at me and turned me toward the mirror.
I was dressed in a green shirt that was loose at the top but form fitting where it rested on my hips, faded jeans with the bottoms rolled up to my calves and flip flops. After getting Bree's approval of my appearance, I left the room to find Brandon.
“You look gorgeous Harper.” He breathed when I walked into the living room.
“Not so bad yourself.” I winked. That was a lie, he looked downright delicious. He had on a pair of reefs, dark tan cargo shorts and a black button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his tan, muscled forearms.
He led me outside and I laughed when I saw the top had been put back on, “I don't feel like fighting guys off you tonight.” He kissed me once and helped me into the Jeep. I wasn't complaining, I'd actually done something with my hair today, I didn't want it messed up.
Bree had been right, I shouldn't have been nervous about the date. We'd had so much fun laughing and getting to know each other during dinner, and the movie was hilarious. As promised, we didn't make out in the theater, but the few tender kisses he'd stolen throughout the night left me wanting more, and honestly I couldn't wait to get back to the house. Chase was long forgotten by the time we were on our way back. We walked into a party much like the first one I'd been to, and I stifled a groan. Hopefully this one didn't end the same as the others. Brandon squeezed my hand reassuringly as we made our way to the kitchen. I was whisked away by Bree to get the play by play of the date, and though she'd told me to keep it clean, she was frowning with my lack of juicy details.
“Uh, who's that?” She pointed over my shoulder and I turned and searched through the sea of people. It didn't take long for my eyes to land on a leggy blonde hanging off Brandon. I smiled when I saw him repeatedly take her hands off him.
I looked back to my friend, “Well what do you say we go find out?”
When we got close enough, I could hear her whiny voice, she was obviously intoxicated. “But Brandon I've missed youuu.” She pouted at him and tried to run a finger down his chest, but he caught it and once again put her hand by her side. “We're so good together, remember? I'm sorry about this summer honey but I want you back.”
Even with him pushing her away, I was starting to get insanely jealous over this girl who was most likely his latest ex. “Kendra, seriously you need to stop. We're done.”
“Come on Brandon, I know you miss me too. Let's just pretend the last few months didn't happen.” She leaned in to try to plant a kiss on his neck but he pushed her back and held her away at arm’s length.
No wonder Brandon tried to beat the crap out of Chase. I wanted to punch this girl and she was falling over drunk. I decided it was my time to cut in, and yes I was going to lay it on thick. “Hey baby.” I purred as I stepped in between the two and pulled his face down so I could cover his lips with mine. Letting my tongue trail across his bottom lip, I whispered loud enough so Kendra could still hear. “I have something for you in your room.” I said suggestively.
He grabbed behind my knees and lifted me into his arms as he walked me towards his room. I caught a glimpse of the girl one more time, and couldn't help but laugh at her expression. Game over bitch. I win.
“Tease.” Brandon whispered in my ear, “But you are adorable when you're jealous.”
“Well I wasn't going to let her keep touching you. That's my job.”
He grinned and pressed two loud kisses to my cheek before locking his door and setting me on the ground. He threw a pair of boxers at me and I held them up confused.
“Unless you want to fight your way to Chase's room, that's all I have for you.”
“Oh.” When he turned toward his dresser again, I switched my jeans for them quickly. They were so big I had to roll them up a few times, but I loved the fact that I was going to sleep in his clothes. “Um, do you have a shirt too?”
He unbuttoned his shirt and sauntered over to me with a mischievous grin on his face. Slipping his fingers under my chin, he titled my head up and nearly kissed me senseless. I felt his other hand trail down my side to the bottom of my shirt, and then his warms fingers were on my stomach, soon followed by his other hand. Other than the second it took to pull my shirt over my head, his lips never left mine and his eyes stayed closed. A chill ran across my body and my breaths started coming faster as I thought about his hands running over my bare body. He shrugged out of his button-up, draped it over my shoulders and resumed to running his fingers over my bare waist and stomach while I pulled my arms through the sleeves. Once my hands were back on his muscled chest he slowly buttoned it back up. I was gasping for air by the time he finished.