Page 1 of Gone for You

Prologue

Olivia - 17 years old

Stepping out of my car,I groan from the scorching heat that doesn’t want to release its hold on summer. As much as I love the freedom the season brings, the long lazy days and pool parties, I’m a girl of fall all the way. The crisp, cool air and cozy nights around the bon fire. Warm soup and pumpkin bread. Friday nights spent watching my friends play football. I especially love how the trees transform into an array of bold, beautiful colors.

Sweat immediately starts beading on the back of my neck so I reach back into my car and grab a hair tie out of the center console. I throw my wavy blonde hair up in a messy bun, slide my phone into the back pocket of my cut off shorts, and drape my flowery canvas tote bag on my shoulder.

My thin rubber flip flops do nothing to ward off the flaming temperature on the black asphalt of the parking lot. The bottoms of my feet burn and I curse myself for wearing the cheap sandals. I pick up my pace, wanting to get inside as quickly as possible and hope my brother has the air conditioner turned on in his apartment.

My flip flops slap against the pavement as I jog toward the front door and grip the metal handle. The instant I open the door, sweet relief smacks me in the face. A blast of glorious, cool air hits me and my skin prickles despite the heat I was feeling just a second ago.

“Hold the door, would ya?” someone calls out behind me.

I look over my shoulder at the sound of a deep voice and feel my eyes widen. My mouth drops open and I watch in disbelief as one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen in my life strides toward me carrying three cases of beer stacked one on top of the other.That can’t be light.The thought causes my eyes to immediately look at his arms and…

“Holy shit,” I whisper and pray he can’t hear or read my lips. This guy, though. Dark, tan skin and black hair buzzed short, bright white teeth that are gleaming at me thanks to the huge smile he’s throwing my way, looking me up and down, lingering on my chest for a smidgen longer than what’s appropriate. I take back my earlier annoyance and send up a quick thank you for it being so blasted hot that I only threw on a lavender tank top, which makes my boobs look freakin’ incredible. If I do say so myself, of course.

Doing as asked, I keep the glass door open while Hotstuff makes his way toward me. His bright blue shirt is sleeveless and shows off bulging biceps and strong forearms. I bite my lip as my eyes drop to his legs. There is nothing better than a guy in basketball shorts or sweatpants.

Knowing I was just staring at his crotch, I flush red and quickly look up. My eyes connect with his and my breath catches. Thick lashes any woman would be envious of frame dark onyx eyes, they’re wide and unblinking. What appear to be strong legs eat up the space between us. Everywhere I look, I see muscle. Not like he’s a body builder or anything — but he just looks… fierce, despite the sparkle in his eyes and boyish smile.

“Sure,” I squeak out.

Soon he’s right next to me, crossing the threshold into the building. I desperately want to take a small step forward so our bodies brush against each other but I don’t dare. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye and grins. My breath catches, chest rises and his eyes drop for a split second to the movement. His pink tongue snakes out, licking his full bottom lip. My senses are on high alert, my eyes noticing every. Single. Thing. My body reacting in ways it never has before. Time has slowed. If I look around, I’m sure I’ll find birds chirping and woodland animals singing a song right now like I’m in the middle of aDisneymovie.

I plaster myself against the glass door so it’s opened as wide as possible, giving Hotstuff enough room for his broad-shouldered body and heavy cases to make their way through.

“Thank you,” comes his low rumble and the only thing I can do is murmur a, “you betcha.” My voice comes out hyper and high-pitched like a total weirdo and I inwardly groan.

As soon as he’s cleared the doorway, which seems to have taken him one thousand minutes instead of just a few seconds, I follow behind him. It’s a pretty awesome view.

Now I’m licking my lips and I feel like a complete creeper but I can’t help it. I’m a horny teenager and…

Hello, tight backside.

I hear a chuckle and I gasp. “Oh crap. I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“You betcha,” he teases, throwing my words back at me. “Don’t worry, though.” He looks me up and down, his gaze causing my stomach to clench when I see the desire in his eyes. “You’d blush brighter than the sun if you knew the things going through my head right now.”

He’s probably right, since just him hinting at havingthoughtsof me has me blushing.

He starts up the stairs and I follow. My brother’s apartment is on the third floor of the building and the complex doesn’t have an elevator. At least not one that I feel comfortable getting into. Owen moved into this apartment last year and I’ve only been brave enough to ride the elevator once. It’s old and rickety and there’s a reason why I would rather climb stairs and it doesn’t have a single thing to do with exercise.

“Following me?” Hotstuff asks, humor in his tone.

“No,” I sass back. I almost tell him I’m going to my brother’s but stranger danger and all that.

“Live in this building?”

How old does he think I am? “Nope.”

“Visiting someone, then,” he says, eyeing my small bag.

“Figured that one out all on your own, huh?”

His head tilts back as his laughter rings out in the stairwell. It makes me feel all tingly and wow, I want to hear it again.

“You’re a little smart ass.”

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