Page 87 of Off Limits

That provokes another chuckle, and even though I’m crossing my arms over my chest, I can’t help smiling back. “I see. And now that you have my attention, what do you intend to do with it?”

Something sparks in his eyes—an unmistakable flare of heat. “Well, that depends on a number of factors.”

I arch an eyebrow at him. “Such as?”

His grin grows wider, and he takes a step closer to me. “Who are you waiting for?”

My other eyebrow joins the first. “Grayson Kilpatrick.”

For some reason, that seems to dim his smile. “You dating him?” The question is almost gruff, a stark contrast to the jokey smoothness he’s been using on me so far.

With a snort, I shake my head. “Not hardly. He’s my brother.”

He lets out a breath and looks away from me. “Your brother. Huh.”

“Is that a problem?” What kind of question is that? For one thing, why in the world would it be a problem that Gray’s my brother? For another, even if this random dude does have a problem with Gray, why should I care?

“Nope,” comes the denial, but his voice still hasn’t regained that smooth, player vibe he started out with. Which is fine, really, because I have no interest in getting involved with this guy. Or any other guy, for that matter. Not right now, anyway. I have enough on my plate with my higher than average course load that’s designed to get me to graduation early. Gray might have my back for now, but his time here is short. I still have to finish my degree once he’s gone, and I’ll have two years here on my own unless I can manage to get everything done faster.

Of course, I’m the only one who’s on board with that plan. My advisor thinks I’m taking on too much, and of course my parents are worried about that as well. Though you’d think they’d be thrilled I’m spending so much time in class or doing homework. Leaves less time for troublemaking, right?

“Piper.” I turn to see Gray coming out of the locker room, casting a questioning look at McAdam. “You ready for dinner?”

I nod and glance at McAdam again as Gray stands next to me and gives him a flat stare.

McAdam nods at Gray then refocuses on me. “Nice meeting you, Piper. I’ll see you around.”

Gray stares after him until he leaves, causing me to turn a questioning glance at him. “What was that about?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing,” he says.

I shrug. “Harmless flirting as far as I can tell.”

Gray glances in the direction McAdam left and grunts. “Somehow I doubt that. If he starts bothering you, let me know.”

“Uh, okay,” I agree, turning with Gray toward the parking lot and his car. “I can handle myself, though.”

Gray gives me a smile. “I know you can. Just watch out for him. He’s not happy I’m here. I don’t want him trying to take that out on you.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” I reassure him. “Once he found out you were my brother, he was decidedly less interested in me. And besides, who says I’m interested in him?”

Because pretty as he may be, I definitely don’t need to go there. Especially not with someone who clearly has a problem with my brother. Nope. I’ve been down the pretty boy road of doom before, and that ended with me facing disciplinary action at my last school, all but expelled, and forced home by my parents. I don’t even want to contemplate what might happen if I go down that road again.

So I’m sticking to my boring life of classes, homework, the occasional dinner with my brother, and hanging with my roommate and her friends.

No more drama for me.

____________________

---