Page 175 of Wish You Were Mine
And something about the sudden appearance of a tall, broad figure in the dim parking lot sent me straight back to that night I’d run to Owen’s apartment, a stranger’s footsteps pounding behind me.
“You leaving already?” Brody asked, stepping closer, oblivious to the spike in my pulse.
“Not yet.” I pointed toward the row of cars where my headlights had just flashed. “Just grabbing something from my car.”
“Cool.” He exhaled like he was relieved. “I’ll walk you there. Never can be too safe.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, and I meant it. The shadows felt heavier out here than they had a minute ago.
“You having fun tonight?” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“Yeah.” I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I’d grabbed my jacket. Because even though it was technically spring, it was still chilly at night.
“Good.” Brody’s eyes flicked over me, the intensity in his eyes making me suddenly aware of every inch of skin my corset top left bare. “I am, too. Way better than the last time we came here, right?”
“Yeah.” I gave a small laugh. “A lot nicer without you and Josh trying to beat each other up.”
“True.” He smirked. “Plus, I got to dance with you this time.”
And while I knew he was trying to be playful, I got the feeling that he was hoping for more than a few dances.
Should I tell him I wasn’t in a place for anything romantic right now? That my heart was still wounded—tangled up in someone else?
I didn’t know.
We reached my car, and I opened the door, bending across the driver’s seat to grab my purse. I found it easily and took a quick peek inside to make sure I had a tampon in there.
But when I straightened to stand, Brody’s solid form was right there—much closer than I expected.
“Sorry—” I startled, trying to take a step forward even though there was nowhere to go.
“Don’t be,” he said. Then before I knew it, his hands were on my hips and he was turning me so my back was pressed against my car.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
“Since I finally have you alone…” He grinned, leaning in. “I was thinking we could do a little chemistry test.”
“Oh—” I braced my hands against his chest, heat and panic tangling in my veins. “I’m…not really in the science mood right now.”
“Come on, Lucy.” He bent down, his breath brushing my ear. “You’ve been teasing me all semester. Just give me one little kiss. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Sorry.” My stomach knotted. “I just…don’t feel that way. I thought we were just friends.”
“That’s only because you haven’t kissed me yet.” His hot breath hit my face, laced with cinnamon whiskey. “Believe me, I’ll rock your world.”
Before I could respond, his hands came up,fingers clamping along my jaw, thumbs grazing my cheeks like he thought this was tender. Like this was something I wanted.
“Stop, Brody—” I shoved at his chest.
But he didn’t budge.
My pulse roared in my ears, and the smell of alcohol, the scrape of his calloused fingers against my skin, and the way the cold metal of my car door pressed into my back all closed in until I could barely breathe.
“Just give me a chance.” He tilted my face higher, his grip firm, insistent—like he expected me to melt into him if he angled me right.
And then?—
“Get away from her!” Owen’s voice, sharp and furious, cut through the dark like a lifeline.
