Part 14 (1/2)

”Like what?” I search his eyes, but all I see is how much he despises me. Or at least what he thinks I am. He doesn't even really know me. Maybe he just hates what's going on with Leo and he's blaming me for it.

”I think you already know the answer to that question.”

”Enlighten me.”

We both stare at each other for a long moment.

”You're playing with fire.” He sticks an index finger in my face. ”If you hurt Leo I swear...” He looks like he wants to say more, but bites his tongue.

The old me-before rehab-would have challenged him and made him finish his sentence. The new me decides to just let it go. ”I have no control over Leo's feelings...”

His finger pokes in my face again. He's beginning to make it a habit. ”You've got his f.u.c.king heart on a string and you know it.”

I feel like I've been slapped. Leo's heart on a string? Before I can respond Xander turns and marches away.

I hurry my a.s.s over to the orchard so I don't p.i.s.s off Harper along with apparently everyone else in the place.

She's frowning when I rush over to her.

”Sorry,” I say proactively.

”For what?”

”Everything. Anything. Whatever it is you're frowning about. And please don't mention Leo.”

”Maybe we should just run,” Harper suggests.

”Good idea.”

After what feels like ten miles, but is really only two, I motion to Harper that I need to stop running.

She jogs in place while I struggle to catch my breath.

”I'm-done,” I manage to spit out.

”I'm going to run for another thirty minutes,” she tells me.

I nod. ”See you later.”

When she takes off in the opposite direction I'm thankful that there's still one person on Earth who doesn't think I'm a heartless b.i.t.c.h.

I'm lying in bed allowing myself to wallow in self-pity for a few moments when I hear a knock on my bedroom door. I debate not answering it, but I know it's futile when the knocking continues.

”Come in,” I say loud enough so I don't actually have to get up from the bed.

When Leo enters he's not his usual happy-go-lucky self. He looks more like loaded-down-with-baggage Brooke.

”Mind if I join you?” he asks.

I shrug. ”Depends what you're looking for.”

”You,” he says matter-of-factly.

”You found me,” I tease.

He lies down on the bed next to me. We're both on top of the covers fully clothed and it feels a little weird. With guys I'm generally naked and getting busy. Leo is usually no exception.

”I'm heard Xander and Raven gave you a hard time.”

”They really care about you. I think they're worried that you're going to get hurt.”

”Am I?” When he turns to face me he looks so vulnerable. All of the usual c.o.c.kiness is nowhere in sight.

”I don't know,” I admit.

”I want you, Brooke Rhodes.”

”You've already had me,” I tell him. ”Multiple times.”

”You know what I mean.” His dark eyes grow even darker and more serious.

”What do you want with a girl like me? Didn't you hear? I'm the girl who'll spread her legs for anyone.”

”And what would it take for you to spread your legs just for me?”

I gulp. I'm not sure I'm prepared to answer that question. ”You can't always get what you want,” I say instead.

”Yes I can,” he insists.

”This isn't some cheesy romance novel,” I protest. ”Just because you're a rock star doesn't mean you get the girl.”

His c.o.c.ky smile sneaks across his face. ”Wanna bet?”

Then he closes the distance between us and kisses me. His kiss is full of raw desire.

It's not long before we're tearing off each other's clothes. But I stop dead in my tracks when I see he's got a bandage on his chest.

”Did you get a new tattoo?”

His expression completely changes and he suddenly looks terrified.

”What is it?” I probe. I don't want to tell him that I have the myriad of artwork all over his body completely memorized. Every shape, every color and every curve of each and every one of his many tattoos is etched in my mind.

”It's nothing,” he says dismissively.

”I want to see it...”

He grabs my hand as I reach for the bandage. ”No!”