You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 172 Easton "That's the last time we're ever gonna do that,' I say as I follow Harper into her bedroom, shutting the door behind me. "What do you mean?" "Having sex in your-parents' bed." I grimace.

"Still not sure how to feel about it"

My girl turns to face me, her cheeks still flushed, her hair in complete disarray.

"Oh.

Well I know how to feel about what just happened." She laughs.

Waves a hand in front of her face as if she needs to cool off.

"It was hot"

"Fuck yeah, it was." I snag her hand, interlocking our fingers.

"You're hot"

"No, you are"

"This is not a competition." I'm grinning.

Feeling on top of the fucking world.

"Can you believe we'll be graduating and leaving this town soon?" Her brows shoot up in question. "Together, I add.

"Yeah.

Together"

Her smile is small.

My heart feels like it's going to burst.

I pull her into my arms, holding her close.

Her body is warm and loose after coming so hard only a few minutes ago, and I savor the feel of her.

Her tropical scent.

How she melts into me as if we were meant for each other.

A perfect fit.

Who knew it could be like this? "When are your parents coming home?" I ask, my face in her hair.

"They should be gone for a few more hours"

"Let's get into bed"

Harper pulls away slightly so she can smile up at me.

"We can't get naked though"

"Okay"

Her expression is determined.

"I mean it, Easton"

"I know you do, Harper." I press my lips to her forehead.

"I just want to hold you"

"Aw.' She tips her head back and I kiss her lips, keeping it light.

Easy.

"You're so cute"

A few months ago I would've totally denied that.

Hell, when all of this first started, I was a complete asshole to her, and I didn't care. Not at first.

Now when I think about our relationship and how it first started, I have serious remorse.

Why did she tolerate my ass? All the things I did to her, all the shitty things I said.

She should've told me to fuck off.

I would've deserved it.

Of course, I totally bossed her around just now and she loved it.

My girl gets off on my demanding ways.

I'm starting to believe we really are meant for each other.

It feels that way.

And now that everything is falling into place so perfectly and we're going to college together, I can't help but think how lucky we are. How lucky I am.

We crawl under her covers and the moment she slides up next to me, I'm hauling her in closer, her head on my chest, her hair in my face.

We lay like that in silence for a few minutes, the only sound I can hear is our breathing.

The steady beat of my heart.

"I'm so happy right now,' Harper murmurs, her lips moving against my chest, making me ache.

Even though we just had sex and we're fully clothed, every little thing she does turns me on.

I give her shoulders a squeeze, kissing the top of her head.

"Me too." "I can't believe we're going to UCLA"

"Proud of you,' I murmur.

"I'm proud of you too"

"We lucked out, that we got in together"

"We totally did"

She glances up at me.

"Now I just hope I can get enough scholarship money so I can afford tuition." "You can do it.

We'll figure it out"

"I hope so"

She sounds so worried, and I hate it.

I've never had to worry about money ever in my life, and it's such a concern for her.

I wish I could fix her problem.

I wish I could fund her college and make all her worries go away.

"My parents don't want me to go,' Harper admits.

"Not that they'd ever fully stop me, but if I do go, this is all on me.

I have to come up with the tuition.

Get scholarships and grants.

Take out student loans.

Work a job every summer.

I might have to work when I'm in school too." "That's going to be really intense." "I can do it." Her voice is firm.

"I know you can"

"Hey!" Ryan pounds on Harper's bedroom door.

"Please tell me you're not fucking in there right now!" "God Ryan, why did you have to say that word?" Harper groans.

I can't help but laugh. These two are funny when they're like this. "Because that's what you two are always doing.

Like, all the time,' Ryan explains.

"Please, you and Sadie are the worst"

Harper glances over at me.

"Why am I having this conversation with him right now?" "Come in; I yell and Ryan immediately opens the door, staring at the two of us lying in bed wrapped around each other.

"Thank God you've got clothes on," he says.

"Like I'd invite you to come in if we didn't," I mutter.

"What do you want?" Harper snaps.

"Shit, chill out. Sadie and I are bored. We want to go grab some food. You guys in?" "Definitely, I answer for the both of us.

"Good. Meet us downstairs in a ten." Ryan leaves my room, shutting the door behind him.

"I don't want to go with them"

Harper sighs, snuggling closer to me.

"I'd rather stay here with you"

"Babe"

I kiss her forehead.

"We need to get out of here before your parents come home. And I'm starving." My stomach chooses that exact moment to growl.

Loudly.

Harper giggles.

"Guess your stomach just decided it for us"

"Yeah. That was kind of embarrassing"

I try to shift away from her but she clamps down on me, not letting me go.

"You're not going anywhere." She rises up, pressing her mouth to mine before she says, "You can't be embarrassed around me about anything. We've done so much together. We've shared so much. I love every piece of you"

My heart freaking flips over itself.

"I love every piece of you too, baby."