You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Harper

Thurry inside my room and slam the door behind me, anger exploding in my chest. My brother makes me positively crazy. To insist I cover myself up, at a pool party no less, is just absurd. But to make those demands in front of Easton, who offered me nothing more than a look of disgust, is infuriating

It’s like he didn’t even see me out there, oblivious to my existence.

Nothing more than Ryan’s twin.

Maybe that’s a good thing, he’ll never figure out who I am. But if I ever want to kiss him again, how do I get him to notice me?

I just want that glacier blue stare locked with mine.

The one that makes my entire body scream

| go over to one of my windows, moving the blind aside to peek into the backyard. Unlike the bathroom, it’s not opaque, so I carefully search, finding Easton in the pool. He’s in the shallow end with Ryan, sharing the vodka with him, girls splashing around them.

His lips are wet, his skin dripping.

He’s so ridiculously handsome.

The light in the pool shows the ripples of muscle across his chest, biceps that flex every time he moves, a grin I just want to lick.

My body won’t stop humming.

I recall the feel of his tongue. The caress of his hands. The way he exhaled so seductively over my skin.

A chill runs through me as I stare at him.

“Harper!” I hear Sadie shout from the other side of my door, pulling my attention away from the window. “Harper, it’s me, open up.”

I drop the shade and rush over, turning the lock, opening the door a crack. “Hey.”

I’m breathless and I know who it’s from.

Concern is etched across her face. “Ryan can be such a dick sometimes. Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” I roll my eyes. “I’m just annoyed.”

Her eyes widen. “I don’t want to make you feel worse, but I have news that’s going to.”

My stomach drops. “What?”

“I want to tell you, but I don’t want to tell you, but I have to tell you

girlfriend code and all.”

I reached through the opening and pull her into my room. “Spill it.”

“It’s just …” She looks down at her flip-flops, taking a breath. “Right after you left, Ryan told me he caught Easton with a girl.”

I swear she can see my heart beating and I try to keep my face from giving anything anyway. “What girl?”

“Ryan doesn’t know, and Easton wouldn’t give up her name.”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

She sighs. “He probably thinks I’ll tell someone … like I’m doing right

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now.” She shrugs.

It’s because Easton doesn’t know it’s me, that’s why he wouldn’t tell Sadie. But, for now, I’m keeping our make out a secret from Easton, Sadie-everyone.

I put on my best acting and say, “Ugh, I’m bummed he was with a girl tonight.”

“Don’t give him a second thought. You still look smoking hot, girl.” She twirls a chunk of my hair around her finger. “In fact, Ryan can’t stand that his friends are giving you attention. A few more pool parties, like the one tonight, and you’re going to give your brother a heart attack.” She grabs

a maxi dress off my bed and hands it to me. “Put this on and let’s go back downstairs.”

I take the dress from her, my heart not ready to return to the backyard. “I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod

“Okay, just don’t take too long,” she says and let’s herself out.

Llock the door behind her and climb on top of my bed, tossing the dress on my chair.

There’s another window near the foot of my mattress, this one

right now.