Taking Chances
Page 21

“Because you deserve someone who realizes how amazing you are. You shouldn't have just let the first guy who gave you the time of day kiss you.”
“You're acting like I gave him everything and all we've done is kissed!” I unwrapped my arms and sat down on the bed. “And who are you to judge who I do and do not kiss?”
“Please don't. Don't give him everything.” He placed a hand on either side of my body and brought his face back to mine. “He doesn't deserve you Harper.”
My breath was coming faster, and though I knew I should lean away, I couldn't make myself actually do it. “And who does Chase...you?” My voice was barely above a whisper.
His eyes flashed before he closed them and hung his head. “No. I don't deserve you either. You need someone who will cherish you, protect you and take care of you. Someone that realizes they'd never be able to find another you in the world, no matter how hard they looked.” He looked back up into my eyes and we just stared at each other.
I was blown away, the emotion in his voice when he'd said that was unlike anything I'd ever heard. But we barely knew each other, there was no way he could think all this about me. He moved until his lips were hovering just above mine, and I thought my heart would stop.
“Chase...”
His voice was husky, and I could feel his breath against my lips. That alone was enough to make my eyelids flutter shut and my mouth open slightly. “That first night, I did realize I would never meet another girl like you. But you deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can't Harper.”
I had to bite back a frustrated groan when he moved his face away from mine. My arms gave out and I flopped down to the bed, trying to control my erratic breathing. It couldn't be healthy to feel this way for someone. A whimper escaped my mouth when he pressed his full lips to my throat.
“You're amazing Harper. There will never be anyone good enough for you.”
I secured my fingers in his hair, but didn't pull him closer. To be honest, I was a little terrified of what would happen when I did. If I kissed him right now, I don’t know if I’d be able to stop. And what would that say about me? I finally had my first kiss just last night, and not fifteen minutes ago Brandon had me pushed up against the wall. The way my heart would pound for each guy separately was already frustrating me to no end, I didn’t want to complicate things further by kissing Chase. And even though I hadn’t known Brandon long, I couldn’t stomach the thought of hurting him. Before I could move my arms back, Chase skimmed his nose up the inside of my forearm and kissed my wrist and palm before setting down my hands and walking out the door.
I stood up and tried to shake all feelings for Chase away before going to the bathroom to freshen up for when Brandon returned. When I walked back into his room he was sitting there with an iced coffee and blueberry muffin. I grinned and practically bounced over to kiss him. His stone face broke into a brilliant smile right before he caught me and lifted me off the carpet. That boy seriously liked picking me up.
“Did everything go okay?”
“Yep, he was really nice. Just apologized profusely, said it wouldn't happen again.” I'd already decided what to tell him when I was in the bathroom.
“It better not.” He grumbled into my hair and set me back down.
I laughed and turned to my coffee, “Thank you for this.”
“You're welcome. It's not much, but I was kind of hoping I could take you out tonight.”
I almost choked, “Out? Like a date?”
He chuckled and grabbed my hand pulling me towards the bed, “Yes a date. I know it's cliché, but how does dinner and a movie sound?”
“Sounds perfect!” I said a little too enthused. I slapped my hand over my mouth and turned beet red. “I'm sorry,” I mumbled into my hand, “I've never been on a date.”
He smiled and brushed the hair out of my face, “What was yesterday then?”
“What, at Starbucks? I thought we were just hanging out.”
“God you're adorable.” He kissed my forehead then lay back on his pillows. “Okay, well tonight is a date.”
I bit my lip and tried to avoid bouncing up and down. I was way too excited for just a date. “When do you want to go?”
“It's almost two, we can leave at six if that's okay.”
“Four hours? I gotta go then!” I leaned over and kissed him chastely before running out of the room to find Bree.
Bree was so excited for me that she left Konrad in bed to go with me to get our nails done. I'd have to apologize to him later, but I was glad she was such a good friend. I don't know why I was nervous, but I had butterflies in my stomach as I thought about tonight. She continued to tell me not to worry since I no longer had to worry about whether or not I should kiss him on the first date, to which she got a swift elbow in her ribs. Her only real advice was to not make out in the movie theater because it was annoying and unnecessary and I would most likely be sleeping in his bed again since she planned to do more than sleep with Konrad. I thought it was bad that I was already so comfortable kissing Brandon after just a day, but when she talked like that, all I could do was shake my head. At least I wasn't like that. I doubted I would ever be so comfortable with sex. We stopped by the dorm to get an outfit Bree thought would be perfect for the night, before heading back to the house so I could shower. I was almost done shaving when I heard the door open.