I’ve never had a problem attracting guys, but maybe that isn’t such a good thing. It's all fake anyway; they only want me because of how I look. My long brown hair is enhanced with extensions, my long eyelashes are false, and I wear more make-up than I need. In fact, the only part that isn't fake is my tits. And my clothes? The shorter and tighter, the better...-It used to be fun, but this isn’t fun anymore. This is taking it too far. It's the wake-up call I desperately need. Last night has really shaken me up. What in the hell was I thinking? Two guys, for fuck’s sake, just because I liked their attention. A good chance I didn’t use protection, which is just stupid, not to mention the fact that I have absolutely no memory of any of it. In high school, I gained a reputation for sleeping around. All the attention flattered me, even if it was just for one night. Now that I’m going to college, I can't have the same reputation. That is why I’m going away to school, even though staying local would be the easier option. I need a new place with new people to make a fresh start. No more drinking or sleeping around.-I vowed then that I wouldn't let any man treat me like that, which is why I have only ever had one-night stands. I am not interested in getting my heart broken again and again. No way am I about to make the same mistakes as my mom by thinking that guys stick around.-The time has come for me to take control of my life. It’s not enough just to avoid parties and stop drinking. Starting now, I need to make some drastic changes and learn to keep a promise, starting with the one I made my granddad.- It feels different with Dominic, not just because we haven’t had sex, but because I like it when he holds me. I feel safe with him, and I don’t want him to let me go.-“No, I’m not interested in those girls past one night,” he dismisses them out of hand and I can’t help but wonder if those poor girls realize that they are so dispensable once they've slept with him.
“You don’t strike me as the relationship type.” I pull my straw from my glass and suck the last of my chocolate milk off the end. Dominic’s eyes focus on my lips as he watches me suck on the straw. I didn’t mean for it to be suggestive, but apparently, it is by the way his eyes flash.
“If I met the right girl I would be.” He slowly brings his eyes up to meet mine, and they flicker with an unknown emotion that is gone in a flash. I need to look away, to stop losing myself in his eyes, but I’m a glutton for punishment.
Why do his words cause my heart to flutter? Hope blossoms in my chest, but it shouldn’t matter to me. So what if he’d be interested in a relationship with the right girl; I’m not likely to be that girl, am I? Especially not if he knew about my past. I like hanging out with Dominic, but I can’t let it be any more than that. Yes, he’s hot, and how he affects my body hasn’t gone unnoticed. But that doesn’t mean I have to do anything about it. If I do, I’ll get my heart broken just like all the other girls he’s discarded.- I’m not going to admit to her who I am interested in. If I admit it out loud then it becomes real.-“Oh yeah, so you were totally checking me out that first day in the union.”
“You got me.” I shrug. There's no point in even denying it when he knows it's true.
The surprised look on his face is priceless. I suppose he wasn't expecting me to admit it. His warm palms slide to the small of my back, and he pulls me against his body, like a rag doll, limp and compliant. Our faces are now inches apart. With some satisfaction, I feel his erection pressing into my thigh and my hands come to rest on his chest.
“I was totally checking you out that day, too,” he whispers. The words dance over my hot cheeks. Flushed, not from embarrassment, but from him turning me on like a light switch.-The air is cooler and I’m glad of the change in temperature because my dress is sticking to me. Why does my body have to react in this way when I’m around him? It betrays me every time I��m near him.-A warm palm runs up my side and the sensation drags me from the deep sleep I was enjoying. It tickles and I giggle, rolling over to look up at him, all disheveled from sleep. My fingers run through his hair and down his face, tracing each feature beneath my fingers, memorizing every bit of him. His hands slide down to cup my ass, watching to see how far he can push me. A challenging smile plays on his lips, daring me to stop him or maybe to let him continue. Should I call his bluff and let him go even further? The problem with that is I don’t think I’d be able to stop him, I wouldn’t want to.
“Hudson, friends don’t do this,” I warn him.
“Friends don't feel the way we do about each other. I want you, Charlotte.” His voice is thick with emotion. This is the second time he's admitted it, and I can't deny the feelings his words induce. He brushes his thumb over my trembling lower lip.
“I’ll be like all the rest.” It comes out as a whisper.
“You couldn't be.”
In a swift movement that I don't see coming, he rolls me under him.
“I'm getting to you, aren't I?” Somehow he is managing to break down all my barriers.
Never in a million years did I think it would be so hard to resist him. I dip my head, but he catches it with his finger and lifts it up, making me look deep into his green eyes.
“Charlotte.” It is impossible to break away from his gaze. It holds me, and my mouth moves of its own accord.
“Yes,” I admit breathlessly, "you're getting to me."
“When are you going to let me take you out?”
“Not on a date,” I remind him my eyes grow wide with alarm.
“Yes, on a date.” His voice rises with exasperation “I've told you that I want you, Charlotte. We're more than friends, and I'm going to prove it. You won't be like all the rest; you’re way too special.” He is being bold even for Dominic. Our attraction is too real, and I can't deny it anymore. The first brush of his lips is soft, hesitant, and when I don't object, he presses his warm lips against mine, his tongue dipping into my mouth and softly brushing against my eager one. I arch my back into him, and tighten my grip on his shoulders. A small moan slips out as electricity courses through me. Dominic breaks the kiss, looking down at me with dilated pupils.-“I can’t stand the thought of you with someone else. You are mine, even if you don’t realize it yet.”-“They all look so happy and couple-like, don’t they?” he asks wistfully. It's the first indication I get that we are thinking the same thing. Could we want the same thing?
“Yeah, I guess they do.” The twinge of envy I experience when I look over at them surprises me.
“Do you wish you had that?” He stares straight up at the sky, not looking at me.
“I never used to but seeing them all together, yeah, I suppose I do. There must be something nice about knowing that there is someone there for you all the time. Someone who you can talk to and who loves you for you, regardless.”
“Lately, I’ve been thinking that it might be quite nice to have someone like that.” Surprise registers on my face when I look at him; he is deadly serious.
“I wouldn’t tell all your women fans that. They’ll be brokenhearted,” I joke, but he doesn’t crack a smile.
“You know I’m not interested in any of them. I could imagine this with you, though.” He trains his eyes on me as he brushes his fingers softly down my cheek. My head fills with thoughts of Dominic and me, and whether we could work. I give my head a shake to clear it; I can’t go down that path.
“What do you think would happen? We would sleep together and then we would be like your friends are? Or would you get bored, and I’d get fed up with all the female attention you get? The sex would be great but is that enough?” The words rush out before I can stop them. He seems surprised that I’ve given it some thought or maybe that I’ve actually said that.
“We've done okay not sleeping with each other so far. I wouldn’t get bored; I don’t want anyone but you. We’d be good together. We are good as friends, and for the record, the sex would be amazing.” He winks at me, and I can't help but laugh at his conviction.
The arm around me tightens and a deep sigh escapes him as he nuzzles my hair. Wordlessly I hold him tighter not wanting to let go even a fraction.
“Let me prove to you that we would be good together, Charlotte. I know we will be. I want you, and I’m pretty sure you want me, too, especially if this morning is any indication.” His low voice rumbles through me.
He sways me—I do want him, and he knows it. I can feel myself being swept up in his certainty that we might work. Everything is changing between us, I have been trying to fight it, but it is stronger than I am. If I'm honest, I’m a little scared. I know I’m falling for him and I don’t want to let him go, but I’m scared what will happen if I don’t.-“Charlotte, you can’t go through life being scared of getting hurt. You only know it’s real if it hurts. It sounds terrible, but if he has the capacity to hurt you then that’s how you know you feel something for him.”-“This isn't over. We will happen, you know. I will prove I want only you. I. Am. Not. Interested. In. Anyone. Else, Charlotte,” he whispers in my ear emphasizing each word, before kissing my cheek and, leaving it burning from where his lips touch me.-