But they were right. High school was in the past, and it was time to get serious, especially if I wanted to make things right with that one person who plagued my every waking thought. She was the girl I knew I was wrong for, but couldn’t stay away from. Giving a shit about someone else sucked ass, but I couldn’t help how I felt.
Harper Radcliffe, my little foster sister. Not so little anymore, she was all grown up; sixteen going on seventeen.
I craved her with every fiber of my being, but now still wasn’t the right time, even though she was legal. In all truth, I had wanted Harper when she was fifteen. I was also young, but somehow still too old for her, not to mention emotionally screwed-up, self-destructive, and out of control. Although I wasn’t out of control enough that I would have crossed that line.
Harper and I both had demons to exercise, baggage that would get in the way. I just needed to play the game for a little while longer. Keep her at arm's length until I was in a position where I could offer her a clean slate. And that day would come soon, believe me. Once I sorted out my shit, I had every intention of lining those ducks up.
Harper.
As soon as I pictured her beautiful face in my mind, the memory of what had happened the night before camefloodingback. Shit.
I had kissed her in a drunken haze. Damn it. I’d fucked up again. I needed to kick myself in the balls.
Harper’s mouth had feltamazingbeneath mine. It hadn’t taken me long to realize that it wasn’t Courtney. Her lips were way too soft and were a perfect fit. It was Harper I thought about when I was with other girls, anyway. Not cool, I know.
Since she’d moved in with us, my foster sister's body had spoken to me in a way I knew it shouldn’t.
During the kiss, I’d lost the ability to process anything but that driving need to make her mine, brand her ass. I had put Courtney’s name out there on purpose. A shitty thing to do, I know, but I had panicked. The confusion I’d experienced when I’d pulled away had nothing to do with the fact that it was Harper in my room; it was more abouthowshe’d responded. Like she’d been practicing kissing, but with whom? Someone whose jaw I’d like to break, that's who. I’d had to fake my reaction and shift the blame, pretending to be shocked and horrified by what had happened.
It had been messy, hot, and frantic, and yeah, I’d enjoyed it, but I was thankful it wasn’t our first kiss. That happened years ago and was perfect. Sweet, just like it’s supposed to be. It had been a first for both of us. And, yeah, sure, we were just kids, but it had meant something (to me anyway). I wasn’t sure what Harper thought anymore.
Sitting up in bed, I twisted and threw my legs to the floor. I was still wearing my jeans, but my vest was hanging on the back of Micah’s gaming chair. Dragging a hand down my face, I glanced at Courtney. She was still passed out. I needed her to leave and speak to Harper, dust over what had happened. As usual, I’d blame my behavior on the booze. The pussy’s way out.
I needed to do some damage control. I knew I’d upset her by saying Courtney’s name. Harper Radcliffe didn’t need to use words. Subtitles came out of her face when she was angry.
My head was banging like a motherfucker. I needed some Tylenol fast.
As I pushed to my feet, Courtney groaned as the mattress shifted. “What time is it?” she rasped, sitting up and straightening her top. “It tastes like someone shit in my mouth.” Nice. I certainly didn’t do that. Yes, my tastes ran dark, and I had kinks, but nothingthatdepraved.
“Time for you to go, sweet cheeks,” I said, dragging my top over my head.
She rubbed her panda eyes, clearly disoriented. “Did we…” she questioned, trailing off as she peered across at me.
I smiled and shook my head. “No, we didn’t.”
Courtney stretched and looked relieved. I didn’t know whether to feel offended or not.
I watched her as she grabbed her purse and shoes. “That’s probably a good thing. I need a wax.” Great. Courtney had always shared too much. Not that I’d ever let an untidy bush stop me.
I sniggered and she cut me a look. “I mean it. It’s like an abandoned airfield down there.”
Her comment made me burst out laughing. Courtney grinned at me as she checked her unruly appearance in Micah’s mirror.
Then her eyes locked on mine in the reflection. We shared a moment as I sobered. “Why do you do it, Court?” I questioned softly.
She stopped and turned, her gaze tangled with mine as she replied, “Why do you?”
And that was it right there. A silent understanding passed between us, and I made the decision not to be a dick and kick her out.
I shrugged. “Fuck knows.”
Courtney nodded. “Me too. I think I’m just lonely.”
I felt a smidge of pity for her before I swiped that pussy ass reaction away. “Why don’t you have a shower before you leave? I’d make you a coffee, but I imagine I’ll be on clean-up duty when I get downstairs.” Yeah, likethatwas going to happen.
Courtney collected her purse from the nightstand and walked around the bed.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll see myself out.”
