It’s thatexactsmile that sucked me in almost two years ago. Before that, I was only ever interested in good guys. The ones that finish their homework before taking you out. The ones that bring you flowers on a first date and fumble their words as they try to impress your parents.
Zane is none of those guys. He’d rather get drunk than do homework, he has more tattoos than one should have at almost nineteen years of age, and he even has his nipple pierced. Not that we’ve ever discussed that. He did it before Christmas, and I’ve been pretending not to notice. But my God, does it add to his appeal.
Zane’s the type of guy that gets into fights easily. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him and he doesn’t conform.
To the outside world, he’s a bad boy.
Hell, I even call himmybad boy because he’s running around with his best friend’s little sister. With me.
But he’s not a bad boy at all. He’s far from it.
If he was as bad as he believes himself to be, he’d be willing to risk a relationship. Without regret. Like I am.But he won’t.
He’s one of the most decent humans I know.
And one day, he’s going to figure that out and his world will never be the same.
My chest tightens as I think about that notion.
God, I hope I’m around to witness it.
“You’re making it really hard for me to keep my cool, Little B,” Zane interrupts my thoughts, and I’m snapped from my stupor to find I’m staring at his abs, my lip once again trapped between my teeth.
I huff out a laugh. “Well, maybe if you gave me some love, I wouldn’t have to be daydreaming about it. This is on you, Fitzpatrick. The ball’s in your court.”
“Little B,” he warns while I laugh at the tension building in his gaze.
“I know.” I fill in the space before he can. “When we’re in college together, we’ll find it easier to be alone.”
Zane’s getting his own dorm room next year so we won’t have to sneak around anymore.
“Exactly.” He snaps his fingers. “But if you keep looking at me like that, your brother’s going to kill me before we get the chance.”
“He’s weak. You can take him.” I wave off Zane’s concern and he snorts in amusement.
“That may be true, but if it’s a fight to the death, I’m gonna back down. I have a sister, remember? I know how I’d feel.”
I do remember. As much as I love Sierra, sometimes I wish they weren’t related. If Zane had a brother, he might be more willing to corrupt me.
“Okay, fine,” I reluctantly concede. “I’ll stop openly staring at your gorgeous body. But you have to do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“Put a damn shirt on or get out of my view.”
“No can do, Little B.” He winks. “It’s too hot for that.”
With a groan, I drag my T-shirt over my head and lie back down, throwing an arm over my eyes as I softly arch my back, putting my bikini-clad breasts on full display. Two can play at that game.
Zane’s laughter cut off, and I bite back a victorious grin, struggling not to giggle.
Not so easy now, is it, Zane?“How long is it until college?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Zane
The Los Angeles hype music assaults my ears, and as I jog across the cushioned turf, the pitch of the crowd changes.
