Page 13 of Everything I Crave

“You’d be all too happy if I did, wouldn’t you?” I retort.

“You're not exactly denying it.” He smirks and walks back to Colton.

I get out and open the trunk of my car to start pulling boxes out to pile next to the door, sneaking peeks at shirtless Gunnar as I go. His muscles ripple as he hoists the old wood up over his head and into the dumpster. I am too busy watching Gunnar that I miss Colton coming up behind me.

“You can wipe the drool now, Baby Harper.”

I strike my elbow backwards making contact with his ribs. Perfect.

“I told you not to call me that.” I narrow my eyes at him, “And I’m not drooling.”

He laughs before grabbing some of the boxes next to the door for me. “Don’t worry I won’t tell Lace you want your new roomie.”

I yell up the stairs after him, “You know, there’s a reason I never wanted brothers!”

His only response is his deep cackling echoing down the stairs.

I haven’t talked to my sisters much lately, but I do call Lacey to talk to Oliver more, so I’ve gotten to know Colton better than Preston and Porter. Colton dubbed me baby Harper since I’m the youngest. I hate the name, but he won’t stop just to get under my skin. I like to joke with Lacey that she has two children, not one.

“You know, it’s okay to stare. I’d stare if I were you too.” Gunnar runs his hands down his abs.

I shove his shoulder. “You’re disgusting and sweaty. I was only admiring the way you just don’t care how you look.”

I grab a few of the remaining bags and head upstairs, leaving Gunnar with the heavier of the items. We drop them in the living room with the stuff Colton brought up. Gunnar shows me both rooms and I pick the same one I was in the other night, across from his room. I refuse to think about why that was my choice.

I am going to use the back room for my guitars and, one day start filming videos again. When I can get back to it. I’m not ready yet, but I can’t give up. I’ll get there one day, and when I do, I don’t want to lose my following. For now, posting old covers is still working. I need to get myself back on the horse soon though, if I don’t, I’m letting Jake win and that won't happen.

“Colton just left, I’m going to hop in the shower and make some food before The Bar opens. If you need anything just let me know.”

I jump, forgetting that other people were here.

“Also, he said to tell Baby Harper goodbye.” An ear to ear smile spreads across his face.

I scowl in return without answering him and go back to unpacking.

The tee Gunnar gave me needs a bit of alterations to look good on my body. I may not have ever bartended before, but I have been in bars and know that skin sells. Finding the tightest pair of jeans I own, I pull them up my legs as I jumpy and shimmyto get into them. They will pair nicely with what I'm about to do to this tee. Gunnar never said I couldn’t make alterations. His onlyruleis that I can't wear leggings.

Smiling to myself, knowing I'm about to push Gunnar's buttons, I cut the men’s tee into a crop top and then slice the bottom hem into fringe. I cut off a majority of the sleeve, and open the neckline into an off the shoulder cut.

I put the scissors back into the drawer where I found them, and slip the tee over my head.

I twist my body in front of the mirror in my room, admiring the work I've managed in just a few minutes. I look fucking amazing if I say so myself. Now to see how far I can push him before the night starts.

“What the fuck is that?” he roars when he comes into the kitchen.

“See something you like, darling?” I coo just as he did earlier.

“No I fucking don’t. Do you know how guys are going to be looking at you tonight? What they’re going to be thinking? Jesus, Willow. I just told Colton I’d take care of you!” He scrubs a hand over his face, clearly in distress about my outfit choice.

I walk over to him and run my finger up his abs. “What are they going to be thinking, boss man?” I say in a sultry voice. I feel his muscles contractingunder my touch.

“Fucking hell, Willow.” He stomps off back to his room, returning with another tee for me. “Put this on.”

“Sorry. You didn’t tell me I couldn’t alter it.” I put the new tee on the kitchen counter and flit downstairs for my first shift before he can respond.

Chapter Eight

Gunnar

---