Page 46 of The Drop

Brooke

I’m a little tipsy. Not drunk, but I might as well be as I make out with Grant Anders in a pool, of all places.

He deepens our kiss and slips his tongue against mine, and I helplessly let out a quiet moan that has him pressing me closer to him. I'm wrapped around his waist, and he holds me firmly pressed against the pool's side. I'm fairly sure no one can see us, but it's still pretty public.

I pull away, and we are both panting. "Grant," I say, trying to catch my breath.

"Please don't say you regret that," he groans, dropping his forehead against mine, and our breath mingles together as we breathe heavily.

"I was going to say I think we should head back to the apartment." Biting my lip, hoping I'm not making assumptions here, but he's feeling the same vibes I am, and I don't want to be at a party full of people. I just want to be alone with him. "Imean, we can stay if you want to?" I add on, the fear of rejection comes in strong as I look into his eyes, hoping I'm not putting myself out here for nothing.

"Brooke, the last thought on my mind is staying at this party after that." He laughs and kisses me again, taking away the giggle that surfaced, and before it goes any deeper, he pulls away, and I can't help the disappointment as he releases my legs. "I'll grab my stuff and call a sober ride?"

I nod at him shyly, and I catch a glimpse of him adjusting his shorts under the water, and I can't help but smirk. “Meet you on the deck?" I bite my lip again. I know my face is flushed, and we are still against the side of the pool. He leans in and kisses me softly.

"Sounds like a plan." He smiles as we wade to the steps, both of us scanning the pool area. Most people have moved into the main house to continue the party as it gets later.

He jogs off outside of the pool house, and I walk back to where Savannah, Megan, and I had been sitting, grabbing my towel and making light work of drying myself before having to slip on my shorts and top over my wet bikini and wincing at the thought of the temperature outside.

Once my boots and jacket are on, I venture out into the yard towards the deck and see Savannah and Megan walking down the steps. "Hey, we were just about to say we are going to grab some pizzas and head back to ours if you want to come," Savannah says.

"Oh, I wish, but Grant's heading back, and I said I would catch a ride with him." I smile, grateful that they had thought of me. "Next time?"

"Of course, ah, you're so lucky hot guy to escort you home." Megan sighs, and Savannah gives me a knowing smile, and I laugh.

"I had fun, though; we should get together for drinks soon?" I ask hopefully.

"Of course, you've still got my number from class, right?"

I nod and we say our goodbyes as I walk up the deck steps. I turn back to look where I'm going, and notice Grant is cornered by a girl.

"It's one drink, Grant, come on," she whines, "I've barely seen you in weeks."

He shakes his head and looks up, spotting me, and gives me that Grant Anders smirk; he moves towards me. "Sorry, I've got plans," he dismisses her.

I grin up at him as we slip past the girl who scoffs, and I turn back and give her my best sickly sweet smile as I pass. She looks like she is about to explode, and I can't help but snort a laugh.

"What?" Grant laughs as we wait for people to walk out the doors ahead of us.

"Just these girls being all over you." I shake my head as more girls walk past and eye him up or boldly say hi, even though it's pretty clear. We are here together.

"Jealous, are we?" He leans into my space just the way I like it.

"No, not at all." I blink up at him before saying, "I now understand why your head is so big, your ego taking up all the room in there." I tap his forehead and wink at him, walkingahead through the doors and feel his hand slap my ass making me gasp in shock before he grips my hips, moving me through the house.

We get stuck twice as we leave with people pulling Grant into conversations, but he keeps a hand on my back, and slowly we progress through the house out to the front and hop into the car that's waiting. I settle back in my seat as Grant gives the driver directions to our apartment.

Is this a bad idea? Our friendship is on the line, not to mention our friends would get caught up if this all goes wrong. We should have ironed out all these details before we kissed or left the party. Then again, that's not Grant Anders' style; he's definitely an act and deal with it later kind of guy.

Grant sits back, takes my hand and starts playing with my fingers, instantly making me forget what I was thinking about.

This guy makes my brain go silly.

"You, okay?" he asks, and I look across the car at him with the opportunity to tell him this is a bad idea.

He's looking at me with a smile, his head resting lazily back on the headrest, and I'm once again struck by why I like this guy so much. He calms me down and makes everything seem a little smaller. Just sitting here together makes me forget about my doubts. Even if this is a one-time thing, I know I want him.

"I'm good." I smile back and rest my cheek against the headrest facing him, and he grins back, making my heart melt a little more.

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