Page 23 of Her Second Chance

“Are we going to pretend you didn’t just flick your bean on my couch, moaning my name, while I’m less than three feet from you?” His deep voice makes me jump.

I cringe. “You’re awake?”

“It’s hard to sleep through someone moaning like that. Oh, Brock. Do me, you sexy beast,” he teases in a high-pitched voice I assume is supposed to be me.

“I didn’t say all that.” How I manage to sound so indignant is beyond me.

He laughs. “No, but you said my name. Not that other guy.”

“Shut up,” I hiss, humiliated. “That means nothing.” Except I’m afraid it means everything.

“Whatever you say, doll.” I can hear the smirk in his voice.

I close my eyes. Fuck me. I’ll never live this down.

Chapter 8

Hannah

The sun peeking through the open blinds wakes me early, but Brock continues to sleep. His face is relaxed, and he wears a pleasant smile as he dreams. Lucky bastard. I spent all night tossing and turning, trying not to dwell on the embarrassment of being caught with my hand in the cookie jar. What possessed me to rub one out while he was lying just a few feet away?

Watching him for the slightest movement, I carefully slip on my shoes before sneaking out the door. There’s no way in hell I’m going to face him this morning after he heard me jill myself to thoughts of him last night. Mortified doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel thinking about him hearing me. It’s like every ounce of self-control flees my body when I’m around Brock. He’s dangerous for me. When I’m with him, I forget Jason is the reason I’m stuck in my past. I can’t forget who brought me here.

My feet feel like they’re encased in cement shoes as I trudge toward my dorm. I need some fucking coffee. Forgetting I’m a mess, still dressed in yesterday’s clothing, I head straight to The Bean. It isn’t until I run smack into Jason I remember I look like I’m doing a walk of shame. I mean, I sort of am, so it fits.

“Jesus, Hannah? What happened to you?” His voice is filled with concern.

I bite my lip. I don’t want to lie to my future husband, but there’s no way I can tell him the truth. He wouldn’t understand. I’m not sure I understand.

“I waited all night for you to show up at the party.” It doesn’t sound like an accusation, more like he’s afraid I’m hurt or something.

“I went home to shower but ended up falling asleep on my bed. I guess I was so excited from the game and tired from my classes that my exhaustion caught up to me.” Lie.

He tilts his head, evaluating what I said, as if he doesn’t quite believe me. “I saw your roommate, and she said she didn’t know where you were. That you never came home after the game.”

“She was with her boyfriend. I bet she left right before I got back and assumed I wasn’t coming home.” Lie. Lie. Lie. I’m going straight to Hell.

He squints his eyes. “I thought you stayed behind to wait for her.”

What’s with all the questions? “I did, but we must’ve missed each other. I finally gave up and walked home alone.” Not wanting him to ask me more, I change the subject. “How was the party?”

He steps closer, pushing my hair off my face, then leaning in for a kiss. “It would’ve been better with you there.”

I lean into the kiss, but find myself having to push away the images of Brock that keep flooding my mind. Desperate to forget how much I want the wrong guy, I press my body against Jason’s. He hardens against my stomach. I can’t help but compare him to Brock and notice he comes up short. . . short and thin.

“Let’s go up to your room,” I whisper.

“Griffin’s there with Kayla.”

I frown. I can’t invite him back to my room because Grace might reveal I didn’t spend the night there if she’s home. “That’s too bad. Maybe we can make plans for tonight?”

“Misty invited Griffin and me to a concert with her and her roommate, but maybe when we get home, I can call you.”

My nostrils flare. “Like a booty call?” What the fuck is happening here? This isn’t supposed to be how my second chance goes. Why did Jason bring me back if we’re going to end up with different people? This makes no sense.

“Not like a booty call. I want to see you, but I have plans first.”

“Maybe.” I step back, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but here.

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