The Chase (Briar U, #1)

by Elle Kennedy

“Sorry. I’m not very chatty. Don’t take it personally, okay?” I steal my bottle back. “Okay, I won’t. But if you don’t feel like talking, at least entertain me in other ways.” She plants her hands on her hips. “I propose we make out.”

In college, I’ve made more of an effort to be social, but deep down I’m still the guy who wants to remain invisible.

I kick him again. Harder. “Put me down! Brenna, save me!” “Babe, you’ve been solo-moshing to hair metal for the last hour,” I hear her say. I can’t see her, because Fitz is still caveman-handling me. “I think he might be right. I’ll be up after this game.”

We’re halfway up the stairs. I try a different route and pinch his deltoid muscles. When that fails, I go for the lats. He rears back as if he’d been shot, then curses in annoyance. “Stop that.”

Maybe if I wasn’t feeling so vulnerable at the moment, I would’ve been strong enough to push him away. But I’m weak and I feel defeated, and when he holds out his arms, I climb into his lap, bury my face against his chest, and allow him to comfort me.

His fingers thread through my hair, and I suddenly feel like a child again. My mom used to stroke my hair whenever I got upset.

“And the suit I wore to my Uncle Ned’s funeral,” I say helpfully. “I could wear that if you want.” “I do not want.” She rifles through the hangers.

We’ll pair it with these trousers. Turn around.” “Why?” “I want to see your butt.” “No,” I say indignantly. “Turn around.”

I turn around because I don’t feel like losing another argument, but I throw in a silky reply just to unnerve her. “Do you like what you see? You can give it a squeeze if you want.” She makes a squeaky noise. “Are you flirting? That’s highly inappropriate.”

First book is always the best.” “Agreed.”

I disagree, usually second book is best

Rather than answer, he chugs the rest of his beer, as if he needs the liquid courage to speak his next words. “Guys. I think maybe she only hooked up with me that night because she was bored.” Everyone goes dead silent. Hunter’s the first to laugh. I can’t help it—I do too. Then Nate and Matt join in.

“Dude, she cuts you down every time she sees you,” Hunter finally says, but I don’t miss the way his tone has softened. He’s trying to let Mike down gently.

I cannot take my eyes off his face. His jaw is sharper than steel. His mouth is hard and dangerous. And his arms are… Oh sweet Lord, his muscles are coiled with tension, taut with rage, and his tattoos seem to ripple across his skin as he presses his sculpted arms flush to his sides.

“You should leave.” My pulse hammers in my throat. It’s all I hear, the relentless thump-thump of my heart. “What if I don’t?” I find myself asking, and we both hear the breathy note in each word. He moves closer. Slowly. Deliberately. Until he’s completely backed me up against the tiled wall. “If you don’t go? Then I’ll probably kiss you,” he says bluntly.

“I have to go,” I mutter. He makes a frustrated noise under his breath. “Summer.” But I’m already marching out the door. And he doesn’t stop me.

Ok hes seriously pissing me off, why is he being the worst???

She responds by kissing me senseless.

The growly timbre stops me from taking another step. When I notice his expression, a shiver rolls through me. He’s looking at me as if I’m his next meal. “You’re smoldering,” I inform him.