green eyes.” His throat bobs up and down. Am I making him nervous? “You’re capable of remorse, something I wasn’t aware of until then.”
“So what, I have a heart.” He shrugs and picks up a picture of Delaney and me at a concert last summer.
“You showed it again last night at the club.” I grab the frame and set it back down. “With her.”
“I’m a cruel son of a bitch most days. I’ve done things that would make your skin crawl, but when it comes to women, especially women in trouble . . .”
“You don’t need to explain yourself, Breaker.” I hold up my hand, insuring him that I mean it. “But I still want to know why you’re hanging out in my dorm room.”
“I’m actually here to drag you out for ice cream.”
“Lucky for you, I don’t like ice cream. You’re off the hook you put yourself on.”
“Everyone likes ice cream, Palmer.” He plucks my jacket off the bedpost and shoves it into my chest. “Might want to get dressed.”
I look down and notice all I’m wearing is a white tank top and plaid pajama shorts. With no time to change, I pluck my uniform skirt off the top of my dresser and pull it on, slipping the shorts off under it.
“Did you just get dressed without getting undressed?” He chuckles, clearly entertained by me.
“It’s one of my many talents.”
“It’s kind of unfair. I was hoping to get a sneak peek of what all the hype is about.” His finger skims the bottom of my skirt, jokingly lifting the hem. I smack his hand away.
I slide on the jacket. “I don’t like ice cream, but I will, however, let you buy me a pretzel.”
“Seriously, a fucking pretzel? I trekked all the way down the hill for salted dough? And I didn’t even get to see you naked?”
“Take it or leave it, bud.”
“I like how that sounds. Bud. Us being friends and all.” He runs his tattooed finger over his bottom lip.
“This feels like a trap, Breaker. I’m not going to lie to you.” I cross my arms over my chest, ready to protest this impromptu outing.
“Oh, baby, everything with me always is.” He winks, opens the door, and heads out into the hallway.
I take his offered arm. We make it out of the building and into the cool night air. I attempt to lead us down the path to the state-of-the-art cafeteria, and immediately, he tugs me down the sidewalk towards the small parking lot. The lights blink on the same SUV Breaker had brought me home in.
“Get in, Palmer.” He opens the passenger side door and gestures to the inside.
“I thought we were going to get a pretzel?” I plant my feet on the curb, waiting for an answer.
“Like I said, sweetheart, everything with me is a trap. Get your fine ass into the vehicle.” He leaves the door open, confident I’ll do as he says while he gets behind the wheel.
Everything inside tells me not to trust Breaker, except a small part hidden in my soul that is curious. I only know what Reed has told me, small anecdotes of the boys as a whole. When she referred to one, the others were always implied.
Who is Breaker Davenport outside of the others? I intend to find out. My legs start moving and I’m in the passenger seat before I can stop myself.
“We’re actually going to get a pretzel, right?” I question as he drives us towards the cafeteria.
The glass windows are cast in dark shadows, and there isn’t a single person around.
“It’s Sunday. They don’t stay open past six!” I realize why the area is lifeless. “Turn around and take me back to the dorms.”
Breaker ignores my words and parks the car anyway. He circles the trunk and opens the door for me like the gentleman I’d never expect of him. With his hand held out for mine, I let my guard down and take his. I immediately feel small and defenseless in his hold.
He guides me around the back of the building. I watch, careful to make sure no one can see us. It doesn’t take long for me to realize Breaker has every intention of going inside, even with them being closed.
The key code pad on the back door should stop him, but no, he pokes the code in and opens the door, ushering me inside ahead of him. The space is dark, and I fumble for a light switch.
Breaker’s hand lands on the small