sophomore squeak out the latest not-so-greatest hits. Can’t wait for my brain to explode and put me out of my misery. My mother flashes through my mind. God, I hope that man is decent to her this time. I close my eyes a moment because I already know where this crazy train is headed.
“Hey, beautiful.” A warm arm finds its way around my waist, and I look up to find a freshly pressed and dressed—drop my panties to the floor in salute of his eminence—Holt Edwards. My heart thumps in my chest. The subtle scent from his cologne is enough to make me swoon, but Holt has the face of an angel, or with that slightly peppered scruff he’s sporting—a devil.
“Why are you always so nice to me?” I meant to say hello, but the question bubbled out instead.
His eyes widen as if it was the last thing he expected. “Because you deserve it.”
Holt bears into me with a soul-melting look that makes my insides cinch until I can’t catch my next breath. His cut features—those glowing eyes—it’s becoming obvious this was a big mistake.
“I’m the last person you should be wasting your time with.” I swallow hard. “You sure you don’t have better things to do?” Already three different girls have walked by outright gawking at him. “Honestly, you don’t have to baby sit me tonight.”
“Baby sit?” Holt steps in close, his eyes sear over mine, and, for the first time, in a long while I can feel the heat spreading through my body like a molten tidal wave, slow and determined to hit all the right spots. His sweet cologne infiltrates my senses—sandalwood and cinnamon. He takes in a breath, and his chest stops just shy of touching mine. Holt Edwards is all man. Forget those preconceived notions I’ve had about him over the years. He’s grown into his own, and, God help me, because I very much approve. He leans in further, and, for a fleeting moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. “I promise you, Iz”—he whispers right over my lips, and I’m tempted to steal it from him anyway—“there’s not a single place I’d rather be.”
He reaches over and opens the door. Holt picks up my hand and leads us out into the quiet night away from the crooning coeds and their obnoxious vocal cords.
“No Black Bear tonight?” I bite down on my lip as he leads me over to his truck. My hand burns from his touch. A wave of heat travels up to my chest, and I savor it. I can’t get over the fact he just picked up my hand like it was no big deal. But then to Holt it probably isn’t. I’m guessing he’s a bit more liberal than I am when it comes to dolling out physical affection. I take in the sensation of his thick fingers closing over mine, the warmth of his flesh, and savor the contact high. I can’t remember the last time I held a boy’s hand—most likely because it’s never really happened. That night flashes through my mind like a jag of lightning, and I blink it away. I’m not inviting any of those memories to the party. Tonight is about forgetting—about learning new things with Holt, like holding hands and dating.
“No Black Bear.” He opens the door to his truck and helps me up before jumping in on the other side. “You mind if I take you somewhere quiet?”
“Please take me somewhere quiet. You’re welcome to keep me there if you like.” I press my head into the seat and relax for the first time in what feels like years. “My mother’s ex has reared his ugly head, and I want no part of that action.”
“Got it.” He winces at the road. I take him in like this. Holt is confident behind the wheel. His strong arms sit low as he navigates us through the twisted roads of Hollow Brook. He has an overall comforting presence about him. “I was thinking a nice restaurant. Maybe hit downtown Jepson?”
“For me? Don’t bother.” I’d feel terrible if he insisted on paying. “I’m sort of a drive-through kind of girl anyway.”
“You’re worth it, Iz.” He glances over with his brows knit a moment. “And I’m here because I want to be.”
“You’re here because I’m a basket case you’ve decided to take under your wing. I’m the reason you’re probably not going to get laid tonight.” My stomach bisects with heat. Crap. Did I just go