On My Brother's Bed

Chapter 2

Astrid's POV

The music was booming so loud I could feel it in my entire body.

I should've turned around when we walked into the house party, but Talia had already pulled me in by the hand, grinning ear to ear like it was her wedding day.

"You need to have fun for once," she shouted over the music. "For goodness sake, you got back to LA just yesterday. Let loose."

Maybe Talia was right. After the awkward charger incident with Rhett the night before, my brain had been fried. I needed this.

I needed distraction, music, crowds. Anything but him.

The living room was packed with sweaty bodies and cups lifted up as cheers followed. A fog machine was going for some reason, and lights strobed across dancing faces.

We were at a frat party Talia had introduced me to.

I tried to relax on a chair, but I felt bare. I couldn't even think of anything.

"Astrid!" Talia shoved a drink in my hand. "Vodka. Don't waste it."

I nodded and took a slow sip. It was strong. Too strong I coughed and laughed at once.

I wasn't much of a drinker but trying it out once a while wouldn't bring any harm. Would it?

Talia grinned. "You're welcome."

When I finished drinking, Talia took my hand and pulled me to the dancefloor as we followed the rhythm of the songs that played.

It was enough to make me loosen myself, to forget about the tension I felt the first time I arrived. I let go of my hoodie, let my hair out of its burn, and I started to enjoy myself.

Then I felt a prickle–like heat sliding down my spine. I turned and saw Rhett.

He was across the room. Half-shadowed in the corner of the staircase. He wore a black shirt over his chest, his arms crossed and eyes pinned directly on me.

Dammit.

My blood immediately ran cold. And then hot. All at once.

What the heck was he doing here?

I didn't even have to ask. He looked furious as his brows knitted tightly. And those eyes–those dark eyes that once looked soft in the glow of my brother's hallway–were now hard and burning.

Rhett Rivers started walking to me.

"Talia," I whispered, grabbing her wrist. "I have to go."

"Wait, what? You just got here." Talia argued, still dancing.

"Now."

Rhett reached us before I could explain to Talia.

"Astrid," he called, his voice low and calm.

Talia stopped dancing and stepped back instinctively.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"Micah told me to always check on you. I didn't expect to find you half-dressed and drinking at some stranger house." Rhett answered.

I looked down. For Pete's sake, I was only putting on a crop top and jeans. Nothing wild.

I frowned slightly. "I'm not half-dressed. And you don't get to talk to me like that."

Rhett's nose scrunched up as he scanned around as if something irked him. Then his gaze fell on me again. "Get your things. We're leaving."

"No."

"Now. Astrid."

He didn't shout. His presence was enough. The way people moved aside as he trod closer.

Instantly, his hand curled around my wrist firmly.

"Rhett, let go of me." I retorted as I tried to wriggle out of his grip.

He leaned in. "Do you want me to cause a scene?"

I wanted to argue and push him away. But I knew it'd only felt like pushing on a wall.

I nodded slowly and followed him out.

*

The ride back to the house was silent and tense.

Rhett's hands gripped the wheel tight, his jaw clenched. I stared out the window, my arms over my chest. I pretended I didn't care that he'd just pulled me out of a party like some overbearing...Brother? Friend? Guardian? None of it fit. Because what I felt when he looked at me didn't belong in any of those boxes.

He parked in a driveway and turned off the engine, but didn't move immediately.

The silence sat between us for a moment. Finally, I turned, tipsily.

"What are we doing here?"

No response.

"You didn't have to embarrass me." I added.

He looked at me, his voice quiet but deep. "You shouldn't have been there, Astrid."

"So what? You're my dad now?"

His hand curled into a fist on his thigh. "Micah would lose it if he saw you dressed like that, drinking like that. With others staring."

"Micah's not here." I corrected.

"Yeah," Rhett muttered. "And that's the problem."

I stared at him as my heart pounded.

He wasn't looking at me like a big brother. He wasn't even looking at me like a friend.

He was looking at me like a man trying to hold himself back. And failing.

Before I could think, he moved fast as his hand came up to my face, his warm fingers brushing hair from my cheek.

"You don't get it, do you?" he said, voice tight. "Micah left you in my care. And now I need to watch every movement of yours.

My breath caught. I didn't speak.

He leaned in, just close enough that I felt his breath on my lips.

"The next time you'd go out dressed like that, I'll make sure that will be the last dress you'll find in your closet."

"What?"

Without a word, he leaned in, just close enough that I felt his breath on my lips.

"Say stop. And I will." he whispered.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as my gaze slid down to his lips.

Those damn kissable lips.

I didn't.

Neither did he.

The moment his lips slammed into mine, everything blurred.