Page 27 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

r waist, I pulled her flush against me and pressed my head to hers. “Tell me you don’t feel that?”

“Asher…” Mya’s eyes shuttered as she sucked in a harsh breath.

“Tell me.”

“I… I feel it.” She sounded so resigned. So sad. “But it doesn’t change anything.”

“Because I’m white? Because you think I give a shit about that?”

“Not just that, no. We come from different worlds, Asher. I have… nothing, and you have everything.”

My eyes closed, swallowing down the bitterness. She didn’t get it. No one did. Because, on the face of it, I had the nice house and rich parents, and the Raiders jersey on my back. I was supposed to be grateful. I couldn’t possibly know hardship.

Easing back to look her in the eyes, I let out a heavy sigh. “I thought you of all people might look past all that stuff. I thought you might see me.”

“You’re talking in riddles, Asher, and your breath smells like something died.” Mya’s hands pressed against my chest, the corner of her mouth tipping in a small smile. But I knew she wasn’t pushing me away because I had puke-breath, she was keeping me at a safe distance.

“I’m not,” I whispered. “You just need to look harder.”

“You think you can stand?” Mya asked me and I grinned.

“I’m not falling at your feet... yet.”

“Even drunk you’re insufferable. Wait here, okay? I’ll be right back.”

Satisfied I was propped up against the counter, Mya yanked the door open and ducked into the hall. Part of me wondered if she was doing a runner, getting as far away from me as possible. But the other part, the part clinging to the idea of there being an us one day, was hardly surprised when she reappeared.

She felt it.

Mya felt this thing growing between us.

I just had to get her to see it was worth taking a chance on.

“Jason and Cameron are going to close the party down. Come on...”

“You trying to get into my room, Hernandez?” I looked at her with a lazy smile. She rolled her eyes not giving me an answer.

I figured it was better than an outright rejection.

Hand wrapped around mine, Mya led us into the already emptying hall. Fortunately for me, we were able to slip up the second, less used set of stairs without anyone noticing.

“Which one is your room?”

“Mya I’m quite capable of getting to my own room.”

She let go of my hand and gave me a pointed look. I took a small step and another but before I knew it, I staggered forward almost crashing into the wall.

Except Mya broke my fall.

“You were saying?” There was a teasing note in her voice, but her eyes held a glint of concern I didn’t want to see there.

“I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, Mr. Football Hotshot. Come on.” She held out her hand again and I took it, relishing the way her skin felt against mine. So warm. So soft and smooth.

So right it left me a little breathless.

“I’m not tucking you in,” Mya threw over her shoulder. “So don’t get any ideas.”