Page 28

CHAPTER 28

MUST BE LOVE BY NIALL HORAN

Parker Thompson:

Brianne leads me into her hotel room and I follow her with not a single expectation but warmth in my chest that I’m here. Thank God that the others didn’t pester me into staying and let me leave with her.

Little did any of them know, I’d be standing here watching the girl of my dreams take off her cowgirl boots and throw herself on her bed like she just spent the last few hours running a marathon. I smirk as I look at her sprawled out like a starfish.

“I’m pooped,” she tells me.

“Hi, Pooped, I’m—”

“Do not dad joke me right now.” She points a finger at me and I stop talking.

“Sorry.” I hold my hands up in surrender.

She breaks into a smile and I walk toward her. She leans up on the bed and I kick up my restraint to an all-time high. Her hands press back into the mattress and she looks up at me, her legs slightly parted where I’ve now wedged myself. My knees touch the bed as I stand close to her.

“I want to kiss you right now. More than anything, that’s what I want,” she tells me.

I swallow. Hard.

“Be my girlfriend,” I tilt my head back.

“I… can’t. Morally, I won't let myself,” I clench my jaw.

“Are you ever going to say yes?” I ask her.

“Can I lay it out plain and simple for you?” she asks and I nod.

“I like plain and simple,” I encourage her.

“Alright. I’m not ready to put a label on it. I’m also not ready to break it to Bellamy and when I’m ready to do that, I’ll be ready to label it. Until then, I don’t understand why it can’t just be what it is. Fun and free and the most refreshing situationship I’ve ever been in,” she explains. “I understand why the label and the word is important to you but I can tell you that you have something that is yours. I can promise you that this is real and it’s here and that I like you and want to continue with whatever is going on. But I can’t give you a label yet.”

“I understand,” I agree.

Her words break apart inside of me. This is real. It’s here and it’s real. It’s something I can touch. It’s something I can definitely feel. Definitions are things you find in books, not real life. I don’t need a definite. I need a right now. Right now, she’s here in front of me looking absolutely fucking phenomenal. My tongue darts out of my mouth to wet my lips and she watches me do it.

“We can just—”

I lean forward and kiss the girl in front of me, just like she wanted me to and it feels better every single time our lips touch. I didn’t know kissing someone could make your entire world fall to pieces but that's exactly what this feels like. It feels like when I break apart from her, there’s not going to be anything left but the two of us. I want to rip apart anyone else who’s ever had the chance to do this—anyone who’s ever felt her lips on theirs like they are on mine right now. Brianne Archer is magic. She’s light and water and air. She’s everything you need and something everyone wants.

She grabs both of my wrists as my hands hold her face. The kiss was hot and warm at first but has now melted into something sweet and kind. I nip at her lip and she laughs. That sound is what I hope I hear when I enter whatever afterlife I’m destined for. I want it recorded. Taped. Replayed over and over again so I can feel that eruption in my stomach when I hear it. I break the kiss first, needing to breathe more than anything. She scoots back and nods for me to follow her. I kick my shoes off and I do.

I won't let this escalate. We said slow. I’d like to take my time with Brianne. I’d like to explore every part of her body in the most meticulous and caring nature I can. Right now, I choose her lips. Her perfect fucking lips. I want to know every single inch of them inside and out until I can kiss a room full of strangers and know which one she is with my eyes closed.

She crawls on top of me, her perfect body meshing with mine. She straddles me, her legs on each side of my waist. She leans down and her hair is a curtain surrounding us, blocking out every inch of the room as if any of it could distract me from her.

She kisses me now which is a different sense of euphoria. I don’t know if I could put this into words that would make sense to her—the feeling of being chosen, being selected. There’s an exclusivity to Brianne’s intimacy as well as my own. Actively allowing someone into this space, not only this one but every space in their life, is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. I feel favored and lucky and on top of the fucking world right now. Elated. That’s the perfect word.

“Why are you smiling?” She stops kissing me and I look at her as she backs away, her long hair all pushed to one side as she sits down on my lap, looking down at me.

“We’re making out in bed like two teens that have never been kissed before. You’re fucking perfect so it’s kind of hard to believe that I’m in your bed right now. That’s all.” I put a hand behind my head and reach up, wrapping a single strand of hair around my fingertip.

“You’re an idiot,” she smirks.

“A very, very big idiot,” I agree.

She covers her face, breaking out into a small fit of laughter. I take her hands off of her face, pull her down, and situate her so she’s lying next to me. She stares at me and I start to look at her face, under her eyes, and around her nose. She watches me as my eyes move. I try not to blink so I don’t lose track. My mind running a million miles an hour until—

“Are you trying to count my freckles?” She stifles the smallest laugh.

“You just made me lose track,” I admit.

“How many did you get to?” she asks.

“Only 31,” I admit, my voice is just above a whisper.

“You’re never going to count them all,” she warns me like I don’t already know.

“I’ll try until I can’t,” I admit.

We sit with that, in silence, something I’m so used to but have never been so comfortable in until I sat with Brianne.

“I should probably go and shower. We both smell like cigarette smoke and casinos,” I tell her.

I see a small look of disappointment on her face. Then, I watch as she hesitates and stumbles over her own mind.

“That’s fine,” she nods and I stare at her, then she presses her lips upward.

I shake my head.

“Don’t do that with me,” I tell her. “Please…” I almost beg. “What is it? What do you want?”

“I want you to stay with me… but I didn’t say that because it’s probably not a good idea, is it?” she asks me and I know it’s not a good idea.

It’s a very bad idea if she wants to keep this hidden but the look on her face and how absolutely irresistible she is are two things that make saying no almost impossible. Red flags are green around her.

“I’ll grab my things and be back in a few minutes.” I reach forward and stroke my thumb over her cheek. “Promise,” I tell her and watch her lips instantly smile with no hesitation.

No faking, either. I push off of the bed.

“Take my room key. I’m going to shower. Just let yourself in when you get back,” she tells me.

I grab it off of the dresser and see myself out. I practically run to my room to get my things. I grab only a change of clothes, my toothbrush, and a charger. I could shower here but the thought of being away from her for longer than needed is not one I like. So I rush, also not wanting to potentially run into Bellamy or any of the others as I head back to her. I move through the hallway so quickly it’s like I wasn’t even there and let myself into her room again. Sound instantly fills my ears with music and her singing.

There’s steam coming from the open bathroom. I smile to myself as I kick off my shoes. If neither of us made any rules, I could absolutely join her in there, but we can’t. Not yet. I’m not bold enough to break the rules even though Brianne gives me the vibe that she absolutely loves breaking them. Not that I don’t push her to do so… I shake the thought from my head and sit down on the edge of the bed, wondering if it will be a few minutes or way more.

It doesn’t take long for the water to shut off and her singing to stop. She does hum though. I listen softly, my eyes catching on her as she walks out of the bathroom, her hair twirled in a towel turban, her body wrapped with the warmest looking robe I’ve ever seen. She smiles, her face completely bare now, her cheeks so warm and bright that I feel butterflies swirling in my stomach.

“You wanna use my shower?” she asks me and I nod.

“If that’s alright. I just didn’t want to get caught in the hallway when everyone gets back,” I tell her.

“All yours,” she smiles and I move past her.

I hear the sound of her robe falling to the ground and I clench my jaw as I walk into the bathroom and crack the door. I strip and once again, shower as quickly as I can, not wanting to be away from Brianne for any longer than I have to.

I hurry from the shower with only a towel around my waist and I smirk to myself at the thought of teasing and testing her the way she has with me. Just like she did the other night with me in the tent. I start to brush my teeth and open the door, my toothbrush hanging out of my mouth as I stand in the doorway.

“Did you care if I use another towel for my hair… since it’s longer it’s just easier if I…” I lock eyes with her and she is staring at me, her lips slightly parted.

Once I meet her eyes, she closes her lips. I watch her throat bob as she swallows deeply. I hold the urge to smirk at the obvious attraction present on her face. Even if Brianne doesn’t want a label. She’d be an absolute liar if she said she didn’t want me.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” I ask her and look down at myself. She narrows her round eyes at me and I smirk. “Not that your eyes were on my face to begin with,” I joke.

She gets off of the bed, only her robe on. She approaches me and crosses her arms over her chest as she stands chest to chest with me, her body leaning against the door frame. I lean toward her, basically casting a shadow over her considering our height difference.

“What angle are you playing at, Thompson?” she asks, using my last name which she’s never done before now.

“The same one you played the other night… Just having some fun, Sunshine.”

The side of my mouth turns up despite how hard I fight it. I can’t help it. I start brushing my teeth again and turn away from her.

“If you really want to play that game, then you should keep your shirt off all night. You know, for the effect,” she tells me from outside the bathroom.

I smirk and jokingly roll my eyes at her blatant flirting. I’ve never had someone tell me these things, openly talking about my body or about the way I look. Hearing it from her feels… refreshing. Every other person I’ve been with in a hookup sense hasn’t had to say it. We’re about to sleep together so, obviously, we find each other attractive. Brianne finds a need. I love it. I do what she says and keep my shirt off, but pull sweats on my body. I walk out of the bathroom and my mouth goes dry.

“Two can play this little game you’ve got going on,” she tells me.

“A game you started…” I remind her, staring at the absolute masterpiece in front of me.

She’s in a light green set. The top is low cut and it’s painfully obvious she’s not wearing a bra right now. The shorts that match are more the shape of boxer briefs but obviously are meant for a woman. They fit her perfectly, bunching up at the sides of her hips to show off the subtle shape of her body.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” she asks.

She sits back on her knees on the bed, the most innocent look on her face as she starts braiding her hair back and out of her face. Two pigtails on each side of her head, a normal look for her.

“Not that you were looking at my face…” She uses the exact words I did and I shake my head.

“Neither of us are winning this game… Because we’re both torturing each other at this point,” I remind her.

“I won a few kisses. That’s more than you can say,” she smiles and I shake my head.

“You didn’t win. I gave you that,” I fight.

“Semantics.” She shrugs. “Do you want to do face masks?” she asks and I open my mouth and then close it right away, having no idea how to respond.

“I… Do you want to do them?” I ask.

“I mean, yeah. That’s why I asked but it’s fine if you don’t want to. I just figured I’d ask because I want to do one and I don’t want to do it if you don’t because that would be weird if you just sat here alone while I did stupid skincare when we both said we were going to spend time together. I mean… It’s… It’s fine if you’re not cool with it.” She nods, finishing the other half of her hair. I smirk at her senseless ramble.

“Nervous?” I ask.

“Flustered,” she admits, her eyes drifting down once again, taking my body in.

I feel my chest tighten at the thought of being perceived but allow her eyes to roam, enjoying it all the same.

“Cute.” I nod my head. “I’ll do your mask thing.”

She moves off of the bed and goes to her suitcase, pulling a jar out of her things.

“Lay down. I’ll put yours on first,” she tells me, excitement pouring out of her now.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I throw myself back on the bed, my hair still damp but my body feeling instantly relaxed in the cloud of a bed. It feels so similar to the one I sleep on at home. She comes into my vision, her body climbing on mine. Before it was dangerous, her in the tiny skirt… But there’s something about her this way—fresh, clean, and so soft. Her body is bared to me while being hidden, my imagination reigning free above me with this tiny thing she calls an outfit on.

“You sitting on me while wearing that is not a great idea,” I inform her.

“Why?” she smirks to herself, opening up her jar of goop.

“I don’t need to tell you why,” I groan, my face incredibly serious to show the extent of my wanting for her.

“Grumpy,” she jokes and I clench my jaw, not letting myself speak up.

I don’t think I have it in me to say no to her right now looking the way she does and whatever would come out of my mouth would make both of us lose composure. She starts applying this stuff to my face. It smells fresh and feels cold as she evenly spreads it over my skin. I smirk at her as she concentrates, her tongue poking out the side of her mouth.

“What?” She moves back to look at me.

“You’re cute,” I tell her, feeling my own cheeks burn with blush but thankfully, she can’t see it through the mask coating my skin.

“You’re full of it and your face is perfect. Now, my turn.”

She hands me the jar and I sit up, grabbing her back so she doesn’t fall off of me. I keep her pressed to me with one hand and set the jar down with the other, taking my free hand to scoop some of the product on my finger. I do what I assume she did and start putting the green shit on her face, spreading it evenly so it coats her perfect skin.

“Is this why you always look like you’re glowing?” I ask her and she pouts.

“You think I’m glowy?” she asks.

“I call you Sunshine, don’t I?” I ask her and she rolls her eyes and I hold her chin.

“You’re a horrible canvas. Stop moving,” I instruct and she smirks.

“Yes, sir,” she insinuates with her words and I ignore the pass, continuing to paint her skin.

Once I finish, I help her off of me and we both go and wash the stuff off of our hands.

“How long do I have to keep this on?” I ask her.

“Ten minutes. I told Dak I’d call him when I was in my room with a face mask and a robe on, so I need to do that. You don’t have to be in it, though,” she tells me and I shrug, not caring.

I throw myself back down on her bed and stare at my phone, scrolling through the various apps as she calls him. Brianne lays on her stomach, her legs kicked up behind her. She is so different from most women I’ve met but just like so many of them in other ways. Like right now, I feel like we’re a scene out of a movie… I’ve never felt that before.

“Hey, Baby,” I hear her best friend's familiar voice and try to tune out the conversation but find it incredibly hard.

“Hi, Dak. I’m obviously back in my room, I just wanted to check in,” she tells him.

“Why are you back so early?” Dakota’s voice sounds pouty and sad for her.

“Bellamy was being a—”

“Annoyingly possessive and overprotective brother per freaking usual?” he asks and I keep my agreement inside.

“Something like that. I just didn’t want to be around him anymore because… Well, you know why. It makes me feel bad and when he’s with his friends, it feels like I’m not his sister. I’m just there. I don’t know, I’m being dramatic but I’m back at the room, though I’m pretty sure Bellamy is mad at me for leaving,” she chimes, seeming like she’s not upset by that fact but I know she is.

“Too bad… I was hoping things would go the right way and you’d end up in someone else’s bed or have someone else in yours,” I hear and I smirk, my eyes traveling to her.

She eyes me and raises her eyebrows almost as if she’s asking if it’s alright that she shows that I’m here. I step it up and reach for her phone, taking it out of her hands.

“What was that?” I ask, putting a hand behind my head, holding the phone above me.

“Even with that green shit on your face, you’re lickable.”

Dakota doesn’t shock me anymore, considering the way I’ve heard him talk before. I just stare at him.

“Lickable, Dakota? Really?” Brianne leans into the frame.

“What? Didn’t you lick him already? Down that tattoo of his. I’m just stating facts,” he smirks and Bri’s jaw ticks. I eye her, wondering what else she told him about our night together.

“Dakota…”

“Did I say too much?” he asks.

“For once, I’m going to say yes. Shut up. Wish Parker a goodnight,” she tells him.

“I don’t need to, I’m sure you will,” he jokes and she snatches the phone from me.

“You’re done. I love you. Goodnight, you idiot.” She doesn’t wait for his response and hangs up on him.

“What was that you told him?” I ask.

“Nothing.” She gets defensive and I raise my eyebrows.

“Any other details you shared about what you did to me that night?” I ask and I know if I could see the color of her cheeks, they’d be neon red.

“No,” she instantly closes up and I crack a smile.

“I’m not mad that you told him. I’m not going to tell my… friends, but if it’s something you and Dakota do, then that’s fine. Just don’t tell him how big my dick is,” I urge and she scoffs.

“Who says it’s big?” she asks and I just stare at her. “Fine, for argument's sake, let’s say it is big. What would you say if I told you that I might have already shared that information with him because it was one of the first things he asked and I didn’t ever have any intention of being with you after that one night?” she explains and I shake my head.

“Being with me?” I ask and raise an eyebrow.

“You hear what you want to hear,” she tells me.

“I heard the words that came out of your mouth. We're together,” I tell her.

“We are, in a way, just not the boyfriend-girlfriend labels kind of way…” she tells me, and turns away, looking at her phone as it vibrates. I watch her face drop slightly.

“What?” I ask her, feeling like I already know who it is making her smile leave.

“Nothing… It’s nothing. I don’t want to ruin our night or—”

“Tell me, Sunshine, please,” I urge, reaching forward, hooking my finger to hers, tugging her hand toward me. I brush my fingertips over the palm of her hand and she sighs.

“I was right. Bellamy texted me and said he was upset that I left and that you felt the need to walk me back,” she tells me.

“Little does he know this is where I would rather be… Ignore him,” I tell her.

“Easier said than done… I should apologize,” she tells me and I snatch her phone.

“No. You should ignore him because he doesn’t get to tell you what to do. You’re an adult making adult decisions. Besides, he never wants you out using your fake ID anyway. He’s indirectly getting what he wants.”

“Indirectly or directly, it’s not going to go well if I just ignore him,” she tells me, her hands in her lap.

“You’re pretty when you pout,” I compliment her, and she fights a smile.

“You’re changing the subject,” she argues.

“Am I? Is that what’s happening Brianne?” I lean forward.

“Uh! No. Don’t mess up my mask.” She points between our faces and I shrug.

“I couldn't care less, Brianne. Kiss me,” I urge, and despite her original protest… She does.