Page 168 of The Surprise Play

She sniffs against my leather jacket, her breathing starting to slow. When I lean back, I gently take her arms and lean down so I can see her face again. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing.” Her voice is barely more than a whisper.

Pursing my lips, I stand tall and study her. “I’m only gonna agree to that if you come back inside with me. People want to celebrate with you. This is your night.”

She looks doubtful when she flicks her gaze up to mine.

My eyebrows crinkle with concern. Shit. Is she gonna ask me to take her back to her dorm? I really don’t want to do that.

“Please tell me who they are so we can kick them out,” I try again. “I don’t even understand why they’d come if they don’t like you. I mean, what the shit?”

She sighs and murmurs, “They likeyouand don’t want me taking you off the market.”

My jaw clenches, anger scorching me. It’s an effort not to shout,“That’s not their decision!”Thankfully, I manage to control my tone—because it’s not her fault people are idiots—and grit out, “It’s not up to them.”

“But I don’t belong here.” She glances at the house, then back down to the ground. “I should just go.”

“Don’t talk bullshit,” I rush out. “You belong with me.”

“I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.” I take her face in my hands, needing to stop this shit. Guiding her face up, I lean close. “You’re mine, Satch.”

Her eyes glass over, her lips trembling as she sucks in a ragged breath. “But I shouldn’t be. I’m the wrong girl. You should be with someone pretty and sporty and cool?—”

I cut her off with a kiss. I don’t know what else to do, but I hate the words coming out of her mouth. How can she think that shit?

Sheispretty, and sure, she’s not the sportiest girl I know, but she’s fucking cool! I love being with her. Why is she letting narrow-minded shit-stirrers mess with her head?

I cup the back of her curled hair, deepening the kiss so there can be no doubt on this. But she doesn’t respond with her usual fervor. There’s something hesitant about her kiss, like she’s not sure she should be doing it.

Fuck those people. I wish she’d just tell me who they are so I can go in and deal with them… and then we can get on with our night together.

Pulling away, I hold her close, resting my chin on top of her head as I wrap my arms around her. “I want you. And I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks. We’re great together.”

She steps out of my embrace and looks up at me, tears still glistening in her eyes.

“They don’t know you.” I brush my thumb under her eye. “But I do. I see you, Satch, and I love what I see.”

Her lips tremble into a watery smile, and I lean forward and kiss her again. This time when I try to deepen the kiss, she meets me halfway, stroking her tongue against mine. This time, her arms wrap around my neck.

Lifting her off her feet, I keep the kiss going, hoping everyone in the fucking house can see us, because I’m claiming this woman for all to see.

She is mine, and whoever talked shit into her ear can fuck off.

Or have their faces rubbed in it.

Placing Satch back on her feet, I smirk down at her and waggle my eyebrows.

“What?” She lets out a breathy laugh. “What’s that look for?”

Taking her hand, I thread our fingers together. “I have a challenge for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Glancing back at the house, I turn and put my arm around her shoulders so we’re facing the party together. “Let’s go back in there and show those doubters that we don’t give a shit what they think.”

Her breath catches, but she wraps her arm around my waist, gripping the side of my leather jacket.