The Brothers

Chapter 4

"Yeah. Dark indeed." 

I watch him as he steps out of the shadows. He has two cups in his hands and he proceeds to hand me one. I take a sip, fighting a gasp as I feel it scorching my insides.

"I thought you didn't drink."

He takes a step towards me and I instinctively step back.

"I don't. Lisa challenged me."

"And you felt like you had to prove a point to her?"

I don't like his patronizing tone.

"You could say that." I reply boldly. The alcohol gives me a sense of confidence that I never had before.

He takes another step towards me. I'm motionless, and I stand there looking at him. It's almost four in the morning and it's super cold. My teeth are chattering wildly and my hair is blowing into my face.

"I can hug you to make you warm." His tone is dead serious.

"No, thank you. I can manage, really."

"Don't be shy. Come here."

I back off until I hit the edge of the garden and I have nowhere to run to.

Trapped is what I am.

"Come here, Bree. I'm not gonna hurt you."

I weigh my chances and in the end, I step to him. I know it's a mistake but I'm too drunk and too cold to care.

He opens his arms and I walk into them. He takes the cup from my hand and tosses it on the grass. He envelopes me in his arms, pressing me tight against him. His body is hard and his warmth seeps into me as he runs his hands over my arms.

"You've never been held like this before, have you?" He chuckles against my hair when I relax in his arms.

I shake my head as I let my eyes flutter closed.

"Never."

I'm surprisingly calm. I've never been comfortable around men. They make me feel like I'm lacking in some way.

"You want another drink?"

"I think I've had enough." I reply, and he lifts my head from his shoulder before he focuses his dark gaze at me.

I bite my lower lip and look away.

"Look at me." He commands in a whisper. When I do, he traces my bottom lip with his finger. "You've never been kissed before. Am I right?"

He doesn't wait for my answer. He cups my face between his hands, and before I react in my drunken stupor, his lips are on mine.

What the f**k?

My head reels.

I remain completely motionless.

"Kiss me back, dammit!" He orders gently as he tugs my hair. I open my mouth to talk, but he grabs that opportunity to deepen the kiss.

His tongue is sweet. He's been drinking and I find the taste of the fancy whisky rather nice on him. He sucks my bottom lip into my mouth as his arms snake around me.

I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be doing this....

I repeat the mantra in my head over and over again but I keep on kissing him.

He's quite the kisser. I'm totally out of breath and my heart is beating so hard. My fingers are entangled in his hair and I'm kissing him back with everything in me.

A small moan escapes my lips when we come up for air, and I'm glad that he keeps his arms around me. I'm ready to sink to the ground.

"Let's go to my room." He whispers in my ear. His husky voice makes me blink amd my dumb mind snaps back into action. What the f**k am I doing?

I push him away with the last bit of strength in me, sighing in relief when he automatically releases me, and I make a run for the house. Behind me, I hear him laughing with amusement. I bump into someone at the foot of the stairs but I don't care to check who it is. I locate the room that I last saw Lisa in, and I push it open. The lights are off. I grop the wall for the switch and when I trace it, I flick it on.

Willy turns sleepily and his eyes widen when he sees me. He sits up in bed and I murmur a stupid apology as I reach for the door. I don't want to look at him because he is shirtless and I have no idea whether he's wearing something from waist downwards.

"I came to check on you and you were gone. I thought you guys left." He says, concern creasing his face.

"I was feeling hot so I went out for some air."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry for waking you up. I was looking for Lisa."

"Oh, she left with some guy. She thought that you left with someone."

"I don't do that."

"Do what? Oh, casual hook ups?"

I just nod.

"In college? You should see the s**t our mates do over here every weekend."

"You hold parties every weekend?"

"Yeah. We'll party again tomorrow night. You should come."

I laugh nervously.

"I'd rather not. I don't think this is the life I want."

"It's not the life we want either, Bree, but we're in college. After graduation, we won't have time for this. You only live once, you know?"

I nod.

"I should leave you to sleep."

"Wait, were are you going? I can take you home if you want."

"It's late, Willy. I'll go to that room you showed me earlier and spend the night, then I'll go back to the apartment tomorrow. It's like two hours to dawn anyway."

He nods. "I can work with that. I'll see you in the morning then."

"Goodnight" I can't help but smile at him. He's so sweet.

"Sleep well, Bree."

I close the door behind me and walk down the hallway to the room. I push it open, only to meet a young couple, deep asleep, stark naked. I roll my eyes before I slam the door behind me. These students have nothing on their minds apart from alcohol, music and s*x.

I reach the farthest room on the hallway and I have the mind to knock. I don't want any more surprises.

There's no reply, so I heave a sigh of relief as I push the door open.

Well, it's not unoccupied like i imagined.

The light is on, and Harry is seated on the all white four poster bed, a laptop on his lap.

Oh God! Why him?

He looks up, a cocky eyebrow raised, and I instantly decide that he's not my favourite person in the world. I just can't deal with his judgy facial expressions.

"It's common courtesy to stay out of people's bedrooms in the middle of the night." He says, giving me a once over.

"I'm sorry. I had no idea that this was your room. The last time I saw you, you were busy in a totally different room."

"What does that mean?"

"Never mind. I'll just go."

"Look here, Bridget-"

"I'd rather you call me Bree."

"Can you try and just stay out of my way? I'd really appreciate that."

"That won't be a problem."

"Good. Now that we're on the same page, you can leave my room. I was kinda in the middle of something."

He sounds rather decent but I can't decide if he's being sarcastic. The way he's looking at me makes me feel like an i***t for some reason.

I don't know whether it's because of my dress code, or the fact that he subtly invited me to a threesome a couple of hours ago.

I bet the invite was sarcastic too, now that I think about it.

"Are you always sarcastic?" I ask him, and he actually considers the question before he replies.

"Sarcastic? Not really. Try mean."

"But why?"

"Humans generally piss me off. You know what that means?"

"You tell me."

"You're kinda pissing me off right now. I need you to leave."

I stare at him, all insanely good looking, and I shake my head with exaggerated disgust.

"You're kind of an ass."

"Really? What was the first clue?"

He looks me over before he focuses back on his computer, totally ignoring me. I turn on my heel with the last bit of pride left, and I walk out of his room.

I close the door behind me and instantly burst into angry tears. Where the f**k am I supposed to go? Damn Lisa for leaving me here with these strangers.

I walk downstairs only to find the living room almost deserted. The music is out and people have blacked out on the couches and the floor.

There's no space to sit leave alone sleep and I look around with tears in my eyes. What am I supposed to do? Take on Charlie's offer?

But of course not. That is out of question.

I walk to the kitchen, hoping to find cocoa or something. I really am freezing.

The cabinets are empty though.

Feeling defeated, I lean against the cold kitchen counter, hoping to get some sleep.

"Come with me." A familiar voice says from the doorway. I know who it is without turning around.

"What do you want, Harry? Are you looking for a chance to taunt me?"

"You can't sleep here."

"I don't have many choices."

"You can sleep in my room."

What is wrong with these people? First Charlie and now him?

I eye him calmly.

"I'm fine here."

He blows out his breath, and I realize he's not very patient man.

"Bridget, it's almost morning. We're both tired and cranky, so help me and just come with me."

"No."

"The living room is full of drunk people. It's not safe for you here."

"I'll take my chances."

He shrugs.

"I hate to do this, but you're not giving a choice."

He bends over unexpectedly and before I know it, his arm is encircling my knees. He hauls me over his shoulder like a little weightless rug, then he strides out of the kitchen with me hanging halfway down his back.

A few drunken people in the living room turn to stare at us as he takes the stairs.

I want to scream but I'm totally worn out. I'm never drinking again. Ever.

He sets me on the floor in his room and I reel a bit when he releases me. I'm still a little bit fuzzy from the alcohol.

He cusses as he moves swiftly to grab me before I fall. He makes me lie on the bed, then he throws a quilt carelessly over me before he turns to leave.

"Where are you going?" I ask weakly when he gets to the door.

"Away from you."

"Thanks, Harry."

He opens the door, then he glances at me before he walks out of the room.