The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 8

JUNIPER

I cleared my throat and leaned back, feeling too flustered to say what I actually wanted. “I want to eat the food that smells so good,” I said as a cop out.

Asher leaned back with a smile. If he was disappointed, he didn’t show it. “Then let’s eat.” He hopped out of the car, rushing to open my door for me. He grabbed the bags of food off my lap with one hand and with the other, he took my hand, helping me out of the car.

like a sea of fireflies.

on of breathtaking.

ps forward, the feeling of aw stirring deep inside of me.

the chaos.”

h it provided. “Thank you for this.”

t. I waited for him to take my hand, but neither of us moved.

ful from here. I didn’t know something manmade could be this amazing.” I kept my eyes forward, but I felt Asher’s eyes on me

wandered up and down my body, and my cheeks burned as I smiled.

s place?”

ime yesterday, and I decided to use some of it to explo

y had a lot of pressure on their shoulders, always needing to be on their best behavior because if the wrong person got a picture of the right moment, it could end up on the news.

ifically, but I remembered a news story about an estranged daughter of Alpha Williams. It was a huge scandal at the time.

ot everything I do is because of my family name.”

it down.

e to actually succeed in my personal goals. It pushes me to do better, but it doesn’t come without costs.”

“What ki

ns about me today.” He bumped me with his shoulder, trying to come across as playful, but he was clearly trying to avoid the question.

kind of legacy to leave behind for me, so I’ve just had to find my own way. If I screw up, I’m the only one it’ll affect. These rumors aren’t hurting my family, but if rumors like these were about you,

ddened expression. I didn’t talk about my family for this exact reason. I didn’t want anyone to pity me for something that happened years and years ago.

ents pass away?”

t was heavier than normal. It had been awhile since I’d talked about my parents.

uch a young age. No one should have to go through that.”

inappropriate response to the topic, but it was a defense mechanism. I preferred to laugh rather than cry. “Bad things happen to good people all of the time. It is what it is.”

ent of silence passed

cold,” I said, changing the subject.

low him.

o join him, but I gaped at him.

s that car? Because I’m not going to risk scuffing it up. I would rather sit on

mise.”

. “I don’t think I can.”

st me?” he as

?”

?” he repeated.

.

quickly pulled me onto the hood of his car.

o bow under my weight, but it held steady. I knew cars were sturdy creations, but this one was too fancy to mess with.

. He unwrapped his burrito and took a big bite.

ned my attention back to the city and unwrapped my own food, taking a much smaller bite. We ate in silence, enjoying the view and the good food.

bout leaning my head against him. I shook that thought away.

a lot going on, and sometimes a distraction is just what you need. I told you this would be the greatest date you’ve been on.”

t a date.”

re you so resistant to going on a date with me?”

ok me a moment to figure out a response. “I don’t date. School has to be my priority.”

d about. We could go on study dates together.” He leaned in a little more.

I was grasping at excuses now.

getting to know each other, and the more I talk to you, the more I want to know. Part of dating is getting to know one an

. In fact, logic told me that if I was going to date someone, he was a good choice.

wanted to say yes. The other part told me this was terrible timing. Asher would only get hurt in the crossfire of these rumors. I didn’t want that. I was tired of people around me getting hurt.

, but I didn’t sound convincing. My eyes flicked to his lips, wondering what he tasted like.

ittle more, and there was hardly any space between us.

One of us will end up getting hurt.”

you?”

heart raced. I thought about lying, but I wasn’t in that kind of

back off. But if you do like me, then I’m not going anywhere.”

fore it got complicated.

be a lie. “I do like you, but—”

he distance between us. His lips were warm and soft against mine, and all of the thoughts in my head disappeared. My mouth moved with his automatically, the sensations sending sparks throughout my entire body. O

t of space between us. “It’s getting late. We should get to the library to get some work done.”

d started, it was gone, leaving me in a daze. “Right.”

front of me, helping me down. I stumbled into him, and his arm wrapped around my waist to steady me. His cologne filled my nose, an

rds. “I’m a lady who expects a proper date invitation. If you can do that, I’ll think about going on a real date with you.”

ahead to make it to the door to open it for me.

ou’re worthy of my attention.”

.