Chapter 4
FOUR
HARLEY
I don’t waste time after everyone leaves to send the first text message to Savannah.
I watched her from a distance the entire night as she stood diligently at her father’s side, pointedly keeping her gaze away from me at all times. I didn’t mind, since I knew she was just playing a part.
If she really didn’t want anything to do with me, she wouldn’t have given me her number. I could tell from the look in her eyes she was curious. Hopefully, it was about me, about what I want from her, about what would happen if she lets herself give in to what she really wants.
She strikes me as the type of person who always goes along with what others want and never takes anything for herself, so it’s a good thing she has me now, since I plan to let her indulge in every single thing she’s ever denied herself.
After all, I do love seeing my partner give into their own pleasure, in and out of the bedroom.
Miss me yet, gorgeous?
I don’t know what it is about this girl that has me so keyed up. I’ve never once focused my attention on one person like this. I’ve always just let things come and go, never going out of my way to get to know new people.
It’s no doubt just a way to pass the time, so I’m not worrying much about it.
Lies. All lies.
I know I’m only deluding myself by staying in this constant state of denial, but I honestly don’t know how else to feel about it.
Maybe I should call Noah? He’s the more sensible one of my friends and will most probably have tons of good advice for me. Only… that would mean having to explain the situation and… yeah, I’m not ready for that.
The moment I admit out loud what’s happening, it will make it real, and until I know for sure Savannah feels the same way, I’m not sure I want to admit it, even to myself.
Enough time passes that I think I might have to wait until morning for a reply—which I’m fine with, by the way. Absolutely fine—when a text pops up on my screen.
I don’t scramble to unlock my phone at all.
That would be ridiculous.
Okay, maybe I do a little.
Savannah
I don’t know you enough to miss you, Harley.
I frown.
She knows me enough, surely.
Maybe she doesn’t like being called gorgeous?
It’s the nickname, huh? Don’t worry, we’ll find the right one with time.
This time, the little bubbles that show she’s typing pop up instantly.
Savannah
You’re ridiculous.
Thank you! So, when can I see you again?
Savannah
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Jesus, she really is playing hard to get, isn’t she? Is this always how she is, or is she just like this with me? I’ve never really known her to be around guys, but then again, I can’t say I paid that much attention to her in high school.
But now she’s got my attention? Well… fuck, I can’t think of anything else.
I’m a man obsessed.
A man on a mission.
She intrigues me so much, I can’t stop myself from wanting to find out whatever it is about her that is pulling me in and not letting me go.
I’m not a relationship guy, never have been.
But there’s just something about Savannah Marks that calls to me in a way no other has. I’m a slave to my urges at this point, unable to do anything but push and push and push until she either gives me what I want, or she gives a real signal she wants me to fuck off, and so far, she hasn’t.
Sure, she’s halfheartedly told me this will go nowhere and that I should stay away, but she hasn’t told me she doesn’t want me.
And she does.
I can see it in her eyes.
Even when she’s trying to act disinterested, her eyes can’t hide the way she looks me up and down.
She can’t hide the twitch of her lips when she’s trying not to smile, and she can’t help but text me back when I send her a message.
If she really wanted nothing to do with me, she would have told me to get fucked.
She wouldn’t have given me her number and she sure as fuck wouldn’t have danced with me at the party.
We both know you want to, Savannah. You’d have blocked me already if you didn’t.
It’s been three days since the night of the party, and we’ve been texting back and forth every day.
Well, I’ve been sending her multiple texts, to which she mostly replies with one-word answers, but still, she replies.
One thing I haven’t done is bring up seeing her again, that seems to make her a little defensive, so I’ve been sticking to nonsensical topics and trying to keep things light.
I’ve talked about the weather, about this goddamn town we’re stuck in for the summer while everyone else is off having the time of their lives, and about college.
It thrilled me to no end to learn that we’ll both be attending Blackwater University once the summer is over. I’ll be able to pester her as much as I like without our parents being around, and she seems to be looking forward to the school year too.
Though probably not for the same reasons as I am. It’s not like she knows I’ll be in her space as much as I can be once we move to Blackwater, but I’m sure she won’t mind once she gets to know me.
I’m fucking delightful, like a ray of sunshine.
I’m impossible not to love, I’m sure of it.
Sure, I can be arrogant. I can be a dick. I’m flighty and immature at times, but she’ll learn to love all of my little idiosyncrasies.
Love?
Fucking love?
What in the goddamn fucking fuck am I thinking right now?
I don’t want her to love me.
I don’t even know the girl.
Jesus Christ, being trapped in this house with no one’s company but my own is messing with my head.
It doesn’t help that Cole sent me a picture last night of him, Noah, Logan, and Gracie all lying by his family’s pool house, looking like they’re having the time of their lives.
He no doubt sent it just to be a dick and to piss me off.
It worked.
He’s an asshole, that one.
Fuck, all three of the guys are assholes.
Well, maybe not Noah. He’s like Prince Charming personified and has probably never had a shitty thought about anybody—too sweet and innocent to say a bad word about anyone.
How he tolerates the rest of us, I have no fucking clue.
Christ, I miss them.
Though I would never, ever tell them that.
I’d never live it down.
I’m just so fucking bored.
I grumble to myself when I tap my screen to see no new messages and… oh, fuck it, the worst she can do is block me and never speak to me again.
It’s not as though I’m losing out on anything, is it? We’re basically strangers, so I don’t care if she wants nothing to do with me.
Liar.
Whatever.
Got plans for tomorrow?
She doesn’t answer right away—not that I expected her to, since she’s like the slowest replier ever—and I busy myself by lying in bed, watching a movie on my laptop. But by the end of it, an entire two hours later, there’s still no reply.
I sigh and decide it’s tomorrow’s problem. If she doesn’t reply, then I’ll just have to track her down and force her to see reason.
Not that I actually know where she lives, but I’m sure I can call Logan and have him find the information I need since he’s a tech whiz and can find anything he wants. He’ll no doubt give me shit about it but needs must and all that.
If I need to go through hell with Logan to get closer to Savannah, then I’ll just have to swallow my pride and bite the bullet.
Only, when I wake up the next morning, I see a text waiting for me, a message that brings a grin to my face.
Savannah
The pier. 11 a.m.
Game on, baby.