Pushing off the door, I move toward my phone and sit on the edge of my bed, trying to catch my breath. Clearly, I’m more freaked out than I want to admit. And I’m not sure it’s my mom’s words that are entirely causing it.

My eyes drift around the room. It’s lovely, with light teal walls and ornate windows. French doors lead out to a nice-sized balcony overlooking his massive property. This room is more elegant and luxurious than the rest of the house.

I reach over and snatch my phone off the charger and press on Brody’s picture.

“Pick up, Brody,” I snap, my mind replaying the way Jett’s veiny forearms made my tongue tingle as he held out his hand for me to shake it. All I could think of was licking them…

“Hello? Raven? Can you hear me now?” I bolt up at Brody’s voice. Shit, what am I doing?

“Tell me you’re home?” I demand.

He laughs. “It makes me happy to know you missed me.” His kind, mellow voice used to make me relax. Today, though, the opposite is happening.

“Are you here?” I snap.

“Um… yes, I got in this morning—”

“Good, when am I seeing you?” I don’t care if I sound needy. It’s Brody, and I am fucking needy. I’m sick of fantasizing about a man I should never ever think about.

“I need to have lunch with my parents. Can I pick you up tonight?”

My eyes dart around the room and I wonder what time it is. “I guess.” I sigh, then silence. “Brody?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I snap. He’s getting that nervous voice, which I really can’t deal with.

“Raven, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I have to go to lunch with my parents. My grandmother is coming.”

I look down at my nails and almost want to scream, At least you have a grandmother and parents who want to take you to lunch!

So much for not having issues. Whatever, he needs to get over here and pick me up and fuck me against the wall, pound into me hard. Actually, the wall might be uncomfortable for the first time…

“My mom is out of town, so I have the house to myself. I’ll text you the address. Plan on spending the night, okay?”

Silence again. “Brody?”

He clears his throat. “Yeah, that sounds great. I don’t know about staying the night. I mean, I live in Manhattan Beach, so it might be easier with traffic if I leave after dinner.”

I close my eyes, trying not to snap again and make him nervous. He’s starting to sound scared and unsure.

“Brody?” My voice cracks.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to see me?”