Chapter 22

Carissa stood where Bradley had left her, dazed and confused and unsure what she was supposed to do now. She’d known asking Bradley to stay with her last night was a mistake, and she’d been right. With a heavy sigh, she rubbed her hands over her face. Conflicting emotions were a tornado in her gut, wreaking havoc on her.

Her feelings for Danny were waning by the day, and she questioned if she truly loved him anymore. Had she ever? Or had she been swept up in the excitement and passion of a new relationship? She didn’t know, but she was certain of one thing: she and Danny didn’t value the same things, and that made having a relationship difficult.

She couldn’t deny she liked Bradley, but what if she ended up trading one bad relationship for another? Sure, he was great right now. Kind, caring, compassionate, funny… Danny had been all of those things in the beginning, too. What would prevent Bradley from changing in a few months? What if this initial attraction was only surface level?

Of course, she would never know for sure if she didn’t give Bradley a chance. Doing so meant ending things with Danny. She didn’t necessarily have any issues breaking up with him, though she knew he wouldn’t take that news very well, and she was completely tired of fighting with him. She didn’t have an ounce of energy left to argue. Maybe she could just text him and tell him they were over, then block his number.

Shit. She really needed to get a new phone. Bradley said they could go to the mall today. What time is it? She searched the room for any sort of clock but couldn’t find one. Good thing today was Sunday, and she didn’t have any classes to worry about.

Her eyes widened with horror. Today was Sunday! She was supposed to be at her parents’ house for Sunday dinner. Her father was going to freak out if she didn’t show up. She needed to call him before he lost his mind and started calling all her friends looking for her.

Carissa rushed out of the bedroom. Bradley stood in front of the stove, cooking something in a frying pan. She stood for a moment and watched him. The fact that he knew how to cook was oddly sexy, and she couldn’t stop a smile from curling her lips.

“I’m making omelets,” he said without taking his attention from the stove. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, that’s perfect.” She moved toward the kitchen island and hoisted herself up onto one of the stools. “What time is it anyway?”

“Almost noon.”

She propped her elbows on the island and dropped her head into her hands. “My father’s going to kill me,” she muttered.

“What?” Bradley spun around to look at her.

Sighing, she straightened. “I’m supposed to be at my parents’ house right now for Sunday dinner. It’s a weekly thing that I’m not allowed to miss. My dad is probably losing his mind right about now.”

Bradley retrieved his phone from the counter and slid it across the island toward her. “Call him and let him know you’re okay.” He then turned his attention back to cooking.

Carissa dialed her home number and nervously drummed her nails on the island as she waited for someone to pick up. Finally, someone did.

“Hello?” Cory’s voice rang through the line.

Thank God he answered as opposed to her father. “Hey, Cory,” she said.

“Carissa?” His voice was a frantic whisper. “Where are you? Dad’s convinced someone kidnapped or killed you.”

“Of course he does.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. Didn’t Tiffany tell you I called her last night?”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t exactly sober.” He laughed. “Hold on. I’ll get Dad.”

Her stomach knotted. Talking to her father was never a pleasant experience, and under these circumstances, the discussion would be absolutely brutal. Rustling sounded on the other end of the line, and then she heard her father’s voice in the background.

A second later, his commanding tone filled her ear. “Carissa? Where are you?”

“I’m fine, Dad. I promise. I’m safe, but I’m not going to make it to dinner today.” She fought to keep her tone calm and level because if she showed any real emotion or raised her voice, her father would start to yell, and that’s the last thing she wanted to deal with.

“I gathered that much by your lack of presence here,” he said with disappointment. “Mind telling me why? Are you with that loser boyfriend again?”

Carissa rubbed the encroaching ache from her forehead. “No, I’m not.”

“Then what’s more important than your family? Did he do something to you?” he demanded.

“No, Dad. I told you, I’m fine, and I’m not with Danny. I’m with a friend, okay, and I just need some space. I promise to check in again tomorrow.”

“What friend? All your friends are here.”

She blew out a slow breath and silently counted to ten. “I do have other friends, you know.” She cringed at the snark in her tone. “My phone broke last night, and I need to replace it, so until I do, I can’t respond to calls or messages. I just wanted to let you know that.”

“How did it break? And how are you calling me right now?” His words dripped with unspoken accusations. “What is going on, Carissa? You know I won’t tolerate you lying to me. If you’re in trouble—”

“Dad!” she snapped, silencing him. “I’m not in trouble, and I’m not lying to you.”

He was silent for a few moments, and that only served to intensify her discomfort. She shifted on the stool, jaw clenched. She could only imagine what Bradley must be thinking right now, hearing just her side of this ridiculous conversation.

“Tell me where you are, and I’ll call the nearest cell phone store. I’ll have them get a new phone ready for you to pick up,” he said.

She momentarily closed her eyes. She’d really hoped to avoid telling him where she was, but if she didn’t… He was offering to handle her phone situation, and she desperately needed a working cell.

“I’m in Phoenix, Arizona,” she said and steeled herself for his reaction.

“Arizona?” he shouted. “What the hell are you doing in Arizona? You have classes tomorrow. Are you being held against your will?”

“Oh, my God. Dad. No.” She stood and paced, her face hot with anger and embarrassment. “If you must know, I’m with Bradley. You met him last Sunday. He came to dinner with Cory, remember?” She stopped in front of the living room window and stared down at the city.

Dad cleared his throat. “Yes, I remember. He was a nice young man. Does this mean you tossed that other lowlife out with the trash?”

Carissa curled her hand into a fist and focused on calming her breathing. “I’m calling you from Bradley’s cell phone, so if you need to reach me, call this number. I’ll let you know as soon as I get my new phone. Tell Mom I’m sorry I’m missing dinner, and that I love her.”

She ended the call before he could say anything else or ask any more questions. With that one short phone call, her quota of patience for the day had been used. Turning, she headed back toward the kitchen.

“Everything okay?” Bradley asked.

“Yeah.” Carissa set his phone on the island and reclaimed her spot on the stool. “My dad can be… overprotective at times.” And that was putting things nicely. Her father was demanding, overbearing, and controlling.

“After we eat, we can head to the mall to get you a new phone.” He set a plate in front of her.

A perfectly shaped omelet with cheese, bacon, and peppers, along with buttered cinnamon raisin toast tempted her tastebuds. She inhaled the delectable scents and smiled.

“Thank you, but you really didn’t have to cook for me,” she said, picking up her fork.

“No, but I did have to cook for me, and it would’ve been rude to eat in front of you and not offer you some.” He winked, then turned to the refrigerator. “What would you like to drink? We have milk, orange juice, water. I can make some coffee…”

“Orange juice is fine.” She cut into the omelet and took a bite. The cheese oozed out onto her tongue, and the bacon was fried to a perfect crisp. Closing her eyes, she moaned at how good the food tasted.

“Good?” Bradley asked, watching her with a knowing grin.

“This is amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?” She took another, bigger bite.

He set two glasses on the island and filled them with orange juice. “I learned from my mom and older sister mostly. But I’m a huge sucker for all those cooking shows.” He laughed and sat on the stool beside her, an equally full plate in front of him.

“Well, this is fantastic.” She cut another piece of her omelet. “I make some pretty killer quesadillas.”

“Oh yeah?” He took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Then I guess you’re cooking tonight.” Playfully nudging her shoulder with his, he grinned. But then he straightened, his expression turning serious. “Unless you want to head home.”

She took a drink of her orange juice. “I do have classes tomorrow, and I really don’t want to be too far away if Mallory requires us to do something else.”

“Who’s Mallory?”

“TOP president.” Carissa finished her omelet, then pushed her plate away. As much as she’d love to devour the toast, too, she was stuffed. “I really hope I haven’t already missed any calls or messages from her.”

“Tiffany knows where you are, and you gave her my number, right? I’m sure if something came up, she’d let you know.” Bradley cleared the food on his plate in a few large bites, then drained his glass of juice. “So, what’s the plan?”

“I definitely need to go to the mall and get a new phone. That’s my first priority.” She gathered her dishes and carried them to the sink. “I know I’m going to have a crap ton of messages to go through.”

The mere idea of having to face Danny’s messages made her stomach twist. She propped a hand on the edge of the sink and rested her other on her belly, praying the food she just ate would stay down.

Bradley set his dishes in the sink, and then he stood in front of her, his hand resting over hers on the sink. “I meant what I said last night. You can stay here as long as you want, but if you decide to go home, I have no issues taking you.”

“Thank you.” She remained frozen in place, not wanting to move for fear he might pull his hand away, and she liked the feel of his skin on hers. “I’m not sure what I want to do yet. Can we just go to the mall first, then decide what to do next?”

He gently squeezed her hand. “We can do whatever you want.”

Carissa shifted on her feet. Even after the way she’d treated him last night—and this morning—he was still being sweet to her. She really couldn’t figure him out, but she needed to make things right. She wanted to make them right.

“About everything that happened…” She cleared her throat.

“No, it’s okay.” Bradley released her hand and raked his fingers through his hair. “I should never have said all that stuff. That wasn’t fair to you, and I’m sorry.”

He turned to leave, and she scurried to get in front of him, blocking his exit. She pressed her hand against his chest. “Stop,” she said, meeting and holding his gaze. “You got to say what you wanted. Now it’s my turn.”

His eyes narrowed for a second; then he nodded for her to continue.

She licked her lips and swallowed the lump in her throat. “There is so much about mine and Danny’s relationship that no one knows. Not Tiffany. Not my brother. No one.” She shook her head to emphasize her point. “I know he doesn’t treat me like he should, and everyone thinks I should just walk away from him, but it’s not that easy.”

Her voice hitched with emotion, and she took a deep breath. She still kept her hand on Bradley’s chest. Partly because she didn’t want him to walk away again, but mostly because she really liked touching him.

“And I like you, Bradley. I do.” She took a step closer, even though she knew doing so was a dangerous move, but her body seemed to be operating on its own. “You were right last night. I didn’t fake my reaction to kissing you, and I really wasn’t faking anything this morning, either, but I meant what I’d said, too. No one has ever kissed me like that, and if you want total, brutal honesty… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about kissing you again.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs like a caged animal fighting for its freedom. She’d come this far; no reason to stop now. She needed to put all of her cards on the table so he knew where she stood with him, Danny, and her conflicting feelings for both of them.

“But I can’t.” She laughed bitterly. “As much as I want to, as badly as I want to just give in to whatever this… thing is between us, I know I can’t.”

“Why not?” he asked, his voice deep and raspy.

He covered her hand with his, flattening her palm firmly against his chest, and then he closed what little distance remained between them. Heat radiated from his body, and she instinctively leaned into him, savoring how warm and safe he was. His eyes were dark and intense, and her breath caught, but she still stood there, held captive by his mesmerizing gaze.

“We both obviously want this, so why not just do it?” he asked, his tone dripping with sexual promise.

“Because I don’t know why I want this,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I want to kiss you because I like you and you’re really good at it, or if I’m using you to get back at Danny for cheating on me.”

The corner of Bradley’s mouth lifted in the sexiest, most sinful smirk she’d ever seen. “You have my permission to use me however you want.”

Carissa’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t be serious, could he?