Romeo And Rimmel Forever Quotes

“He reached across the car and took my hand. "I know I haven't been around as much," he said, "but after today, my schedule won't be so busy."
"I understand," I said softly. And I did. "Football is your life. It's your dream."
He made a sound. "You're just as important to me."
I smiled. "I have to admit I won't be upset when this game is over and all the girls around here stop wearing your number all over their bodies."
His white teeth flashed. "Is someone jealous?"
I snorted.
His smile grew wider.
"Maybe a little," I admitted.
He lunged forward and in seconds had me in his lap, my legs straddling him so we were face to face. He buried his hands in my tangled disaster of hair. I admit I hadn't even brushed it when we got out of bed this morning.
"You're my favorite girl," he whispered.
"I better be your only girl."
He smiled. "That too.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I focused on him. Everything still seemed blurry, but he was close enough that I could see him. He was completely soaked. His jeans, shoes, jacket, and shirt. He was just as wet as I was. His normally messy blond hair was darker and flat to his head from the weight of the water.
Dark shadows haunted his eyes and his lips were pale from the cold.
"You jumped in after me," I whispered.
"I'd jump into the pits of hell for you, Rim.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“The crowd started going crazy. Like even crazier than when Romeo got up from the hit. I was clinging to the railing, wondering if I would like prison, when Ivy sighed. "I swear. You have all the luck."
Confused, I glanced around. Romeo was jogging toward us, helmet in his hands. Quickly, I glanced at the big screen and it was showing a wide shot of me clinging onto the rails and him running toward us.
When he arrived, he slapped the guard on his back and said something in his ear. The guard looked at me and grinned and then walked away.
Romeo stepped up to where I was. At the height I was at one the railing, for once I was taller than him.
"You're killing me, Smalls," he said. "I had to interrupt a championship game to keep you from going to the slammer."
"I was worried. You didn't get up."
"And so you were just going to march out on the field and what?"
God, he looked so… so incredible right then. His uniform stretched out over his wide shoulders and narrow waist. The pads strapped to his body made him look even stronger. He had grass stains on his knees, sweat in his hair, and ornery laughter in his sparkling blue eyes.
I swear I'd never seen anyone equal parts of to-die-for good looks and boy-next-door troublemaker.
"I was going to come out there and kiss it and make it better."
He threw back his head and laughed, and the stadium erupted once more. I was aware that every moment between us was being broadcast like some reality TV show, but for once, I didn't care how many people were staring.
This was our moment.
And I was so damn happy he wasn't hurt.
"So you're okay, then?" I asked.
"Takes a lot more than a shady illegal attack to keep me down."
Behind him, the players were getting back to the game, rushing out onto the field, and the coach was yelling out orders.
"I'll just go back to my seat, then," I said.
He rushed forward and grabbed me off the railing. The crown cheered when he slid me down his body and pressed his lips to mine.
It wasn't a chaste kiss. It was the kind of kiss that made me blush when I watched it on TV.
But I kissed him back anyway. I got lost in him.
When he pulled back, I said, "By the way, You're totally kicking ass out there."
He chuckled and put me back on the railing and kept one hand on my butt as I climbed back over. Back in the stands, I gripped the cold metal and gave him a small wave.
He'd been walking backward toward his team, but then he changed direction and sprinted toward me. In one graceful leap, he was up on the wall and leaning over the railing.
"Love you," he half-growled and pressed a swift kiss to my lips. "Next touchdown's for you.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I went and turned up the heat and hit the switch for the gas fireplace on the wall opposite the bed. Flames roared to life and filled the dim room with dancing orange.
"This sure beats my dorm room," she half sighed.
I laughed and turned. The breath I was taking in froze halfway to my lungs. She was sitting in the center of my bed, the blankets rumpled and piled around her. My shirt was way too large and the neck slipped down low over one of her slim shoulders, exposing a wide patch of creamy skin. Her cheeks were pink and her lips were swollen. The long thick mass of her hair was tangled and messy, falling around her face and down her back.
I'd missed her.
I'd missed her even more than I'd let myself realize. But seeing her sitting there taking up so little space in my bed but so much room in my chest was sorta something I couldn't deny.
She tilted her head and looked at me, wrinkling her nose. "Do I look a mess?" she asked.
I shook my head, unable to speak. I never thought this would happen to me. I never thought I would love someone so much. So fast.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I took her face in my hands and tilted it up so I could stare into her eyes. "Listen to me. My reacting to someone putting their hands on you is not me being dramatic; it's me loving you."
"Oh, Romeo," she sighed my name and my cock hardened.
I pulled her into my chest and wrapped my arms around her. "Being an asshole is just part of my charm, baby," I said matter-of-fact, unable to keep the smile out of my voice. "This is just me loving you."
"You love real good," she mumbled against my chest, pushing a little closer.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I pressed forward, pushing my body along hers, and wrapped my arms around her waist. Some of the intensity of my anger dissipated and drained away. After a very long, steamy kiss, I broke away, breathing hard.
Rimmel's head collapsed against the wall and she stared up at me with unfocused hazel eyes. The flecks of color in the center were green today. "Romeo," she gasped.
I pulled back enough so I could lift her arm and grasp her fingers. She made a sound of protest when I pushed back the material of the shirt once more and stared down at the dark blotches marring her skin.
"How were you going to explain this to me?" I rumbled.
"I wasn't going to lie, it that's what you're implying," she snapped.
"Ah, baby." I groaned and lifted her wrist to press my lips to the marks. "I'm being a jerk."
"You said it…" She agreed, letting the rest of her sentence fall away.
I smiled against her skin and then kissed her inner wrist once more.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I’m hitting the shower,” Braeden said and slammed his locker shut.
“Hey,” I said and caught him by the shoulder.
He glanced around at me. “You wanna tell me why Rimmel called you before the game?”
Braeden spun. “Did you go through my phone?”
“Did you lie to me about my girl?” I countered.
He wiped a hand over his face. “Fucking A. Don’t put me in the middle, Rome.”
“You’re my best friend, asshole. There is no middle. It’s my side.”
“Hey now,” he said. “Sisters before misters and all that.”
“What the fuck does that even mean?” I drawled, amused.
“It means I’ve taken her on as my little sister. You’re her mister. I’m officially in neutral territory.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“There was a knock on the bedroom door and Romeo stiffened. “What!” he yelled.
“I hope no one’s naked, ‘cause I’m coming in!” Braeden hollered. A few seconds later, the door opened and he stepped inside. One of his hands covered his eyes.
“Is it safe?” he asked.
I giggled. “Is that a no for tacos?”
Romeo shook his head and rolled his eyes. “We’re dressed, man.”
Braeden dropped the hand over his eyes and he zeroed in on me. It took everything in me not to shrink back from embarrassment. He came across the carpeting and held out my glasses. “Here,” he said. “I figured you might need these.”
Ah, that explained why everything still looked so blurry.
I slid them on and smiled as my sight adjusted back to normal. I noticed Braeden was soaking wet.
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “You have to be freezing!”
I rushed around the room, pulling out clothes and socks and tossing them at Braeden’s feet. “Here! Put this stuff on.”
“She’s giving away your clothes, man,” Braeden said to Romeo.
“Chicks.” He sighed.
Braeden shook his head.
“You’re dripping on the carpet!” I reminded him.
He laughed and went in the bathroom to get dressed.
“Just leave your clothes with ours. I’ll wash them for you,” I yelled through the door.
He laughed. “Laundry service? Damn! I’m moving in.”
Romeo shook his head.
I yawned. This entire day was catching up to me. Romeo frowned. “I’ll make everyone leave…” He began.
“No!” I exclaimed. “This is your victory party! Go enjoy it. I’ll stay here.”
He seemed torn on what to do. Braeden came out wearing Romeo’s clothes (they fit him pretty well) and ran his eyes over me in concern. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Did you jump in the pool to get my glasses?”
He nodded.
“Actually, he jumped in the pool right after I did. In case I needed help towing you out.” Romeo corrected.
I glanced at Braeden for confirmation. He shrugged. “What kind of brother would I be if I let you drown?”
Without thought, I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. He seemed a little taken aback by my display of affection, but after a minute, he hugged me back. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“Anytime, tutor girl.” His voice was soft and his arms tightened around me just slightly. For all his witty humor, sarcastic one-liners, and jokes, Braeden was a really good guy. “We need to teach you to swim.” He observed.
I shuddered. “I know how to swim.”
“Well, you sank to the bottom like an anchor,” he grumbled.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“That was some shady shit out there, Rome,” Braeden said once the total chaos of winning the game had gone down to a considerable roar.
We were finally in the locker room, and I was stripping off my sweat and grass-stained gear.
“Total douche move.” I agreed.
It wasn’t the first time a team had tried to take me out of a game. It was pretty much common practice, especially when something like a title and championship was at stake. Still, I’d never quite had anyone come at me like that before.
The play was already in progress. Sacking me wouldn’t have changed the touchdown I’d just thrown. Except of course to keep me from throwing another one.
That guy deliberately came in like a freight train and plowed me down. I lay there stunned for long moments, waiting for the air to come back in my lungs and for my body to process the shock of the hit.
Thankfully, he wasn’t that good at tackling and it did nothing more than stun me.
And it got him thrown out of the game.
It really hadn’t been a big deal. Like I said, it happened a lot. But it was the first time it happened in front of Rimmel.
I couldn’t help but notice how the large screen on the field had zeroed in on the girl in number twenty-four’s hoodie, who was climbing over the railing and preparing to leap down onto the field.
The security guard was yelling at her, but she barely noticed him. Her eyes were trained out on the field, where I was.
It was almost laughable that her tiny ass was going to rush out onto a field full of men more than double her size to make sure I was okay.
G**damn. I loved her even more just then.
When the guard put his hand on her ankle, trying to stop her from going back to her seat, something happened.
Something that never had in my entire life of playing football.
The game faded away.
For once, I was out on the field and unable to focus on only the game. It took a backseat to the girl teetering on the edge of the railing.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I kissed her hard and deep. Her fingers delved into my still damp hair and massaged at my scalp, making me growl low in my chest. When she started to move against me, I knew it was probably time to cool things off. We were still at the stadium.
“I didn’t expect you to wait. I would’ve hurried.”
“That’s why I didn’t tell you,” she said, brushing her fingertips across my cheek. “I want you to enjoy tonight. You earned it. But I also wanted to be here to tell you how happy I am for you.”
“Is that the only reason?” I asked, pinning her with a stare.
She sighed and pushed back so I would set her on her feet. I did and we started walking out toward the parking lot. “I really wish this could wait, but I know it can’t.”
“I know you called Braeden.”
Her teeth sank into her lower lip and she glanced at me swiftly. “What did he tell you?”
“Nothing. Sisters before misters, ya know.”
She wrinkled her nose. “What?”
“Exactly.” I agreed.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, his entire body tensed and he looked at me swiftly. He started to pull out, alarmed, but I wrapped my legs around him and pushed him deep.
Romeo’s groan filled my ears as I felt him jerk inside me as he spilled his hot seed inside my body. I’d never felt anything more intimate in my entire life.
I kissed his shoulder and the inside of his neck when he partially collapsed on top of me.
I let out a sigh, content.
He pulled back and looked at me, his eyes unfocused and droopy. “I had no idea it would feel like that.”
“Me either.”
“Promise me you won’t let anyone ever do this with you. Just me,” he demanded. “Only me.”
He was so possessive. He was so selfish when it came to me.
I liked it.
Maybe I shouldn’t, but my God, I did.
“What about you?” I asked.
“Oh, baby, the thought of dipping my dick into anyone that isn’t you does nothing for me.”
“Okay.” I agreed. “Only you.”
His tongue stroked over mine, mingling and tasting me like he just hadn’t had enough.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“He was just a loser with a credit card.
Maybe in the past I never realized that. Hell, maybe I'd been the kind of guy who thought money equaled class. Maybe I thought the air of arrogance Zach wore as armor made him superior to others.
And then I fell in love with a girl who was the epitome of the opposite of my world.
She shattered everything I thought I knew. And though she might be the one wearing glasses, it was me who was finally seeing clearly.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“Speaking of… I gotta go. I need to be at the field.” His voice rumbled through his chest and against my ear as he spoke.
I sighed and stepped out of his arms. I was sad that our couple days together were over and I would be here tonight without him. Classes started tomorrow, and I knew we were going to see a lot less of each other now that the semester was starting.
“I’ll walk you out,” I said and followed him to the door.
Ivy was still digging through my clothes and called out a good-bye.
“Just stay inside,” he said, palming the handle. “It’s cold and slippery out there. You’ll be safer in here.”
I grimaced. “You’re probably right.”
He grinned. “I’ll call you later, ‘kay?”
I nodded.
He released the door handle and closed the distance between us with one step. The toes of his shoes bumped against my boots and the front of his jacket brushed against me.
My stomach fluttered and my heart rate doubled. The effect he had on me was nothing short of amazing. I tipped my head back so I could look up into his eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted. He looked at me with so much affection in his gaze that emotion caught in my throat. He didn’t have to say anything because I heard everything just by looking in his eyes.
My fingers curled around the hem of his shirt and tangled in the cotton fabric, and at the same time I stretched up, he bent down.
The feel of his lips against me was my favorite sensation. Nothing compared to the way his mouth owned mine. His tongue stretched out, sweeping through my mouth with gentle pressure, and I sighed into him and sagged forward.
A low laugh vibrated his chest and he pulled back.
“Be careful walking to class tomorrow, huh? Don’t fall and hurt yourself.”
I nodded, barely comprehending his words.
He slipped out the door before reality came flooding back. I rushed forward, caught the closing door, and called out his name.
He stopped and turned. The lopsided, knowing smile on his face was smug. “Good luck at practice,” I called, ignoring the few girls who stopped to watch us.
“Thanks, baby.”
I swear every girl within earshot sighed.
I couldn’t even blame them.
I shut the door and leaned against it.
Ivy put her hands on her hips and looked at me. “I’m gonna need a mega supply of barf bags to put up with you two this semester.”
I smiled.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“Before I knew what I was doing, I was out of my seat and rushing up toward the railing that divided the seats from the field. I had to make sure he was okay. I couldn’t just sit here and watch him lie there in pain.
I heard my name called, but I ignored it as I flung my leg over the top railing and prepared to hoist myself over.
One of the guys working security happened to see me and he rushed over and ordered me to stop.
“I can’t. That’s my…” My voice broke. I couldn’t force the word boyfriend between my lips. It just wasn’t enough. It just didn’t describe how desperate I was to get to him.
“He’s my everything,” I finished.
The security guard gave me a grim look. “You can’t come on the field.”
A lone tear tracked its way down my cheek, and I craned my neck. Frustrated, I glanced up at the big screen to see if it was showing a different angle.
But they weren’t playing Romeo. They were focused on me.
I blinked at the site of me half straddling the railing and the security guard standing there with a grim look on his face as he stared me down. My cheeks were red, behind my glasses, my eyes wild.
I turned away from the screen, irritated that they weren’t focused on Romeo.
I glanced at the guard. “I’m coming over.”
He crossed his arms over his chest as if to say, I dare you.
I flung my other leg over so I was balanced on the bottom rung.
“This is your last warning,” the guard shouted.
The crowd started to cheer and go wild. Romeo’s number started filling the air. I looked up.
He was okay!
He was on his feet, helmet in hand, and laughing at something Braeden was saying. Beside him, the coach looked relieved, and all the Wolves were clapping.
The guy who’d mowed him down was being escorted off the field.
Jackass.
Relief made me weak and a sob caught in my throat. I sagged back against the cold metal of the rails. The guard gestured for backup, and a few others that were dressed just like him started my way.
I mean, really. He was being a bit dramatic. I was only one girl. And a small one at that.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“When I burst into the terminal, my eyes swept around, bouncing from person to person in the crowded, bustling space. My stomach fell a little when I didn’t see him, but I knew he probably couldn’t come this far. He was probably at baggage claim.
I looked around for a sign to point me in the right direction and finally saw one labeled Baggage Claim with an arrow pointing off to the left.
But I didn’t follow the arrow.
My eyes fixed on someone standing beneath the sign.
His hands were jammed into the pockets of his well-worn slouchy jeans. The relaxed action pulled the waistband low, highlighting his flat, narrow waist his Henley tee molded to. As usual, he was wearing his varsity jacket and his blond hair was a mess.
My gaze locked on his sapphire-blue eyes and didn’t let go. His eyes, ohmigod, his eyes. The blue was so intense it served as an emergency brake on everything in my life. The second I looked at him, everything else came to a screeching halt. I no longer noticed the huge crowd rushing around.
The anxiety-causing flight was just a distant memory, and the two weeks I spent longing for his touch became something I would live through ten times over just to be in this moment with him again.
His lips pulled into a smile and the charm that oozed from every pore in his body made me almost lightheaded. Romeo pulled his hands out of his pockets and straightened, motioning for me.
I rushed across the space separating us, my bag slapping against my side as I, for once, gracefully maneuvered around the people in my path.
His chuckle brushed over me when I was just steps away, and I threw myself at him with a little sigh of relief. My legs wrapped around his waist and his arms locked around my back. I burrowed my head into his shoulder and inhaled deep, taking in his distinctive scent.
“Rim,” he murmured, his voice low. I pulled back and his lips were on mine instantly.
The moment our lips touched, he stilled, his body and mouth pausing against mine. Before I could wonder why, he muttered a garbled curse against my mouth and then his lips began to move. He kissed me softly but fiercely. There was so much possession in the way he kissed me, in the way his arms locked around me that my heart stuttered.
I parted my lips so his tongue could sweep inside, and when my tongue met his, desire, hot and heavy, unfurled within me.
Someone chuckled as they walked by, and Romeo retreated slightly, still letting his mouth linger on mine before completely pulling away.
He rested his forehead against mine and he smiled. “I really fucking missed you.”
“Me too,” I whispered.

-Romeo & Rimmel”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“They were all joking about the party at my place when they walked away. As I uncapped my drink, I noticed Michael was hanging back a bit.
“Got something on your mind?” I called out, gesturing at him with my chin.
He was a good player, he worked hard on the field, and I respected him. I got the feeling, though, that I wasn’t going to like what he wanted to say. I could tell by the hesitation in his face and body language. He probably disagreed with some of the plays I wanted to try tonight and didn’t want to piss me off in fear I would freeze him out on the field.
But I wasn’t like that. I left personal shit in the locker room. There was no room for drama in the game.
He walked back over in front of me as he adjusted the strap on his shoulder. “I’m not sure I should say anything.”
“Just say it, man. It’s cool.”
“I saw your girl this morning.” He started, and everything in me went cold.
This wasn’t about football. This was personal.
“You looking at Rimmel?” I asked, my voice calm and low.
His eyes widened a little, but he shook his head. “No, man. I probably wouldn’t have known it was her, but she was wearing your hoodie.”
I nodded for him to continue.
“She was in the hall, outside her class,” he said, glancing at me.
He needed to get to the fucking point already. I was losing patience.
“That guy Zach was with her. It looked pretty intense.”
I jerked upright. “What?” I growled.
What the fuck was Rimmel doing with Zach? Why was he talking to her?
“He was grabbing her arm. Jerking her around pretty good.”
Red tinged my vision and adrenaline started pumping in my veins. “What did you just say?”
Michael nodded grimly. “It’s why I noticed them. He grabbed her and she cried out. She told him to let go, but he just jerked her more. She almost fell.”
A noise rumbled out of my chest and anger so swift and hot that it hurt filled me. “Tell me you pulled him off her,” I intoned.
“I was going to. I called out to them and started forward, but that’s when he let her go and walked away.”
I was going to kill him.
Dead.
“I asked her if she was okay. I don’t think she knew I’m on the team with you.”
“Probably not,” I muttered, still trying to control the anger spiraling out of control inside me.
“She said she was.” He continued, but I heard the doubt in his voice.
“But?” The word came out harsher than I intended, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“But her wrist was pretty red. Looked like it was going to bruise.”
Thought ceased in my head. Rationality evaporated. “Thanks for telling me,” I said and rushed away in the opposite direction of my next class.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“The snow was still drifting from the sky when we stepped out into the parking lot. The Hellcat was covered with a fine layer of the white stuff because it’d been parked there for so long. Beside me, Rimmel shivered, and I felt like an ass because she’d been out in this cold half the day and then stood in the drafty tunnel and had to wait on me.
The engine was already purring; I’d hit the electronic start as soon as it came into sight. I pulled off my varsity jacket as we walked around to the passenger side, and I draped it around her shoulders.
“Pretty soon I’m gonna have your entire wardrobe.” She smiled and pulled my coat farther around her.
“You can have whatever you want, baby.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“There was knock on the door and I knew it was Romeo. Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I went to answer. I was so nervous about tonight.
Romeo’s eyes widened when I pulled back the door. He whistled beneath his breath. “Holy shit, Smalls.”
“Do I look okay?” I worried. “Think your mother will approve?”
Romeo reached out and grabbed me by the waist. “You don’t have to impress her. I don’t want or need her approval. You’re my girl. The end.”
“No take backs?” I whispered.
He smiled. “No take backs.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“My hair floated out around me with the evening breeze, and Romeo caught a strand of it before he opened the door to the car. “You really do look beautiful,” he murmured, dipping his head low.
“Thanks,” I said against his lips.
His kiss ignited instant desire inside me. Even though I spent last night with him, and the night before, I missed him terribly. I felt like we hadn’t had enough alone time. I wanted more. I wanted so much more.
He groaned and pulled back. “Let’s get this dinner over with,” he said grumpily. “I want to spend some time alone with you.”
“You read my mind.”
“Now that the season is over, we’ll have more time together.”
“Want to just go to Taco Bell and hide at your place?” I asked when he slid into the driver’s seat.
He laughed. The sound filled the interior of the car. “Why, Rimmel,”— he pressed a hand to his chest like he was scandalized—“ are you suggesting we stand up my mother?”
I giggled.
“I knew it,” he drawled. “Underneath that sweet exterior lies the heart of a baddie baddie.”
I laughed out loud. “A baddie baddie?”
“Like totally,” he said in a valley girl voice and pretended to flip the long hair he didn’t have.
God, I loved him.
“So what do you say?” I taunted as I smiled. “Want to play hookie?”
He groaned. “I’d love to, baby, but we can’t.”
I stuck out my tongue.
“Watch what you do with that thing, baby girl.”
“Yeah? Or what?” I challenged.
“Or we might be late and I might mess up the perfect hair and makeup you got going on.” His eyes twinkled and he fake gasped as he put the car in gear. “Just what would mother say?”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“She groaned and tucked her fingers between my side and the mattress. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to the cold air here.”
I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Just wait ‘til it snows.”
“Ugh,” she moaned.
“I’ll turn the heat up,” I said and started to move from beneath her. She clutched me closer and made a sound of determination. I laughed. It thrilled the shit out of me that she liked having me so close. “I thought you were cold,” I said affectionately.
“But you’re warm.”
“I’ll come right back.”
“Kiss me,” she demanded. She was definitely a shy person, but the more time we spent together, the less shy she was with me when we were alone. I loved it. It was like getting a glimpse of the person no one else saw.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“What the hell do you want, Bettinger?” I asked, already bored of him.
“I wanted to let you know I haven’t forgotten about what you did.”
“What I did?” I kept my voice even, almost conversational. I lifted my eyebrows. “And what was that?”
He stepped closer, a snarl marring his pretty-boy features. “Payback’s a bitch,” he said low.
“Is that a threat?” All the muscles in my body tightened. My eyes narrowed on his face.
Braeden appeared beside me, planting his feet into the floor and mirroring my position. His arms folded across his chest as he glared at Zach. But he spoke to me. “What’s going on, Rome? Trouble in the neighborhood?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” I stared directly into Zach’s eyes when I replied.
“I don’t make threats,” Zach replied, looking back at me. “I make promises.”
I couldn’t help it. I grinned. “What the fuck is this?” I asked. “Some cheesy after school movie?”
A couple snickers floated through the store around us, and Zach stiffened.
“Get the hell out of here, man,” Braeden said. “Before you embarrass yourself more.”
After another long, charged stare from Zach, he turned. “See ya later, Rimmel,” Zach called, making the muscles between my shoulder blades squeeze together.
Braeden put a hand in the center of my chest like he knew I was seconds away from grabbing that bastard by the scruff of his neck and face-planting him into the closest hard surface.
“Forget him,” Braeden said low.
I grunted and turned back to Rimmel. She gave me and then Braeden a withering look. “What the hell was that all about?”
Braeden whistled under his breath. “Tutor girl gets pissy.”
Rimmel narrowed her eyes.
Braeden spoke quickly. “Gotta jet. Hot girl is holding my place in line.” He slapped me on the shoulder and left.
“Coward,” I muttered after him, and he laughed.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I stood slowly and deposited Rimmel beside Ivy. “Watch her,” I said.
Rimmel huffed and muttered something about not being a dog.
Then she barked.
Ivy laughed.
It probably wasn’t my best idea to have one drunk girl look after another, but I had a jaw to punch.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“My head cleared the water, and a strong arm wrapped around my middle as my lungs automatically sucked in air. I started coughing immediately, water sputtering out of my mouth.
I blinked against my blurred vision as commotion erupted around me.
“Help me, man,” a voice said. It was desperate and raw.
Romeo.
“I got her,” said another familiar voice, Braeden.
He slid his arms beneath my arms and towed me up out of the water. My legs buckled, and instead of letting me fall, he scooped me up and held me against him.
I dropped my head against his shoulder and wrinkled my nose. He didn’t feel right.
The sound of splashing water drifted over, and I flinched against the sound.
“I got her,” Romeo said, and I was shifted against a chest I knew very well.
I was home.
I whimpered because he felt so good, and his arms tightened around me.
“Don’t let anyone in the house,” Romeo said, and I heard Braeden agree.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“Romeo came forward and grabbed me by the shoulders. “What the hell were you thinking?”
I stared at him blankly.
He blew out a frustrated breath. “You got in between me and a chair, Rimmel.”
“He was going to hit you,” I said, grim. “I wasn’t just going to stand there. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“I’d rather him hurt me than you.” His voice was gentle. Then he smirked. “That chair wouldn’t have hurt me anyway.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“You could have just asked.” She straightened up from Murphy and looked at me. “Instead, you took advantage of me and never said a word.”
“I didn’t take advantage of you. I was just doing what I thought was best.”
“Well, you don’t get to decide what’s best for me!” Her voice rose, and Murphy paused in purring to look up at her.
“I don’t get a say?” I shot back, trying to hold on to my temper.
She took a deep breath. “Of course you do. But you didn’t say anything. You just did. Just like at dinner. You just announced I was getting a restraining order. There was no conversation.”
I opened my mouth, but she kept talking.
“How am I supposed to trust you when you do things like this without me knowing?”
“You don’t trust me anymore?” I said the words with quiet calm. Surely this wasn’t enough to ruin the trust between us.
She blew out a breath and paced across the room. “I didn’t say that.” She spun away from me and looked at the wall. “I’m just upset.”
I strode across the room. It was darker where she was. The lights were off in here, and from this position in the room, the crackling fire in the bedroom didn’t cast much light.
My feet stopped when I was directly behind her. Usually, I would touch her without thought. But right then I paused.
Fuck. That.
I wrapped my hands around her wrists, then loosened my grip to slide my palms up her arms to rest at her shoulders. I felt her exhale, and I wrapped one of my arms across her chest and pulled her back against my front.
“I could tell you I’m sorry,” I whispered in her ear. “I could whisper how much I love you and that I won’t ever do something like this again.”
The back of her head hit my chest as I spoke. The silky strands of her perfectly straight hair tickled my lips as I talked, and the scent of her shampoo enticed me closer.
“But I’m not going to apologize.”
She stiffened, but I strengthened my hold, unwilling to let her pull away. I kept my voice whisper soft and my lips right beside her ear.
“I’d do it again, in a friggin’ heartbeat if that’s what I thought you needed.”
The frustration in her body was evident, but I ignored it.
“Do you know how much I love you?” I whispered. “I love you so g**damned much that it scares the shit out of me. You have no idea the kind of power you wield, how much of me you own. Knowing you were completely vulnerable, that you were locked unknowingly in a bathroom with someone who literally lurked around while you were naked, while you were washing yourself, makes me sick. He could have raped you.” My voice broke on the last part because I had to force the words out of my mouth.
“He didn’t,” she said quickly and tried to turn to face me.
I wouldn’t let her. I liked her where she was. It was easier to bare my heart when she wasn’t staring into me with her eyes.
“No, he didn’t. But he’s put bruises on you. The way you looked in that pool last night. The way your body just kind of stopped. You sank to the bottom with a dark cloud of hair obscuring your face. I knew you had to be reliving what happened. It broke me, Rim. Loving me has cost you so fucking much. Too much.”
This time, she wouldn’t let me hold her. She spun around and tipped her chin up to look at me. I let her see. I let her see the bleakness in my eyes.
“Loving you has given me way more than I imagined.” She reached up and brushed the backs of her knuckles across my cheek. I dragged my fingers through her hair.
“It scares me too,” Rimmel whispered. “How much I love you.”
“I’m going to protect you. I’m going to protect us,” I said. “I won’t ever stop.”
― Cambria Hebert

“The tension inside the car grew the longer we drove. I wanted him so badly I could barely think or see. For someone who’d gone almost her entire life without sex, the last two weeks shouldn’t have been a problem, but oh, they were. I ached for him.
Just holding his hand made my skin tingle with anticipation.
When we finally got off the interstate, Romeo turned abruptly onto some empty back road with trees on each side. “Where are you going?” I asked as he pulled over onto the side of the road and let the car idle.
“I can’t take it anymore, Rim.”
He reached for me, practically lifting me out of the seat and pulling me across the center toward him. I was all too willing as I climbed into his lap to straddle him.
He reached up into the messy bun on my head and pulled out the hair tie. The heavy mess that was my hair tumbled down over my shoulders and back as he carefully removed my glasses before burying his hands in and pulling me close.
The kiss was all-consuming. It wasn’t like at the airport where he kept his desire in check. Instead, it surged out around me, and I rocked into his already rigid length and moaned low in my throat.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“You’re driving me crazy,” I murmured, stroking her hair away from her face.
Her hand slid across the back of my shoulder and trailed down to my lower back.
I groaned. “You’re gonna be hurting tomorrow, Rim.”
“I don’t care.”
I smiled. “I know. But I do.”
She made a face at me and I kissed her nose. Pulling back wasn’t something I wanted to do, but her body needed a break. At least for an hour.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“It’s so beautiful. It has our initials,” she said, running her fingertip over the engraving.
“You know me,” I half joked. “Any way I can get my name on you.”
She looked up. I felt her hazel eyes on my face. “I love you.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“Romeo appeared in front of us, crossed his arms over his wide chest, and stared at me and Braeden. Braeden didn’t seem to mind the death glare he was receiving. “You’re looking awful cozy over here with my girl.”
“I was just schooling our girl here on the ways of the world,” Braeden replied smoothly.
“Our girl?” Romeo repeated.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist.” Braeden grinned.
I interrupted their macho talk with some talk of my own. “He was asking about Missy.”
Romeo grinned.
Braeden dropped his arm from around me and gave me a look of betrayal. “What happened to brother-sister confidentiality?”
I laughed.
“Dude, there’s a hot girl in line over there,” Romeo said, motioning with his chin. “Go get in line behind her.”
Braeden turned and a slow smile spread across his stubbled jaw. “Day-um,” he said. “Good looking out, Rome.” He held up his fist and Romeo pounded his against it.
“Tutor girl,” Braeden said, and then he was gone.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater

“I focused on him. Everything still seemed blurry, but he was close enough that I could see him.
He was completely soaked. His jeans, shoes, jacket, and shirt. He was just as wet as I was. His normally messy blond hair was darker and flat to his head from the weight of the water.
Dark shadows haunted his eyes and his lips were pale from the cold.
“You jumped in after me,” I whispered.
“I’d jump into the pits of hell for you, Rim.”
― Cambria Hebert, #Hater