CHAPTER 7 – SKYLAR

The nerve of him, the absolute cheek of one Drake Landry to practically beg her to come to this fancy event, insist she wear a super expensive gown he picked out, practically have eye sex with her when he picked her up but then after an awkward family introduction leave her completely to her own devices for over an hour and then act like a complete over bearing douche when she finally had someone speak to her like she wasn't the hired help.

He was infuriating! She wasn't an idiot, she knew before he even brought her here that they were from different worlds. She didn't have the best upbringing but for the most part her mum had given her everything she needed, even if she didn't have everything she wanted. Her chest constricted painfully at the memory of her mum and tears welled in her eyes.

She searched frantically through the crowd for Tamsin, praying that she'd agree to come with Skylar and they could slip out together quietly. Skylar made an effort to keep her breathing even as she pushed past bitchy girls who weren't shy about pointing out Skylar's size or obvious lack of breeding.

Bitches.

She spotted Tamsin in a corner with an older man who must be her father and several other younger guys who were all dressed in black suits with grey or white shirts. Tamsin didn't even look like herself and it wasn't just the over the top dress her father had insisted she wear. Her face was a mask of cold beauty, a fake smile teasing her lips and her normally active eyes so very, very calculating. It was such a shock seeing her roommate so removed from everything that Skylar stopped where she was and just stared.

She hated this place, she hated the fake people in it and she especially hated that they were turning what should have been a night about a good cause into something twisted and malicious.

Tamsin glanced over and when she noticed Skylar she gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head and then her eyes widened and the coolness was replaced with burning rage.

Skylar spun around to see what had gotten Tamsin's attention and cringed at Kyle with a blonde bombshell on his arm. The blonde was almost as tall as Kyle's six two with platinum blonde hair sleek around her face, she was dressed in a baby blue gown that matched her eyes and was waif thin. Kyle was dressed in a simple dark grey suit with a light grey shirt and no tie. They walked through the crowd, Blondie smiling and waving at people while Kyle merely nodded, face stoic and posture stiff.

Oh Kyle, what the hell are you doing?

Skylar turned back to Tamsin and saw she was struggling to maintain her stepford routine and decided she needed to save her friend. She rushed over and smiled brightly at the guys around them.

"Hello," she said quietly.

All eyes went to her and she felt her cheeks flush immediately. She hated being the centre of attention but she cared about Tamsin enough to suck it up.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt," she began but a blonde haired, brown eyed man in his early twenties moved forward and gave her a charming smile.

"No apologies needed at all, Miss?"

"Just Skylar," she replied with a quick smile.

"Pretty name, I'm Brent Cusp I work with Tamsin's father Robert," he nodded to the dark haired man beside Tamsin who was sporting a severe frown.

"It's very nice to meet you," Skylar said, taking a note from Tamsin and plastering a smile on her face.

She was introduced to the other four men who were all business associates of Tamsin's father or their sons. Listening with a polite smile, as they prattled on about their business and the importance of a great education to set you up for life.

"I hope you won't mind if I steal Tamsin away for a bit, Mr Worthington mentioned he wanted some fresh opinions on some of his campaign ideas and I told him Tamsin and I would be happy to help," Skylar said at the first break in conversation.

A greedy light entered Roberts' eyes and he nodded his dismissal to Tamsin, turning back to his associates and effectively cutting them out of the group.

Not needing any more prodding Skylar smiled at Brent who gave her a wink and then pulled Tamsin away, neither of them saying a word until they were safely outside in the pristine gardens that came with bushes shaped as swans, fairy lights and a water fountain activated with lights.

"I can't believe he's here with her," Tamsin said finally, her voice small.

"I don't think they're together," Skylar told her quickly. "He actually looks pretty miserable Tam."

Tamsin's eyes flashed. "What would he have to be miserable about? Not having me as his dirty little secret anymore? The pussy patrol that follow him everywhere? God I'm an idiot, it never really occurred to me that he would bring someone else to this thing when we'd agreed to save each other and come together months ago."

Skylar wrapped her arms around Tamsin's shoulders and pulled her close, rubbing a hand down her back as she trembled from the suppressed sobs.

"It wasn't casual between you two, was it?"

Tamsin took a shaky breath. "It was, but that didn't stop me from falling for him like the idiot that I am."

"You're not an idiot," Skylar said.

"I am," Tamsin cried, her tears now falling. "I knew he was in the frat, I knew he had a reputation and I knew that I was replaceable and still I threw myself in anyway, pretending that it was just sex when really I was getting in deeper every day we were together. I wish I was like you Sky and kept myself guarded and safe."

Tamsin's words hurt Skylar deep within her soul, they lodged themselves within her heart until each beat was agony.

"You don't want to be like me," Skylar told her quietly. "I love that you're so open, giving and optimistic, it's a beautiful way to be and you should never stop doing that. Being guarded from the world and the people in it is so lonely and honestly it's an empty way to live life. You are so brave and full of love and every day I've known you I have wanted to be more like you."

Tamsin pulled away and wiped at her tears. "You think I'm brave?"

"The bravest."

Tamsin continued to wipe the black streaks from her cheeks. "You're not alone, you know."

Skylar raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"What you said about being lonely and guarded from the world. You don't have to be lonely because you're not alone. I've got your back and even if you don't realise it, you're the brave one and you deserve happiness just as much as anyone else, if not more."

Skylar swallowed down the lump in her throat and looked away, not ready for this conversation turn. "What is the deal with your dad anyway?"

Tamsin shrugged, letting the topic drop for now. "My mum was a maid, they had an affair and then nine months later there I was. He had nothing to do with me until I was about fifteen and got my name in the paper for being a champion debater, he decided that maybe I would be useful to him after all and so for the last four years he's been grooming me to join his firm after college and be a lawyer just like him."

Skylar's eyes bugged out at Tamsin's confession. Wow, Skylar couldn't even speak about her life prior to the last year and Tamsin just offered her darkest secrets and struggles like she was listing the groceries she needed.

"You're kind of bad ass," she told her, reaching out to straighten Tamsin's dress.

Tamsin gave a weak smile. "Not yet, but I'm getting there."

"Tam?"

Both of them whirled around to find Kyle standing behind them looking anguished.

Tamsin nervously smoothed her hair and then tilted her chin up at him defiantly. "What?"

His eyes widened and locked on Tamsin as he took another step forward.

"Have you been crying?"

"Why would you care?" she shot back.

His eyes went hard and he took another two steps. "I need to speak with you privately."

"Unfortunately, I need to fix my face up and then Skylar and I are going to dance."

She moved to walk away from him but he stood blocking her path, face determined.

"Fine, we'll do this here then. I fucked up, I got freaked out by how much I cared about you and scared that you didn't feel the same and I was a complete douche by dismissing what you meant to me in front of people I don't even give a shit about. I fucked up how I handled that and then I fucked up when I was desperate to get your attention."

Tamsin's breath caught in her throat and she gazed up at Kyle with her bambi eyes.

"I'm sorry Tamsin, I am so sorry and I know I don't deserve it but I want to make this right with you but I want to do it properly this time. Labels and all, do you think you could come for a walk with me and we could at least talk about the inventive ways of grovelling you'll create for me?"

Tamsin stayed frozen in place and Skylar wasn't sure she was capable of moving so she nudged her gently so she stumbled into Kyle's waiting arms.

"I'm going to go and get a drink," she announced. "The gardens look amazing tonight you guys should go check it out."

Tamsin grabbed her arm before she could escape them completely.

"You deserve it all Sky," she said softly. "I don't know what's happened to you in your past to close you off from human interaction but we both know it's not a way to live your life. Let go of your control just enough to start participating in your life, not just existing ok?"

Skylar gave her friend and brief nod and then hastened back into the party before she had a melt down and cried her whole face off.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

Just freaking great, this was exactly what she needed right now.

"Hi Mrs Worthington, I'm having a great time thank you."

Drake's mother was beautiful in a very cold and detached sort of way and with her white blonde hair, fair skin and angular face and body she looked nothing like Drake except for those startlingly beautiful blue eyes, which were currently examining her.

"Indeed, I'm sure it must seem rather extravagant to you."

Oh here we go.

"Yes, everything is beautiful," Skylar agreed with a smile.

"Tell me dear, are you as stupid as you seem or did my son pay extra for the innocent act you have going for you?"

Pay? Pay?

Skylar kept her chin raised high and ignored the snide comment, choosing to say nothing instead.

Audrey kept on.

"I don't know how well you know my son, if at all, but even you should be able to see that he is not the one for you. You're certainly very pretty dear and perhaps if you spent less time eating and more time caring about your appearance you could find some man to pull you from whatever hole you've come from but I can assure you it will not be my son. You see, I can read people, it's a gift of mine and I knew within five seconds of meeting you that you have no money, no proper breeding and you are looking to my son to save you."

Skylar's mouth dropped. "I'm not -"

"He's handsome isn't he?"

"Well I - "

"Charming too just like his father, but unlike his father Drake is all brawn with no brains which means he acts from emotion not logic. He's repugnant, acts like a common thug and has no ambition to be anything but a disappointment to me but despite all that he is my son and eventually he is going to need to find a wife befitting him and his name and I think we can both admit it's not you."

Oh no, she did not.

"Repugnant?" Skylar whispered.

"Yes," Audrey said in a condescending time. "Do you require a definition?"

"No, I know what it means," Skylar replied coldly, drawing herself up higher. "Let me tell you what else I know. I know your son is loyal, funny and kind despite growing up without any role models worthy of learning from. I know he is driven and ambitious he just doesn't feel the need to conform to what you would consider a career for him. He is in the top of all his classes because he is intelligent but he's never boastful about it which shows he has humility and restraint. I know that he protects those around him and doesn't lie or deceive and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is a great man, worthy of love and happiness of his own choosing and you are the repugnant one."

"How dare you?" Audrey hissed, taking a step forward.

"I know exactly who I am Mrs Worthington and I know where I stand with Drake but that is none of your business. So why don't you do yourself a favour and go and finish another bottle of champagne then take a cab home before you pass out – there will be no Drake to clean up your mess tonight."

Audrey's eyes flashed with hatred and she grabbed Skylar's arm, her talons digging in so hard Skylar bit back a whimper of pain.

"I will not be spoken to like this! I think it's time for you to leave."

"I think you should take your hands off her."

Both women froze at Drake's low and deadly voice.

"Don't make me ask again Mother."

Audrey immediately released Skylar and plastered a smile on her face again as she remembered they were in public and a couple people had turned their way.

"Drake darling, I was just-"

"You were just shutting the fuck up," Drake told her in a low voice. "I warned you earlier and you sought Skylar out anyway. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"I don't think I like your tone," Audrey told him loftily.

"I fucking don't like you," he snarled back. "I do however, like Skylar and I'm not going to have you disrespect her like that, apologise to her."

Audrey snorted in disbelief. "You can't be serious? I'm not going to apologise to a whore."

Skylar gasped as Drake drew closer, his stance menacing enough that Audrey moved back slightly.

"She is not a whore."

"You only bring two types of women here; paid whores and derelict hoodlums to get under my skin – which is she?"

Drake remained silent, just gazed heatedly at his mother, his fists clenched at his sides.

Skylar had heard enough and her ego had taken more than a beating tonight and for what? So Drake could get under his mother's skin? Well mission accomplished.

Tears were burning up her throat and she was working over time to push them back. She would not cry in front of these people, she would not show them a hint of weakness and maybe now that Drake had used her to get at his mother, he would leave her alone to lick her wounds in peace.

"I'm suddenly not feeling too well," she said quietly. "I'm going home, give my apologies to Phillip."

Without another word or a backwards glance Skylar raced away from the dysfunctional duo and outside where there were cabs waiting. She took the nearest one and once inside she paused when the driver asked where to go.

She was fairly certain Tamsin would be bringing Kyle back tonight and she didn't want to step on her toes, she also didn't want to have to face anyone for awhile so going home wasn't an option for at least a few hours. The problem with being shut off from the world and refusing to make friends was that when it came down to crunch time, there were very limited places of solace to go.

With no other options Skylar gave the address of the bar, figuring she could always hide away in the staff room until close and then hopefully Kyle and Tamsin had worked their reunion out of their systems by then.

If Benny was surprised to see Skylar turn up when she wasn't rostered in a gorgeous ball gown and full hair and make up he didn't show it.

Instead he just jerked his head to a corner booth away from the growing crowds and instructed Olivia to bring her a drink of her choosing.

Olivia had her vodka orange made up and delivered in minutes.

"Skylar you look gorgeous!" she cooed. "Where were you tonight?"

"Some Gala thing," Skylar replied vaguely.

Olivia glanced down at her watch then back at Skylar in confusion. "It's only ten, did it finish super early?"

"Something like that," Skylar muttered.

"Olivia, stop fucking around and help me!" one of the bartenders yelled across the room.

Olivia squeezed Skylar's hand briefly and then she and her red locks were bouncing away.

Skylar sighed into her Vodka and then took a large gulp, wishing more than usual that her mum was still alive so that she could tell Skylar what she should be doing and help her decipher Drake and his intentions.

"Well hello there beautiful, do you come here often?"

Skylar sighed and then looked up at Drake's red haired frat brother Luke, who was all kinds of creepy and no small amount of clueless.

"Seriously?" she asked exasperatedly.

"What?" he asked with his hands held up in surrender.

"Do those lines actually ever work for you?"

He grinned and slid into the booth across from her. "You tell me."

"No," she said bluntly.

"Is that a ladder in your pocket or a stairway to heaven?"

"Ugh! No!" she said, hanging her head in her hands.

"Not that one? Ok, how about…. How much does a polar bear weigh?"

"Hopefully enough to crush your wind pipe and you stop speaking," Skylar groaned.

"Tough crowd! Ok, here's a good one, I believe you are what you eat and by tomorrow, I plan on being you."

Skylar snapped her head up and glared at him. "You are disgusting."

"And you need to loosen up," he signalled for Olivia to bring another drink and then turned back to Skylar, lifting his beer up.

"Bottoms up!"

Skylar clinked her glass to his beer with little enthusiasm and then took a big gulp.

"So, rough night?" he asked softly, although his eyes were on her chest.

"Yep, and it's not looking any better."

Luke just laughed like her being a bitch was actually charming. "Drake said you're funny in a really sharp way."

Skylar stiffened at Drake's name and turned away from Luke again. Showing a sense of compassion Skylar had no idea he was capable of Luke totally dropped the subject.

"You really didn't like my lines?"

"Luke, I'm not entirely sure I even like you."

He clutched his heart like she'd wounded him. "Damn woman, you are next level cold! Not at all what Drake is usually into."

Skylar stiffened again. Seems like everyone was quick to point out just how inadequate she was for Drake tonight.

"I just want to be left alone," she told Luke quietly. "Can you please just leave me alone?"

"One more line and if you don't at least smile at it, I will never speak to you again unless you want me to ok?"

Skylar sighed deeply, smiled at Olivia who brought her a fresh drink and then turned to Luke.

"Fine."

"Hey beautiful, do you want to come back to my place and watch porn on my flat screen mirror?"

It took Skylar a few moments to process what he had said but when it finally sunk in a grin spread across her face before she could stop it. It was still a terrible line, but it was original and pretty smart too.

"Ha! A smile! Does that mean you like it?" he prodded.

"It's clever," she conceded. "But I'm still not going home with you in this life or the next."

Luke gave her a genuine smile and shrugged. "I was just kidding, I know you're Landry's girl but you just seemed sad and he'd have my balls if I left you sitting here alone for the predators of this place to attack."

She was about to tell him she wasn't Drake's girl or anything for that matter when a heavy palm rested on Luke's shoulder and like thinking his name had summoned him, Drake stood before her looking good enough to eat.

Wait, what?

"I've got it from here," he told Luke in that deep voice of his.

Luke gave Skylar a playful wink and then slipped away.

"How did you know I would be here?" she asked him.

He sighed deeply. "Kitten, I have spent the last eight weeks studying your every facial expression and reaction so I'd like to think I know you pretty well by now."

"Luke texted you didn't he?"

A smile pulled at his lips. "I will neither confirm nor deny."

"You're missing the Gala," she said softly, taking another pull from her drink to stop herself from staring at him.

"No, what I was missing was you and now I've found you," he told her.

Her eyes snapped to his in shock. What kind of game was he playing now? There was no smirk on his face or twinkle of mischief in his eyes, instead he looked almost vulnerable.

"I'm so sorry about my Mother," he told her sincerely. "I should have warned you that she was vacationing from the underworld and would feel threatened because you're beautiful and try to take you down a notch."

Skylar flushed at his compliment. "I'm not-"

"You are," he countered. "You have no idea how much you are."

"Was she right?" she asked meekly. "Were you using me to get back at her?"

He stood up and moved around so they were pressed against each other in her side of the booth.

"No, I brought you because you make me laugh and I love being around you. She's a miserable, evil bitch and that's all on her, not on you."

Skylar nodded and turned away from him when he moved even closer so the heat of his chest pressed against her. God he smelt incredible, she wanted to bury her head in his neck and lick his skin to see how he tasted.

"You ready to get out of here?" he whispered in her ear.

Was she? Could she go home with him tonight and give him a piece of herself no one had even gotten close to having before?

Drake must have felt her hesitation because he turned her face to his and smiled gently.

"Don't shy away from me Kitten, it was a simple question. Do you want to come home with me?"

Screw it, she was sick of denying herself any pleasures in life and really sick of pretending there wasn't something going on with her and Drake. She would go home with him tonight and let future Skylar deal with any fall out.

She gave him a small nod which made his whole face light up.

Slapping some money down on the table he moved out of the booth and pulled her with him, his arm draped possessively around her as the moved through the crowd.

*
Drake took her back to the frat house when she told him about wanting to give Tamsin some privacy and unfortunately it wasn't late enough for everyone to be in bed so Skylar had to endure knowing smirks and a couple cat calls as they passed some of his frat brothers and headed to his room.

Drake locked the door behind her and Skylar felt her heart start to pound ferociously against her chest.

"Do you want a shower or anything?" he asked as he pulled his tie off and began unbuttoning his shirt.

She turned away so she wouldn't get lost staring at his body while he undressed.

"I'll just wait until I go home, showering with ten guys in the house doesn't make me feel super secure."

"No one would dare bother or touch you," he replied firmly. "No one will ever bother you while I'm around."

She fought against the butterflies in her stomach and tried to remain firm. This was just sex, no emotions, no flowers and candies. Just sex.

Drake shuffled around behind her and then finally he placed his hands on her hips and turned her to face him. He was bare chested and in sweat pants now, his tattoos proudly displayed against his skin, his six pack firm and complete with the sexy little v that pointed down to…

"You can wear one of my shirts," he told her, placing something soft and black in her hand. "It should be long enough to cover you."

He pulled away again and turned his back on her, giving her some privacy while she changed which was making it very hard to fight against the damn butterflies.

"I uh…" god this was embarrassing. "The ties of my dress are hard to undo by myself."

Drake didn't leer at her or give his usual cocky grin but instead moved silently behind her and with gentle pulls from rough hands loosened the ties holding her dress together.
His warmth at the back and the feel of his skin against her had her needing to rub her thighs together to alleviate some of the tension she felt building.
With the last tie undone Drake leant down to kiss her neck softly and then walked to the other side of his room, offering her his back so she could have some privacy.

Quickly stepping out of her dress she pulled his shirt on and with his back still turned took advantage and smelled it, hugging the material close to herself. She decided in that moment that no matter what happened she was going to keep this shirt as a memory and a reminder.

"All good?" he asked.

"Yes," she murmured.

He turned around again and those blue eyes flashed as he took her in.

"You look great out of your clothes and in mine," he told her with a smirk.

It cut the tension a little and Skylar rolled her eyes.

He gave her another of his sweet smiles and then went to his cupboard to pull out a couple extra pillows and blankets, before starting to make a pallet on the floor.

What the hell was he doing? Was floor sex some kinky thing he was into?

"Uh…the bed is fine," she said quietly.

He stopped plumping pillows and looked over at her. "Yeah I know, you'll take the bed and I'll sleep here."

Sleep? Separately? Maybe he didn't want to touch her or risk cuddling after they had sex.

"I can just leave after," she offered, not meeting his eyes. "So we can both be comfortable."

She had his full attention now and he assessed her for a few long moments, reading her and the situation before his eyes finally cleared.

"Did you think I brought you back here for a one night stand?" he asked incredulously.

"Um… why else would you take me home?" she asked.

He ran his hands through his hair in agitation. "Seriously?"

"Well….yeah."

Taking a few calming breaths he moved to sit on the bed and motioned that she do the same.

"You drunk?" he asked bluntly.

"What? No!"

"Tired?"

"Not really."

"Alert and active?"

Where was he going with this?

"Yeah, why?"

"I just want to make sure you're going to really listen and hear what I have to say to you ok?"

She nodded her agreement.

"We're not having sex tonight, this is not a one night thing and you are not just some girl to me. I know you're a little skittish and this is over whelming but I have to be up front so you can't find some way to fuck this up in your head tomorrow. I have never given a shit about any girl in my life before you came along and I have never met anyone as beautiful and pure as you are either. I'm a bastard for not leaving you alone and I'm a prick for pursuing you when I know you can do better but I'm also selfish and I don't see any way around it."

Skylar gasped, blinking at him wildly. "What are you?..."

"I want you," he continued. "In every way a man can want a woman but I'm not going to fuck you until we're on the same page and this means something to you too. I'm not generally patient but you seem the be the exception to every rule I had, so let's start simple with getting to know each other."

Skylar didn't know what to think, was this even real life? She had to be dreaming, there was no way Drake freaking Landry wanted to turn down sex for a chance to just get to know a girl.

"Why me?" she finally asked and then her stupid mouth kept going. "I'm broken."

"Broken?" he repeated bewildered.

She couldn't speak so instead just shrugged.

Pulling her closer he lay down and positioned her so she was lying on her back, with her head tucked underneath his shoulder.

"We can start right now with the getting to know you phase, you witnessed first hand my family dysfunction and I've told you a little about my mum but you've never mentioned your family at all. Tell me about them and then maybe we can work out why you feel broken."

She should have told him to go to hell and it was none of his business, she should have gotten up and left right that instant and she should have walked away from Drake Landry and never looked back but she didn't. She was exhausted deep within her bones and didn't have the energy to pretend anymore so she decided she would tell him a little bit about her life.

She told him about never knowing her father and growing up with just her and her mum, moving from town to town every couple years like a bunch of gypsies. She told him about the hours she spent star gazing with her mum and the summers spent on the beach. She told him about her favourite places she'd lived and the songs her mum used to sing to her and then she told him about her mum getting sick and losing her battle with cancer and how when her mum died, the girl she used to be died too and she was now a shell of a girl, a broken little dove resigned to being alone so no one could ever hurt her again.

It was more than she had planned on telling him but still not nearly enough.

When she finished, leaving out perhaps the most important part of her story Drake said nothing and they lay in silence until finally Skylar had to break it.

"Did you reject sex with me because there's something wrong with me?"

Drake rolled them so they were face to face and then took her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his eyes.

"There is nothing wrong with you baby. You are everything that is right and good in the world and just because you've been through some shitty things and lost more than any one should doesn't mean that you're broken or that you deserve to be alone. You are beautiful, smart, funny and sexy, so when I finally take you to bed for the first time don't mistake for one second that it's me who is the lucky one."

Skylar's breath hitched and she lay her forehead against his. "You're saying all the right things tonight."

"No," he said firmly. "I'm saying things that are right."

Later on when Skylar would look back and reflect on her life she would be able to pinpoint this as the exact moment she lost her heart to Drake Landry.

Skylar woke the next morning to the sound of deep voices in the distance and a warm weight across her belly. Squinting one eye open she looked down to see a heavily tattooed arm slung across her middle and Drake asleep on his stomach with his face turned towards her like he'd fallen asleep watching her.

Oh no. Oh crap.

Anxiety squeezed her chest as she frantically scanned her memories from last night, she relaxed only slightly when she remembered her virginity was still intact. She wanted to cry when she understood it was still intact because Drake - who never turned ANY girl down - didn't want her.

Embarrassment heated her entire body and the room began to close in on her.

She had to get out of here, she couldn't stay for the awkward "let's forget about last night' talk.
Sliding slowly and gently out from Drake's arm, the cool air hit her thighs as she stood by the bed in just Drake's shirt and her underwear.

Damnit. How did she get herself into these situations? She couldn't leave in just his shirt with all his frat brothers home, but it would take her at least ten minutes to get her dress back on and time was of the essence.

Crap, crap, crap!

She doubted she could fit into any of Drake's pants with her butt and hips being what they were, so she would have to take the lessor of two evils and rush out as is.

His shirt fell to her knees and was only tight across her chest so really, it was pretty modest in comparison to the outfits the sorority girls wore on any given day. Drawing in breath, mind made up, Skylar took one last look at Drake and gathered her things, trying to ignore that Drake had hung her dress up on a silver coat hanger so it wouldn't be wrinkled even though his expensive suit was tossed carelessly on his worn carpet.

It wasn't fair that he was so beautiful and unguarded in his sleep with a soft vulnerability over his features. In fact, looking at him now with his relaxed youthful face Skylar just wanted to guard and cherish his vulnerability and hurt anyone that tried to take it away.

She wished things were different. She wished SHE were different but it was what it was and no matter how strongly her heart beat for him or how powerfully her body reacted, she could never be Drake's. And he would never really want her to be.

Being a glutton for punishment she wanted just one final snapshot of this beautiful man before she walked away so moving to the bed she bent down and gently pressed her lips to his cheek and then turned, swiftly walking out of his room.

She braced for the catcalls, insults or leers as she trotted down the carpeted stairs and into the main living area where four guys were sitting on a faded brown couch watching morning sports.

They all looked up at her in unison but Luke was the only one she recognised and the only one to break the silent stare off.

"Hey Skylar if I flip a coin, what are my chances of getting head?"

The blonde next to him sucked in a breath while the brunette on his other side punched him in the arm.

"Do you have a death wish?" he demanded in a thick southern drawl.

Skylar had no idea what that meant but she was actually grateful Luke was treating her like it was no big deal she was standing in their man cave in only Drake's shirt.

"It doesn't matter how much money you have or what you flip, the chances of any functioning female wanting to play pick your STD with you is slim."

There was a brief silence and then all four of them burst out laughing.

"I'm starting to get the appeal," the second blonde said with a grin.

Luke smacked him over the head as he got to his feet.

"You need a ride Sassy Pants?"

Skylar rolled her eyes. "No, I'm going to walk."

"Walk across campus half dressed, carrying heels and a gown? What will people think!" he replied in mock horror.

"I don't care what people think, I don't think about them at all."

There was another silence and then the brunette gave her a genuine smile.

"Now darlin' my mama would skin my hide if she found out I let a pretty girl walk home alone, so you can either let horndog here give you a ride, wait for Drake to wake up or we'll all walk you."

The first blonde turned off the huge plasma and stretched, his shirt riding up to show case his abs.

"Fuck walking, let's drive. I could kill for a burger right about now anyway."

What was happening?

The four of them rounded the couch and moved to her.

"Travis," the brunette said offering his hand.

She could only stare at him. When she didn't move he just grinned and used the hand to point to the other two guys.

"Pretty boy over there is Cole and the big bastard next to him is his cousin Trent."

Was she dreaming? Had she stumbled into a different dimension where hot guys smiled and spoke to her? And they WERE hot.

Travis was Luke's height with short chestnut hair, a lean body and kind brown eyes. Cole looked like a model with sandy blonde hair swept to the side, athletic build, sea green eyes and high cheek bones. His cousin Trent was huge, towering over them with a muscled body that almost couldn't be believed. His blonde hair was buzzed short and his tan skin matched his caramel eyes.

"Uh...hey, I'm Skylar."

Trent smiled at her and two dimples poked out softening his hard face. "We know who you are. You're somewhat of a celebrity around here."

"What?" She whispered.

Luke slung an arm around her shoulder and the contact made her flinch. "Come on sassy pants, let us take you to brunch."

Skylar pushed his arm away and gestured down to herself. "I'm not really dressed."

Travis grinned at her. "But you were going to walk home like that?"

"And I thought you didn't care what people thought?" Cole added.

Skylar scowled at them all. "Do you have to be hot, arrogant AND annoying to pledge here?"

Luke grinned. "You think I'm hot?"

"Are we going to discuss your frail ego or eat?" she snapped.

Travis chuckled and bowed to her. "After you ma'am."

She stalked passed them, threw open the front door and nearly slammed into the red haired president of Drake's bimbo brigade.

"What the hell? What are YOU doing here?"

"Fuck," someone swore behind her.

"I was just leaving," Skylar told her, unable to push past without knocking the frail girl over.

"I asked you a question bitch."

"Jesus Carly go home," she was pretty sure Trent sighed.

Carly's eyes snapped to the guys who were now positioning themselves behind Skylar protectively

A cruel smile twisted her painted red lips.

"I see you found your candidate for the dog date. Did you all decide she would win so it was better to share her for the winnings?"

Skylar's back snapped straight.

She didn't know what a dog date was but she had a pretty good idea.

What a bitch!

"Jesus Christ woman!" Travis snapped pulling Skylar behind him.

"No pussy is worth this," Trent muttered, grabbing Carly's arm and pulling her away.

"I'm not leaving until I see Drake!" Carly screeched.

"Drake doesn't want to see you," Trent said gruffly. "Which he's made very clear."

"Of course he wants to see me," she purred giving Skylar that cruel smile. "He loves to see and feel all of me. Have you made him climax so hard his eyes roll back Virgin?"

Skylar felt humiliation and anger warm her face.

"You're fucking crazy," Trent told her. "Drake is going to flip his shit if he ever finds out you said that to Skylar."

"Why would he care about the fat little Virgin?"

"Clue in," Luke scowled and it was so weird seeing him so serious. "Drake has claimed her in a way he'll never claim you."

"Did he tell you he likes morning blow jobs?" Carly sneered breaking free and stalking towards Skylar again.

"I show up, I sneak in and I give him the best wake up anyone could ever dream of."

Her words hurt more than the nails she was now digging into Skylar's forearm, pinching into her skin and
muscle.

"Do you even know the first thing about pleasing a man, Virgin?"

Skylar wasn't going to dignify that with a response which was just as well because her voice was failing her and breathing was taking all her energy.

She couldn't let this vile, emaciated, air head see that her words hurt so she needed to leave.

Her silence infuriated Carly more and when she dug her nails in deeper this time Skylar felt the skin break and a traitorous whimper escaped her throat.

The guys moved to haul Carly away but Skylar saved them the trouble by shoving past them all and sprinting down the street like a crazy woman.

She ignored their calls and took side streets and back alleys the whole way home so they couldn't follow her easily.

By the time she made it home her feet were bleeding, the bottom of the gown was dirty from being dragged and she was a frazzled, sweaty mess. Of course this would be the exact moment Kyle came whistling out the front door, suit jacket over his shoulder and pleased grin on his face.

The grin faded as soon as he took her in. "Skylar?"

She tried to rearrange her hair and give him a smile. "Hey, did you have a good night?"

"What happened to you?"

"Did you and Tam work things out?" She continued walking around him and briskly towards the door.

"Hey just wait a second and talk to me, are you ok?"

Avoiding his touch meant she stumbled up the steps and nearly face planted before righting herself.

"I'm super tired, I think I'm just going to shower and get some sleep. Great seeing you!"

Locking both the screen door and security door behind her so Kyle wouldn't be tempted to follow her back in, Skylar prayed Tamsin was passed out in bed and she could slip in unannounced.

As usual luck was not on her side.

Tamsin opened the door to their apartment before Skylar could even reach for the handle.
She was dressed in a silky purple robe, her hair in a bun on her head, cheeks glowing and phone pressed to her ear.

"Yeah she's here now," she said into the phone. "Thanks for the heads up, I'll take it from here. Yeah, call me later and we can talk."

"Kyle?" Skylar rasped nodding at the phone.

Tamsin nodded, moving aside so Skylar could move past her.

Traitor. See if she ever helped him out the next time it looked like Tamsin was walking out of his life.

"Feel like pancakes or do you want to try and sleep for a few hours?"

Skylar's eyes bugged open as she stared at Tamsin pottering around their little kitchen.

"What?"

"Hungry or exhausted? Which is more pressing at the moment?"

"Are you - you don't have anything to say?" Skylar asked.

"Nope. There's nothing to say," Tamsin replied.

"I don't understand."

And she didn't, Tamsin never let anything go and was always aware of school gossip because she was relentless in her pursuit of knowledge.

Wetting a wash cloth Tamsin gestured for Skylar to sit at the bench and began to wipe at her excess makeup.

"You didn't come home last night, you're wearing Drakes shirt with your gown nearly ruined from being dragged, you haven't showered and there's a vacancy in your eyes that wasn't there last night. This tells me you stayed the night with Drake, you left in a hurry and furthermore something upset you enough for you to run home only caring about getting away. If you want to talk about it, you know I'm here to listen but until then I can feed you or I can tuck you into bed."

Skylar burst into tears in response and allowed Tamsin to wrap her in her thin arms firmly, rubbing a soft hand up and down her back.

Tamsin said nothing as Skylar sobbed, just waited for her breaths to even out enough so she could guide her to her room and literally tuck her into bed, pressing the sheets firm around her and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Just get some sleep Sky. Everything will work out and you're going to bounce back from whatever happened, just not today."

The yellow chipped walls of her room felt like they were closing in on her and with her adrenaline receding so memories could begin seeping back in, Skylar did something she had never done before and gripped Tamsin's hand when she made a move to walk away.

"Don't," she whispered, her hand clenched tight around Tamsin's. "Don't leave me to the shadows in my head."

Tamsin said nothing as she removed her hand from Skylar's punishing touch so she could move around the other side of the bed and crawl under the green comforter, shuffling her body flush against Skylar's – back to back.

"Thank you," Skylar said in a broken whisper.

"Love you babe," Tamsin replied. "You're a different breed of crazy, but I love you."

Skylar's lips pulled up into a smile and she reached back to take Tamsin's hand.

"You're the only family I have," she murmured.

Tamsin turned over and wrapped her arm around Skylar's waist. "You're the family I choose."

Skylar smiled to herself as she fell into a dreamless sleep.

The dry grass dug into her exposed skin in an itchy, uncomfortable way as she lay on the ground outside the library studying. It had become her new place of solace and peace from the world as no one she knew spent anytime inside the library let alone the deserted grassy area outside it.

It wasn't that she was avoiding anyone, she just enjoyed the different texture of the ground and the silence of her own company.

Ok, so she was totally avoiding people. Mainly Drake but possibly Tamsin and Kyle too.

Drake, because she had been humiliated enough and the thought of staring into his beautiful eyes and scenting his masculine smell made her knees feel weak. Tamsin and Kyle because somehow the world had tilted on its axis and they had decided that in sorting their shit out, they were now love guru's and wasted no time in telling Skylar she needed to hear Drake out and stop burying her head in the sand.

She wasn't burying her head in the sand, she was just making sure she avoided Drake in class and out of it, came home when she knew Tamsin was asleep or out with Kyle and traded her shifts at work so she didn't have to work with Tamsin all the time. That was called being focused, or at least that's what she told herself.

She looked down at her psychology textbook again and sighed. She had spent the last twenty minutes on the same page and still not read a damn word, plus her arms were starting to get really itchy now.

"Skylar!"

Using her hand to shield herself from the sun she squinted and saw Bryce heading towards her.

Busted. She would need to find a new hiding place now, maybe they were opening up spaces in Mars?

"There you are!" he said with a bright grin. "Everyone's been looking for you."

"Who's everyone?" she asked, pushing back to sit up with her knees against her chest.

"Tamsin and Drake," Bryce replied, his eyes sweeping up her body for a beat. "Drake pretty much cornered me and demanded I tell him where you study and I was about to tell him to go fuck himself but Tamsin explained there was an emergency and they needed to find you ASAP."

Ice filled her veins as she stared into his warm eyes.

"Drake's in a pretty bad mood so I thought I'd come warn you in person and give you a heads up that he's on the war path. I know you've been keeping to yourself out here the last couple days and figured the last thing you needed was him storming in and ruining it for you."

Skylar closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath. There was no emergency, she was absolutely sure of it.

"Did you tell Drake I was here?" she asked, her eyes still closed.

"Of course not, I came to warn you first," Bryce said.

"Did you come here right after talking to them?"

"What do you mean?"

She opened her eyes and focused on his red polo shirt instead of his face. "Did you tell them you'd talk to me and then come straight here?"

"Well yeah, they said it was an emergency," Bryce told her slowly, starting to look concerned.

Skylar grabbed her bag and frantically began tossing her books inside.

"Did you check to see if they followed you?"

He knelt down in front of her now, his brown eyes narrowed, fair skin slightly flushed.

"What's going on Sky?"

She knew he was coming towards her, she could feel his presence storming their way without even looking. It was like knowing who was calling before you picked up the phone or what someone was going to say before they said it.

Time was running out and fast.

Giving Bryce a bright, forced smile she got to her feet and tossed her heavy bag over her shoulder.

"Everything's fine Bryce, I'd better go and find Tamsin. Thanks for letting me know, I'll see you in class later."

"Wait, I'll walk-"

He was close now, she could feel him in every tense muscle in her body, so ignoring pleasantries she turned away from Bryce and began to run.

It was the wrong thing to do.

She had seen enough animal shows to know that when the prey ran it triggered the predators hunting response and they pursued their mark relentlessly.

Not only could she feel him now but his hard, quick footsteps could be heard over the beating of her heart as she raced around the library and through a dark alcove that lead to the courtyard.

Like any predictable horror movie, she was almost out into the freedom of the public square when two hard arms wrapped around her waist and yanked her back against a wall of muscle.
His scent instantly assaulted her, his heat sending thrills all through her body. She hated that he had that effect on her and began to struggle against him.

"Drake," Skylar hissed. "Let go of me!"

He didn't, not that she expected anything else but still he was standing way too close and she needed her wits about her.

"Why are you running?" he demanded.

"I'm not!" Skylar snapped. "Now I'm going to be late to class and don't have time to play-"

His mouth closed over hers cutting off the rest of her sentence and then he was kissing her.
Really kissing her.

Half-heartedly Skylar pulled away which served only to encourage Drake further.
Sliding his hands down her back he gripped her thighs and then lifted her off the ground so she was forced to wrap her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck.
Turning them he pressed her back against the wall to hold her steady while his hands slipped under her top and caressed her back.

When he felt Skylar melt in his arms he pulled away just enough to whisper to her.
"I'm not playing games and I'm not going to do this miscommunication bullshit run-around with you. Can I predict the future? No. Can I promise you forever? No. I can promise I have never felt this before about anyone and I want to explore where that can go. I'm not using you, this isn't a joke and it's not about the chase. I like you and not just because you have a banging body. You make me laugh, you challenge me and anytime you're around I feel like I'm home. Am I clear enough or should I kiss you again?"

Skylar blushed, focusing her gaze on the black tattooed lines peeking out of his grey shirt.
She wanted to lick them and find where they stopped and started.

"Kitten?" he prodded.

"So are you saying you want to be my boyfriend?" she returned.

She glanced at his face just in time to see his lips curl.

She nodded and hung her head again.

"Don't do that," he ordered pushing her chin up with his finger. "Don't hide away from me if you see or feel something you don't like. If you're confused about something ask me, if I do something to upset you, talk to me about it."

"You made a weird face at boyfriend," she blurted.

He smiled and the tension around his jaw eased. "Just seems like a bullshit word for what I feel."

And there it was again, the swoosh of her stomach as the butterflies took flight.

"Kitten," he crooned. "I'm not asking for a kidney, just your time and attention exclusively. Just say yes."

And there she stood at a crossroads in her life, the beautiful and winding road to the unknown with hidden dangers and obstacles sure to be plentiful or the bland, safe path she had forced herself to remain on where no one could travel with her as her isolation was the price of safety.

His blue eyes were pleading, his hands still caressed her back and his forehead pressed against her own.

Everything about him had been pulling her towards him since day one and she had stubbornly remained still, refusing to budge even an inch from her strong hold of secrets and solitude no matter how much he coaxed her forward.

She thought back and realised that he had never once lied or mislead her about anything, even when he was only curious and attracted to her he didn't pretend to be anything else.
He was the safest place she had ever found and the most beautiful.

"Ok," she whispered letting go of all the reasons why she should shut herself away and allowing herself one tiny step forward.

"Excuse me?" Drake asked quietly.

"Yes," Skylar said, noticing that they had a drawn a couple gazes from the courtyard.

Drake slowly lowered her to her feet and giving her a bright, affectionate smile he fist pumped the air.

"Fuck yes!"

Groups of girls twittered in amusement and the guys grinned crookedly even not knowing why, that was how contagious Drake's good mood was.

Sliding her bag off her shoulders he placed it on his own and then wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Come on then."

"Where are we going?" Skylar asked, moving forward woodenly.

He gave her his panty melting smile. "Your place so you can pack a bag, I want to sleep next to my girlfriend tonight."