“You're home, baby.” He put his hands on his hips and completely ignored the man standing next to him. “It's about time.”
“Riley, who is this?” Luke asked as he stared at Chris.
“I'm her boyfriend,” Chris answered. He stood a little taller and flexed the strong arms that rested on his hips. Chris was well over six-foot-tall with looks that could get him any girl he wanted. If it weren't for his distant personality and inability to excite me in bed, he would have been the perfect boyfriend.
“Ex-boyfriend,” I corrected him. “Why are you here?”
“I'm here for you,” he stated as if it were obvious.
“We broke up, remember that conversation?” I was getting mad. “You need to leave.”
“I thought you were kidding.” He took a step forward causing me to step further into Luke. “And who the hell is this loser?”
“I'm Luke.” He took a step forward leaving only inches between him and Chris. “I'm the one who's going to kick your ass if you don't get the hell out of my girlfriend's apartment.”
I saw Hannah's jaw drop at the word girlfriend, and Chris's jaw tense up.
“Get your shit and leave.”
Chris glared at him and then at me. He grabbed a bag that I hadn't noticed was by the front door and took two steps toward it. He turned back before grabbing the knob.
“You'll come crawling back, you bitch. You always do.”
Before he could turn around, Luke's fist connected with his jaw slamming him back into the wall. He reached and opened the door, grabbed a fistful of Chris's shirt and thrust him outside. He stood in the frame watching as Chris stumbled to gain his footing.
“Don't fucking come back,” he growled before slamming the door. “She's mine now.”
He took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair before turning around to find me and Hannah watching him with our mouths gaping open.
“What?” He shrugged. “You asked him to leave. He didn't. So I gave him a little nudge.”
He walked toward me and lifted my chin with his finger. Running the tip of his thumb over my bottom lip, he leaned down leaving less than an inch between us.
“And you are mine now. I thought he should know.”
“Well, hot damn!” Hannah was fanning herself as she watched us. “Trey needs to hurry and get over here before I jump on both of you.”
“Hannah!” I shrieked.
“What? Do you not hear what he's saying to you and how he's looking at you?” She turned and made her way back to her bedroom. “Damn.”
I laughed at my best friend but kept my eyes on my tattooed prince. “I'm sorry about all of that. Are you mad?”
“I hadn't planned on punching anyone today, but no I'm not mad.” He brushed some loose hair behind my shoulders and quickly kissed my lips. I leaned into him and let his arms hold me into his chest.
“He is an ex, right?”
“Yes, definitely an ex.” I jumped back when the front door opened again.
“What's up guys?” Trey walked in and slapped Luke on the back.
“Hannah's in her room.” I laughed. “I think she's waiting on you.”
“Grab your stuff.” He turned me in his arms and began walking us toward my room. “Let's go back to my office so I can work and you can study.”
“Are you sure?” I questioned. “You don't have to babysit me. I can handle it if he comes back.”
“I want you with me,” he stated. “That jackass better hope he never comes back. I'll do more than tap his jaw.”
I shook my head and laughed as I processed what just happened. Hopefully Chris never showed back up. He was pretty harmless, more annoying than anything. I closed the door to my bedroom before I realized how messy it was. I never made my bed so my dark gray comforter was pulled back exposing the wrinkled white sheets. Clothes were thrown everywhere and papers were scattered over my small black desk.
“I would tell you my room is usually clean, but...” I grabbed a few books and my laptop and stuffed them into my backpack. “It's not.”
He laughed as he looked around and focused in on some of the pictures framed on the white walls.
“I was planning on taking a shower.” I looked down at the baggy clothes. “Do you have time to wait?”
“Why?” he pulled me into his arms. “I like you in my clothes.”
“Smelly isn't sexy.” I laughed. “I'll hurry, I promise.”
He smiled when I quickly kissed him and ran into the small bathroom that was connected to my room. I showered, shaved the necessary places, dried my hair, and applied a light layer of makeup in record time. I peeked back into the room to see that he was gone and took the chance to jump over to my closet and get dressed. I decided on a blue sweater, dark skinny jeans, and tall brown boots. When I walked out of the closet, he was leaning on the edge of my bed looking at his phone.