“Okay. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Ambria.”
“Goodnight, Cole.”
Bri hung up feeling a hundred times better. Her anger had dissipated, and Cole’s words had left her feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. She was able to go to dance practice with her head held high.
The next morning, Bri was shocked to find Cole waiting outside for her. He was leaning against his motorcycle, his hair still sleep ruffled, and his eyes a little bleary. He had never looked so hot. Bri walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, very glad to see him.
“What are you doing here?”
Cole’s arms circled her waist and pulled her against him.
“I thought I’d give you a ride to school this morning.”
“At 5:40 in the morning?”
“It’s not a big deal,” he shrugged.
“No, it’s a very big deal,” she smiled and kissed him. This was the sweetest thing any boy had ever done for her. The thought of Cole dragging himself out of bed and waiting outside for her, meant more to her than she could say. So she kissed him harder. She wanted to make sure he knew how much this meant to her. After a few minutes Cole pulled back.
“I could seriously do this all morning. But if we don’t get going, you’re going to be late.”
She nodded and hopped on behind him, glad for the excuse to squeeze him as tight as she could.
When they got to the school, he walked her into the gym. He stopped at the door, and in full view of the whole team, gave her a kiss that made her knees weak. Pulling back, breathless, Bri eyed him suspiciously.
“Did you bring me to school this morning to send a message?” Her eyes flicked over to Natalie and Erica.
“No,” he leaned closer. “I picked you up this morning because I wanted to see you. Getting to send a message is just an added benefit.” He smiled cockily at her.
She decided to wipe that grin off his face with her lips. A moment later Belinda’s voice broke through Bri’s hormone induced haze.
“Um, Bri? We’re ready to get started, if you’d care to join us?”
Blushing, Bri broke away from Cole.
“See you,” she smiled at him. He winked and headed out the door.
As Bri walked into the gym, Layla gave her a high five as she passed. Natalie and Erica just glared.
When Bri stopped by her locker after second period, she noticed Serena watching from her locker a little way down the hall. Unwilling to let Serena think she intimidated her, Bri looked up and met her eyes. Serena gave a cocky lift of her chin and turned to open her locker. Rolling her eyes, Bri pulled out her books. She closed her locker just as a warm arm circled her waist from behind.
“Want to send another message?” Cole’s breath tickled her ear.
“No. What I want to do is kiss my boyfriend.” She turned to face him. “Sending a message would just be an added bonus.”
“What my girl wants, she gets. I’m here to please,” he pulled her to his chest.
“I bet you are,” Bri replied huskily, her eyes drawn to his incredibly sexy lips.
Those lips gave a wicked quirk before devouring hers. They kissed each other passionately and hungrily, despite the audience around them. And even though the kiss was kind of an F-you to Serena, Bri could still feel Cole’s underlying emotions. She felt her own desire rush up to meet his, and for a moment it was just the two of them, alone in their own world. The warning bell rang, bringing them back to reality.
“I gotta run. See you after class.” Cole kissed her nose and ran off down the hall.
Bri turned and caught Serena staring at her in shock. It was Bri’s turn to throw a cocky smirk. Serena just glowered at her and stormed off down the hall. Smiling, Bri headed off to class.
Chapter 23
By the end of the week, Bri was almost getting used to the looks and whispers. Almost. She was in the bathroom one day, and a group of girls came in, discussing some of the rumors going around. Apparently Layla had given Bri the PG version, because what these girls were saying was downright disgusting. It took all of Bri’s willpower not to drop kick every last one of them.
Due to the success of the basketball team, the school reinstated Spirit Day on Fridays for the games. So that Friday, Bri had to wear her Dance Team uniform, tight pants and all. She was just grateful it was fairly warm, because her halter top offered no protection from the elements. It also offered no protection from the leering looks from the male population, or from Cole’s hands. The hands she didn’t mind, and he touched her every chance he got. Not inappropriately, but like he just couldn’t physically restrain himself. As she sat down next to him at lunch, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.