Reckless Hero

For a moment, we just stared at each other.

Slowly, he pulled off his headphones.

I stared at his big hands, remembering how good they’d felt on me…

“Don’t leave,” he said.

And even though I knew I should had done just that and left, I found myself moving farther into the room.

I settled next to him without a word and pulled out my books.

He turned his attention back to his books but left the headphones off.

We were quiet for a while. The only sound was the ticking clock on the wall and book pages being flipped as we read, or at least pretended to.

Suddenly, my cellphone beeped. With a few swipes of my finger, I unlocked it and saw a text from my dad, telling me Brandon had skipped school again and that we needed to have a family intervention.

I frowned, thinking that would only push Brandon further away.

“What’s the matter?” Tucker asked, watching me. His forehead wrinkled in concern.

“Everything’s fine,” I said, trying to downplay the situation. He didn’t need to hear about my family drama.

“Something’s bothering you. I can tell. What’s up?”

I hesitated. I wanted to talk, but it felt wrong after I’d been so harsh with him over the last two weeks.

“Come on, Anna. You can trust me. I just want to help.” He leaned closer and the scent of his cologne drifted toward me. I chanced a glance at him, seeing the earnestness in his eyes.

“Brandon is in some kind of trouble. I have no idea what it might be and it’s driving me crazy,” I confided. I went on to tell him about the call from my father and my subsequent meeting with Brandon. “I have no idea how to help him, especially since I don’t even know what the hell is going on in the first place,” I ended, frustrated.

Tucker looked thoughtful. “It’ll be okay. Your cousin has always had a good head on his shoulders, even as a kid. Sometimes guys just need time to figure out stuff on their own. Just remind him that you’re there for him and I’m sure it will all work out. He may not be your biological brother, but he’s still in that bubble of being a politician’s kid, you know? It can’t be easy. Autumn was always a goody-two-shoe, so it never bothered her. And you’ve always been so strong and independent, you were unfazed. But for a kid like Brandon? I can only imagine how hard it is. But he’s lucky to have you guys as family regardless. He’ll be all right eventually.”

He cupped my cheek, and I found myself leaning into his touch.

“You really think so?” I asked.

He smiled. “I know so. Come here.” He proceeded to pull me into a comforting hug.

I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. It had been so long since I’d allowed myself to lean on someone like this. With such a simple hold, Tucker made me feel safe, secure, and protected. I didn’t want the feeling to ever go away.

He pulled away first.

My eyes fluttered open to find his face close to mine.

He was going to kiss me. I knew it and didn’t do anything to stop it.

Sparks flew when our lips touched and ignited into a full-blown fire by the time we separated.

We were both breathing hard. My chest touched his, hard nipples pressing into him.

“I know you want me to stay away,” he whispered. “And I promise that I’ve tried. But I just can’t, Anna. I’m addicted to you and I don’t think that will ever change. And I don’t want it to.”

I pushed my chair back, noting the disappointment in his gaze as I got up. I then went to the entrance of the room. But instead of leaving, I pulled the door closed, turned the lock, and turned off the light switch.

Only the small florescent lights above the lecturer’s desk provided dim illumination.

Tucker watched as I turned back toward him, a guarded look in his eyes.