Nothing Compares To You

Chapter 6

Macy

Holy darn shit! It’s him…Courtney’s brother!

Oh my gosh I remember him. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him but now that I know, I see it.

My eyes squint as I make out the boy I once knew. He’s a man now and while he was so cute back then, he’s a total hunk now.

God, I had the biggest crush on this guy. I used to hide my long stares at him the best I could during practice. He always brought Courtney and waited around for her with his nose in his books out in the hallway or sometimes even in the room.

Ah…that’s why he likes the library…he’s always been in the books.

My cheeks flush as I feel ridiculous for the months of thinking he was actually here to hit on me.

No…This man is a Sampson. A beautiful billionaire Sampson. And there’s no way someone like him would ever be interested in someone like me.

He clearly doesn’t even remember me. I look a little different now too…grown up…and he never paid attention to me then anyways…not even that day.

But that kiss tonight…

That kiss must have been a fluke. Either he really is just trying to get another notch on his belt or we are just losing it from the immense pressure we’re now under being stuck down here.

“I remember you,” my words come out in slow motion.

Flashes of that horrible day come back to the front of my mind as I open my mouth to continue. I remember Courtney and the hell she gave me when I fumbled a jump on one of our routines. I cost us the competition, and she and her two best friends heckled me afterwards so bad I wasn’t sure I was going to come back.

It wasn’t the first time she had treated me like that, it was just the worst. She cut me deep that day with her words, and just when I thought someone was coming in to save the day and make her stop, all he did was quietly grab her arm and pull her to the car. She continued to yell obscenities at me across the parking lot and Archer never said a word. He didn’t tell her to stop, he didn’t tell her it was wrong, he just took her. I’m sure it’s because he agreed with what she said…that I was just pure white trash, from the other side of the tracks and I didn’t belong there.

“Really?” his face wrinkles and I know I’m about to hear that he doesn’t.

I close my mouth and choose not to bring up this memory. If Archer doesn’t remember that girl, I so don’t want to relive it. But I also now know for sure where I stand with this man now. I just need to get out of here.

“Oh wait…I don’t really know anyone from over there. I don’t know what I was thinking,” I bounce my hand off my forehead. “Silly me, I must have gotten you confused with someone else."

I drag my gaze up and down his body.

Ugh, why was I such a pansy?

He talked me into bringing him down here so easily. I bet that’s how easy it is for him to get anything he wants…even women. That smile, those muscles and that charming personality, I’m sure he has been with many.

“Yeah,” he chuckles in return, “ I mean I have been in the library a lot the past few months. You’re probably just used to seeing me around at this point,” he seems a little nervous and I’m not sure why but I want out of this conversation before I accidentally say too much about myself.

A shiver runs through me and my teeth chatter. The room is made to be a little chilly for the sake of the books and now that I’ve calmed down I guess I’m actually feeling it.

“Cold?” he questions and I nod. “I wish I had my jacket, I’d give it to you.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be fine,” my teeth chatter some more.

My slinky little button up was doing no good at keeping me warm.

“Nope. It’s not okay,” he starts to unbutton his shirt.

“What are you doing?” I whisper nervously.

“Giving you an extra layer of clothes,” his face wrinkles and I can tell he will not take no for an answer.

He opens the light green fabric and displays a beautiful chest bulging through the white undershirt he is wearing. If I thought the button up framed his stature, it was nothing compared to this. His chest is wide, with rock hard pecks; and his arms are on full display now as his muscles flex with every move he makes. I feel my jaw hanging and I remind myself to close it before he sees my admiration.