“Why are you apologizing—that was—just holy crap.”

I wanted to ask what else she expected. But I hadn’t even lasted four minutes and had been so lost in a gray-eyed princess that I don’t even remember it. “Get dressed, Natalie.”

After pulling on my own clothes and waiting for her to situate herself, I unlocked the door and led us back into the hall. Without another word, I let go of her and went toward my room in another part of the house. Once I was locked in, I groaned into my hands. What the hell just happened? Why had I pictured her in that way? Sex only, making love never. Those images had definitely been me making love to her, and how was I already getting hard again thinking about this? And about her, especially? That’s it, it’s official . . . there’s something wrong with my dick. She’s a challenge, yeah, but that’s all.

Shutting my eyes tightly, I tried to think about anything other than her and those f**king mesmerizing eyes, but nothing was helping. With a frustrated groan, I shot off the bed and dug around my desk until I found my latest sketchpad. I focused on some pieces I was working on for myself, as well as my buddy Brian at the shop, and tried to push that girl out of my mind. And no, the fact that I hid the word “princess” within the design I wanted to complete my right sleeve had nothing to do with her or the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about her. At all. Fuck. I slammed my sketchpad shut and shoved it into my desk.

I stretched my arms and back before leaving my room and locking the door behind me. I’d almost gotten to the end of the hallway when I heard Drew’s loud slur.

“YYYEEEAAAH, Bree and fresh meat are sleeping over tonight!”

I figured “fresh meat” was Bree’s new roommate and felt bad for once again forgetting to meet her. I needed to make sure my sister wasn’t going to be rooming with some crazy person. When I got into the living room, Bree was over taking shots with Drew and Zach, and there, standing near the doors to the backyard, was my gray-eyed princess. This better be a f**king mistake.

Plastering a smile on my face, I couldn’t help but embrace the images that were now burned into my mind, “Well, well. If it isn’t the princess.”

She froze when she heard me, and as she turned to look at me, her eyes narrowed, and the fakest smile I’ve ever seen crossed her face. “I almost didn’t recognize you without a tramp attached.”

Seriously, who the hell does she think she is? I leaned close and whispered harshly in her ear, “Would you like to change that? I’m not up to my limit tonight yet.”

The princess leaned away, and her eyes went wide, “Oh, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any STDs, I’m not your type.”

Bree started choking, and I knew I should make sure she was okay, but my jaw had dropped, and I couldn’t stop staring at his frustrating girl. “Chase, you better stay away from my roommate. I told the guys she’s off-limits.”

I cringed at Bree’s words. Not a mistake. This really was her roommate.

“You know him?” the princess asked, hardly trying to contain her revulsion.

“Well, I’d like to think so, he is my brother.”

The most beautiful blush I’ve ever seen instantly spread across her cheeks, and for a second I forgot why I didn’t want to be completely taken with this girl.

“Wait. Harper, is this the guy you said was a jerk?”

Harper. That’s right, her name is Harper. I don’t know why I didn’t like it earlier; I couldn’t think of anything more perfect for her. It fit her, and I wanted to say it myself, but then I remembered why she was pissing me off and decided to stick with what seemed to piss her off more. Her eyes flew to the ground, and my lips quirked up into a smile.

“You said I’m a jerk?” I laughed and walked over to my sister. “She’s the one that just practically called me a dirty man-whore.”

“Don’t be rude to my friends, Chase!” Bree punched my arm, and I tried not to roll my eyes at how pathetic her punches were.

Princess turned quickly and went outside, and I tried not to let it show that I watched her leave. “Great roommate, Bree,” I scoffed, and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge.

“She is, but she said you weren’t nice! So be nice. I told you, she’s pretty sheltered.”

I turned my back to Zach and Drew and leaned onto the island close to Bree. “Sheltered how?”

“She grew up with only her dad, and she said he’s been in the army or navy or whatever for her whole life.” Bree took two more shots, and I shook my head at her; at least she was staying here. “And get this! She’s never worn makeup or been to a mall!”

My face fell in mock horror. “Never been to a mall? Oh no.”

“Go be nice to her, you big jerk!”

I kissed Bree’s forehead and made my way outside. It was dark, but it didn’t take long to find her. Her face was in her hands, elbows on her knees. Is she crying? I usually hated when women cried, but I had to force myself not to rush up to her to make sure she was okay. God, get a grip. I sank into the seat next to her and waited until she peeked up at me. Not crying. Thank God.

“You hiding?”

“Is it that obvious?”

I looked at the empty backyard. “A little.” I took a deep breath in and got more comfortable. “Tell me, what’s a princess like you doing at my party?”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” she ground out, “but I was invited.”