Chapter Seven

"I should have brought my camera" I commented, as Chad and I walked down the beach together. We both carried our shoes in our hands, as we talked and laughed. The sun was setting, and a beautiful glow was on the horizon.

"Well next time we go out you'll have to make sure you bring your camera" Chad stated, smiling softly as we took a seat on the sand.

"Next time? Who said you were getting a second date?"

Chad laughed warmly, "well I am really enjoying myself, and I think you're really enjoying yourself. So why wouldn't I get a second date?"

"Who said I was enjoying myself?" I mused, smirking at Chad. His blue eyes sparkled in the darkness, and his blonde hair was moving in the ocean breeze. He moved forward, face just inches from mine – his warm breath blowing over my face. "You're pretty close to my face, Mr Line Backer" I giggled.

Chad chuckled huskily, breath fanning me once more. "Maybe we should get a bit closer". His lips titled up in a sexy half smile; that would have most girls tripping over themselves. Taking a mental drink of courage, I leant forward and kissed him.

I could feel Chad smiling against my lips. His hand reached up and cupped my cheek, as we kissed. His lips were tender and soft, but they held a firmness to them. Warmness spread through my body, as we moulded together.

Chad had been the first person I had kissed since Parker Owen, and it was the perfect kiss. I wanted more, and more, and my body was alight with desire I hadn't felt in months. When his tongue slipped into my mouth, I didn't even pause, as I pressed my body into his more.

He groaned into my mouth, obviously enjoying himself, as his hands pressed into my thigh. It was my turn to make a sound of satisfaction as his large hands ran up my skin. My breathing was speeding up, and I was getting excited, as his lips moved with more urgency.

A shiver went through my body as his fingers reached the edge of my underwear. However, it was not it a good shiver. It was my body going 'oh shit I hardly know this guy'. I pulled away from Chad, and his eyes reopened to shine at me. He instantly removed his hands.

"Too fast?" he questioned, between heavy breaths.

"Sorry" I nodded.

"Don't be" Chad chuckled, chest heaving. He leaned down, head tucking into my neck, to kiss my nape tenderly. I stayed frozen. "No further, I promise" Chad whispered into ear, nibbling at my lobe.

I grinned, loving how happy Chad was just to kiss me. He knew it wasn't going any further, but he didn't mind. His lips carried on brushing over my neck, his teeth occasionally scraping my skin. When his lips finally returned to mine, I drank them in greedily.

We only pulled away when a group of teenagers wolf whistled us, as they walked past. I flipped them off, and Chad laughed a warm laugh. "You know I had planned not to kiss you tonight" he said, surprising me.

"Really? Because you seemed to enjoy that".

"Not like that" he laughed, "I just wanted to be gentlemanly and wait until we knew each other better. But I just couldn't help myself, you're too beautiful".

"You're too sweet, possibly slightly corny" I teased, and he laughed – a small blush reaching his cheeks. "And anyway, technically, I kissed you first".

"Yes, you're to blame for my lack of willpower" he chuckled, pecking my lips softly again. I smiled at him, bringing our lips back together. It was only a quick kiss, but it had butterflies flying around my stomach wildly.

Chad was good, and caring, and charming – everything I could ask for in a date. He was exactly what I needed to get me over Parker, and get me back to who I was. So, as I sat there, kissing Chad; I knew that I wanted to have sex with him. Not right away, but I felt safe enough that I knew he was the person I wanted to be with next.

When we pulled away the second time, Chad reached up and pushed my hair behind my ear. "I'm so glad you came to LA" he grinned, and I grinned back.

"Well I'm so glad you walked up to the lost girl with her suitcase".

"You're beautiful, I couldn't walk past without at least speaking to you" he complimented, and it was my turn to blush softly. But, you couldn't tell too much with my dark complexion. Chad's smile told me he could notice it though. He checked his watch.

"I've got an hour until I need to get you back. Ice cream?" he smirked, a boyish grin on his face.

"You know you don't actually have to get me home for eleven. I'm a big girl and Selson is not my father" I frowned, standing up and dusting the sand off my dress. Chad stood up, mirroring my actions.

"Your brother already wants to skin me alive, I'd rather stay on his good side" he laughed, as we slipped our shoes back on. Taking my hand, Chad led me off the beach and back onto the sidewalk. His hand felt warm in mine.

Chad stopped and brought us both ice cream; we chatted, and laughed, and kissed as we ate it. Every part of me was happy with Chad, and before I knew it Chad and I were climbing back into his car.

He pulled the car to a stop outside the fraternity, before turning to me and smiling. "Tonight has been amazing" he grinned. I leant over and kissed him gently – a soft, gentle, kiss that went on for a few minutes.

"Goodnight, Chad". I gave him another quick kiss, before climbing out the car. He waited until I was right at the door, before waving goodbye. I smiled stupidly to myself, as I watched him drive off into the night.

I was still grinning to myself, as I opened the door. I skidded to a stop, as I came face to face with ten men. Selson and Corey were standing in the front, with the other Beta Beta members in a semi-circle behind him. "Oh for fuck sake" I whispered.

"You're late" Selson frowned, as both he and Corey crossed their arms over their chests. I sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"It is two minutes past eleven, Selson" I rolled my eyes. "And if you must know, we actually got back five minutes before".

"We know" Corey grumbled, "we saw him with his tongue down your throat".

"So?"

"So you don't even know the guy, and you're happily swapping saliva with him?" he snapped.

"Who the fuck are you to tell me who I can and can't make out with? It is my choice". Anger shot through ever part of my body. I was furious that they would ruin my good night with their macho bullshit.

"Alora, calm down" Selson stepped forward, placing his hand on my arm. I snapped my arm away from his grip, and pushed back tears. They were tears of anger, but I was still seconds off crying. Selson noticed. "Alora" he whispered.

"Don't" I growled out. "After everything, after everything I've fucking been through am I not allowed to kiss someone who actually likes me?"

"Yes but--"

"Am I not allowed to go out and fun with someone who doesn't treat me like I'm scarred?"

"Yes but--"

"No fucking buts, Selson" I screamed, and I saw the other men exchanged worried looks. I wiped the tears that spilled out, and Selson swallowed deeply. I lowered my voice to a whisper. "You know what it's been like for me, yet you still think you have the right to dictate my life to me".

"I didn't think. I was angry. I don't like Chad, never have and--"

"Yet you liked Parker" I snapped, and Selson visibly flinched. "Parker had been your friend, Selson. What was it you said about Parker, 'he's a great guy, I'd trust him with my life?'" I knew it was low to throw that in his face, but I was hurting and I couldn't help it. He visually flinched at my words.

"Don't" Selson whispered, voice thick with emotion. "You know how much I kicked myself for what happened. Don't bring it up again".

"Then don't bring up who I date. Understood?" I growled out, more tears threatening to fall.

"No, I don't understand" Selson shouted, upset snapping into anger. The other men behind him exchanged nervous looks, they weren't used to Selson being like that. My brother was a calm, fun, guy who never took life too seriously. Even his gathering everyone at the door, to chaste me when I was late, was his way of being funny. But that had backfired.

"While you are living under my roof, you follow my rules" Selson screamed, and I shrunk back slightly from his anger. "And my number one rule is that you are not allowed to date anyone I don't like".

I picked my bag back up from the side table, and opened the front door. "Where are you going?" Corey questioned, and Selson glared at me furiously.

"You heard him. If I'm living under his roof, I'm not allowed to date. So, I guess I won't be living under his roof anymore". I aggressively pulled the door open. I stormed out, hearing the boys shouting me back.

"Alora" Corey yelled, jogging to keep up with my hostile strides. "Alora, wait up, please". He grabbed my arm, and pulled me to a stop. I span on him, more tears gathering in my eyes. His smouldering hazel eyes looking at me softly. "I'm sorry. We were trying to be funny. We fucked up. Please just come back inside". His softly tugged my hand.

"Tell my brother he's being a dick".

"Selson you're being a dick" Corey shouted over his shoulder, lips titling up as he looked at me. "A big one" he added, lips turning into a full smirk. I gave a small smile through my emotions.

"Gofuck yourself, jerk" Selson shouted back, and I did choke a laugh out. Coreyoffered me a soft smile, before he tugged me back to the house.