##Chapter 21: CarterWith my arm thrown over my eyes, I try to shut down the thoughts steamrolling through my head. But it's impossible. I can't stop replaying what happened with Daisy earlier this evening.The look on her face when her gaze dropped to my mouth had my dick surging to life. The temptation of her pliant body crushed against mine only made it worse. I've spent the last three years keeping her at a safe distance and now I've managed to blow all my good intentions to hell with one stupid decision. I've opened the door and there's nothing I can do to slam it shut again.I keep telling myself that the only reason I want Daisy is because she's the one girl I can't have. Deep down I know it's a lie. The way I feel about her scares the crap out of me. Maybe calling a truce wasn't such a good idea. If there aren't any barriers sitting between us, how am I supposed to keep her at arm's length? Especially when all I want to do is hold her close.Frustrated with myself for

##Chapter 23: CarterThe alarm goes off and I roll from bed. I've been lying here for the last thirty minutes thinking about Daisy. I need to burn off some of the excess energy crashing through my body. I have football practice three hours a day, five days a week and lift weights a couple times a week because I'm trying to stay away from the apartment when I know she'll be around. You'd think all this physical activity would be enough to diffuse the hot spikes of need that flare to life inside me at the mere thought of her, but you'd be wrong.She's all I think about.In a last-ditch effort, I'm going to hit the pavement in hopes that five miles will be enough to kill my growing lust.You know what I need?To get laid.I need to bury my cock in some sweet pussy and forget all about Daisy Thompson. Forget about her long golden hair and flashing aquarium-colored eyes, and all those goddamn curves I want to get my hands on.Yeah, that's not helping. As luck would have it, tonight is

##Chapter 25: CarterI take a long pull from my beer bottle as a brunette with purple talons runs her hands up and down my chest. She's gorgeous and obviously interested, but she's not doing a damn thing for me.Nothing stirs south of the border.I came here with the intention of finding a hookup. I need to dip my wick and evict Daisy from my head, where she's renting space, otherwise I'm going to crack.Know what the real kicker is?Daisy doesn't have a flipping clue what she does to me or how I feel about her. The girl is oblivious, thank fuck. And that's the way it needs to stay.I catch Owen's eye and give him a chin lift in greeting. "What's up, man."Owen's a good guy. If I were sticking around for another season, I'd be worried about him entering the draft. He's a difference-maker and a team player. He'll be missed."Not much." He glances around, searching for someone.The guy might be a brick shithouse, but he gets his fair share of ass. He has two championships under

##Chapter 27: DaisyHe shakes his head. "No ifs, ands, or buts."That certainly throws a monkey wrench in my plans.The look on my face must give away my thoughts, because his eyes narrow. "Is that going to be a problem for you?""No," I sigh. "Not at all." Then I grumble, "It's just unnecessary. I'm twenty-one years old. I don't need a babysitter."He glances around the party and says in a tight voice, "Trust me, it's completely necessary."By the stubborn tilt to his chin and the determination in his eyes, I can tell that arguing isn't going to get me anywhere."Fine," I mutter.Carter's lucky that I'm in the mood to party. Especially now that I've unloaded Kevin.The first thing we do is look for Olivia. Just like Carter claimed, she's in the kitchen with Tanner, engaged in a deep conversation. Much like they were at the Labor Day barbecue, their heads are bent together, and they're smiling at one another.For a moment, I stop and watch Olivia. I hate to interrupt whatever

##Chapter 29: CarterGrabbing the remote, I turn off the television. I glance at Daisy, ready to put this night behind me. The TV screen is blank, but she continues staring at it. Her brows are drawn together like she's trying to work through a problem in her head.I'm not going to lie, it's a little disconcerting."So..." I jerk my thumb toward my room. "I'm off to bed."I can't get away from her fast enough."Feeling super-duper tired," I add in case she didn't hear me the first time.Her gaze slides to mine. "I know we agreed to forget about the past and move on, but I can't. I want to know what your problem was with me." She pauses for a beat. "I need to know.""What?" I laugh, but it comes out sounding choked and high-pitched. "I told you that it had nothing to do with you. It was all me. Okay?" I don't wait for a response. "Great. Glad that's settled. Now we can go to bed."Daisy shakes her head as her frown intensifies. Her gaze pins me in place. I'm powerless