The One That Slipped Away

by LaShawn Vasser

  The room had been silent for at least an hour. Mia thought Harrison was asleep until he whispered. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

  She was startled and jumped a little at the sound of his voice. “I’m studying for a major exam but . . . sure ask away.”

  “I promise. Just one last question. Why don’t I ever see you around campus at any of the parties?”

  Mia dropped her chin to her chest. Embarrassed she mumbled her reply. “It’s not really my thing.”

  Harrison was curious. “Because of a boyfriend or something?”

  Mia’s heart began to pound. Why would Harrison want to know if she had a boyfriend? She swallowed. “N-no. I don’t have a boyfriend. I just feel a little uncomfortable at parties.”

  “Why?”

  Harrison seemed to be determined to get an answer. Mia was slow to answer but responded. “I’m always the odd girl out. I’m not a good dancer and can’t keep a beat to save my life.” Mia shrugged. “I’m completely and utterly rhythmless.”

  Harrison laughed inwardly. “You know people do more than just dance at parties right? They socialize too.”

  “Yeah, I’m not really good at that either.”

  “Really? That’s hard to believe considering . . .”

  Mia’s eyebrow went up. “Considering what?”

  “I mean . . . you’re a pretty attractive girl and smart. It seems like guys would be all over you, especially since you’ve admitted to not having a boyfriend.”

  She smirked. “You and I both know guys don’t want the smart girls. They want THOTS.” Mia giggled. “Yep. Those hoes over there—THOTS, and I’m fairly certain that I don’t give off the easy girl vibe. We won’t even talk about the added bonus of having to deal with my parents, so no, they haven’t been tripping all over themselves to talk to me.”

  Harrison appreciated the fact Mia was gorgeous but had no idea. She wasn’t very tall, but her curvy hour-glass figure had caught the attention of quite a few of his teammates. Harrison was a man too. He wasn’t blind to the swell of her breasts and the fullness of her lips. He licked his own thinking about what it might feel like to kiss either or both. And, Mia’s eyes. They were big, chocolate doe-like eyes. What his father would call bedroom sexy. Most of the time, they were planted in a book, but every now and then, she’d look at him in a way that would stop him cold.

  Mia was the kind of girl that a guy wanted for a lifetime, not a night. That’s why he’d told most of his horny friends that she was off-limits—except for Big Tony. He was cool, but Harrison didn’t think he was really her type. “Big Tony thinks you’re cute. He asked if I could set him up.”

  Mia was slightly disappointed. She wasn’t the least bit interested in Big Tony. “Oh.”

  Harrison waited intently for her answer. “Oh, like yeah, you’d go out with him? Or . . . oh like, he’s not really your type?”

  “Oh, like Tony has a lot of girls always hanging off of him. I don’t want to be part of a harem.”

  “He’s not seeing anyone seriously.”

  “Thanks, but, I’ll pass.” She turned back to her book.

  Harrison knew it was wrong, but he was relieved Mia wasn’t interested which also kind of freaked him out. He didn’t want to think about it too hard. He had a girlfriend and wasn’t the type to play around. He respected his relationship. He could only hope Liberty felt the same. “I hope my girlfriend will stop guys dead in their tracks like you.”

  The dagger—straight to Mia’s heart. It figured. Harrison was too smart and HOT not to have a girlfriend. She didn’t look up from her book hoping to hide her disappointment. “You have a girlfriend?”

  He smiled. “Yeah. Liberty Landon. I’ve known her all my life, but we’ve been dating since our junior year of high school.”

  Mia cleared her throat. “That’s a long time for someone our age.”

  “It is, but we seem to make it work most of the time.”

  “I guess when it’s right, it’s right.” Mia turned her gaze toward his direction. “Harrison?”

  He frowned. “You know I hate when you call me that right?”

  Mia smiled. “It’s your name.”

  Harrison could hear the smile in her voice. He loved to see it even more because she didn’t do it nearly often enough. “Still, I hate it.”

  Her smile widened. “You probably shouldn’t tell people that. That’s why we do it. Anyway, can I ask you a favor?”

  He exhaled. “Sure. I guess I kinda owe you.”

  “Great.” Mia leaned over the side of the bed and batted her eyelashes while grinning at him. “Can you please shut up so I can study?”

  His voice rumbled with laughter as he turned over to go to sleep. “Got it. Anything for you, Mia.”

  There was a part of Mia that wished that were truly the case.

  Chapter 8

  Sophomore Year

  The rain was coming down hard. Mia was pissed at herself for leaving her umbrella at home. She could barely see as she ran from the parking lot of her new apartment to the stairs.

  As she came closer to her building, a familiar figure came into view. Harrison was sitting on the steps. It wasn’t unusual for him to be over at her place. They’d become great friends over the last year, but something was off about him tonight.

  An eerie feeling swept over her. For Harrison to be outside in this weather, there had to be something very wrong.

  Mia wasn’t sure how long he’d been sitting there wearing only a blue hoodie and jeans. With a bowed head and fingers clasped together, she could see Harrison was soaked.

  Mia touched his shoulder. She tried to speak above the roar of the rain and wind. “What on earth are you doing out here?”

  Slowly, he raised his head but didn’t utter a sound. It was the look in his eyes that worried her. Mia was now completely soaked too. She bent low and pulled on Harrison’s arm. “C’mon. Let’s go inside.”

  He moved like a robot but followed her. She kept looking over her shoulder as if he might disappear as they made their way down the hall. Anxiously, she laughed. “You made me get my hair wet. So, I expect you to pay for my next salon visit.”

  Quickly, Mia put her key in the door, opened it, and walked inside her apartment. It wasn’t much bigger than her dorm, but it was hers. She watched intently as Harrison came inside too. Her eyes never left him. “Let me go get us some towels.”

  She was gone in a flash and returned just as quickly only to see Harrison’s broad shoulders hunched over while he continued to stand in the same place. Mia placed a large towel around his shoulders. “God, Harrison you’re soaked.” Her eyes pleaded with his downturned face. “You’re scaring the hell out of me. Please tell me what’s wrong?”

  He managed to pull a big bottle a liquor out from underneath his hoodie. Mia had no idea how she missed that.

  His words were low. “Nothing that Jack can’t fix.” Harrison went into the kitchen and slumped down in a chair. He twisted the cap off of the bottle and turned it up.

  Silently, Mia sat down in the chair opposite him. “It looks like you’ve drunk half the bottle already.”

  Bloodshot eyes stared back into hers. “Maybe, but not nearly enough.” He turned the bottle up again. His words slurred slightly. “Plllease don’t make me drink alone.” He handed the bottle to Mia.

  She stared at him before finally taking it from him and turned it up. It burned going down her throat. Mia frowned. She shook her head and smacked her lips then passed it back to him. “Ugh . . . god, that’s awful.”

  Harrison took another pull from the bottle. “Ahhh . . .” He gritted his teeth. “The burn feels good.” He slurred. “You’re sush a gooood girl. I bet you’ve never done an-anything wrong in your entire life.”

  Mia snatched the bottle from him and took another swallow. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she felt the burn of the liquid go down her throat. “This isn’t about me. What’s going on with you that you would show up on my doorstep almo
st pissy drunk, and talking crazy?”

  Harrison inhaled. He threw his head back and closed his eyes. “Liberty and I broke up.”

  Mia was ready to stab Harrison in his eye. Was he really sitting in her kitchen getting drunk over Liberty? She supposed, as his friend, she should feel some form of sympathy, but she didn’t. They broke up constantly. Mia probably drew blood biting her tongue and trying to hide her true feelings. “I’m sorry, Harrison. It might take a few days, but you two will work it out.”

  His head snapped up. “No. We won’t. Not this time. I’m done.”

  Mia didn’t say anything.

  “I can tell the way you’re looking at me that you don’t believe me. But, I promise you, I’m finished.”

  She sighed. “Okay. I believe you.” She didn’t.

  “Do you know how much ass is thrown my way?”

  Unfortunately, Mia did know. She saw it almost daily.

  “I’ve been tempted on more than one occasion to hook up with some random chick. But, I’ve been faithful. I wouldn’t even be pissed if she only cheated on me. We’re in college; we should be screwing around. That’s what people do in college.”

  Mia didn’t say anything because that wasn’t her reality. Instead, she listened.

  “Of all the men Liberty could be hooking up with, she chose someone close to me. That’s what hurts the most. Damn. You would never have done any shit like that.”

  That kind of betrayal was unfathomable. Mia was sorry. “People make mistakes, Harrison. Granted, this is a pretty big one, but I’m sure they never planned it.” There was nothing worse than being betrayed by a friend. In this case, two friends. She touched him. Her eyes softened. “I really am sorry.”

  His head dropped to his chest. “Yeah, me too.”

  “Look, we can’t stay in these clothes. Let’s finish talking after you take a hot shower and get changed into some dry clothes. I think I have a pair of sweats you left over last week. We’ll talk some more afterwards?”

  After some thought, Harrison stood and stumbled out of Mia’s kitchen. He knew where all the rooms were because he’d helped her move and could be counted on to visit several times a week.

  Mia watched Harrison go. She felt like a fool. She was about to console this man over another woman, and he didn’t have the faintest idea that she was in love with him.

  *****

  Mia changed into her robe, then brought Harrison a set of towels. She hoped he didn’t hurt himself in the shower.

  Liberty was an idiot. Harrison was incredible. He was smart and, quite frankly, the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on. She exhaled thinking if she ever got a chance, there would be no way she would betray him, especially with a friend.

  In the past, his breakups with Liberty had always been short. One thing Mia had learned about Harrison was that loyalty was everything to him. It was very possible that he really was finished with her. Only time would tell.

  Several minutes later, Harrison came out of the shower wearing nothing but a towel. “Where can I put these?”

  Mia coughed. She almost choked. Harrison’s washboard abs were something that should have been in Fitness magazine. The man didn’t have an ounce of fat on him.

  “What should I do with these?”

  Mia hopped up off of the couch. Her mouth was like cotton. “The closet, there,” Mia said pointing down the hall. “I have an economy washer and dryer, remember? I can put them in there for you.”

  “Thanks.” Harrison handed her his clothes, and Mia hurried away to put them in the dryer. Once she was out of his eyesight, she placed her hand over her stomach and closed her eyes. She needed a minute to catch her breath. After she had it together, Mia went back into the living room.

  Harrison sat on her sofa with his head thrown back, wearing nothing but a fluffy white towel. Mia couldn’t drag her eyes away from him. She studied every part of his body, and the tingling she felt between her thighs intensified. She grabbed the bottle of Jack Daniels he’d left on the end table, twisted off the cap, and took a good long swallow.

  Harrison’s eyes popped open. Curious, he stared.

  Mia shrugged. “I promised I wouldn’t let you drink alone.”

  He cracked a half a smile. “You’ve always been a woman of your word. I admire that most about you.” Mia thought he was about to reach for her, but instead, he reached for the bottle.

  She was disappointed and thankful at the same time. What would she have done had he reached for her? Mia knew the answer to that. Harrison needed a friend, not revenge sex. She wondered would a little revenge sex be so bad? Then shook herself. Of course, it would.

  Mia buried her feelings for the millionth time and sat down next to him.

  “Why don’t you have a boyfriend, Mia?”

  She curled her feet up underneath her. Mia debated how to answer the question. Did she really want to tell a half drunk Harrison that it was because she was in love with him? Would she ever tell him? Mia genuinely valued his friendship and never wanted to put it in jeopardy. In this case, a lie was better than the truth. “I don’t have time for a boyfriend. You’ve seen my school load. I’ll graduate with my Master’s in the five-year plan as long as I stay focused.”

  Harrison ran his hand down his face. “You won’t find Mr. Right in a book.” Slowly, he turned toward her, and Mia’s breath caught in her throat. The intensity of his gaze as his eyes bore into hers made rational thought impossible. He caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. “As interesting as they may seem, books can’t keep you warm at night.”

  Mia was freaking out and loving it at the same time. Failing miserably, she did her best to focus. “No, b-but . . . most guys aren’t willing to give me what I need.”

  His voice was husky. He lifted his arm and touched the side of her face with his fingertips. “What do you need?”

  The tingling blossomed and concentrated itself into a full on throb at the apex of her thighs. Breathlessly, she responded. “Everything.”

  Time stood still as they held each other’s gazes. Slowly, Harrison erased the space between them when he wrapped his hands around the back of Mia’s neck and pulled her close.

  It was like something from a movie when his lips touched hers. Mia’s eyes fluttered closed. She allowed herself just this one moment. She promised to end it before things went too far, but the feel of him was too good to stop. Mia placed her hands on his rock solid chest and touched him the way she’d always dreamed.

  Harrison’s lips were firm and insistent as they pressed against hers. Wanting desperately to finally have a taste of her, he teased Mia with the tip of his tongue tracing the seam of her lips. Mia moaned. Harrison took the opportunity to slide inside and stroke her tongue with his.

  The dizzying sensation his kisses created turned Mia’s mind to mush. She couldn’t form a coherent thought even if she tried. All she could do was wrap her arms around his neck in an attempt to get as close as possible. She could still taste the bourbon. It would go down as her new favorite drink.

  Mia rubbed her thighs together hoping it would relieve the pulsing ache. Harrison understood what her body was trying to say even if Mia wouldn’t. His hands slid down to cup her ass. His touch was so delicious that she broke the kiss when she gasped. Her body was on fire.

  Harrison trailed liquid fire down the side of her neck kissing and biting lower and lower until he made it the base of her neck. He used his teeth to push her robe away from her shoulders. Mia shivered as it continued to fall stopping only at her waist, revealing she was completely naked underneath.

  In her mind, she was telling herself that now would be a good time to stop. But, when she looked down to see how he’d tented underneath the towel that was wrapped around him, Mia couldn’t find the strength. She could only lick her lips in anticipation.

  Harrison could see the passion in her eyes and knew that his mirrored hers. He was so hard it was painful. Before giving himself time to think about it anymore, his strong hand
s lifted Mia from her spot on the couch to straddle him.

  Harrison stared at her firm breasts. His voice was low, gravelly. “I want to love you all over, Mia.” He licked his lips in anticipation before leaning into her body pulling one hardened bud into his mouth. He kissed and sucked until she was crazy with need.

  After he’d had his fill, Harrison pulled back to find her robe was completely opened. This time, it was him who moaned. Harrison could see her need by the glistening of her sex as she sat astride him.

  He was close to heaven. The only thing separating them was his towel.

  He pulled her close again and kissed her hard. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. She thrust her tongue into his mouth and kissed him back with everything she had. The smell of sex was in the air, and that fueled them both on. She rolled her hips onto his hardness needing him to stretch her to her limits.

  It was driving him crazy. Harrison squeezed her and pressed her into him and thrust up into her at the same time she came down on him. Mia threw her head back in pure ecstasy. Her breathing was heavy and uneven as she raked her fingers through his hair. She was dripping wet. Harrison dragged his lips away from hers, close to her ear.

  His voice was hoarse. “I’m almost past the point of being too far gone, Mia.”

  His words resonated and pulled her out of her sexual haze. God, she wanted to feel him inside of her but knew he might regret it later. Mia wasn’t sure where she found the strength. It had to be her love for him, but gently, she pressed her hands flat against Harrison’s chest and pulled back. Their breathing was labored, heavy. Mia’s voice croaked, “I’m sorry.” Her body was still humming.

  He pressed his forehead against hers. “Why does this feel so right?”

  Her smile was weak. “You just broke up with Liberty, and what you’re feeling might be the alcohol.”

  Harrison drew back slightly and cradled Mia’s face in his hands. “I don’t think any of this has anything to do with Liberty or the alcohol. I should have kissed you a long time ago.”