Saving Winter

Chapter One

Ashiver ran down my spine as a light breeze blew over the rooftop of the Ashley building on campus. I knew I should have brought a hoodie with me, but I was desperate to escape the loud dorm building I was staying in. I wanted peace and solitude, and that was near impossible to get where I’d been housed at.

But up here, it was solitude – peaceful. No one ever really came up to the rooftop because there were too many stairs to climb, and the elevator wouldn’t take you all the way to the roof.

I wasn’t complaining. I never complained about the climb. I preferred to be alone. I didn’t have to deal with people. After being bullied in high school for my thicker size, it had killed my self-esteem.

Loneliness was always more suitable company.

I had been in and out of foster homes all my life. I had never really lived anywhere stable, and when I was finally old enough to realize that I would never have a permanent home, I threw myself into my studies, which also made it a little easier to block people out. I managed to get straight A’s, and I managed to get a full ride to a small university in Florida – far away from that dreadful city and my ex-boyfriend.

I sighed, dog-earring the page I was reading in my book when the sky began to darken, making it too hard to read any longer. My phone was dead, so I couldn’t use the light from it to read, meaning I had to go back to my dorm. I sighed, dreading the idea.

My roommate and I were complete opposites. She was outgoing and perky, got up every morning to do her hair and make-up, and more often than not, I ended up being kicked out of the room so she could fuck her boyfriend, who might I add, was a huge dick.

Most days, I envied her. She had a ton of friends, was super pretty with curves in all of the right places, and had a flat stomach. She was actually nice to me, but she was also just a sore reminder that I had never in my life looked like she did.

I probably never would.

With a tired sigh, I set my book on my lap, looking up at the sky. It was a full moon that night, and the sky was cloudless, leaving the stars to shine beautifully.

I loved experiencing this. You couldn’t really see all of these stars in the sky in Miami.

I jerked in fright when I heard feet pounding up onto the roof, laughter ensuing. Man, you are such a fucking dufus. A male voice spoke, laughter spilling from his lips.

Man, fuck you. Another voice said, laughing as well. Don’t be jealous that I’m so much fucking cooler than you.

Both of you are fucking idiots. A third voice chimed in, his voice the deepest out of all of them, sounding much more serious and aggravated. You two need to go back to your dorms before you fall off of the fucking roof. You’re both so drunk you barely made it up the fucking stairs.

You’re such a buzz killer. One of the guys grumbled.

I heard a sigh, and the sound of feet pounding back down the stairs. Finally, some fucking silence. The guy muttered. He rounded the corner where I was sitting, a curse flying from his lips when he saw me sitting on the floor. I stared at him in wide-eyed shock, unable to believe my eyes. The guy was easily the hottest guy I had ever seen in my life.

Dark hair curled over his forehead, and tattoos swirled all over his skin – from his fingers, up his neck, and most likely all the way down his legs. He looked like the classic bad boy, and though I’d sworn guys like him would forever be off-limits after the catastrophe with my ex, I had to close my mouth before I started drooling over him.

Jesus fucking Christ, how fucking long have you been there? He demanded.

I flinched back from his tone, casting my eyes down to the floor. I was just reading, I answered a bit dumbly, gripping my book tightly in my hands as if it were my lifeline.

Reading, eh? He asked in a softer tone this time, sitting across from me and lighting a joint. My eyes widened at his carelessness to get high on campus, but I kept my mouth shut. What are you reading? He asked me.

I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. I didn’t interact with people much – in fact, I was probably the most socially awkward person you would ever meet in your life.

It’s just a silly romance novel, I muttered, a blush spreading across my cheeks. What girl wanted to be caught out reading an adult romance novel – much less one by Nora Roberts?

He held his hand out for the book, taking a hit off of the joint with his other hand. The smell of weed filtered through my nostrils, making my stomach churn. I had always thought weed smelled horrible, though most people would argue with me on that point. Let me see.

With my blush darkening, I slowly handed him the book, unable to disobey his command. There was something about him that just demanded your attention and your obedience.

He looked at the cover. "Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts." He commented. He looked up at me, but there wasn’t a hint of judgment in his eyes, which really shocked me. At first, he came off as one of those guys that were badass and lived to make fun of people, which had made me a bit wary. But so far, he was actually being kind to me.

My best friend’s mom loves Nora Roberts. He said with a shrug as he handed me back my book.

My blush darkened. A smirk tilted his lips as he took in my blushing face. Embarrassed, beautiful? He asked, blowing smoke out of his nose.

I cast my eyes down, looking down at my lap, unable to answer him because I was embarrassed. What girl wanted to be caught reading smut?

He moved so he was kneeling in front of me, making my breath catch in my throat. I didn’t miss the fact that he held the lit joint away from me, which spoke volumes about his character. He ran his captivating, dark eyes over my face, pausing to stare intently at my lips before locking those dark eyes back on mine again.

Don’t hide that pretty face from me, beautiful. You’re a nice change from the girls I see every day. He told me in a low, throaty voice, the sound somehow soothing me.

I swallowed hard and scrambled up from the floor, my blush darkening even further on my cheeks. This was dangerous territory, and I had to get the fuck out.

I – I actually have some studying I need to get done, I muttered as an excuse to get away from him.

He shot me a smirk, obviously seeing straight through my lie, but he didn’t say anything. He just inclined his head to me as he stood up from his crouched position on the floor. I swallowed thickly, taking a step back from him. He was so large. Even though I was considered overweight for my height at a hundred and seventy pounds, he was still a hell of a lot bigger than I was – muscle and height-wise.

I spun on my heel, rushing away towards the stairs.

Hey, beautiful, I want to see you again! He called after me, but he was too late. I was already running for everything I was worth down the stairs.

I curled my legs up beneath me, my eyes glued to the book in my hands. I was in the library, secluded from everyone else on a couch in a corner. Since that night a week ago on the rooftop, I had been avoiding that place and instead had decided to come to the library to read and do my homework until I felt like enough time had passed that I wouldn’t encounter that guy again.

My body’s reaction to him had been so strong. And I couldn’t deal with that in my life – not anymore.

I had successfully avoided the guy all week, dodging into random places when I saw him. He seemed too wild for me, too dangerous, and I didn’t want a part of that.

Besides, what would someone as hot as him want with someone that was below average like me?

He was gorgeous, though. He had dark hair that fell in waves over his forehead with dark, chocolate eyes. He was muscular – extremely muscular – as if he spent most of his time at a gym. And Jesus, he was freakishly tall.

Or maybe I was just really short. I didn’t know, but I was a dwarf compared to him.

One time that I’d seen him around campus, he’d been wearing a pair of basketball shorts. My thoughts that night had been confirmed. The guy was tattooed everywhere.

Everything about him screamed bad boy.

No matter how hot he was, I didn’t need that – never again.

Hey, you.

I jerked my head up, my stomach dropping to the floor at the sound of his voice. I swallowed hard. There wasn’t any escaping him this time.

He’d found me.

Do you know how hard it is to find you, Winter? He asked.

I shivered at the way my name sounded coming off of his lips. I tightened my hands on my book. How do you know my name? I demanded, watching him with wary eyes as he took a seat on the other end of the couch, propping his feet up on the little table in front of us.

He shot me a smirk. Where there is a will, there is a way. He told me as he shrugged. I finally found out who your roommate was, and she told me where to find you.

I scowled. Of course, she did. I knew Paige only thought she was helping because ever since we had started rooming together, she had hounded me about getting out more and meeting guys.

But I didn’t want to meet guys.

What do you want with me? I asked him quietly, dog-earring the page in my book and setting it onto my lap, but still gripping it tightly.

He noticed my grip on the book but didn’t comment on it. He just let his dark eyes meet mine again. I swallowed thickly, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. You look like you could use a friend, beautiful.

I shook my head at him, lowering my gaze to my book. I’m actually okay with being a loner, I told him honestly. For as long as I could remember, I had always stuck to myself. I didn’t search for friends, and I didn’t pretend someone may actually like me enough to be friends with me.

The one time I did, I got ripped to pieces.

He leaned closer to me, and I nervously chewed on my bottom lip at his close proximity. But before he could say anything, two guys came down the stairs of the library, drawing our attention to them. A scowl settled on the guy’s features as he looked at the two guys making their way over to us.

One of the guys had blonde hair that hung slightly in his blue eyes, though he swished it aside to study me. Even though it was pretty warm outside, he was wearing a lightweight, black hoodie and skinny jeans with converse. A lip ring stuck out on the underside of his lip.

The other guy was wearing khaki cargo shorts with a tight white t-shirt on with a ball cap turned backward. His dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and his hazel eyes were twinkling with mischief.

What the fuck do you two want? The guy next to me agitatedly demanded.

You disappeared. The blonde guy commented. His eyes trailed to me, a smirk twisting his features. Getting booty in the library, Byron?

Ah, so that was his name.

Byron’s scowl deepened, anger practically seeping out of his pores as my cheeks darkened with a blush. Fuck off, Dylan. He snarled.

Dylan laughed. Whatever, man. Dylan plopped in between me and Byron, grinning at me. I leaned back a little from him, nervousness filling my veins.

I didn’t do well when it came to new people.

He stuck his hand out to me. My name is Dylan. He said. Possibly the man of your dreams. He added with a wink.

I cringed. Byron slapped him on the back of the head and shoved him off of the couch. He shook his head in disgust at his friend lying on the ground before he shot me an apologetic look for Dylan’s behavior. Byron was absolutely gorgeous when he wasn’t trying to impress me.

Not that he didn’t any other time, but there was something about him not being an arrogant, cocky asshole that was surprisingly charming.

Sorry about them. He muttered. My friends are complete dumbasses.

Speak for yourself. The other guy spoke up, rolling his eyes.

Byron sighed, gesturing at the other guy. Winter, this is my cousin Jimmie, and you just met my dumbass friend Dylan.

Jimmie gave me a small smile. You’re a gorgeous girl, Winter. How come you’re not with everyone else getting ready for the huge party tonight?

I cringed at the thought of going to a party. Parties meant being in a place that I had to be sociable, and that just wasn’t my forte.

I held up my book. Perfect night to read, I told him.

Oh, come on! You’ve got to go! Dylan exclaimed, giving me puppy dog eyes.

I shook my head at him. Puppy dog eyes didn’t work on me. I’m okay. Thanks, though. I don’t like parties. They’re not my thing.

Byron reached over, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. I blushed, looking down at my lap, away from his beautifully tattooed arms and hands. I can stay back with you if you’d like. He proposed. I shot my eyes up to his in surprise. He would seriously miss out on a party with a bunch of girls wanting to get laid to hang back with me? We can grab some Starbucks and watch some movies.

Be still, my heart.

Bruh, do you realize the pussy you’re giving up?! Dylan asked incredulously, earning some stares from other people in the library who were trying to study. My cheeks flamed in embarrassment, and I ducked my head down.

Byron rolled his eyes, grabbing my book from my hands and thwacking Dylan on the head with it. He handed it back to me wordlessly, shaking his head as he stood to his feet. Dylan whined, rubbing the back of his head. I couldn’t help it. I giggled. Byron looked down at me with a grin and an arched eyebrow. What do you say, beautiful?

I nervously chewed on my bottom lip, finally sighing and nodding my head. Sure, I told him, hoping like hell I wouldn’t regret this decision. So far, he hadn’t made any crude advances towards me, and he was actually being really sweet.

He grinned a panty-dropping smile that had my stomach twisting in knots and my cheeks flushing. I squeezed my thighs together. How did this guy freaking make me