“You’re not supposed to be in here.”

“Says who?” Cody asked, looking around the massive white room and locking the door behind him.

They were completely alone. Hannah gazed at the ‘assistance’ button and fought her urge to push it repeatedly as Cody moved closer to her. He popped the collar of her shirt and blazer, tying a blue and gold Chanel scarf around her throat. He ran his hands down her body, unbuttoning the untucked bottom of her blouse.

Hannah’s pulse pounded in her ears as Cody’s hands continued their path down her legs. He slipped off her flats and held a pair of classic red pumps up. She slipped her feet in and he stood up to examine her.

He scratched his chin. “Better,” he said placing his hands on her hips to spin her toward the mirror. “And you haven’t slapped me once.”

Hannah was grateful for the makeup staining her cheeks. It helped hide the massive blush heating her body from Cody’s touch. He was right. She needed a lot more practice. And she could suddenly see the appeal of having his hands all over her.

“Memorize this outfit. You’re wearing it to school tomorrow.”

“I can’t. We have uniforms.”

“Wear your skirt instead of jeans, and your vest under the blazer.”

Hannah swallowed and nodded, nervous at the thought of not following the Stanton dress code to the letter. But Cody was right. That’s how the Goldens dressed—mixing and matching parts of their uniforms with posh statement pieces that probably cost a fortune.

“Next,” he said handing her a dress before lounging in the wing-backed chair.

“You want me to change in front of you?”

Cody sighed deeply. “Hannah, you’re the one who wanted to practice. You need to be comfortable with yourself and your body. If you can’t get undressed in front of your boyfriend how are you going to be able to handle yourself at Harrison’s party?”

“Right. I forgot about that bit,” she said biting her lip nervously. “Are you sure there’s going to be naked people there?”

“There’s always naked people at his parties.”

“Oh . . .”

“Lesson number four. Any good high school party is about three things. Getting drunk, getting naked or getting high.”

* * *

Cody took one look at Hannah’s petrified doe eyes and almost called the whole stupid thing off. The poor girl had no idea what she was getting herself into. Harrison and the rest of the Goldens would eat her alive. And for what? To prove a point? Hannah didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. Especially the Goldens. She was too good for them anyway. Too good for me too, Cody reminded himself. But before he could say anything she was undressing.

His throat dried up completely as he watched her shrug off the thin white shirt.

Shit! She was hot. He’d gotten a glimpse that morning, but that body! Tennis was good to her. Cody was having trouble remembering why he was still sitting in the chair instead of tearing her bra off. That was until Hannah tried to peel off her skinny jeans and fell over, nearly taking the whole rack of clothes with her.

Cody rushed to help her. “You okay?”

“Sure. What’s a little more embarrassment for today?”

He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to look sexy while taking off skinny jeans.”

“Let’s make that a rule. Don’t take skinny jeans off in front of others.”

“How about this? Rule number five. Let your boyfriend take off your jeans,” he winked tugging her feet free from the stretchy denim that was strangling her ankles. Taking her hands he pulled her to her feet.

“Thanks,” she smiled and then seemed to realize she was standing in front of him in nothing but her bra and underwear. She squealed and grabbed a dress from the rack, trying to cover herself up.”

“Hannah, stop. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re beautiful,” Cody said softly, finding he meant every word. She was stunning, smart, sexy, funny . . . He was suddenly having a hard time keeping his hands off of her. He didn’t want to be practice.

Get your head out of the gutter, Cody mentally scolded himself. She is way out of your league.

He mentally checked himself and took a step forward, and tugged the dress, but Hannah held tight.

“Hannah, you don’t need to cover up who you are. Lesson number six. If you can face your fears in your underwear you can conquer the world.”

She scoffed. “Easy for someone completely clothed to say.”

Cody arched an eyebrow and shrugged off his green army jacket. He peeled off his black v-neck t-shirt and kicked off his shoes. He was starting to unbuckle his belt when Hannah loosed a breath loudly.

“Fine! You proved you’re not shy . . . you’re conquering the world or whatever!”

“Your turn,” Cody ordered.

Hannah balked, fear chilling her flushed skin. Cody moved toward her, slowly tugging the dress from her hands. She stood before him in her white bra and panties. They were plain as could be, but he didn’t give a shit. All he could think about was the perfection that was hiding beneath them. Hannah was visibly shaking as Cody took another step closer, pressing his chest into hers. Hannah’s breath caught in her throat, her bright blue eyes widening.

* * *

Practice! Hannah reminded herself. Don’t freak out. This is just practice.

But she couldn’t help it. She was freaking out. Her body refused to listen to her mind. All she could see was the gold flecks in Cody’s light brown eyes smoldering through his dark lashes. Her heart pounded against his chest, her body shaking as she watched his delicious lips move toward hers. She closed her eyes, willing herself not to be so nervous.

Hannah nearly jumped out of her skin when Cody’s breath tickled her ear—hot and close. “Hannah, I promise I won’t ever hurt you.”

She trembled.

“Look at me.”

Her eyes flew open and she stared at his handsome face. Something changed. He didn’t look smug or sarcastic. He looked . . . kind . . . sincere. He was a different person all together. One that she was suddenly drawn toward.

Cody’s voice was firm. “You’re in charge here, okay?”

She nodded.

“Tell me what you want.”

Hannah’s breath caught in her throat when he pulled her closer, running his hands seductively down her sides. Her body came alive in a way she’d never experienced before, pulsing with heat and desire as her chest pushed against Cody’s. She stiffened and melted all at once under his touch. She couldn’t believe she was standing in such close proximity to him in nothing but her underwear. And she didn’t hate it. That thought alone terrified her.

“Hannah, tell me what you want me to do.”

She nodded.

He smirked. “That means use your words.”

There was the mockery she was used to.

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what I want. That’s the problem. I’m no good at this.”

“You’re doing fine. You’re just wound up. You need to chill. What do you do in a tennis match when you need to stay calm?”

She shook her head.

“Tell me.”

“No. You’re going to make fun of me.”

“I promise I won’t.”

She sighed. “I breathe and make mental lists.”

Cody cocked an eyebrow.

“Don’t judge, it works.”

“Okay, give it a whirl,” he said pulling her closer to him.

Her breath hitched instantly when he pressed his body into hers.

“Breathe,” Cody reminded her.

She closed her eyes and took a deep steadying breath and mentally repeated her mantra.

Keep your eye on the prize, Hannah.

Get the key.

Get the guy.

Make memories.

High school perfection.

When she opened her eyes, Cody’s handsome face filled her vision. God, he was gorgeous. Hannah began to second-guess her decision to choose such an attractive boy to practice these things with. Being this close to Cody made it impossible to focus. She had to close her eyes and start her list all over again. This time she reminded herself of who he was, training her mind to see the boy with no future who owed her.

This time when she opened her eyes, her head remained clear and she knew exactly what she wanted—perfection. She would settle for nothing less.

* * *

When Hannah opened her eyes she looked different, confident. Her technique had worked.

“What do you want to practice, Hannah. The ball’s in your court.”

She looked up at him assertively. “This,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.

It only took Cody a second to respond. His arms circled her slender waist and he kissed her back with passion. Hannah parted her lips, teasing his tongue with hers. Cody eagerly answered by pressing her harder against him, nearly pulling her off her feet.

She stood on her tiptoes and wound her fingers through his thick dark hair. He groaned into her mouth and her body responded. Her heat rushed to him, her heart hammering against Cody’s erratically. His hands gripped her tightly. She was like a ball of rubber bands, he could feel each touch winding tighter and tighter.

Hannah leaned into Cody as his hands roamed down to her hips. She moved her trembling fingers down his bare chest and timidly hooked them into the waist of his jeans. But as soon as she touched his scorching skin, his muscles tensed and he pulled away, breaking the frantic spell they’d been under.

Cody’s eyes were wide as he watched Hannah nervously touch her lips.

“Was that good?” she asked.

“That’s enough for today,” Cody said grabbing his clothes. “Get dressed. I’ll meet you in the car,” he grumbled before storming from the fitting room.

He left Hannah gaping at him in shock. The sound of the slamming door barely audible above the turmoil screaming beneath his veins.