Fool For You

by Megan Noelle

  His tempting and talented mouth moved from my earlobe down my neck. The soft whimper that left my lips was agreement enough for him and with that I was tossed back onto the bed. It didn’t take long before my dress was bunched around my waist, his pants were on the ground and we were crying out each other’s names.

  Twenty-five minutes later I ran my fingers through my hair and reapplied the lipstick I slid into my clutch. Corey settled on a layered look; a black long-sleeved shirt with a white graphic T-shirt on top. The man looked good enough to eat and then he slipped on his black “Underground” hat; pulling it backwards and all I could think was— yup, I’m ready for round two. My eyes slid down the length of his toned-to-perfection body and when I met his eyes again, he was smirking at me.

  “What?” I tried to conceal my growing smile.

  “Nothing, but I get to ogle you like that—if you get to do so to me.”

  “Pretty sure you just did.” My hand motioned to the bed and he flashed me a wicked grin. Lord—just once I wish that smile didn’t make me go weak in the knees.

  “Oh yeah, that’s right.” He turned back to the dresser to grab his wallet, phone and keys before stowing them away in his pockets. “Alright, if we don’t get down there soon my sister is going to come track us down.”

  Corey walked past me and swatted my behind as he went. An audible gasp left my mouth, without stopping his departure. I followed behind, and shut off his bedroom light as I passed through the door. Corey waited at the front for me, his hand outstretched waiting for mine. Our fingers lace together just as if they belonged that way—I shot him a smile before leading the way downstairs to the bar.

  Since it was a Saturday night, the place was already packed. Sanders was behind the bar with two other guys I didn’t recognize. When we entered Sanders looked our way and shot us a nod before going back to the heavy crowd awaiting service. A few people clapped Corey on the back as we passed; some of which I recognized as the regulars that were here about as much as he was. We spotted Karly and Jake at the same time, seated at the far end of the bar, talking animatedly with one another.

  Karly was stunning but tonight she somehow managed to look even better. Her long brown highlighted hair cascaded down her shoulders, reaching the top of her strapless black dress. It clung to every inch of her body and was shorter than mine was, but if anyone could pull it off and not look like a prostitute—it was Karly. Jake on the other hand wore dark jeans and a white button-up paired with a brown leather jacket. The two of them were an absolute power couple and could turn anyone’s heads as they walked past.

  Karly caught our eye and waved us over. With our fingers still laced together, Corey led us to where they stood. Her eyes beamed at us, but the closer we got the look in her eyes turned to complete horror.

  “What?” Corey finally asked, irritated by his sister’s gaping expression.

  She scoffed. “You seriously couldn’t have waited until after we got back!?” Her hand motioned between the two of us. Jake chuckled into his beer; Corey shrugged with a smirk and I was about ready to go die of embarrassment. I really didn’t think it was that obvious of what we just did.

  Unless….

  Oh God. Please tell me Corey’s bed wasn’t placed directly above us and people could hear every little movement as he rocked into me—repeatedly. My entire body flushed as Karly’s face broke into an ear-to-ear grin. “Neither could we.” She winked at Jake, making him laugh harder.

  “Damnit Karly, too fucking much info.” Corey protested before I had a chance to say—basically—the same thing.

  “Whatever, at least we don’t look like we just did it.” She rolled her eyes at her brother before turning her attention to me. “You look hot, Dani! I’m so glad you guys are going out with us tonight! We’re going to have a freaking blast!” With Karly around—I didn’t doubt it.

  “You look amazing too! I’m glad you invited us.” I said, bumping my shoulder against Corey’s. His eyes cast down to me and a small smile touched his lips as he gave my hand a tight squeeze.

  “Let’s take some shots!” Karly shouted. Her gaze immediately shot to Corey expectantly. He sighed and placed a kiss on the back of my hand before releasing me. I watched him place his hands on the top of the bar and hoist himself over to the opposite side. A few chicks oozing desperation next to us stopped their mundane conversation; deciding the sexy man that just jumped over the bar was far more interesting.

  “Hey Honey, I didn’t know you could do that.” A voluptuous blonde cooed, as she practically laid her boobs on the top of the bar. Corey smirked at her, without stopping his work of getting our shots together. I was mesmerized as I watched him mindlessly pull out four shot glasses and twirl the bottles around his hands. He never once looked down, as he filled each one to the rim.

  “Of course I can.” Corey answered her with a smile. A twinge of jealousy spiked in me as I watched him shamelessly flirt with Boobs McGee.

  “Well, why’s that?” If possible, she made herself get a little closer to the bar. I half wondered if her attempts to get closer were going to allow her to suddenly pass through solid objects.

  “It’s my bar.” He responded with a wink.

  “Oh, so you’re going to take my drink order, sweet cheeks?” She fluttered her fake-lashes at him and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Karly thrust her hands onto her hips; at least I wasn’t the only one irritated by this exchange. Even if we were irritated for different reasons.

  “I’m off duty tonight, but this’ll hold you over until they can help you.” With that he flipped over another shot glass and filled it with the same liquid that occupied ours.

  “Thanks honey.” She winked at him and Corey—finally—turned his attention back to us. After pushing the shot glasses in front of us, we clinked them together and shot them back.

  “Okay, since you took forever to get them for us, you need to make another one.” Karly demanded, pushing our glasses back at him. The clipped tone in her voice seemed strange, but when I felt her give a reassuring squeeze on my wrist, I understood. She already saw Corey as mine and was exasperated at her brother for flirting with another woman in front of me. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get under my skin—more than I thought possible—but the simple fact was—he wasn’t mine.

  Corey rolled his eyes at her. “A simple please would have sufficed.”

  “Hurry.” She snapped back.

  Boobs McGee shot an annoyed glare at Karly, before pressing herself back onto the bar. “You know honey; you don’t have to put up with that. I know how to treat a man—make him happy.”

  Karly looked about ready to take this girl’s head off—I wasn’t sure if I would have stopped her or not—but Corey’s boisterous laughter turned the glaring eyes to his direction.

  “That’s my sister, darling.” Corey looked up from the bar and locked eyes with me. “That one’s mine.” With a wink he went back to refilling our shots.

  The commitment-phob side of me wanted to immediately clarify that I was not his, but I couldn’t. Because tonight the title was welcome and not just to be used as a weapon against Boobs McGee. It was hard to explain or comprehend but it just felt…right. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips at the comforting thought.

  “Yeah bitch, so why don’t you and your fake ass titties go find someone else to bother.” Karly faced Boobs McGee and when she took a step closer; Jake quickly reached around me to grab his fiancée’s shoulder. That did nothing to make Karly back down. Trying-too-hard-Barbie cupped her hands over her boobs and shook them around.

  “These are all real, bitch.”

  “Puhlease.” The girl’s face turned flush red with rage but before she could speak, Corey jumped back over the bar and stepped between them. He had a shot glass in his hand and held it out to the girl.

  “Take this as a truce and please excuse my sister.” We watched as the girl cast a glare around Corey’s shoulder then shot back the second free shot he gave her. Her finge
rs reached into the top of her shirt as she pulled out a five dollar bill and tucked it into the front pocket of Corey’s jeans. She was only a few steps away when Karly raised her voice.

  “Yuck, Core! You better not take that shit; you have no idea where those things have been!” Boobs McGee cast another glare back at Karly, as her friend scurried after her.

  Corey whipped around and narrowed his eyes at Karly. “What the hell are you trying to do here? This is my fuckin’ job you can’t come in here trying to start bar brawls!” I had to give Karly props; Corey’s voice and gaze were menacing but she didn’t even falter before retorting.

  “I wouldn’t have to start bar brawls, if you weren’t flirting with other chicks in front of your girl!” His jaw dropped down in astonishment at her words.

  “I wasn’t flirting with her.” Corey’s eyes flipped up to catch my eye, he looked apologetic—understanding what had really set his sister off.

  “Then what the fuck was that!?” I felt pathetic that Karly fought a battle for me, one that wasn’t even necessary.

  “That was me, doing my job. I’m a bartender that would be out of work if I didn’t have customers. So being overly friendly to people is necessary.”

  “We both know that’s how it starts.” Karly’s voice dropped low, but I still caught what she said. That’s when it hit me. This is how past hook ups happened for Corey in the past—just the same way they did with me and him. Some desperate chick at the bar that had no problem letting her intentions known from the get-go. Karly was doing what she thought was necessary to “protect me” from the person her brother was… or maybe… is?

  “What the fuck do you think I was going to do?” Corey asked with his arms crossed across his chest.

  I really didn’t want to hear the answer. Instead, I reached over and downed two of the four shots on the bar awaiting us. Karly and Jake’s shots were still safe from me but not for long if I didn’t get another one soon. This night started so great but now a sickening feeling swished around in my stomach. The unforgettable feeling of jealousy crept over me and reminded me of every time my insides clenched like this in the past. Every time I felt jealous about my boyfriend of the time talking to another woman, I convinced myself it was nothing. That I was just being ridiculous. Except every time I had that feeling—I later found out—I had every reason to feel that way. This did nothing to make me feel better about what just went down.

  My hands pressed into the bar as I hoisted myself up to gain a better view of the bartenders. Sanders immediately looked to me and after handing off the drink in his hand, came over.

  “What’s up, Dani?” He asked with a smile and a kiss on my cheek.

  “Gimme something strong.” Sanders’s eyes glanced over my shoulder at something—Corey I assumed—and whatever he saw made him nod and pour another shot. “One for you too, sweets.” I said with a smile.

  Sanders was a good guy and we’ve been growing closer. However, something told me that wasn’t the reason I was shamelessly flirting with him, especially with Corey less than ten feet away. It should make me feel guilty after Karly stuck her neck out for me, but I was determined to give Corey a taste of his own medicine. I completely understood this was his job but there was no way I could convey that to the feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Unless I made him feel it too.

  “Are you trying to get me fired, Danielle?” He asked with a tone of mock disapproval, but still pulled out another shot glass.

  “You’re not going to get fired for having a shot with me.”

  “Whatever you say; you saw what happened to the last guy that did something to you.”

  “I didn’t fight for him to stay around; I’d fight for you.” I flashed another charming smile as he handed me a glass.

  “Shit, I’ll drink to that.” We clinked glasses; the liquid was like fire running down my throat. When I looked at Sanders I was relieved to see the same look of discomfort on his face. That made us both laugh as I handed him my glass.

  “That did the trick.”

  “Good, I better get back but let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Oh wait!” I opened my clutch and pulled out several smaller bills and passed them his way. Sanders smile was still in place as he rolled his eyes.

  “I don’t want your money, Danielle.” I set it down anyways. He chuckled at me and shook his head as he caved in and took the cash.

  Just as I was about to turn around, two strong arms stretched on either side of me, they confined me. A soft kiss that could only be Corey’s pressed to the back of my neck before moving to my ears.

  “I am really sorry about that, Dani. I didn’t think about what I was doing, but I promise you my attitude had nothing to do with wanting more from that chick. I’m sorry it came off as flirting but I guarantee you that was not what it was to me.” I nodded, my eyes closed at the feeling of his hot breath spreading across my skin. The sensations rippled down my spine, all the way to my toes.

  “Can you forgive me?”

  In his arms I turned slowly to face him. The apologetic expression from earlier was still in place. “Of course I can.” He leaned in and pressed his lips gently against mine, before he deepened the kiss, pulling me flush against him.

  “This is why I don’t like going out with my sisters, by the way.” “It’ll be fun, I promise.” My smile was hopeful, and after a minute, so was his.

  We piled into the cab, with me in between the siblings and Jake in the front seat. Karly and Corey seemed to have hashed out whatever their issues were, and now the atmosphere was filled with excited anticipation. The cab pulled up in front of the club and we all slid from the car. Corey took a step in front of me but extended his hand back for me to grab. I flashed a smile before lacing my fingers through his, as he led our group inside.

  The night was a complete blast. It was fantastic to spend time with Corey’s sisters in a fun-filled atmosphere. The way I got along with them was an instant connection and I couldn’t have been more thrilled that we went. The last few events of the night swirled through my drunken mind. We said goodnight before getting into a cab with Corey, Jake and Karly. When we got back to Corey’s place I vaguely remember saying bye to Karly and Jake before being swooped into Corey’s arms and carried to bed.

  Lucky for me, Corey had been shoving water down my throat all night and when we got home he made me take a few Advil to cure the inevitable hangover. When my head hit the pillow, I passed out but a couple hours later I woke Corey up with a burning desire that he had no problem taking care of. We didn’t get back to sleep until the sun came up, but this time I willingly curled myself into Corey’s side as our legs intertwined and our fingers laced together. With a single kiss on my forehead, I let sleep claim me with the hopes of spending the rest of the day sleeping next to the best man I’ve ever known.

  Because of You

  Insistent buzzing from somewhere near my head awoke me with a start. My eyes sprung open and the room swirled around me, reminding me that I was in Corey’s room. Corey was still sleeping but the sound of my phone was making him stir. I let my hand smack the side table until I felt it beneath my fingers and answered the call without checking the caller ID.

  “What?” I snapped as best I could but my voice was still groggy with sleep.

  “Hey babe, what are you doing?” Oliver’s voice filled my ear and I felt my body flush with embarrassment. It had been a little while since the last time we spoke and now here I am-- lying in Corey’s bed—talking to another man. Whether we were in a relationship or not, it just felt wrong.

  “What time is it?”

  “7:30.” He answered. “What in the hell are you calling me for at 7:30!?” My voice raised an octave at the insane person on the other end.

  “I wanted to see if you would like to go out to breakfast with me.” Oliver didn’t seem the least bit affected by my irritation.

  “No way, I was up all night.”

  “Well, why don’t
we get something to eat later?” My body was exhausted and I wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep.

  “Later when?” I asked, in an attempt to stay awake.

  “For dinner. Please, I’d love to see you again, Dee.”

  Before I could process what he said, I responded, “Yeah fine.”

  “Okay great! Would it be okay with you if I picked up some food and we have a night in with some movies?”

  “Uh yeah…sure. I need to let you go though.” Not only did I feel sleep clouding my mind, but my head was swimming with the encroaching hangover and the realization that I was probably doing something I was going to later regret.

  “Oh, of course! Sorry to wake you but I can’t wait to see you tonight!”

  “Yeah, bye.” I clicked off the phone and set it back down onto the night stand. My body was on edge as I prayed that Corey slept through the call. Even I knew that wasn’t the case and when I rolled over his blue eyes were fixated on my face.

  “Who was that?” He whispered; his hand reached out to brush a few strands of hair away from my face.

  I sighed. “Do you really want to know?” His lips formed a sad smile.

  “I think you just told me”, he said dejectedly.

  I gulped down the fear that we were about to have a total blow out argument. “Are you guys getting together?”

  “For dinner.” The words came out so low, I wondered if he could hear me. He rolled onto his back; I watched his chest heave up in a large sigh.

  There were many different things I should have said and the selfless part of me screamed it was time to let Corey go. If I wasn’t ready to commit to him one hundred percent, then I had no business leading him on. Sleeping in his bed is one thing but I’ve become a part of his world and he has become a part of mine. For that reason, the selfish part of me wanted to hold on. So instead of providing him words of comfort, I took the coward’s way out and threw my arm over his chest and snuggled into his side. It took less than a minute for his body to mold to mine and even though I could sense the distress, sleep overtook us both.