by Young, Alexa
“What the fuck is going on here?” Dray roars. It’s enough to snap Jo from her anger. She immediately brings on the waterworks, but Dray isn’t falling for that old trick.
“Cut the fucking drama, Jo. I’ve just watched you attack an employee.”
“But she—”
“What?” Dray barks.
“She ruined my life. Lex was mine, then she gave him the fucking eyes and so what, he’s hers now?” Her shrill voice goes up several more octaves.
“You can’t help who you fall for,” I mutter.
I owe her no explanation.
“Oh, shut the hell up. I cannot stand seeing this every day. You’re going to have to fire her.” She stabs the air in Abbie’s direction.
“What?” Abbie gasps. Her face is already bright red from the claw marks across it.
“Dray, this is so out of order—”
“Shut the hell up, the lot of you. The only person being fired around here is you, Jo.”
“Excuse me?” she shrieks.
“Are you really that shocked?” he asks, quirking a brow. Her behaviour in the last few minutes is more than grounds for being fired.
“Fine, but this is unfair dismissal. I will drag your name through the mud as well as take all your money. You want to go there, Dray, because trust me, I won’t go quietly,” she threatens, smirking. Her eyes narrow, waiting for a response.
“That’s fine, but you’ll be laughed out of any tribunal. First thing, you were caught on camera attacking an employee. That’s grounds for firing anyway. Plus, add the verbal abuse, and not only towards Abbie. You’ve been reported several times for being rude to customers. You have been reported late on several occasions, then there’s the over-extended lunch breaks and getting other people to cover. We have a file, and Ritchie and I are preparing to do the staff appraisals next week. We were just discussing your position here.” He looks over to Ritchie, who nods.
“It’s true, Jo. We have more than enough evidence to rightfully sack you. No solicitor in their right mind would take on this case. You becoming violent is the final straw. I’d go quietly, if I were you.”
“Listen, Ritchie, I’m talking to the organ grinder, not the fucking monkey. We all know you’re way up Dray’s arse. God, it’s sickening.”
Ritchie’s eyes widen in anger.
Oh fucking hell.
It takes a lot for Ritchie to get pissed – he’s always the one calming Dray down – but this time, Jo has pushed his buttons.
“Let’s get this right, shall we. You’ve burned all your bridges, especially now with Ritchie. He would have been the one to write you a reference, but in true Jo style, you’ve rocked that up. I’ll pay you up to the end of the month, and then you’re done here. No reference, nothing. Should have kept your mouth shut, Jo. And if I see any kind of retribution from this, we won’t be going to the police. Trust me, we’ll be handling this in our own way.”
“Are you threatening me, Dray?” she spits out, placing her hands on her hips.
The girl never knows when to quit.
“Not a threat, Jo, it’s a warning. Now, clear out your locker. You have an hour to grab your stuff and say goodbye, then you’ll be permanently banned from each DM Fitness.” They continue to eyeball each other until Jo finally relents. She walks forward and snorts in disgust before speaking.
“Like I ever want to fucking come back here and work out. There are far better gyms in this city, trust me,” she sneers.
“Then you’ll enjoy using them. Now, we all have work to get back to. You’ve taken up more than enough of our time already. If you’re not gone by the hour, then I’ll be sending Ritchie down to personally escort you off the premises. After your little dig, he will more than enjoy it. Now, get out of my sight.” Dray waves her away and she scowls, sending a glare my way. I think I’ve had a lucky escape from that psycho. I count my blessings it never went any further than the one night.
Jo flounces out in her usual over-dramatic way. Dray turns to Abbie. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, I’ll get back to what I was—” She promptly bursts into tears and Dray pulls her in for a hug.
“You know, you’re quite within your right to report Jo to the police for assault. We’re all witnesses.”
“I just want to forget about it,” she whispers.
“Take the rest of the day off. You, too, Lex. Make sure you look after her.” He gives me a look and I nod. She’s fragile at the moment; I need to be there for her.
“But there’s the report to be—”
“It can wait. You need time away, you’re in shock,” I add. I just want to take her home, away from it all.
Abbie nods, eyes dropping to the floor as she sniffles.
Dray grabs her chin and forces her to look at him. “Not only are you a great employee, but now that you’re seeing my brother, you’re family. I protect my family. Anything you want, just say the word. I promise you, nothing like that will happen again. If Jo approaches you outside of here, tell me and I will personally deal with it myself. I want you safe and happy. Now, grab your things and Lex, make sure you buy some Ben and Jerry’s on the way to Abbie’s. It always seems to work for Luce.”
“Thanks, Dray.” Abbie smiles weakly. I think I’m going to have my work cut out cheering her up; she’s already blaming herself. I kiss her hair and let her walk ahead, quickly turning to face Dray before I leave.
“Thanks, Dray.”
“Hey, she’s family. Now, go look after your girl because once Luce finds out about this, she’ll be spitting feathers.”
I can only imagine.
“I will. She’s my priority now.”
“How it should be.” He pats me on the back, giving his seal of approval. I catch up with Abbie and place my arm around her shoulders. She looks up into my eyes and I know she’s the one.
I would fight to the end for this girl.
Chapter Fourteen
Abbie opens the door to her flat. She’s been quiet the whole journey home; I think she’s just about holding it together. When she walks by the mirror and catches her refection, she stares at the claw marks across her face. Then she loses it.
I pull her into my arms and hold her. At first, she tries to push away then relents and sobs in my arms. I hold her and let her get it all out. I know Jo’s words will have deeply scarred her, and she already has deep-seated issues about herself. I hope she allows me to try and undo the damage inflicted today.
“Why are you with me?” Abbie steps back, her eyes searching mine.
“What?” I ask in confusion.
Doesn’t she know already?
“Why are you with me? I’m not beautiful, guys don’t find me attractive. I blend into the background. I’m insignificant, a wallflower people dismiss, so why do you want me?”
I walk her backwards, pressing her against the wall. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you’d bewitched me. Those emerald-green eyes pierced my soul. Your smile is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. It lights up the room. You have this rare kind of beauty and elegance not everyone notices, but that’s you. You’re not a show pony, you don’t parade yourself off to the extreme, but you’re far from being a wallflower. Men notice, but the way you carry yourself keeps them away. You don’t make it easy, because you give out a 'back off' vibe. It kept me away for a while, but as time wore on I got tired of fighting it. I wanted you. I needed you and, as far as being insignificant, you’re one of the most important people in my life. When I think of you, I think of the future we’ll have together, all the great memories we’ll share. I don’t vocalise it because I don’t want to scare you. I want to take this slow. I want to know every single part of you, and I will. I’m in this for the long haul. You and me. So I never want you to doubt my motives.”
She sighs deeply closing her eyes. “I’m sorry, I just… Growing up, I was never told I was pretty. It became something I got used to, and I was fine with that. I’m not a peacock, I don
’t put it out on display. I do the complete opposite and shy away from it all. These last few months have been weird. I’m not used to attention, but I liked it. Maybe a little too much, which surprised me, but I didn’t trust you. I’ve been the butt of jokes before where guys pretend to like me then laugh about it all behind my back. I thought you had an agenda, and I know I have insecurities. I’m scared you’ll wake up one day and this silly little crush will be over.”
“Let me tell you now, it’s not a silly little crush. I know it’s too soon, but I need you to know every day I fall a little deeper. Every time I’m away from you, I miss you. You’ve worked your way inside my heart, and I couldn’t walk away if I wanted.” I hope she listens to me. I need her to understand I mean every word.
“That’s good to hear.” She smiles shyly. “I feel the same. I don’t know the moment it happened when it became more, but I know I need you. I crave you, I want you.”
“I want you so bad it hurts. I know it’s too fast and I’ll wait, fuck, I’ll wait forever if I have to. I might have blue balls, but it would be worth it.” I chuckle.
“I want you now,” she breathes, causing my breath to hitch.
“What?” I gasp.
Did I just imagine that?
“I want you now.”
“What—no, not like this. When it happens I want it to be a time when you’re ready, when you’re sure and don't have Jo’s scathing words inside your head.”
“Today has been the best and the worst. Jo’s words cut me bad, but yours healed me. I’m more certain than I’ve ever been. Please, I need you, and I don’t want to wait any longer.” Her hand cups my face and I sink into her touch. I take her hand and kiss it.
“Are you sure?” I ask as my cock stirs.
Fuck.
“More than I’ve ever been. I want you to be my first. To be the one.” Her eyes stare deep into mine to clarify she means every word.
“It would be such an honour, to be the only guy to kiss those lips, to touch this skin, to watch your face as I sink deep inside you and slowly undo you in the best possible way.”
Her blush deepens at my honesty. “Stop, it’s a little—”
“Overwhelming?”
“Yes,” she breathes, looking completely blown away by my words.
“Good, then I’m saying all the right things. Do you still want to?”
She bites her lip. “Yes, even more so.”
“I can’t believe you’re mine.”
“I’ve never been anyone else’s.”
My lips crash against hers and she gasps, but soon manages to maintain the same frantic rhythm. Our breathing becomes faster; it’s exhilarating, it’s electric. I’ve never felt more alive. I want her, I need her right now. But not here.
“We need to stop,” I pant, moving away.
“Why?” she whispers dejectedly. I shouldn’t enjoy the look of annoyance on her face, but it’s enough to tell me she really wants to.
“I don’t want to do it here. I want to take you to bed, so I can undo you several times over. You’re really going to have to lie down for that part.”
She grins and blushes at the same time.
God, she’s cute.
She grabs my hand and leads me to her room. I love a woman who likes to take charge. It’s so fucking sexy.
She opens the door and I stare in wonder. Her room is small but cosy, filled with a large bookcase housing hundreds of books, pictures and trinkets. Each one looks like it has a story behind it.
“So, you really are a book nerd?” I remark, chuckling.
“Yes, but this is just a very small amount; most are on my Kindle now. I’ve run out of book space so it’s handy to store them all on there now.”
“Ahh, the Kindle where you read all your stories. What’s your favourite type?”
“Romance.”
I smile. “So, you like to be swept off your feet?”
“Doesn’t any girl? The guys I read about are not like real life, though. Well, so I thought, until you gave me your little speech. It was very 'book boyfriend' worthy.”
“I meant every word,” I whisper. My eyes stay locked on hers.
“I know.”
“I need you, Abbie. Tell me now you’ve changed your mind and I’ll walk away while I still have the strength to.”
Her hands grab mine. “I don’t want you to go. I want you to undo me like you said. I want to know what it feels like when you bury yourself inside me. I want that connection between us. I want to fall asleep tired but satisfied in your arms.”
A smile quirks on my lips, loving this new side to her. “That I can do, but I think you’re wearing too many clothes.”
She bites her lip and smiles, slowly unbuttoning her shirt to reveal a sexy little white lace bra underneath. Already, I’m hard, and she hesitates slightly.
“Keep going.” I watch her with heated eyes. I want to pounce on her and fuck her right here, but I have to be patient and slow; I want to make this time memorable. I have to give her this, even though my body is screaming to do the complete opposite.
Her eyes hold mine for a few beats as she undoes the final few buttons. Her shirt falls to the floor, leaving her standing in just her bra and skirt, which soon tumbles down to reveal she’s a matching underwear kind of girl.
My eyes heat and I flick my tongue over my lips. I want to devour her and have her shout my name over and over; in a matter of minutes, it will be a reality.
I lift her hand to my lips and kiss each finger before leading her over to the bed. She trembles slightly and there’s a look of hesitancy in her eyes, but when I pull her against me she can feel exactly how much I need her. The fear is quickly replaced by lust.
“I want you so bad,” I whisper, bending down to capture her mouth.
We kiss and it’s electric, I never want it to end, but I know what is ahead will far outdo this moment. I shift her body along till her legs meet the end of the bed. I smile, watching her sit, then shuffle back so she’s lying there waiting for me. She looks beautiful, so angelic in white. Her cheeks heat with her innocence, and I can’t wait to show her what she’s been missing.
I drag the T-shirt over my head. Her eyes widen at my torso. I’m still working hard to get the perfect body, and with Dray as my coach he keeps me on top form, even if we do have Luce’s cooking to contend with. We work out and push the boundaries and, judging by the expression on Abbie’s face, all of the time, effort and pain is worth it as her eyes devour every single inch of me.
She bites her lip in response, and I smile as I start to unbutton my jeans. They soon fall to the floor, leaving me standing there in tight black boxers which more than show my need for her.
Fuck, I’m about to blow.
Her eyes linger on my bulge then widen slightly. She’s now in panic mode, so I take no more time in letting her freak out. I crawl up to her so we’re eye to eye as my body sinks down onto hers. Her heart is beating like a frightened rabbit.
“Are you okay?” I ask, needing reassurance.
“I think so. It’s just, well…”
“What?”
“How is that going to fit inside me?”
I chuckle at her expression. “It will, I promise you.”
“Will it hurt?”
“Yes, but we’ll take it slow and once the pleasure takes over, you’ll soon forget. We don’t have to do this now, we can do other stuff.” Every part of me wants this, needs this, but only when she’s ready.
She closes her eyes briefly, almost in contemplation. “Will you make me orgasm with your mouth?”
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Have you read about that in your books?”
She nods shyly.
“Do you want me to kiss you there, to feel my face between your thighs?”
She hesitates then nods, blushing, and I love the fact she’s not experienced and discovering everything through me.
I inch my way down, undoing her bra and gliding her knickers down he
r body. I place both legs over my shoulders so I’m as close as I can be. She gasps at the first touch, her body trembling for a moment, but then she starts to settle as my mouth begins to undo her in the best way. I work her deep and delight in all the loud groans escaping her lips. It’s the best sound in the world, even more so when her hand grips my hair to hold me there. I bring my fingers into play to push her further towards her orgasm.
“Oh, God, Lex—”
“Tell me how good it feels, baby,” I urge. I need to hear her.
“I can’t—”
“Tell me,” I plead.
“It’s—oh, God—oh, Goddddd.”
I smile as she climaxes. I think I’ve more than made her first experience a great one. Sitting up, I stare at her all laid out before me. Her naked body drives me wild – it’s a curse she ever wears clothes – but then I’d go fucking ballistic if another guy saw her like this. This is just for me.
“Lex,” she pants, barely able to speak. I smirk in response, because I know it takes a lot to render her speechless.
“Are you ready, baby?”
“Just give me a minute to catch my breath.”
I grab the condom and roll it on, and she watches my every move. Her chest rises and lowers and she swallows, looking nervous. I lower myself onto her and kiss her softly.
“Are you sure?” I need to know for certain this is what she wants.
“Just please, take it slow,” she urges.
“I will, just try and relax.”
“That’s easier said than done,” she snorts.
I kiss her as I slowly inch my way inside, and she gasps the further I go. I know the last few inches will hurt, but she urges me on. She groans loudly as I fill her deep. I give her a chance to catch her breath before I begin to move, slowly at first to let her become accustomed to me being inside her.
“How are you?” I ask.