Break My Fall

by Chloe Walsh

  I just sat there mouth open, staring at the back of him as he left the room with the redhead hot on his heels.

  “I said enjoy yourself, but Kyle? Aside from the fact that he is your roommate and that’s all shades of messed up the guy is beyond complicated. What were you thinking?” Cam asked as she slouched beside me. I had no answer for her. I had no answer for myself. My mind was frozen on the fact that Cam had said the sex god was Kyle. Oh my god, I had just made out with my roommate.

  Cam stared at me for a while longer and then shook her head. “Stay away from him Lee. He has some weird thing going on with that nasty bitch. Girls like you aren’t cut out for guys like him. We’ll talk about this later.” With that, she turned and headed back outside.

  Girls like me?

  What was that supposed that mean? Was I that so plain that a guy like Kyle couldn’t be interested in me? Yeah sure, I wasn’t tall or as skinny as Cam and the redhead, but dammit I wasn’t ugly. I needed to get out of here.

  I slid off the counter and made my through the crowded hallway on shaky legs. I climbed the staircase quickly, silently praying my bedroom was now vacant. If not, I was grabbing a pillow and sleeping in the damn bathroom, the guests could pee in the street for all I cared. Voices in the upstairs landing halted me in my tracks.

  “Don’t ‘Rachel’ me Kyle Carter, who the fuck is she?” A female voice all but screamed.

  I stopped at the mention of his name and listened.

  “She just moved in Rachel. She’s a friend of Camryn’s from down south. Fuck, why am I explaining myself to you? Her being here has nothing to do with me.” I heard him answer. Oh my god, was she his girlfriend? Did I just make out with another girl’s boyfriend?

  “Because you promised me Kyle, you swore to me after everything that happened. You owe me.” What the hell was going on in this place? What happened last time and what did he owe her?

  “And I will keep that promise. Rachel she is nothing to me, but don’t pretend that you own me sweetheart, because until that day comes I’m a free man,” Kyle said, enunciating the word ‘nothing,’ clearly.

  I didn’t want to hear anymore. I climbed the rest of the steps. Kyle and the redhead were standing close together and both turned to face me. I blushed when I met their surprised gazes. “Excuse me,” I muttered as I brushed passed them and half ran to my bedroom door.

  I opened the door relieved to find it dark and empty. I dared one last peek back at the pair who were now entering the bedroom next to mine. I guess that’s what Cam meant by ‘traffic.’ He wasn’t a pothead; he was a bed-hopper.

  “Keep walking little girl,” Rachel spat as stormed into his bedroom. I blushed and my eyes met Kyle’s. He was standing at his bedroom door, looking at me curiously. I tore my eyes away from his and darted inside my room.

  Locking my door, I climbed fully clothed into my bed, but sleep never came, not with the loud moans coming from the room next door.

  Kyle

  “You better mean it Kyle I’m not messing around. You know the rules,” Rachel huffed, storming into my room. She stripped off her scrap of a dress and my stomach churned. It always happened when I saw that scar on her stomach. I cringed. Of course, I fucking meant what I said. I wasn’t the type of man who broke promises. Rachel Grayson had my balls nailed to the wall. I was trapped and she knew it, but I’d be damned if I’d regret kissing little miss titties.

  Jesus, I was rock hard still thinking about her. Yeah, I knew the rules and so did Rachel. I fucked who I wanted and so did she. It wasn’t an exclusive arrangement so why did it bother her when I kissed Lee? The taste of her was still in my mouth and even the sound of her name in my head made me horny, but the hurt look in her eyes in the hallway made my stomach flip.

  Fuck.

  Why did that even concern me? I was like a robot. I didn’t feel things for girls other than wanting to get them naked. I’d closed off those emotions years ago when I experienced first-hand the way women really worked. But her sad face… Shit, I was getting soft. God, she was beautiful, but young, too young for the likes of me. Why did she look so sad? She didn’t know me and if she did she wouldn’t want to. I was a waster, a fucking genius with numbers and figures, but I hurt anyone who got too close to me. It was a supreme talent of mine, just look at the girl standing in front of me now. I shuddered when I thought of all the ways I had hurt her. Things I could never fix.

  “I’m here with you aren’t I?” I muttered.

  Rachel walked over to face me resting her hands on my hips. “Are you? Are you really here with me Kyle?”

  I pulled my shirt over my head. “Yeah.” I pulled her into my arms. “I am.”

  Lee

  I was never drinking again. An out of tune marching band was banging around in my head all day long and I honestly don’t know how I wasn’t fired because I had vomited loudly in two of the ensuite bathrooms I was supposed to clean.

  I had been close to a panic attack when I got dressed this morning. My uniform was so tight around my chest that I was in fear of bursting the seams. The length wasn’t much better falling a good two inches above my knees. However, I was covered in the in the important areas so I focused on that slightly positive piece of information.

  It was after ten before I got home. I went and changed into my pajamas, then headed to the kitchen, walking past the closed living room door in my bid to get coffee.

  The kitchen was spotless. Cam must have cleaned up most of the post party mess and I was grateful. I didn’t think I could deal with the smell of stale beer. My stomach still felt raw from the amount I drank last night. I boiled the kettle and leaned over the counter while I waited. Instant coffee was going to have to do; I didn’t have the energy to prepare anything more lavish.

  The living room door opened and I heard voices. I groaned, hoping they weren’t going to have another party tonight. I wasn’t used to the party lifestyle, wasn’t used to these kinds of people.

  Cam’s voice called from the living room. “You back Lee?”

  I debated whether to answer, before deciding not to. I had gone to bed quickly last night after the whole ‘Kyle incident’ and when I left for work this morning she was still asleep.

  I couldn’t answer her questions any more than I could answer my own. I was appalled at myself. Cam had been right about one thing; I needed to stay away from Kyle. He had a very weird thing indeed going on with Rachel and I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. They were so strange; they didn’t behave like boyfriend and girlfriend.

  Louder shuffling from the doorway made me realize I had no luck. I kept my back to her and prepared my coffee. So, she was waiting for me to bring it up, great. I took a deep breath and with my coffee cup in my hand I turned to face her. My heart dropped when I realized it was not Cam who had walked into the kitchen. It was Kyle.

  Kyle leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest, his face set in a deep frown. I jumped and my cup slipped from my hand shattering against the kitchen tiles.

  “Jesus,” he muttered as he strode toward me. His slipped his hands around my waist and literally lifted me off the ground, moving me away from the broken glass. His touch warmed me and I shuddered. He moved his hands away from me quickly. “You burned?” he asked as he stepped further back from me. I shook my head. He let out a breath, nodding. Walking across the kitchen, he grabbed a broom and dust-pan from beside the back door.

  “What are you doing here?” I managed to squeeze out as I watched Kyle sweep up the broken glass. He was dressed much more casually tonight. His black t-shirt rode up his back while he bent and the small strip of tanned skin peeking out from his shirt made my face flame. Kyle did dangerous things to a pair of jeans. I didn’t know if I was turned on or embarrassed. I guessed both. To be honest, he blew me away.

  He tossed the glass in the waste bin and turned to face me. “I live here,” he said simply. “Besides, I never miss Thursday night poker with Cam.” He smiled fondly when he sa
id Cam’s name. They must be friends, close friends. Jealousy swirled inside me. Had they done stuff together, other than poker? Cam had a reputation and so did Kyle by the sounds of it. I frowned at the thought. Maybe he was more Derek’s friend. Cam had said he and Derek were best friends. I didn’t care. I shouldn’t care.

  Kyle smiled and leaned against the counter; the same counter as last night. “I was away for a few days, didn’t know we had a new roommate. You know Cam well? I’m Kyle by the way.” His smile was friendly, but his eyes were guarded. I wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was behaving as if he hadn’t kissed me last night…maybe he didn’t remember? He could have been drunk.

  I eyed him nervously. “Uh, yeah, I just moved here from Louisiana. I’ve known Cam my whole life. We used to live next door to each other. She moved away when I was twelve, but we kept in touch. I’m Lee.” I held out my hand, but he made no move to shake it. Instead, he studied my outstretched hand and burst out laughing. He was laughing at me and worse his laugh was making me blush. My cheeks reddened with embarrassment. What was so funny?

  “It’s a little late for formalities princess, considering I was closely acquainted with your mouth last night”

  Princess? What a jerk. “My name is Lee. I would appreciate it if you addressed me by my Christian name,” I growled through gritted teeth.

  My anger only made Kyle laugh more. “Princess it is then.” Another nickname, that was just lovely. What was it with the guys here?

  He ran his hand carelessly through his dark hair. It looked amazing, tousled in such a sexy way. Good grief, was happening to me? I was drooling over a man who obviously seemed to enjoy tormenting me. “How well do you know Cam?” I snapped, partially because I wanted to change the subject, but mostly because I was desperate to know if he had been one of Cam’s flings.

  His mood changed quickly, from mischievous to cool. “Careful princess, keep talking like that and I’m gonna think you’re jealous and there’s nothing worse than desperation in a woman.”

  “Desperate?” I could think of things a lot worse, like my foot up his butt. I was appalled at his accusation. “You’re the one who kissed me last night and then took a completely different girl into your bed with you.”

  He grinned widely; his dimple deepened.

  What a dog.

  His eyes darkened as he prowled towards me. Standing in front of me, I felt tiny. He was at least six feet two if not more. At five’ two” I was a midget compared to him. “And you enjoyed every second of me kissing you, didn’t you princess? Are you upset I didn’t take you to into my bed?” He stroked the space between my breasts with his finger. “Because I can render that right now.”

  I gaped at him, backing up closer to the table. “My God you are in love with yourself.” I laughed humorlessly. “Believe me Kyle, not every girl in the world wants to fall into bed with you. I happen to have more respect for myself than to crawl into a bed that was occupied a few hours ago.” I couldn’t believe I was saying all of this, but his cockiness irritated me and if I was honest, turned me on.

  Stepping further into my personal space, he snuck out a hand and brushed a piece of my hair back from my face. I wobbled and leaned against the table for support. “You sure about that princess?” His fingers trailed from my temple to my chin causing my body to shiver. “Because your body seems to disagree.” He tipped my chin up toward him. His blue eyes pierced through me and my eyes fluttered closed, my lips parted. I felt his lips touch against mine ever so gently, but he wasn’t kissing me; he was challenging me…

  My heart rate spiked and my breath quickened. He ran his tongue across my lower lip and I caved. I pressed my lips hard against his, wanting him to feel as disturbed by me as I was by him. Kyle’s tongue slipped into my mouth and I groaned in unfamiliar pleasure. My hands snaked around his neck as he hoisted me onto the table. Spreading my legs, he grabbed my hips and pulled me roughly against him. Kyle’s lips moved to my neck and I was lost in the moment pressed against his hard chest of muscle.

  The sound of him chuckling brought me down to earth with a bang. I gasped and pushed him away from me disgusted with myself for my weakness. What was wrong with me?

  He rubbed his lower lip with his thumb and smirked. “You keep telling yourself you don’t want me princess, see how long that lasts.”

  He moved to the door and I felt like throwing something. “I wouldn’t sleep with you if you… If you… I just wouldn’t okay,” I shouted, but that made him laugh louder as he sauntered to the door.

  Pausing at the door, he turned and grinned. “I always change my sheet's princess. Just thought you should know that for when you crawl into my bed.”

  Kyle

  Christ, she was a curvy ball of temptation. I’d nearly lost it when I saw her barefoot in my kitchen. Her peachy ass looked damn fine in those pajama shorts. I couldn’t wait for her to give in. It would only be a matter of time. I could feel her want when I had my tongue down her throat; her hard nipples pressing against me, her wanton moaning and groaning,

  I had to have her.

  “Dude, you want me to deal you in?” Derek asked as soon as I walked into the living room. Derek, Cam, Mo and Dixon sat in a circle around our coffee table playing poker. I usually played, but tonight I couldn’t focus and a man needed to be on form when playing with Cam. That little shark could fleece the best of them.

  Shaking my head I plopped down on the couch and began flicking through the channels, but my head wasn’t in it. It was upstairs in Lee’s room imagining her undressing…Fuck.

  I shifted, arranging myself against my jeans. Jesus, she was going to be bad for my health.

  Cam looked up from her cards and eyed me suspiciously. “Well, well, well, aren’t you grinning like the cat that got the cream?” I hadn’t realized I was grinning. I shrugged uncomfortably. I was pleased with myself. I had felt guilty over the way I treated her last night and strangely off-kilter, but after her little princess tantrum in the kitchen, I was more amused than anything. The nickname was staying.

  “Was that Lee I heard in the kitchen with you?” Derek asked as he tossed a card down on the table. Cam’s eyes tightened and she glared over at me.

  “Oh man, is that your new roommate’s name?” Mo asked. “Because hot damn she’s fine.”

  “Cat that got the cream,” Dixon scoffed. “More like the cream got the pussy.”

  The guys cracked up laughing. I was on my feet and had the bastard by the throat. “Watch your fucking mouth.”

  Cam stood, her eyes narrowed at me as she nodded towards the hallway. She stalked out and I dropped my hand. “Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself,” I warned before following Cam out to the hall. That creep made my skin crawl. Mo was all right, but Dixon was just another example of Cam’s poor choice of friends. Speaking of Cam, she was now glaring at me like I stole her last condom. What in the hell?

  “Stay away from her Kyle,” Cam said quietly. “She’s vulnerable.” I studied Cam for a minute, shit she looked serious.

  “Cam, you’re looking at me like I’m the spawn of Austin Powers, Christ I’m not a serial womanizer.”

  She smirked. “Aren’t you?”

  Okay, fair point, my past was pretty colored, but then, so was Cam’s.

  Sighing, she looked me dead straight in the eyes. “Look, Kyle, all I’m saying is Lee is sheltered and new to the city. She’s not used to our lifestyle and doesn’t need the drama that comes from being with you.” Well, that was a warning if there ever was one. No girl deserved the drama that came from being with me. “Lee’s a good girl and she has had a really shitty life. I don’t know why she chose to come to me, but I’m glad she did. She needs my help Kyle and I don’t want her to run again.”

  Okay point taken. I had never heard Cam talk so passionately about anyone before, not even Derek. Lee was important to her and she was running from something. What was she running from? A weird possessive feeling came over me. Shit… “So, in other words, don�
��t touch her?” I muttered stomping down the disappointment.

  Cam smiled sweetly. “Exactly, well, you can be friends with her, but be a doll and try to keep it in your pants. That girl is nothing like us,” Cam patted my shoulder. “She needs this place right now, more than you know. So just, be gentle with her.”

  Be her friend. Keep it in my pants. “I can do that,” I promised and I hoped I could.

  Chapter Three

  Lee

  I touched my hands to my mouth, my face flamed when I thought of Kyle kissing me. Never in my life had I been kissed like that.

  I heard footsteps approach so I grabbed my bowl and spoon from the table and moved to the sink to clean up. I felt guilty enough having barged in on my roommates without eating their food, as well. I didn’t usually eat at the house; my meals were free at work, but I was starving when I woke up this morning. I had some change in tips and decided I would go grocery shopping after work this evening. Drying my bowl, I turned to put it the press, freezing on the spot when I took in Kyle’s half-naked body.

  Kyle stood in the doorway of the kitchen, dressed only in black trousers. He was waving a white shirt in front of him. I hadn’t seen him three days and I was drooling. My breath hitched as my gaze locked on his chest, his pecs, those abs, that dusting of hair from his belly button trailing under his pants…

  “I think we may have gotten off to a bad start,” he said, grinning sheepishly. “So, how about a truce?” I couldn’t stop the nervous giggle that escaped my mouth. I wanted to stay angry with him, but he was making that close to impossible standing there waving his ‘white flag.' I forced my eyes away from his ribbed stomach and pulled my nightdress down suddenly feeling very naked. Even though I was covered to the knee, it wasn’t enough around this man.