My Weakness

by Alison Mello

  Normally a guy calling me sweet thing, or any other random pet name would trigger a not so friendly reaction out of me. But this situation was already awkward enough, so I decided to let it slide.

  “Hey X,” the guy still holding my hand hollered out. “I found your girl outside.”

  His words echoed through the house followed by a few loud whistles and obscene words, just before Xavier appeared in the doorway, a look of surprise covering his face.

  Again more awkwardness, and I contemplated turning around and just walking back toward my car. I should be fighting this feeling inside of me; I knew I should. Between my mother and Marcus pushing for Xavier and my own curiosity tugging at me, it was hard to stay away.

  I guess deep down inside I wanted to feel what it was like to have someone desperate for me. I wanted to let go of all the hesitation inside of me and see where it led us.

  “Hey,” he finally said before his eyes shifted to where his friend still held my hand. “Brent.” He said the guy’s name, his eyes never once leaving our joined hands. “You mind letting go?” It was more of a demand, really, which in turn made me smile. The idea of Xavier feeling possessive over me felt good. I was never one to understand that outward expression until now. Prior to him I would have found all of this childish and something I would only want to avoid.

  “Shit,” the guy said just before releasing my hand as if it was burning him. “Sorry, man.”

  Brent was off faster than I could register and in his place stood Xavier. “What are you doing here?” he asked, only making me feel stupid for showing up. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you are here,” he added, “just a little surprised.”

  “I should’ve called,” I said as I stepped back, only he didn’t let me get far.

  He extended his arm and gripped my hip as he pulled me back toward him. “No,” he said in a low voice, “this is good.” He grinned when my smile widened. A heat filled my cheeks and my stomach did this crazy little fluttering rush.

  I quickly tried to cover up my reaction to him by giving him my challenging look instead. Arms crossed, eyebrow arched, with my lips pursed. Only it did nothing to tame the cocky side of him. “Good, you brought your attitude with you,” he said, excitement in his eyes.

  He was so weird sometimes. What guy liked when the girl they were hanging out with had attitude?

  “Let’s go upstairs,” he said before taking my hand in his and dragging me off much like his friend did only moments ago. As we reached the top landing, he looked over his shoulder and then tugged me, pulling me to his side. Leaning in, he kissed my temple, and for a moment I forgot all about the information Brent offered outside. I forgot about the idea he planted in my mind about only being the girl Xavier needed to get over his ex.

  But, only for a moment.

  He opened a door, and within seconds I was in his room with the door shut behind us. “A rebound girl, huh?” I said without a second thought. Xavier stepped closer, a confused look covering his features. “Brent explained what the night we met was all about. That the guys wanted you to find a girl to help you get over Britney and I was that girl for you, right? The one to help you forget what you two had.”

  He didn't answer me, which only made the fact that I even brought it up seem more stupid.

  “I get it,” I said with a shrug. “Were the two of you together long?”

  Still no reply, only an intense look I couldn’t quite explain covering his face.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  He shook his head, as he let it fall forward, now hiding his eyes from me. An awkward silence settled over the room.

  “Are you going to say anything?” I asked, wondering why he was ignoring all my questions. “Xavier…” Reaching out, I placed my hand against his stomach.

  He moved fast, backing me up to the door behind me, his body pressing my own against the hard wood. “Your first mistake was ever listening to a word Brent said. You’re not a rebound,” he said, his lips only inches from mine. “You weren’t that night, and you’re not now.”

  “It’s okay,” I assured him, and his features hardened. “I understand.”

  “Are you done?” he asked.

  “It doesn’t have to be a problem.” I was just glad I figured it out now prior to my heart getting in the way of things. It was a good thing to know before things went any further than they already had between us.

  “A problem,” he repeated, closing his eyes for a minute. “The only problem we have here is you.” I flinched at his words.

  “Me?” I asked, feeling slightly irritated.

  “Yeah,” he said, opening his eyes, looking directly into mine. “You keep looking for a way to prove this thing between us won’t work out. You’re just waiting for the moment you can say ‘I fucking told you so.’ But I got news for you, Morgan.” He lifted his hands and curled his fingers with mine. “That moment isn’t coming.”

  He closed the last amount of distance between us, pressing his lips to mine, as he slowly lifted my hands above my head. Pinning me to the door, using his body to press tightly to mine, he conquered my mouth, leaving me breathless.

  “I’m in this with you because I want to be, not because I feel like I have to be,” he whispered as he kissed along my jaw. “Stop pushing me away, stop fighting it.”

  In a slow, torturous pace, he kissed along my jaw and down the side of my neck.

  There was really no point in fighting for control, because at that moment, Xavier had it. He knew just how to manipulate my body to react to his touch, to his kiss. Within seconds I was ready to let go of all my reservations and let him do whatever he wanted.

  He was right, why fight it? Challenging the connection between us was exhausting.

  I bit at his lower lip as he began to pull away, triggering a moan from between his lips.

  “I think it’s time you accept it,” he said, skimming the side of my nose with his own. “You want me, I want you, there’s really nothing more that matters than that.”

  He was a cocky asshole who was completely right.

  “Show me how much you want me,” I challenged him, and I could see his eyes fill with lust. The way he pushed his hips forward, grinding his erection against me. “No,” I whispered, “show me.”

  He released my hands and reached around me to grip my ass. Gently he lifted me and I willingly circled his waist with my legs, hooking them securely behind him. Spinning me around, he began moving across his room toward his bed.

  He held my body securely to his while using his other to brace himself against the mattress. I felt secure in his hold as he began lowering both of us to the bed. With my back pressed to the mattress, he sank against me, taking his place between my thighs.

  My pulse quickened as his hand ran along my side, moving beneath my shirt along the way. “I’m gonna take my time with you,” he whispered. “I want to remember everything.” Pressing his mouth to mine, he ran his tongue over the seam of my lips and I parted them, welcoming more. “I’ve craved that soft whimper of yours.” He pressed into me once more and I raised my own hips, gaining even more connection. “I’ve dreamed of that sound,” he confessed. “I need it.”

  “I need you,” I admitted.

  “You have me,” he assured me just as his hand covered my breast. “You have me,” he repeated, covering my lips with his once more.

  Chapter 23

  Xavier

  I took in a deep breath, my forehead pressed to Morgan’s as I tried to come back down from the high I just hit. Our bodies slick with sweat, mine still firmly tucked between her thighs as her legs remained around my waist, securely locked behind my back as if she wasn’t quite ready to let me go. That was fine. I wasn’t ready to leave. In fact if she agreed, I planned to stay right where I was all night and well into the morning.

  The challenge I’d faced trying to get her to give me a chance was torturous, but well worth it. I was just sorry I missed how amazing we were together the
first time around.

  “That was…” her words faded off and I knew just what she was feeling.

  “Yeah, it was.” Both of us obviously found it hard to think of a word to describe what we just shared.

  She tucked her face into the crease of my neck, snuggling in as close as she could get.

  “I could get used to this,” I confessed, closing my eyes and getting lost for a moment.

  “Used to what?” she asked, her warm breath tickling my neck.

  “You being all cute and snuggling against me.” I could almost sense her rolling her eyes. “Just admit it, you like it too.”

  “Maybe,” she whispered softly, burrowing in a little closer before pausing. “Okay, I like it too.”

  It was my turn to smile. I think my girl was beginning to get a little soft. I liked the idea of being able to share this with her when we were alone. She was determined and stubborn yet with a gentle side hiding underneath. It was the best of both worlds. Her sassiness turned me on like nothing I’ve ever felt before, but this right here, this was good too.

  I was glad I was lucky enough to see this side of her. The idea of any other man doing this very thing, with this very girl, made my chest burn with jealousy.

  “Stay with me tonight.” I knew one thing, I didn’t want this to end.

  “I drove my mom’s car,” she replied. “I should get it back to her.”

  “So we can take it back early in the morning. She’s not going anywhere tonight.” Morgan was quiet and I knew she was worrying her lips. It’s strange how by just silently observing someone for so long you learn their nervous tics. I’d witnessed it each time I approached her after our first night together. I also found her doing it multiple times when I was at her parents’ house, interacting with Toby. I didn’t have to see her face to know she was doing it now.

  “I really don’t want to get up now, but if it would make you feel better, we could take it back tonight.” I was willing to do just about anything to keep her with me tonight.

  “We can take it in the morning,” her soft, hesitant whisper filled the darkened room and I felt instantly relieved. I rolled toward my side, yet kept my arms securely around her body. The fact that Morgan willingly came, curling into my chest, was a good sign that she was warming up to the idea of us.

  I know my persistence helped too.

  We lay there in the darkness, her body snuggled in tightly to mine, neither saying a word. I could tell she was awake, but I waited to see if she was going to say anything more.

  I could hear the guys downstairs, and even in the hallway outside my room—loud laughter and havoc as usual. I’d gotten used to sleeping through most of their activities. You had to in this house or you would never get any sleep.

  “What else do you enjoy besides living with bunch of zoo animals?” she asked, making me chuckle. “You know it’s true,” she added. “Most of these guys are out of control.”

  “Yes, they are.” I didn’t deny it.

  “So besides streaking, egg tosses, and whatever else you guys do to torment one another, what do you enjoy?” she asked again.

  “Right now, I’m enjoying you,” I said as I kissed along the back of her neck and shoulder.

  “Besides that,” she said, breathier than the words she spoke only seconds before.

  When I didn’t answer right away, she turned in my arms to face me. “I like drawing,” she whispered, surprising me. “I’m not very good at it, but I find it relaxes me. Mostly landscapes and abstract images.”

  Knowing what I knew of Morgan, so stubborn and hard headed, I just found it hard to imagine her sitting with a sketch book in her hands.

  “I’d like to see them sometime,” I told her and she tucked her chin to her chest. When I reached out and placed my finger beneath her chin, I lifted her head to get a better look at her face. “Will you show me?”

  “Maybe,” she whispered. “Now you have to tell me something.”

  I sat quiet for a moment, scanning over her face in the darkness. Her profile was illuminated by the light coming in the window from the street lamp just outside.

  “I used to play baseball,” I confessed and her nose wrinkled in the cutest way.

  “A jock, huh?” she said, a smile covering her lips.

  “Why, you into jocks?” I asked her as I slipped my hand around her back and placed it against the dip just above her ass. She looked up and I took advantage of our closeness, pressing my lips to hers. For a moment we were lost in our kiss, her tongue seeking entrance, mine meeting hers without hesitation.

  I could kiss this girl for hours, I swear.

  She pulled away much too soon and I fought against the urge to pull her back to me.

  “Not really,” she said. “I prefer the bad boy type with a bit of attitude.”

  “Then I’m glad I decided not to go after that scholarship and play for UCLA.” Her eyes widened and I knew I’d surprised her. “I loved it once, but I outgrew it. I knew I wanted more. Honestly, leaving my family to live in California was hard to imagine.”

  Her features softened.

  “What?” I asked, wondering what the look covering her face was all about.

  She snuggled in closer, her arms slipping around my side. Our bodies were completely pressed together, our legs tangled as our lips hovered only inches apart. “I think that is one of the things I find l like about you most. You understand the need for family. I can see it in the way you talk about yours; your need to stay close just confirms it.”

  “I told you we were more alike that you thought,” I assured her as I kissed her softly.

  No other words were spoken, just soft kisses in the dark. Those kisses alone were enough, they were more than enough. I was completely content with them alone.

  ***

  “Drop that pizza.” I turned my head to the left and found Morgan standing near the refrigerator, her arm extended outward as she pointed directly at me. I held the pizza near my mouth, fully intending to take a bite, but she looked kind of vicious. “Now,” she added as she took a step toward me.

  “This pizza?” I asked, wanting to fire her up just a little more. It was actually fun, and I’d found over the last week times like these had become a part of what I enjoyed most of our time together. The silly banter, the continuous flirting was refreshing.

  “Yes.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “That pizza. Mushrooms and black olives are mine.” She tried to sound intimidating, but it was impossible to hide her smile. It tugged at the corner of her mouth as she pursed her lips attempting to hide it. “That half is mine.”

  “The whole half?” I asked, looking her over from head to toe. There was no way a tiny girl her size could eat the entire thing. Could she?

  As if Marcus could read the question in my eyes, he began to chuckle from across the table, “She can, she has, and she most definitely will again. Your girl eats like a man, so you better get used to it. The one piece of advice I can give you is never, and I do mean never, get between her and her mushroom and olive pizza.” I looked between him and Morgan, before looking back at him once more. “You could lose a finger, or a nut.” He shrugged and I swallowed hard just as Morgan snorted in laughter.

  “I love my pizza,” she added, trying to regain control after Marcus and his threat on my manly jewels. Or one of them at least.

  “Pete has a thing for Morgan, and when he makes her pizza, he makes it special,” Marcus added, suddenly gaining my full attention. “He puts extra toppings, and I swear the man writes hidden messages with the mushrooms. He is hooked on her something fierce.”

  “Marcus,” Morgan said in warning, only I wanted to know all about this Pete guy.

  “No,” I said, waving my hand in a continue on manner. “Please go on, I’d love to hear all about this Pete character.” I was trying to look unaffected by the thoughts of another guy liking Morgan. I smirked and leaned back in my chair, but my gut was tied in knots.

  “His family owns Porter’s Pizza
on Michigan Ave.,” Marcus continued and I watched Morgan for a reaction, looking for any sign that she might have an equal interest in ol’ Petey. “He never charges us full price, never makes us wait for pizza. If I call in and order, it is top priority for Morgan here.”

  It had only been a couple weeks since Morgan gave in to what she was feeling toward me and showed up at my place. Since then she’d allowed me into her world. Which means I’d also been allowed into Toby’s and Marcus’ world too. Marcus was actually a pretty okay guy, and seeing how protective he seemed of Morgan, I found I liked him too. When she wasn’t with me, she had him, and that was reassuring.

  “He has a unibrow,” Morgan announced, breaking through my thoughts. “A huge, overgrown unibrow, of the darkest black hair I have ever seen.”

  Marcus broke out in laughter, and I know I had to have one hell of a perplexed look on my face.

  “A unibrow?” I repeated, and she nodded, her eyes widening just a bit.

  That helped, a little. But I still thought me and a few of the guys should visit Porter’s and harass this Pete guy. I thought it could be a fun way to fill an evening. Maybe I could trick Morgan into coming along just so I could fawn over her in front of him to prove a very important point.

  She is mine.

  Without a second thought, I lifted the pizza I held to my mouth and took a huge bite, just because I could. Morgan’s eyes grew wide, and you would think I just performed some horrendous act. Her eyes narrowed, her nostrils flared, and her lips pressed into a tight line.

  At that moment I swore I could have heard a pin drop. Marcus didn’t speak, I continued to chew, and Morgan watched me as if I were the enemy. “This is some damn good pizza,” I said as I took another bite.

  I closed my eyes and made an over-exaggerated sound expressing my delight as I continued to eat the slice of pizza. I could almost see smoke coming out of her ears. I wanted to laugh at her; she didn't scare me, she intrigued me, even when she was irritated. Whenever she attempted to look mean, I only found her cute. It was actually fucking adorable that she thought she could intimidate me.