My Weakness

by Alison Mello

  “Sure. What were you thinking?”

  “Last time I was up here, I saw a steakhouse by the hotel. It’s called Vaughn’s. Have you been there?”

  “I don’t think I have, but that sounds great.”

  He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I know it might be presumptuous, but I brought an overnight bag. I’m going to get it, okay?”

  I smile at him. “Yes, of course.” He gets up and runs outside to grab it. While he’s outside, his phone chirps. My eyes drift toward it and see a text alert from someone named Shaya. Ugh, why did I look? It’s not my business. He said he wasn’t going to sleep with anyone while whatever this is was happening, and I need to trust that and him.

  Joe steps back in with his bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m going to stick this in your bedroom.”

  While he does that, my mind keeps going back to his phone and this Shaya girl. Who is she?…No, I’m not going to be that girl. He’s not Trevor.

  Trevor Phillips had been the love of my life, or so I thought. We were together for five years, and I thought he was the one until I learned that I wasn’t his only girlfriend and one was pregnant. I swear it turned into an episode of Maury.

  A smile touches my lips when I remember the way he showed up at the apartment we’d shared to get his stuff. Trevor had called me a slut, and my pops punched him right in the face. Last I heard, he’s still single, has two kids by two different women, and pays a ton in child support.

  Then there was the Teddy debacle, but when I look back, that was more of a rebound, and it was the catalyst that had me seeking Joe out.

  Yes, both of those guys have given me a little bit of trust issues, and it’s made me a little more selective. Joe isn’t the usual type I’d go for. He’s charismatic and gorgeous, and women look at him like he’s a meal. I know his reputation, but can I trust that he’ll be faithful with me?

  “What time do you have to be at your gig tonight?” He sits back down, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

  “I have to be there at eight thirty, and I go on at nine. We should probably go to dinner at six or so—unless that’s too early, of course.”

  “Not at all.” He picks up his phone. I watch as he pulls up Shaya’s text and then deletes it.

  “Everything okay?” What am I doing? I cringe and wish I kept silent.

  He looks at me, giving me a smile. “Yeah, just an old hookup checking in.” Joe turns fully toward me. “I meant what I said. While this—whatever this is—is going on, there won’t be anyone else.

  “Before you, there have been other women…I won’t lie, and I’m not ashamed. I’ve never lied to any of them. They all knew I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I’ve also never treated any of them poorly. If that’s going to be a problem, tell me now and we can end things. If it’s not, then let’s get ready to go out to a fantastic dinner, and then I can watch you play later.”

  “Thank you for that. I appreciate your honesty. I dated a guy for five years—actually, we lived together, and he had this whole secret life and even had a baby on the way while we were together. It’s made me slightly paranoid. You’ll have to bear with me.” Joe grabs a strand of my hair and pulls me to him.

  Our lips meet in a slow, sensual glide. Our tongues meet and duel—I moan as he deepens the kiss. Pushing up onto my knees, I lean into him, gripping his shirt in my fists. I feel one of his hands slide into my hair, grabbing it at the base of my skull. I whimper from the bite of pain as he gives it a jerk and nips at my bottom lip.

  Joe might be only twenty-four, but he’s got the bedroom skills of a much older, more experienced man. He pulls away first, and I really want to pout. “I wasn’t done with you yet,” I murmur against his lips.

  “I know, but if we don’t stop, we won’t make dinner and you won’t make your show. Why don’t you get ready? I just need to change my clothes.”

  He’s right, and I do need to get ready. I’ve already showered, so I just have to do my hair and makeup and then get dressed. “Okay, you can get ready in my room. I’ll be in the bathroom.” I kiss him before getting up and heading into the bathroom.

  It doesn’t take long for me to do my face. I give my eyelids a smoky look that makes the blue pop and add a little color to my cheeks to give them a dewy look. I decide to use a popping red on my lips.

  My ebony locks hang in smooth waves down my back. The front is twisted and pinned back from my face, showing off the diamond stud earrings my grandma bought me for my thirtieth birthday. They go with the matching solitaire that hangs around my neck.

  The dress I chose for tonight is hanging on the back of the door. It’s a royal blue capped sleeve midi dress that hits me right below my knees. It hugs my curves and makes me feel so sexy. I slip it on and smooth my hands over the material. After dabbing my face with a little powder, I stick it and my lipstick in my little bag.

  After dabbing some perfume on, I open the bathroom door. I move across the hall to my bedroom and grab my black stiletto pumps, slipping them on before heading into the living room. Joe is standing in front of the TV, and it gives me a second to admire his sexy backside, which looks spectacular in his black dress pants. He turns as I walk farther into the room, and the look on his face makes my pussy tingle.

  His eyes rake over my body, and it does an involuntary shiver. He stalks toward me, and I automatically back up until I’m against the wall. Grabbing my wrists, he pulls my arms up over my head then shackles them with one hand. My breath leaves me in little pants as his other hand wraps around my throat.

  Can he see my pulse pounding in my neck? Can he feel it? His heated gaze holds mine as his hand slides from my neck to my breasts. A gasp slips past my lips as his thumb grazes my nipple. “You are so fucking beautiful.” His hand begins moving again, slowly down my stomach until he reaches the hem of my dress.

  Joe leans forward until our lips are almost touching. I moan as I feel him lift my dress, his hand sliding up my bare thigh. His touch is firm, demanding. He reaches the apex of my thighs, and a sexy growl comes from his lips. It’s because he’s discovering I’m not wearing any panties.

  Thank God I just got waxed last week. His fingers slide through my slick folds, and I moan. I think he’s going to kiss me, but instead of touching my lips, he touches my chin and then my neck.

  I want to touch him so bad, but he won’t let go of me. My breasts feel heavy, my pussy aches to be filled, and I want his lips on mine. He works one finger inside me. My head hits the wall with a thunk, but I don’t care.

  Meow…Meow. Ragnar and Lagertha had been lounging in my room on my bed all day, and now they’ve decided to come out and visit. Joe pulls away from me, and we both look down. Both cats have gotten in between us and are staring at us. I start to laugh, and Joe joins in as we stare at these little monsters.

  I look up at Joe. “They’ve been sleeping all day. I swear they are doing this just to be brats.” He pulls his finger out of me and brings it to his lips, licking my juices off it. My eyes don’t leave his mouth while he does it.

  “Mmmm…” Joe moans around his finger. “You taste so fucking good.”

  “You’re making me want to cancel my gig tonight and take you to bed.” He lets go of my wrists, and I wind my arms around his neck. “I haven’t had the chance yet to tell you how handsome you look.” He gives me that cocky smirk, but I love it.

  “Go ahead and tell me.” I shake my head.

  “You look so handsome.” I playfully pinch his cheeks. I slide past him while he adjusts himself and go into the kitchen, where I get my babies a treat.

  Joe comes into the kitchen. “We better leave now or we seriously won’t leave.”

  I move toward him and run my hands over the white linen shirt he’s wearing. His sleeves are rolled up to his forearms. It really is a crime to look as good as he does. My hand slides down and cups his dick, which is semi hard. “Poor baby.” He growls as he moves toward me.

  “No big boy. No more hanky panky. I prom
ise when we get back tonight, I’ll make it worth your while.” I hold my hands up in a halting gesture.

  “How will you make it worth my while?”

  I lock up and let Joe lead me to his car. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Joe

  As the night wears on, I can barely control myself around her. I’ve never had such an amazing date. We’ve been clicking on all levels, and I know for a fact that this will be worth it. I just hope she feels the same.

  Dinner at Vaughn’s had been amazing. While she had been getting ready, I called and was able to get us a last-minute reservation. When we stepped inside, the maître d, who couldn’t keep his fucking eyes off Chloe, led us to an intimate table in the corner. He tried to pull her chair out for her, but I gave him a look I hoped conveyed the fact that I didn’t want him touching her or her chair.

  She looked at me, and her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. Chloe ordered a glass of water, and I ordered a beer. She was going to wait until our meals came before she ordered some wine. “I can’t get tipsy before I play.” I could understand that.

  “Did anything happen with you and that Hailey after what I told you?” It still pissed me off what happened to her. Women are far meaner than most guys I know.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “She’s been overly nice, but I’m sure it’s her guilty conscience. Reggie and Elizabeth have been trying to reach out, but I’m not ready to talk to them yet. What they did, or what Elizabeth did, hurt me and broke my trust.”

  My hand slid across the table and covered hers. When will the pain of our loss stop? A part of me wants to put another baby inside of her, but she’s not ready for that yet, and to be quite honest, I’m not ready either. But I will be, and the more I imagine my future, the more I see her there, and any children we’d be blessed to have.

  My dad always told me that he knew right away that my mom was it for him—even though at first he got scared and ran. After they finally reunited, that was all she wrote. I was eighteen when I finally got the whole story about what happened with them and why he wasn’t in any pictures until I was over a year old.

  “You don’t have to explain to me, babe. What they did was awful, but enough of that talk. How are your parents?” Both men hate me, but who could blame them? I left their daughter when she needed me most. At least her brother has been cool with me, but he seems to be cool with everyone.

  “They’re good. They’ve both been really busy with work lately, so I haven’t seen a whole lot of them.”

  “What do they do?”

  “My dad, Garrett, is an electrician and my dad, Ian, is a physical therapist. Your dad and Dustin own their own company, right?”

  I watched her delicate fingers wrap around her glass. “Yeah, with my uncle Luke. My dad was slightly disappointed that I didn’t go into the family business, but law enforcement is my passion. You know what happened to my sister, right?” Chloe nodded her head. “After that, I knew without a doubt that was what I wanted.”

  Chloe surprised me by reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. “It may be too soon to say this, but I worry about you. I know being an officer can be dangerous.” She let go of my hand and covered her face. “Oh God. I probably sound like a freak show.” Chloe peeked at me between her fingers, and I laughed softly.

  “You don’t sound like a freak show. It’s sweet…really. It’s just nice to know you’re thinking about me when I’m not around.”

  Our waiter set our plates in front of us, and Chloe ordered a glass of wine before he left. “Maybe I am.”

  “Good, because I think about you all of the time.” Our gazes stayed locked, my pulse pounded, and my dick was hard as a rock. She is so fucking beautiful, and I’m learning more and more that she’s beautiful on the inside, too. “I can’t wait to see you play again tonight.”

  “I’m excited for you to see me play.” She cut into her steak and took a bite, moaning softly around the hunk of meat. I worked on my own, not because I was hungry but because I had to distract myself from the delicious little sounds she makes while she eats.

  We finished eating our meals and declined dessert since we had to make our way toward the bar. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and I didn’t miss the appreciating eyes that were all following her as she moved through the restaurant. I couldn’t blame them, but I gripped the table to keep myself from knocking each one of them out.

  She came back, and I’d already paid the check, so I stood up and wrapped an arm around her waist as I led her out of the restaurant and to my car. “Thank you for dinner,” she said.

  I kissed her temple.

  We pulled up and found a spot in the parking lot of Whiskey Bar and Lounge. It’s just a nondescript brick building, nothing to write home about. The moment we walked inside, though, I was in awe—dark wood covers the floor, the tables and chairs are all black and smooth. The bar top is white and almost looks like granite. Bronzed sconces illuminate the room in a soft, romantic glow.

  In the corner sits a beautiful black baby grand piano. Next to the piano is a set of French doors that open to a huge terrace that allows us to see downtown Atlanta illuminated.

  Now that we’re here, the place isn’t packed, but it’s full. With my arm around her waist, we weave our way through the tables and head toward the bar. My eyes scan the room as she talks to the older man behind the bar. I spot her family as they come walking in and move toward them. I don’t miss the looks of surprise on their faces.

  “Joe? What a surprise,” her dad, Ian, says, offering his hand.

  I take it and then reach out my hand to Garrett, who reluctantly shakes it. His eyes look thoughtful as he takes me in. “How are you doing, son?”

  I don’t miss the meaning behind his words. Leaning in, I murmur, “I’m better, but more so knowing that Chloe is healing.”

  His eyes glisten, and I’m worried the guy is going to start crying, but instead he gives me a smile. “She is, thankfully, and I’m glad it’s getting better for you.”

  Carter stands off to the side, shaking his head and looking toward the ceiling. “Hey, Carter, how are you? Where’s Eli? I’m surprised he’s not lurking in the corner waiting to kick my ass.”

  “He had a date, but he said he’d try to make it. I’m good, though. You’re in for a treat tonight. My sister is phenomenal.”

  Chloe joins us a moment later and greets her parents and brother before leading us to a reserved table by the French doors, and from there I’ll have a prime view of her while she plays.

  The waitress comes, and we order drinks. I try to hand her my credit card to start a tab, but her dad gets to her first. I still try to offer her mine, but he gives me a look that has me stuffing it back in my wallet.

  I love watching Chloe with her family. It’s clear they all adore her. I honestly believed that they were going to give me the cold shoulder, but they’re including me.

  They start asking me about my job when the lights dim and Chloe comes out. She gracefully sits at the piano and pulls the microphone close to her. “Good evening. I’m Chloe, and I’ll be playing for you tonight.”

  She talks to the crowd for a minute, and then she begins to play. Her brother was right—she is phenomenal. She was great the other time I saw her, but this time with just her and a piano, she’s beautiful.

  Chloe sings everything from Elton John to Lady Gaga. A couple older couples dance in the little space that I honestly wouldn’t call a dance floor. I glance at her family, and the look on their faces is pure pride. Garrett pulls Ian into his side, kissing his temple.

  She finishes her song, takes a drink of water, and starts talking. “How’s everyone doing?” The crowd claps and whistles. “I’m going to sing one more song then take a little break. This is an emotional song, so just bear with me if I have trouble getting it out. It’s called ‘Stars’ by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.”

  Chloe’s got me mesmerized as she sings. As
I listen to the lyrics, I realize it’s about our baby, or at least about that kind of loss. Throughout most of the song, her eyes are closed, the emotions flowing off her.

  She’s got the room captivated, and I can’t blame them. When the song finally ends, she doesn’t move from her bench. I begin to think I should grab her, but she finally stands up, giving a little curtsy as we all stand and applaud.

  We stay standing as she comes over to us. I let her dads and brother hug her first. When she comes to stand in front of me, I grab her face and kiss her lips firmly. I pull back. “That was beautiful, baby.”

  “Thank you.”

  I flag down the waitress and order Chloe a glass of wine and an ice water, and then we all relax until she has to go on again.

  ***

  We step into Chloe’s place and are greeted by Ragnar and Lagertha. Chloe squats down to pet both cats. “Hi, my babies,” she croons.

  I bend down, giving them both a scratch on the head. Chloe stands up and slips her heels off.

  The rest of our night went great. She was a little quiet after she sang that song, but everyone seemed to give her the space she seemed to need. Right before her second set, she let me pull her out to the “dance floor” and slow danced with me.

  “That song was beautiful. You’re so talented.” She blushed for me, but I didn’t miss the fact that her eyes were shiny. “I’m so proud of you for putting yourself out there like that. Everyone could feel the emotions coming off of you.”

  She rested her head on my shoulder as we swayed to the music coming through the speakers. “The first time I heard it, I loved it, but then I listened to the lyrics and loved it even more.”

  “You’ve made me a fan, that’s for sure.” Fuck, it felt good holding her in my arms like that, her body pressed up against mine. Alarm bells went off in my head because I knew I was falling for her too fast, but like my dad had told me—if she was who I wanted, then I needed to fight for her.