Toxic Girl

by Chantal Fernando

“I see,” I say again, cutting him off. But I don’t see, not really. It’s true we weren’t together then. I suppose I have no right to be angry, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt me.

  “Did you not feel the connection between us that first day?” I ask him.

  “What? Of course I did,” he says, standing up and walking over to where I sit on the other couch. He sits down next to me and tries to put his arms around me. I push them away, and slide over as far as I can go.

  “No wonder she looks at me so smugly all the time,” I muse.

  “She’s nothing, Paris. You’re overthinking it. It isn’t like what we have between us. With her, it’s just sex, pure and simple. It was release without emotion,” he says, his eyes pleading with me to understand. “It was different, and I knew it. After I met you, there was no going back to that. I didn’t want to be with anyone else, and me being with Dylan proved that. I told her that night that it wasn’t going to happen again, and it hasn’t.”

  I shrug both shoulders. “We weren’t together,” I say. Maybe if I keep saying it, I’ll believe it. Grayson wraps me in his arms, and I don’t pull away. I don’t do anything. I just sit there, kind of dazed and kind of heartbroken.

  “We weren’t together, but you’re still hurting, and that kills me,” he says, pulling me onto his lap, and rubbing my back soothingly. I put my face in the crook of his neck, my thoughts running a thousand miles an hour.

  “Do you ever think that we’re just not meant to be together?” I ask him.

  His whole body tenses. “Never,” he says, his voice strong. “Never has that once crossed my mind. We just need to be more open with each other, I guess. Stop keeping things from each other. All of this could have been avoided with a little honesty.”

  He’s completely right; it could have. I mean, we would have still ended up angry or upset with one another, but it might have turned out better than this.

  “That’s true,” I say, sighing into his neck. “I don’t want to even think about you with another woman. It makes me crazy.”

  “It’s the past, babe. There’s no point dwelling on what ifs. But I’m here with you now and I’m not going anywhere.”

  I stay silent, mulling his comments over.

  “If you tell me about your debt, and how much you owe, I’ll pay it off for you,” he says in a careful tone.

  I lift my head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “How much?”

  “Ten grand left to pay.”

  “That’s it? Babe, I’ll pay that right now. Just tell me where to send it,” he says. “And you don’t owe me anything. At all. No expectations. Nothing. Consider it a gift for putting up with me,” he says, lip twitching. “And for giving me you, the best gift I’ve ever received.”

  “What if we don’t work out?” I ask.

  He stills, but replies instantly. “I told you, you don’t owe me anything. Whether we’re together or not. There’s no catch.”

  It feels good to have someone taking care of me for a change, but I don’t feel right about accepting any money from him or anyone else. “I don’t know…”

  “How did you get into debt?” he asks.

  “My sister got into debt and couldn’t pay it. So it’s not really my debt, but…”

  “Wait, what? Why can’t your sister pay for it?” he asks, practically growling.

  “I don’t know. We aren’t even close, but I’m older than her, and I didn’t want anything to happen to her. The guy she owed the money to was threatening her. At the end of the day, we are still blood. I told him I’d get him the money. He said I could pay it off. I think he felt sorry for me cleaning up London’s messes.”

  “I can’t believe this shit,” Grayson snaps.

  “What?”

  “What do you mean what? Your sister is obviously taking advantage of you and making you deal with her problems. You should tell her to pay it her damn self,” he says, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

  I shrug. “It is what it is. I couldn’t let her get beaten up, or worse.”

  “That’s why you were stripping? To pay for her debt?” he asks, seething.

  I nod. His fists clench. “Little bitch,” he mutters.

  “Hey, that’s my sister you’re talking about.”

  He looks up at the ceiling. “And you’re still protecting her. Un-fucking-believable.”

  “Yeah, well, she’s the only sister I have. And at least she talks to me now and again.”

  Unlike my brother.

  “This is the first time you’ve even spoken about your sister,” he says, massaging my shoulders.

  “Yeah, nothing much to say.” I suddenly remember that I have work tonight, and I sit up. “Shit, I have work at six, can you take me home?”

  “Work?” he asks, mouth hanging open.

  I roll my eyes. “Not at Toxic. I got a new job at a bar called Ivy Lounge. It’s close by.”

  He nods. “I know that place. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Come on, I’ll take you home. Do you need a lift to work?” he asks, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing it.

  “No, it’s okay. It’s only a ten minute walk, and if I’m there late, I’ll just catch a cab home.”

  “Why are you so stubborn?” he says, shaking his head.

  “I don’t like to be an inconvenience.”

  He gapes. “Are you serious? I’d sit there your whole shift, watching you, if you wanted me to. And I wouldn’t complain one bit, because I wouldn’t mind.”

  A smile forms on my lips. “You wouldn’t mind, but I would.”

  “I know,” he grumbles. “Come on, let’s get you home then.”

  We walk to his bike hand in hand.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “So where did you work before here?” Aiden innocently asks, causing me to almost choke on my drink.

  “Oh, you know,” I say, trying to wave off his question.

  “No, I don’t know, but now I’m certainly intrigued,” he says, brows rising.

  “Maybe we should wait until I’m hired for sure,” I say, inciting a laugh from him. He may laugh, but I’m being dead serious.

  “Come on, I won’t judge you on it. I swear,” he says, crossing his heart with his finger.

  Backed into a corner, I either have to tell the truth or lie. As I’ve recently learnt, truth is always the best option. “I used to work at Toxic.”

  His mouth drops. “The strip club?”

  I roll my eyes. “Yes, the strip club.”

  He eyes my body. “I guess I could see that.”

  I gasp. “You pig!”

  He laughs. “I’m just messing around. Well, you’re hot. No judgement though, I swear.”

  I narrow my eyes on his. “We’ll see about that.”

  He laughs harder. “I’m not going to ask you to give me a show or anything if that’s what you’re waiting for.”

  I blink. “Are you always this annoying?”

  “Yes,” he says. “Actually, I get worse than this.”

  My eyes widen. “Is this why you needed to hire someone? Everyone quit after they worked with you, didn’t they?”

  He shakes his head at me. “Oh, please. Everyone loves me.”

  “You’re the boss. I’m sure they pretend to,” I add, smirking.

  “But not you, huh?” he replies, laughing some more. A group of customers walk toward the bar.

  “Time to see what you’re made of,” he says, waving his hand toward the people.

  “Trust me, this is nothing,” I brag.

  He follows behind me. “Let’s see then.”

  I serve two customers as he serves the others. I check the drink chart for one of the drinks, the other’s simple—a vodka orange. I use the register as Aiden had shown me, and give the correct change.

  “Easy peasy,” I say when the customers leave.

  He nods. “You did well.”

  “So? Do I have the job?” I ask eagerly.
/>
  He grins. “We will see at the end of the night.”

  Challenge accepted.

  *****

  "How was your first day at work?” Grayson asks as he sits on the grass next to me.

  “It was good actually. It was a trial shift, to see how I did, but he told me at the end of the night I was hired,” I say, popping a grape in my mouth.

  “I bet he did,” Grayson mutters.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, my hackles rising.

  “Nothing,” he says, sliding closer to me.

  I put my hands up. “Say it. Don’t be a pussy,” I demand.

  His mouth opens in shock at my comment. Then he bursts out laughing. “I can’t believe that just came out of your little mouth.”

  “Hmmph.”

  “I just meant that you’re a sexy, beautiful girl…”

  “Yeah, not because I’m a hard worker or anything, right?” I say, pursing my lips.

  “Of course you’re a hard worker. And you’re smart. I’m not denying that,” he says, giving me a crooked smile. “Just ignore me. I’m jealous as an idiot.”

  “Jealous? Seriously?”

  He lifts his arm and wraps it around my shoulder. I lean my head on his chest, welcoming his comfort. “I just feel off-kilter, you know? I don’t like this space we have between us now.”

  I stay silent, just breathing in his scent and enjoying being back in his arms.

  “Can I take you out tonight?” he asks. “Maybe you can stay over?”

  I look up at him, at his hopeful expression. “Okay.”

  His shoulders relax. “Good. My sister wants to spend some time with you as well.”

  “Yeah, she said she would message me.”

  “I think she’s planning on asking you to go out with her this weekend,” he says, pushing my hair off my neck and to the side.

  “Is Dylan going to be there?” I ask, hating to admit that I would rather not see her face.

  “Don’t worry about her, okay. She doesn’t have me; she never did. I’m all yours. I’ll tell Leah to make sure Dylan isn’t around.”

  I sigh. “Yeah, okay.”

  He chuckles. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

  “I do want to. Maybe I’ll bring Anaya along with me,” I say, nodding my head.

  “You do know that I’m coming, right,” he says into my ear. Goosebumps appear all over my skin.

  “How can you come? I haven’t even touched you yet,” I reply, grinning at my response.

  He shakes his head at me. “Me. You. Tonight.”

  “I have a condition,” I say.

  “Anything.”

  “Listen to what I have to say first. If you’ve forgiven me for everything, then I need you to actually forgive me, and not throw it in my face every chance you get.” This is important to me. We either move on, or we don’t. I know it’s harder said than done, and selfish on my part to ask this of him, but I need to know.

  He leans down and kisses me. “I forgive you. I won’t bring it up again.”

  “If you want to talk about it, we can. Just please don’t make little comments, because they really hurt.”

  “Fuck, I’m sorry, babe. I promise,” he says, his eyes full of worry and remorse.

  “Thank you,” I say gratefully, pulling him back down by his shirt for a deeper kiss. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you the truth. And not just because you found out that way, but because I should have trusted you enough to be honest.”

  “I’m not going to lie, I was pissed. Fucking pissed, hurt, and angry. But I can’t lose you. I won’t,” he says, pinning me with his stare. “We’re both far from perfect, but I know what we have is different. Special. And I sure as hell plan to fight for it.”

  “I want you to fight for us,” I tell him, my voice weak.

  “You aren’t getting away that easily, Paris,” he says, tickling me under my ribs. I laugh, pushing him away.

  “Come and pick me up around six,” I say, standing and bending over to pick up my bag. I turn to look at him, and catch him staring at my ass. “Enjoying the view?”

  “Always,” he says huskily.

  I wink at him and then head to my next class.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I hang up the phone, and flop onto my bed, groaning into the pillow. London will be the death of me. I finally called her back to see what the heck was going on. Apparently, she wants to come and visit me. I wonder who she’s pissed off that she suddenly wants to come to Perth. A knock at the door reminds me that Grayson is coming to pick me up. I hop out of bed and practically run to the door, opening it in record time. He stands there, holding a dozen roses and a sweet smile.

  “For me?” I ask, playing coy.

  “Always,” he says, handing me the bouquet and kissing me on my nose.

  “They are beautiful, thank you,” I tell him, smelling the roses and walking into the kitchen to find a vase. I pull one out of the back of the cupboard and fill it with some water, and then put the roses in it. Grayson stands behind me, his front pressed against my back.

  “You smell good,” he rumbles into my ear. He pushes my hair off my shoulder and places a kiss on my neck. I reach my hands back and wrap them around his neck, my head falling back. He trails kisses down my neck, knowing exactly what it does to me. I feel the tug in my lower belly and squeeze my thighs together. When he moves away, I groan and turn around to face him.

  “Don’t tease me!”

  A deep chuckle fills my ears. “Not teasing. Bedroom. Now.” He grips my ass, his large hands tightening on each round globe. Lifting me up, I wrap my legs around his narrow waist and hold on for dear life as he stalks into my room and throws me onto the bed. I bounce once, before he’s on me, kissing me with unrivalled passion.

  “Missed you,” he says in between kisses.

  “I missed you too,” I pant out, threading my hands in his hair and pulling him back down for more. His mouth soon leaves my lips and heads south, kissing down my neck and then to my breasts. Pulling down my top and the cups of my bra, he takes my nipple into his mouth and suckles. My mouth makes a small O, and my back arches in pleasure. His hands roam my thighs, pushing up my skirt and sliding into my panties as his mouth continues to work magic on my nipples.

  “Want you.” He bites down gently with his teeth.

  “Fuck, Grayson!” I moan out. His tongue peeps out, licking and soothing the pain of the bite. He pulls down my panties and then rolls over onto his back, sliding off his jeans and lifting me on top of him. Straddling him, I guide him into me and push down with one smooth thrust. We both moan simultaneously. I start to ride him with enthusiasm, pushing up and down at the perfect angle. It’s not long before I turn almost frantic, on the crest of climax. My head falls back against my neck as I scream out Grayson’s name. I all but collapse on top of him, when he rolls on top of me and takes over. Good thing because it feels like that orgasm wrung the life out of me.

  “Not finished with you yet, babe,” he says in a deep rumble.

  “Wouldn’t expect anything else,” I say breathily.

  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  *****

  Leah messages me the next day, asking me to go out on Friday night. I reply telling her I would love to and ask if I can bring Anaya. She says sure, so it looks like I’m going clubbing. I walk into work and smile when I see Aiden laughing with another guy. He has a shaved head, and a goatee; both look damn good on him. Behind him sits another good-looking guy. He’s covered in tattoos and is holding a little girl in his hands. I watch as he tells her something with causes her to burst out in giggles.

  “Ahhh, here she is now,” Aiden says as I walk up, winking at me.

  I glance at him in suspicion. “What are you up to?” I ask.

  “Nothing. I just want you to meet my cousin, Tag. Tag this is Paris. The new girl I just hired,” he says, nodding his head at me.

  “Nice to meet you,” I tell Tag, who g
ives me a once-over and a cheeky smile.

  “Pleasure’s all mine,” he says in a voice that can make panties melt. “This is Xander. And the little princess is my daughter Bella.”

  Xander looks up and gives me a chin lift. My eyes widen. He’s beautiful. His tattoos cover his neck and both his arms. Bella gives me a little wave—she really is too cute.

  “You know, if you ever get sick of this idiot, you can come work at the bar I work at,” he says. Aiden mock punches him, and Tag grabs him in a head lock. The two of them are adorable.

  “Go, Daddy!” Bella calls out, waving her arms in the air. Aiden and Tag stop their messing around and start laughing.

  “Aww, Bella, you break my heart,” Aiden says, mock pouting.

  “I love you too, Aiden,” she says in a serious tone. Aiden walks over to her and kisses her on the top of her head. Xander, Tag, and Bella leave a little while later, and Aiden and I get back to work.

  I’m surprised an hour later when Grayson comes in. He sits at the bar in front of where I’m standing and smiles.

  “What can I get you, handsome?” I ask in a husky tone.

  His smile widens as he leans forward. “Are you on the menu?”

  I giggle. “So cheesy. You want a beer?”

  “Yes, please, I’d love one,” he says. I turn to the fridge and pull out a bottle of his favourite beer. Aiden chooses that moment to walk out of the back and right up to me.

  “I’m heading out. Will you be all right? Jackie and Shannon will both be in any minute now,” he says.

  “I’ll be fine,” I tell him. Grayson is the only customer we have right now. I put the beer in front of Grayson, who is now staring daggers at Aiden. Aiden notices and turns to look at me, eyebrow raised.

  “Grayson, this is my boss, Aiden. Aiden, this is my boyfriend, Grayson,” I say, turning from one to the other.

  “Really. I had no idea you had a boyfriend,” Aiden says, smirking. I narrow my eyes on him. I hadn’t told him, but only because it’s none of his business and it never came up. I look at Grayson to see his lips tightening into a thin line.

  “Well, she does,” he replies, hand gripping the bottle of beer tightly.

  “I can see that. See you tomorrow, Paris,” Aiden says, whistling as he walks out.