Текст книги "Toxic Girl"

Автор книги: Chantal Fernando

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Exams come and go before I know it. Now, I’m on break, and am picking up more hours at the bar. The rest of my time is spent with Grayson. A tea towel slaps my ass, pulling me away from my thoughts.

“Hey, quit daydreaming and go stock the fridge,” Aiden says.

“Ouch,” I say, rubbing my butt. London chooses to walk in just as I say that.

Her mouth drops open. “You freaky girl, I didn’t know you had it in you!” Then she bursts out laughing at her own comment. “Get it?” She laughs some more, doubling over now. Aiden starts chuckling along with her.

I shake my head at the two of them. “You guys are fucking insane.”

“Hey, I’m not judging you,” she says through more laughter. “Grayson is a lucky man, isn’t he?”

I cover my hands over my face and start giggling. These people are nuts! Aiden looks at me with a now straight face. “I don’t care what activities you got up to last night; you need to stock the fridge.”

“Oh, my God!” I squeal, walking to the fridge. I can hear London’s howling laughter echoing behind me, like a freaking hyena. I stock the damn fridge, taking my own cool time. When I walk back out the front, Aiden and London are standing close to each other. They move apart as soon as they notice me.

“No way,” I say, drawing out each word.

“What?” London asks innocently. She even bats her eyelashes at me. Yeah—because that’s going to work.

“Oh, nothing,” I say in a saccharine sweet tone. I look from London to Aiden, and back again, letting them know that I saw it, but not saying anything.

Aiden caves, crossing his arms against his chest. “I’m taking her on a date.”

London looks at him, narrowing her eyes. “You wouldn’t hold up well under torture, would you?”

I laugh at that. “Why the secrecy?”

London looks at me, her eyes apologetic. “If it didn’t work out, I didn’t want to hear any ‘I told you so’. And I didn’t know what your reaction would be. I’ve already screwed you over. With the debt, and then with Grayson, even though I didn’t know at the time. I didn’t want to hurt you again. But at the same time, I kind of really like Aiden.”

I suck in my bottom lip, thinking. “It’s your business. Just please don’t hurt each other. I don’t want to get involved. London, you’re my sister, and Aiden, I care about you a lot.”

“Group hug?” London asks. Why the hell not? We all walk in and hug each other.

“I want the two of you to be happy,” I say, snuggling into Aiden’s chest. “Aiden, I hope you know what you’re getting into with London. She’s high maintenance,” I say with a straight face. London pinches me.

“And London, I hope you know what you’re getting into with Aiden. He used to be in a boy band.”

Aiden gasps and pulls away from the group hug. “I didn’t know you knew that!”

I grin, and wiggle my eyebrows. “I didn’t know. Grayson told me.” I look at London, to see her not looking surprised by this information, so Aiden must have already told her. I think that says a lot about their relationship, and I wish them both nothing but happiness.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asks. He doesn’t look angry at all, just curious.

I lift my shoulders in a casual shrug. “I waited for you to say something, but you didn’t. So I just stayed quiet.”

“Until now,” he says, grabbing me and messing up my hair.

“Hey!” I yell, pushing at his abs.

A throat is cleared. We all freeze. I turn my head and look at a very unamused Grayson. Aiden lets me go straight away, and London as usual, finds the whole thing hilarious.

“Now who’s going after whose man?” London says. “Tsk tsk, Paris, we’re family!” She fist pumps for added effect, the drama queen.

I lean back against the table. “Do you really want Aiden to have a black eye for your first date?”

London takes that as a challenge. “Oh, please. My penis will take on your penis any day.”

“Is that how you think of him? As your walking penis?” I burst out laughing. Grayson, who must have had enough of the show, picks me up and carries me to the car.

I can’t stop laughing the whole way home.

* * *

The next night, Grayson and I are out having dinner when I see a familiar face. I quickly look away, hoping he didn’t see me. From the corner of my eye, I see him walking over.

Fuck.

“Paris?” he asks, staring down at me with a look of wonder on his face.

“Mark, hi,” I say, not sure if I should stand up and shake his hand or what? What are the appropriate mannerisms for meeting an ex of yours who you don’t really like? Or that you’d hoped to never see again? I look at Grayson who is staring at Mark with a look of distaste, eyes slightly narrowed.

“Hi, I’m Grayson. Her boyfriend,” Grayson says, standing up to shake Mark’s hand. Apparently, he has more manners than I do. Mark greets him, but then goes back to staring at me.

“You look amazing, Paris,” Mark says. I hear Grayson make a sound from deep in his throat. I hope Mark heeds the warning.

“What are you doing in Perth?” I ask, trying to act casual.

“Here on business. You live here now?” he asks.

“I do. Was nice seeing you again,” I lie, hoping he takes it for what it is—a dismissal. Instead, he puts his hands on my shoulders.

“Do you remember when–”

Grayson cuts him off. “If you want to live, take your fucking hands off her.”

Mark removes his grubby hands instantly. “Calm down, man. I was her first boyfriend. I think I deserve to be able to speak to her.” He looks at me. “You let him control you like this?”

Grayson stands up as soon as the words ‘first boyfriend’ leaves Mark’s lips. “Gray,” I say, getting up and walking to his side. “Ignore him, let’s go home.”

“Did he hurt you?” he asks, glaring at Mark. His fists are clenched, and I know he’s dying to hit him.

“No, he was just an asshole. He didn’t hurt me. Now let’s go,” I say, pulling him toward the exit. We walk outside, having already paid, and head toward the car. Mark, like the brainless idiot he is, follows us.

“I still remember the freckle she has on her right breast,” he says, grinning. He clearly has a death wish. Grayson’s body goes still at his comment.

“Babe, get in the car,” he grits out, making sure I’m safely in there before he walks up to Mark. They exchange words, then Grayson punches him in the stomach, and then in the face. Then he walks away like he does this every day. He gets into the car and drives off, his fists clenching and unclenching on the steering wheel. The air in the car is so tense I can barely breathe.

“You let him see you,” he grates out, eyes straight ahead on the road. “Touch you.”

“That’s as far as it got,” I say, wondering what the hell the big deal was. So he saw me topless, big deal. Second base is as far as he got, and I gave everything else to Grayson.

“The thought of him touching you… I want to go back and kick his ass some more,” he says, a muscle ticking furiously in his jaw.

“It’s in the past, Gray, or does that past shit only work when it’s your past we’re fighting over,” I reply, feeling annoyed.

“Babe,” he says, warning clear. He doesn’t want me to push him. Well, too fucking bad.

“Don’t you babe me. I was a stripper, or have you forgotten? Many men have seen my body, but you’re the only one who has touched it, and been inside it. You need to stop overreacting.”

He sighs drearily, relaxing his shoulders. “I need to be inside you. Right now.”

I roll my eyes at his macho bullshit. Leaning over, I run my hand across his jeans, where I can feel him already hard and straining against the material. “Wow, not kidding, huh?”

“Paris,” he says in a low hoarse voice.

“How far away from home are we?” I ask, licking my lips.

“Ten minutes,” he replies through clenched teeth. I sit back in my chair and slide my panties down as gracefully as I can muster. “Fuck.”

I undo his jeans, pulling his cock out as soon as we pull into the driveway. Just as the garage door closes behind us, I straddle him. He pushes the seat back, and then guides himself into me, lifting his hips and thrusting hard. I moan. His hands squeeze my ass, controlling my movements. Suddenly, my dress is pulled over my head, and my bra is undone. Fully bare, I ride him hard and fast.

“These are mine,” he growls as he rubs his thumbs over my nipples. He sucks one into his mouth and I grind down on him even harder. “This is mine,” he says as his hands move to my ass. “And this,” he says, lifting his hips up with one long thrust, “is mine.”

“All yours,” I tell him just before I come.

“That’s it,” he says, “come all over me.”

He joins me shortly after.

Still connected, we stare at each other. “I love you,” he says, giving me a long open-mouthed kiss.

“I love you more,” I pant out as he pulls his mouth away.

“Not possible, babe. Not possible.”

I smile against his lips.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I’m wiping down the counter at work, when Dylan walks in. Things with her have been quiet, even though we see each other around here and there. As she comes and stands in front of me, I have a feeling that’s about to change.

“So, Grayson’s leaving tonight,” she says, with a smug tilt to her lips.

“What do you want, Dylan?” I ask, putting down the cloth and staring at her.

“Just wanted to tell you that I’ll keep a good eye on him while we’re in Sydney,” she says, watching me for a reaction. Grayson is going to Sydney for a few days with his parents. He didn’t mention Dylan was going too.

I control my expression, hiding my hurt. “Desperation isn’t a good look.”

“Don’t care what you think. Three nights with Grayson. He always liked this thing I do with my…”

“Get out,” I demand, my tone icy.

“You’re worried,” she says, smiling. “Good, you should be.” With that parting shot, she leaves.

Later that night, Grayson calls me. I don’t answer. An hour later, he comes over. He has his own key, so he lets himself in and walks into my room where I’m lying on top of the sheets.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I was worried,” he says, storming in. “Is everything okay?”

“Besides the fact my boyfriend is going away with his ex-girlfriend and didn’t have the decency to tell me?” I snap, staring up at him with anger and hurt in my eyes.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, sitting down on the bed.

“Dylan came to my work today and said she’s going with you to Sydney and how I should be worried…”

“And you believed her?” he asks, looking hurt.

“Is she going with you?” I ask.

“I haven’t heard anything about it. If her dad is going, maybe she will tag along. But what does it matter? I would never cheat on you, and I thought you knew that,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. Way to turn this around.

“I don’t want her going with you,” I say in a small voice.

“Babe. Fuck Dylan. I don’t care about her, and I’m never going to touch her again. You have nothing to worry about, and I wish you would believe me,” he says, laying his head on my stomach. I thread my fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp. “I asked you if you wanted to come with me. You think I want to leave your side? I don’t.”

“I have to work,” I argue.

“Aiden will give you a couple days off, I’m sure of it,” he says, sitting up and pulling out his phone. “I’ll ask him.”

“You have Aiden’s number?” I ask, my eyes flaring in surprise.

“Yeah, well, he’s with London now. So,” he says shrugging.

“So what?”

“So he’s not a threat,” he says with straight out honesty.

I give him a look, showing him my unhappiness at that comment. “Chicks love guys in bands,” he continues.

“He’s not in one anymore,” I point out.

“Not the point,” he says, now looking amused.

“Women love rich hotel heirs as well,” I say, just to annoy him. “Especially ones who look like you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” he jokes, pulling the phone away from his ear. “He’s not answering so I’ll send him a message.” He types out the message then puts his phone away. Aiden replies a few minutes later.

“Go pack your bags, babe,” he says, a slow spreading smile transforming his features.

Looks like I’m going to Sydney.

* * *

The flight to Sydney is awkward, to say the least. First of all, Grayson bought us first class tickets, which is a whole new experience for me, and second, Grayson isn’t the only one to bring someone. Leah brought Jake. Grayson has been brooding ever since he laid eyes on Jake holding hands with his sister.

“When the fuck did that happen?” he asks me as we walk into our hotel room. “She’s been hiding that shit from me!”

“What’s the big deal? You used to be friends with him, so clearly he has some redeeming qualities,” I say, sitting down on the plush bed.

“You used to give lap dances to his dad!” he growls, putting his hands in his pockets.

“So, it’s not like I danced for Jake. He just saw some photos.”

He curses. “Don’t give me that visual, please.”

“All I’m saying is Leah knows I was a stripper. And she doesn’t hold it against me. She accepts me. I think you should do the same for her and Jake,” I say, hoping he understands what I’m trying to get at. No judgement. Just moving forward.

“Leah knows?” he asks, eyebrows lifting.

“See? She didn’t even say anything. You’re lucky to have a sister like her,” I tell him as I lie back on the bed, feeling tired from the flight.

“Fuck. You’re right,” he says, his eyes softening as he looks at me. “You’re such a peacemaker, you know that?”

My lips tilt up. “Go and talk to them.”

“I will. Do you want anything?” he asks me, leaning over and giving me a closed mouth kiss.

“No, I’ll have a shower and wait for you.”

“Call room service if you’re hungry,” he says, kissing my nose and then leaving the room. I take my time in the shower, enjoying the massive modern bathroom. Afterwards, I jump on the bed and fall asleep.

* * *

The next night, we’re all out clubbing. Leah and Jake are grinding on the dance floor, and Grayson looks like he wants to kill someone. Dylan is here with us too, which makes me want to kill someone. I down my tequila shot, not even bothering with the salt and lime.

“You might want to slow down, babe,” Grayson says, frowning at all the empty shot glasses in front of me. I look at them.

“These aren’t all mine,” I say, staring at the seven glasses.

Grayson scowls, stepping closer to me. “Yes, babe, they are.”

“No, they are all of ours!” Really? Grayson tilts his head back and rubs the back of his neck in frustration.

“All yours,” he says.

I shrug. “I’m on holiday.”

He sips his drink and shakes his head at me. “You’re lucky you’re so fucking cute.”

“Cute?” Surely, he can find a better adjective.

His lip twitches. Jake and Leah walk back up to us, sweaty from all the dancing. “Want to dance?” I ask Grayson, feeling buzzed. The room spins a little, but not enough that I’m disoriented. Just the perfect amount. He stands and walks me to the dance floor.

“Do not bend over in that dress,” he growls into my ear, his hands possessively on my ass. My dress is a little short tonight, but it makes up for it by not showing off any cleavage. It’s royal blue body con dress, something I have had for a while but never worn. It fits like a glove. Dylan comes up to us and asks Grayson for a dance.

“Just one dance,” she says, “for old time’s sake.”

Grayson shakes his head no. I’m glad he’s not falling for her nostalgic bullshit. After he rejects her, she goes and finds a new victim. I couldn’t be happier.

“I didn’t get to thank you for talking to Grayson,” Leah says to me when I return to the bar.

“How did you know I spoke to him?” I ask, sucking on an ice cube.

She rolls her eyes at me. “Oh, please, it had you written all over it.”

I try to hide my smile. “He loves you. I just tried to make him see the big picture. You know he just wants to protect you.”

“I know,” she says, smiling down at her drink. “He’s a good brother.”

I nod in agreement. He’s a good man in general.

“Well, I’m going to go to my room and have wild sex with Jake. See you tomorrow,” she says, kissing my cheek and going to find her man. Thanks goodness Grayson didn’t hear that.

“Time to go, babe,” Grayson says as Leah tells him they are leaving.

“Okay. Where’s Dylan?” I ask, looking around for her. I may dislike her but we can’t just leave her here alone.

“She said she’ll come back to her room later,” he says. I shrug and put my hand in his, letting him lead me back to the room. “Are you tired?” he asks as we open the room door.

“Depends on what you have in mind.”

In an instant, he lifts me up and pushes me against the wall. “Get naked in the shower and wait for me.”

“Okay,” I manage to get out, my heart racing. He licks at my lips until I open them, then he kisses me hard, a preview for what’s to come.

“Adore you,” he says to me before he puts me down. I walk into the bathroom, strip down, and jump in the shower. Grayson comes in seconds later, and shows me just how much he adores me.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“When are you going to move in with me?” Grayson asks. It’s been a week since we returned from Sydney, and our relationship is stronger than ever. We aren’t perfect, of course, and we’re learning a lot as we go along, but we’re in it together. For the long run.

“Is that your way of asking me if I want to move in with you? Or telling me?”

He stares at the ceiling, lying on his back on his bed. “You’re practically here every day. And I love that. I want you to move in permanently,” he says, lifting his head to look at me.

“Don’t you think we’re moving a bit fast?” my head makes me ask. My heart knows what it wants to do. It wants me to go home, pack my shit up, and move in this very second.

He sits up fully. “Are you doubting us?” he asks, his voice low and worried.

“No, it’s not that,” I tell him, crawling onto the bed. “I just don’t want us to regret anything.”

“Paris,” he says. “Stop over thinking it, and just move in. Please.” It’s the please that gets me.

“Okay,” I say, my hand touching his cheek. The stubble there prickles my fingers. “Let’s do it. I’ll have to tell Anaya so she can get a new roomie.”

“I’ll sort it out,” he says, his eyes roaming my face. “You’ve made me a happy man.”

“I’m putting in money for rent, bills, and food, and that’s non-negotiable,” I tell him, my serious expression letting him know I mean business.

“I own the house; there is no rent. And I pay the bills. If you want to buy whatever for the house, then go ahead, but I’d rather you save your money,” he says, crossing his arms behind his head and studying me.

“You own this house?” I ask, eyes flaring.

“Babe, keep up,” he says, dimples flashing.

“I love your dimples,” I blurt out, staring at them.

His smile widens, his eyes crinkling. “I know you do. They’re like my secret weapon.”

“Really? I’d have thought your secret weapon would be further south,” I tease, my eyes darting to his crotch and back.

“Hey, I’m a man of many talents,” he brags, eyes twinkling.

I scoff, shaking my head. “That ego of yours…”

“I can refresh your memory if you’re in doubt,” he says, reaching out for me. I move back, out of his reach. “Playing hard to get, are we? Or maybe you want to be chased?”

I narrow my eyes on him, going deadly still. Then I jump off the bed and run as fast as I can. I only make it to the kitchen before he grabs me, and throws me over his shoulder caveman style. I pinch his ass, squirming. “I have short legs! That wasn’t fair!” I squeal.

“You don’t have short legs,” he replies, chuckling.

“Compared to you I do!” I grumble.

“Oomph,” comes out of my mouth as I’m dumped on the bed. “You jerk!”

He pins me to the bed, his shoulder shaking as he laughs at me. Asshole.

“I’m not moving in now,” I tell him, poking my tongue out.

He stops laughing. “A bit late to change your mind,” he says. He grabs his phone and types out a text, still pinning me with his weight.

“Who are you messaging?” I ask, trying to see the screen.

“Anaya. Told her you’re moving out. I’ll pay your rent until she finds another roommate.”

“You overbearing, egoistical—” He cuts off my rant with his mouth.

I move into this house the next week.

* * *

I yawn and walk to the front door wearing my leopard-print shorts and a white singlet top. I’m about to open it when I remember I’m not even wearing a bra. I eye the hall that leads back to my room, then the front door. Fuck it. I open the door and come face to face with Dylan.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, scowling at her.

She smiles unpleasantly. “Is Grayson here?” she asks, shifting her bag from one shoulder to the other.

“Yeah, can you hold on a second?” I ask her, not waiting for her reply. I storm back into our bedroom and stare down at a sleeping Grayson.

“Gray,” I say, shaking his shoulder. His eyes open, and then a smile forms on his lips. “Dylan’s here.” That gets his attention.

“Dylan?” he asks, brows drawing together. “What the fuck?”

“She’s at the door,” I say, shrugging. I have no idea what’s going on, or why she’s here. He gets out of bed and throws on a pair of jeans. “And a shirt.”

He stops at the door, turns back and grabs a white t-shirt, sliding it over his head. I follow him as he walks to the door.

“What are you doing here?” he asks her. Instead of answering, she runs to him, and wraps her arms around him. He stiffens, shooting me an apologetic look.

“I had a fight with Dad. I have nowhere else to go, so I was hoping I could stay here. You always said if I needed a place to crash…”

I see him mouth the word fuck. “That was before, Dylan, and you know it. Paris lives with me now, so I’m going to have to retract that offer.”

I tap my foot, watching the scene unfold. “You’re going to turn me away because of her?”

“Yes,” Grayson says. “I love her. You need to find somewhere else to stay if you’re having issues with your parents.”

She takes a step back from him and turns her head to stare at me. “I have nowhere else to go. I thought I could always crash here if I needed to, because that’s what you told me!”

“Go stay at Leah’s, or my parents then,” Grayson says, looking frustrated. He keeps sending me little worried glances.

“She knows we’ve fucked before, Grayson. I was your first after all,” she says, looking at me as she says it. Riiiigghhht. Well, I’m fucking done. As I turn away, I hear Grayson calling out my name. I ignore him and go back into our room and flop on the bed. It’s always something, isn’t it? I rub my forehead, feeling a migraine coming on. I can hear Grayson and her arguing at the front door, but I try to block them out. She was his first? I don’t want to be jealous, I don’t. It doesn’t change the fact that I am.

He enters the room a few minutes later, his face drawn, and his head down. “I’m so sorry she came here, babe. Please don’t be mad. I told her she can’t stay here.” He moves closer to me. “She’s just starting shit. Don’t let her win,” he says, sitting next to me and putting his hand on my hip.

“She’s such a bitch,” I growl.

Grayson exhales, looking down at me. “I know. She just wanted to hurt you. Fuck her.”

“Well, she succeeded,” I say.

“Paris…”

“She was your first! She will always have that piece of you. I get it—I do. I don’t have to like having it shoved in my face, though,” I say, getting up and heading to the bathroom. I lock the door behind me and lean against it. Sliding down to the floor, I sit there. Thinking. He knocks a few times and gently says my name. He pleads with me. I ignore him. I start to feel a little nauseous after a while. Grayson must still be on the other side of the door, because when I start to throw up, the knocks get louder.

“Open the door, Paris!” he growls.

“I’m fine!” I call out.

“No, you’re not. Please just open the door!”

I have a quick shower, brush my teeth then exit the bathroom. Grayson is sitting on the bed, his head in his hands. He looks up as soon as he hears me. “Are you ill?”

“I’m fine,” I say, ignoring his worried stares. I do math in my head. When was my last period? Did I skip any pills? Sometimes, I would forget one day, but take two the next day to make up for it. I was told that was okay by London, and she should know! I look at the time and curse. "I need to get to class.” And then I have a shift at work.

“Can we talk before you leave?” he asks, standing up.

“No, I don’t feel like talking right now,” I say, getting dressed in jeans and an off the shoulder black top.

“Don’t do this...”

“We can talk later tonight, okay? I just want to have some time right now,” I explain.

He agrees but doesn’t look too happy about it.