Flawed (Imperfectly Perfect Book 1)

by Lym Cruz

  I lifted her dress to change the subject and my mouth fell open. “You don’t have any underwear on.”

  She shoved my hand away. “Duh! I don’t live here, remember?”

  “But you could have worn a pair of mine.”

  “They’re big. Yesterday I had shorts and it kept them in place.”

  “You’re not going to campus dressed like this.” The ping of jealousy rose again. “I won’t let you.”

  What was I saying? I wouldn’t let her? Who the hell did I think I was?

  She bit her lower lip, her eyes sparkling. “Of course not. I’ll go home and change.”

  I stood between her legs and kissed her. I’d wanted to do this since she walked in. Melissa put her palms flat on my chest and pushed me back.

  “You son of a bitch,” she screeched. If it weren’t for the light tone of her voice, I’d be worried. “You’ve been tracking my phone, haven’t you?”

  I laughed, fully amused. “I needed to know where to find you and tracking a phone is relatively simple. Anyone can do it by downloading an app.”

  “How did you get my number in the first place?”

  “I have a friend who has a friend at the university.”

  “That’s illegal I could sue you.”

  I laughed again. “Yes, you could pursue legal action against me.”

  “I might just do that and sue you out of the few pennies you have left. I’ll bankrupt you.”

  “Oh really?”

  “I’m evil like that.” Melissa fisted my suit jacket urging me closer. “I’m glad you tracked me.”

  “I’m assuming that means you’ll let me keep my money.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter 10

  Andrew

  Rob stormed into my office unannounced, dropped to an empty chair and stretched his legs over the other. Since the death of his parents, he hardly came to the firm and I was surprised by his willingness to visit.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked, turning away from my computer. “Do you need legal advice?”

  “Nah! And if I did, your area of expertise would be the last I’d seek. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages and I thought I would take you to lunch.”

  It had been a little over a month since I’d met Melissa and my life could not have been better. We spent every minute we could together and juggled our sleeping arrangements between our apartments. I was consumed by her and hadn’t had time for anyone else. She was kind, pleasant to be around, and the sex was now at the earthquakes and fireworks level.

  “How about we do something together this weekend? Dave won’t have an excuse. I spoke to his assistant, she told me he has no court hearings or anything of primary importance this weekend.”

  Dave had been working hard to solidify his career. I, on the other hand, had been poking into the idea of working in technology. Melissa was mainly responsible for it. I knew this would stir trouble, but like Melissa, it felt right.

  Rob typed out a text and less than a minute later Dave walked in. He kicked Rob’s feet from the vacant chair and sat down. “What’s the meeting about?”

  “Weekend,” Rob said. “What are we doing?”

  “Beach please.” Dave stretched in the chair. “I need a tan.”

  “Who’s attending?” I asked.

  “You mean can Melissa come along?” I smirked and waited for their response. “Fine. Then I’m bringing Christina.” Rob turned his gaze to Dave. “Are you and Monica still a thing?”

  Like Ashlyn and I were paired, Dave and Monica were also. It was as if our parents had nothing better to do with their life except for playing matchmaker.

  “No.” Dave shook his head. “She’s gone to LA. A little voice told her that she was born to be an actress.”

  Rob laughed. “The same voice that told her she was born to be a singer?”

  Dave nodded. “That same one.”

  “The same voice that told her she was born to be a dancer?” I added.

  “Oh, and a chef.” Rob laughed unyieldingly. “And before that a model.”

  Dave raised his hands. “Okay, okay. I get it.” Then he dropped them. “What did you expect me to do? She’s the one hearing the voices, not me.”

  “Both your parents suck at playing Cupid.”

  “They do.” Dave chuckled. “But Monica’s still better than Ashlyn.”

  Dave never liked Ashlyn. He tolerated her because of me. He insisted there was something off about her, and he was right, but we’ll never know. Ashlyn built a fortress around herself blocking out trespassers—the entire world basically.

  “I met a girl.” Dave grinned.

  “Who?” I asked.

  “I’m not at liberty to say yet.”

  “Oh c’mon,” Rob snarled, “spit it out.”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  I cocked my head examining him. This was new. “Will we see her at the beach?”

  Dave tried to speak, but Rob jumped in. “Christina has that blonde friend of hers, she’s single. I’m sure she won’t mind tagging along.”

  “That could work,” Dave said, then scratched between his brows and blew out a long worrisome breath. “So … what’s up with you and Melissa?”

  The mere mention of her name caused a fluttering feeling in my chest. “We’re all right.”

  “Are you guys seeing each other? Is it serious?”

  Frowning, I sat back and rocked in my chair. “Out with it.”

  Dave moved his chair forward, settling his elbows on the desk and stared straight at me. “Given her past, I’m worried. I suggest you do a background check on her as a precaution.”

  “Precaution against what?”

  “I don’t know.” He cringed, his shoulders creeping to his ears. “How much do you really know about her? I know you’re happy and, in my opinion, anything is better than Ash—”

  “Fuck you,” I snapped, thumping a fist on my desk. “Never refer to her as a thing. I know what I need to know about her and I trust her. Leave her the fuck alone. Her past has nothing to do with you or anyone else for the matter.”

  I knew Melissa was not lying about what she told me and I would not share any details of her life with them. It was her life and none of his fucking business.

  “Wow,” Rob interjected, “Chillax boys. He didn’t mean it that way. I know Melissa is a nice girl, we’re just worried.”

  “Please don’t. I’m fine. Actually, I’ve never been better or happier.”

  “Okay. I’m sorry.” Dave rested back on the chair. “You won’t hear another word from me. I can see it’s a sensitive subject, but you have been warned.”

  Warned? I pointed my index finger straight at him. “Don’t even think about checking her out. Leave Melissa alone.”

  Dave nodded. “Gotcha.”

  “Back to the beach topic.” Rob clasped his hands loudly. “Everyone in?”

  The tension between Dave and I was far from friendly. I knew he worried but he had no right to judge Melissa without knowing her. No one had. I would be pissed if he started to look into her and he knew that.

  “Oh! C’mon you two, just kiss and make up. We made a vow to never let a girl come between us unless she’s Mila Kunis, or Olivia Wilde, or Hallie Berry. Although Melissa comes pretty close, she isn’t one of them.” Rob gripped Dave’s shoulder and shook him until he smiled. “There you go.”

  “Fuck off dick-shit.” Dave slapped Rob’s hand off his shoulder. “Where is this lunch you said we’re having?”

  “Pizza. It will be here any minute now.”

  “Seriously? You called me here for pizza?”

  “What?” Rob said, raising his hands in defense. “Who doesn’t like pizza?”

  ∞∞∞

  The day could not be any better. Summer, sun, alcohol, and Melissa in a red bikini.

  We sat on a towel on the white sand, shielded by a large rainbow-striped umbrella. Per the girl’s request, we ended up at Pa
cific beach because a bunch of their friends were here. I would have preferred a different location, somewhere a lot less crowded, but they insisted.

  I removed my shirt leaving just my swimming trunks. It was beyond hot. The beach was full as expected of a summer Saturday with a lot of families and kids rattling around, but visibly the vast majority of the bathers were college students.

  I sat up, resting my elbows on my knees and watched Melissa amble towards the water. She was glowing; she always glowed. Her skin was perfect. Golden crispy brown and under the sun she was a goddess. The way her body moved; it was impossible not to stare. Her curly hair bounced with every stride. I wasn’t sure if it was my mind, but I felt as though every male eye was on her.

  The bottom of her bikini was held only by two tiny bows on each side of her hips, and the top with a knot around her neck and another around her upper back. Most of the time, I had to control the spark of jealousy Melissa erupted in me. It annoyed me when other men gawked at her and today was no different. She had this rare, eye-catching beauty—a phenomenon really. It was something that couldn’t be explained, only admired.

  Melissa turned and blew me a kiss, as if she knew I was watching, then focused on the ocean ahead. She stepped into the water, walking further in. She dived in, disappearing under the water and a few seconds later emerged thoroughly wet.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” Rob said, slapping the back of my head. “I’m talking to you? She will not run away, and if she does, it’s because you’re acting like a sick fucker. Stop ogling.”

  Dave laughed, and I rubbed the back of my head. “What … what did you say?”

  “Forget it.”

  “You really like Melissa, don’t you?” Dave questioned, as he removed his t-shirt to apply sunscreen. I couldn’t see his eyes past the dark shades so I wasn’t sure what he meant by his question.

  “She’s easy to like.”

  Rob adjusted his sombrero and from the cooler, tossed me a beer. I caught it. “I think it’s more than that.” Rob took out his cell phone. “Let’s see what Google has to say.” Dave shifted next to him, staring down at the phone.

  Then Robert began reading out loud, “How to know if you’re in love. First question: You’ll happily jump through hoops without even thinking about it to spend time with her?” Yes.

  “Does everything remind you of her?” Yes.

  “Do you find yourself constantly thinking about her?” Yes.

  “Does your appetite shrink?” No.

  “You can talk to her about anything.” Yes.

  “You can’t explain why you’re always happy.” I can’t, but I am.

  “Do you think about a future with her?” Yes.

  “You get defensive when your friends talk shit about her?” Without a doubt.

  “Do you think she’s the most attractive person in the world?” Yes.

  “And do you just want to eat her pussy all day?” I’m sure that wasn’t part of the quiz but, hell yes.

  “If you answered yes to all the questions then you’re in love.”

  Dave slid his glasses to the top of his head and they both pinned their gaze on me anticipating my answer. I tried to remain expressionless but failed miserably. I beamed.

  “Holy shit!” Dave laughed. “He’s in love. Look at him, blushing like a fucking little girl.”

  And I felt the burn rising to my neck and cheeks to go along with it.

  “When are you going to tell her?” Robs said in-between laughs.

  My eyes widened. “Tell her?” He nodded. “I don’t know. What if she doesn’t feel the same?”

  Rob tossed back his beer and threw the empty bottle carelessly back in the cooler followed by a loud burp. “How will she ever know? Or what if she already does?”

  “I can’t believe this is happening. You’re in love with a str—” Dave trailed off. “I mean you’re in love with Melissa.”

  He didn’t need to finish. I was well aware he wanted to say stripper and a frown was drawing itself on my forehead.

  “C’mon man, don’t,” Rob said, shaking his head with disapproval.

  “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It slipped. Sorry!”

  “You’re an ass,” Rob said to Dave then stood up and stretched his massive body. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more humiliating, he started hopping around me chanting, “Andrew is in love.”

  It was weird watching a big guy like him dancing and singing pathetically. Dave joined the freak show and together they continued to intone, “Andrew is in love.”

  I covered my ears and yelled at them to stop. People were staring and laughing, however, that didn’t bother them at all. They continued to tease me until they’d ridiculed themselves enough. Only then did they put their asses back down.

  “I’m going into the water.” I stood to escape from them. “And no mention of this near her.”

  “I’m like a Priest after hearing a confession,” Rob chuckled. “It shall not be repeated.”

  Before I reached the beachfront, Melissa came running in my direction and halted in front of me. Encircling her waist, I towed her to me and claimed her mouth. She was salty and smelled of the ocean. I couldn’t care less. I sought the serenity she brought about. She wrapped her wet arms around me and pressed even closer until not even air could pass through us.

  I was in love.

  I swept her off her feet and conveyed her back into the water. Giggling, Melissa buried her face in my neck. It was such a pleasant sound. Her happiness made me happy. My heart fluttered with an intense emotion I couldn’t explain or describe. A passion that I never wanted to diminish.

  The chill of the water made me suck in a sharp breath but the heat from Melissa’s legs wrapped around me and how she plastered herself against me made it better. Deeper in the water, I bent down causing us both to tumble into the water. Melissa fastened her grip around me and I brought us up to get air, she huffed a small laugh and lowered her mouth into a heated kiss against my lips. I forgot where I was or who was watching. That was what happened when I was with Melissa, the world faded and nothing else mattered but us.

  Melissa let me go and splashed into the water, swimming away from me, and I followed—of course. I’d never had this extent of fun with a woman before. For the first time, I acknowledged the existence of a God and thanked him for bringing Melissa back to me.

  “How are things going with Ricky?” Melissa asked as we left the water.

  So far, we’d brainstormed and everything was only on paper but I was considering more and more selling my apartment to finance the project. Besides Melissa and Ricky, no one else knew what I was doing.

  “They’re going. We’re almost done with the app.”

  “Do you have a name for it yet?”

  I moved our linked hands to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “Not yet.”

  “I have a great feeling about this, Andrew.” I glanced down at her and there it was. That affectionate look in her eyes. The one that made me want to pour my soul to her and let her see all of me.

  “So do I, Mel. So do I.”

  “Did you know that Mel in Portuguese means honey?”

  “I didn’t know that and it only makes the name more appropriate for you. You are so sweet.”

  “Andrew...” She smiled, attempting to pull a disgusted face. “So cheesy.”

  “Yes, honey. I’m all cheese for you.”

  She smacked my arm. “My parents want me to go home for my brothers’ birthday—they’re twins. I haven’t been there since… you know and I’m not sure I want to go.”

  I released her hand and hung my arm over her shoulder. “No one probably remembers what happened. It was a long time ago, Mel.”

  “Do you want me to go?” She lifted her chin with the cutest pout.

  “No. I’ll miss you, but it will be good for you to see your family and possibly get over this fear you have of facing your past. How long will you be there?”

  She let out a h
eavy sigh. “Only for a weekend.” It was still too long. “I haven’t made up my mind yet, but I’m strongly considering not going. I don’t think I have the courage to go back.”

  “I get that you’re afraid and I really do believe that no one will remember it anymore, but if you’re not comfortable then don’t go. Take your time.”

  As we neared our spot where everyone else was gone except for David. He rose a brow, watching Melissa with suspicion. I don’t even think he was aware of the way he was looking at her.

  Melissa spoke in a soft cagey voice, “Your friends don’t like me.”

  I knew she was referring to Dave specifically. “Don’t worry about them. I like you.”

  “But you also like your friends, and I don’t want to come between you guys.”

  “Melissa.” I stopped and held her face in my hands. “You are not between anything. Don’t be ashamed of anything or anyone, okay?”

  Melissa nodded her head and we continued walking. Dave and I were practically brothers. I knew that he cared for me and I understood why he was being protective. He simply needed the benefit of time to get to know Melissa than he’d understand that she was a fantastic person.

  By the time we sat, a heavy silence settled over us—thicker than the uneasy tension in the atmosphere. David’s unsettled eyes glanced unceremoniously around and tried to avoid catching Melissa’s. Melissa shifted uncomfortably in her seat and played with a ring on her fingers. Then David picked up beer and awkwardly traced the outlines of the bottle. While hushed judging thoughts swirled in the air, I thought of a topic to break the silence. Thankfully, I was saved by the arrival of the others.

  “Aww, lovebirds,” Rob sang and I gave him a warning glare.

  “Want to join us for a bonfire later?” Erica offered.

  “Bonfire?” David echoed like it were the first time he’d heard the word.

  Erica nodded, eating what was left of the candy bar in her hand.

  Rob wriggled his brows. “I like fire.”

  Melissa cocked her head slightly to look at me. “I wanna stay.” She may have spoken as if asking for permission but I knew better.

  I kissed the tip of her nose. “Why not? I haven’t been to one since College.”