INFLUENCED: A Good Girl, Bad Boy Love Story

by Keyes, Janae

  “Damn, this is hard,” he mentioned, his hand going into his dark chocolate hair. “Fuck. Okay. Chloe, like you, is much younger than me. I met her while in Malta and things were great, until they weren’t.”

  “And you uttered her name because?” I felt like he was beating around the bush. He needed to get to the point or I’d have Lucinda escort him out of my room.

  “Shit, Peaches, you get down to business, don’t you?” he nervously chuckled. I furrowed my brows and glared at him. Spencer wasn’t getting out of this, I wanted the truth or nothing else from him.

  “Spencer, fucking tell me or leave,” I growled, pointing to the door.

  “When you and I were in the office, you told me to make you mine. I know what that entails and I’ve been down that road before,” he explained.

  “With Chloe?”

  There was a moment of complete silence before Spencer took a breath.

  “Yeah, with her.”

  I knew Spencer was experienced, he had a reputation, that I could remember. He was a ladies man and the girls threw themselves all over him. I was no better, doing just the same. It just wasn’t expected that Spencer had also deflowered someone else.

  “Oh,” I said softly, glancing down at the floor for a moment before peering at Spencer once more.

  “Being with Chloe and allowing myself to take her virginity was something that should have never happened, it caused an avalanche of problems.” The memory of that night struck me hard and my mouth reacted before my brain. “I’m sorry, Peaches. You’re the only girl I want, you have to know that. I don’t know what it is between us, this chemistry is fucking intense. I’m to the point where I don’t know what I’d do without you. The week was hard, really hard.” The look on his face was telling and I caught myself smiling. I felt the same in so many ways. I wanted to forgive him and I did, but I also knew I needed to keep him on his toes.

  “That’s strike one, Grant,” I said firmly.

  “Duly noted,” he answered. “Now, get the fuck over here.”

  Before I could fully react, he grabbed me into a full on kiss that took over my every sense. Spencer tasted sweet and smelled like a mixture of citrus and spices. I closed my eyes and melted into arms that held me firmly. His tongue danced with mine, pulling me deeper into his midst. He was eager and greedy, and I was willing.

  He broke away from me. I wanted more, but I also needed air. My chest heaved up and down as I fought to catch the breath that he’d stolen away.

  “You ready for Sea Island?” he asked, his thumb running across my cheek.

  “I think so,” I mentioned.

  It was 4th of July weekend, which meant the Grant’s annual bash at their property on Sea Island at the Georgia coast. We were set to spend four days down at their large estate along the beach, like we did every year. I always loved it down there.

  “I miss that house. I can’t wait to spend a little time on the beach, get some sun, see my sexy lady in a bikini,” he commented as he slipped a hand just under the strap of my tank top.

  “You know the last time I saw you in a bikini you were a scrawny little beanstalk,” Spencer mentioned.

  “And flat chested,” I added.

  “Not anymore, those cups have filled out perfectly,” he said with a hint of a growl. “Can’t wait to see how they fill out a bikini now.”

  My cheeks warmed and I nervously bit my lip. My parents would be on the island as well, I wasn’t exactly ready for them to know of my relationship with Spencer.

  It hit me, was he my boyfriend? We’d gone on a date and kissed a lot, but there were no parameters set to if we were an item or not.

  “Spencer,” I started.

  “Hmm,” he mumbled as his perfect lips came in contact with my neck. I gasped as my head leaned back almost instinctively to give him better access. He planted delicate kisses along my skin, causing moans to escape my lips.

  “Spencer, wait a second,” I groaned as I slightly moved away.

  The sapphire irises of his eyes met mine. Concern was written on his face.

  “What is it, Peaches?”

  “Are we something? Like, am I your girlfriend?” I felt stupid asking him. I wanted to hide my heated face. The moment the question left my mouth, I felt like I’d retreated to once again being the little girl I’d been in his eyes.

  Spencer chuckled as he ran his thumb over my cheek once more. That smile of his was going to do me in.

  “I couldn’t ask for more. Having you as my girlfriend would be the best fucking thing I could think of, but I’m going to ask the question properly. Megan, will you be my girlfriend?” He was completely serious and I loved every moment.

  “Of course I’ll be your girlfriend, boyfriend.” I caught myself giggling like a schoolgirl.

  “I fucking love your laugh. Having you laugh means the world, my world, is alright.” He pressed his mouth to mine and gave me a sweet kiss. It was our first real kiss as a couple. It was some strange full circle moment, being with the guy I’d dreamed about for years.

  “I’ve got to go to dance in a bit,” I mentioned as I took notice of the time. I didn’t want to leave him. I could stay in my room and kiss him all night, but I had obligations to attend to.

  “See you on the island tomorrow?” He asked as he stood, pulling me up with him. I nodded before he took me in another mind blowing kiss, his hands slipping down my hips and over my behind, pulling me in close. This could work between us, I knew it could, but we had one main obstacle, my parents.

  * * *

  Singing at the top of our lungs, Jaylesha and I drove through Sea Island and towards the Grant property. Heather and Steve owned a huge plot of land right on the Atlantic. The property consisted of the main house, along with a boathouse that had an apartment my parents usually stayed in, and two guest houses.

  Jaylesha and I decided to make a road trip out of it and drive the five hours from Atlanta, while my parents were flying down later in the evening.

  We left Atlanta early enough that we still had a majority of the day to enjoy our first day on the island.

  “I’m so glad you came with,” I mentioned to my best friend.

  “I’m always down for spending a few days without responsibility at some fancy pants house on the ocean,” she said. Her mom had agreed to keep Kheoni while she was away and she managed a few days off work. “Plus, your mom will spend so much time bitching about me being there that she won’t pay attention to the fact that you are running off with your boo.”

  I chuckled at her mention of Spencer and I actually being a couple. It was weird, but exciting.

  “I’m super anxious to see him, but a good anxious for once.” My anxiety had been on high the last week, but after getting to really talk with Spencer, it all melted away. Honestly, Spencer made my usual anxieties non-existent.

  “You’re much more fun when you aren’t having anxiety or asthma attacks,” Jaylesha commented as I pulled onto the expansive property that belonged to the Grants.

  “I don’t know if I told you, but Spencer’s hot friend Kyle is coming too. You won’t be stuck as a third wheel.”

  “Good, nobody got time for that,” she mentioned before her mouth flew open at the sight in front of us. We’d arrived at the main house. It was a huge Spanish style mansion. “Holy shit!”

  Staff members helped us unload our bags before heading inside and being escorted to our rooms. Jaylesha and I were sharing a room in the main house. We both changed into our bikinis right away.

  I stood, waiting on my friend, in my brown bottomed and orange topped bikini. There was never much of an opportunity for me to get into beach wear and I ached for some sun on my skin.

  Once Jaylesha was ready, we headed down to the pool, where we found Heather tanning with a cocktail. She waved the two of us over as soon as she spotted us.

  “You girls made it! I just spoke to Spencer, he and his friend are about to board their flight into Brunswick,” Heather said. I tried to hi
de the smile that crept onto my face. “There is everything you could need for cocktails at the bar and some snacks in the mini fridge. I’m just catching some rays. I spend too much time in that damn office.” Heather stretched out over her chaise, her lime green caftan fluttering in the gentle sea breeze.

  “Did you say cocktails?” Jaylesha commented.

  “Treat yourself,” Heather said sweetly to my best friend, who was already halfway to the outdoor bar. I took a seat on the lounge chair next to Heather’s. “How have you been? I’m working with the other interns so much that I never see you as you’ve been working with Spencer.”

  “I’m good,” I commented to the woman who was like a surrogate mother to me when I needed it through the years.

  “Anything new? Love life okay?” she asked, eager to learn every morsel she could. I was grateful that I could trust Heather for the most part, though I wasn’t quite ready to reveal to her what Spencer and I had.

  I bit my lip nervously. “There is a guy. We just started dating. I like him so much. I’ve liked him a long time and I feel like he’s just noticed me, finally. Things are good, but complicated,” I explained to Heather, whose eyes lit up at the mention of me dating someone.

  “That’s exciting, but what makes it so complicated?” she asked eagerly with a bit of concern lacing her voice.

  “I don’t think my parents would approve of my relationship, he isn’t exactly the type they want me with,” I confessed.

  “That’s because the type they want you with is Smelly Davis,” she said with a look of disgust. I giggled because Spencer had referred to Hampton with the same nickname. “That man smells like he bathes in aftershave and cologne. I don’t know what in the hell your parents see in him for you besides his success. Your wedding date would have been next weekend.”

  I hadn’t thought of it at all, but with Heather’s mention, it hit me. I would have been getting married the next week. I shuddered at the thought of nearly being Mrs. Hampton Davis. It was scary to think I was so close, but I’d finally grown a backbone and put my foot down.

  “Cocktails,” Jaylehsa cheered as she returned to Heather and I. She handed me a drink as she also took a seat.

  “Thanks, Joe,” I said before taking a sip of the fruity confection Jaylesha had come up with.

  “I better let you girls have some fun. I’m going to make sure everything is ready for the rest of the guests. Spencer and Kyle are staying down in the guest house along the beach,” Heather mentioned as she picked up her drink and began towards the house, before stopping in her tracks. “And Megan, whoever this guy is. As long as he makes you happy, that’s all that matters.” She gave me a sweet smile before continuing into the house. I was happy, the happiest I’d been in a long time, and a huge part of it was Spencer.

  “I say we finish our cocktails and head down to the beach to meet the guys,” I suggested, eager to see my man.

  “Do you think you guys are going to,” Jaylesha paused “you know, get your swerve on?”

  “Maybe,” I said with a giggle. It was surreal. The thought of losing my virginity was scary, but the idea of losing it to Spencer comforted me. I loved him but saying it out loud freaked me out, I didn’t want to scare him away by saying it too soon.

  I’d heard so many horror stories about losing one’s virginity, like that it hurt and sometimes there was blood. Those didn’t affect me as much, what worried me the most was Spencer. Would I be everything he wanted?

  “Good thing we stopped at that mall we saw and you picked up a few things,” she commented as she sipped at her cocktail.

  On our way down we had passed a mall, so Jaylesha and I stopped, and she convinced me to pick out a few things at the Frederick's of Hollywood store. I’d never bought lingerie in my life and wasn’t sure what to do with it. I did keep in mind that Spencer’s favorite color was black.

  “I’m excited for the fireworks tonight,” I said as I looked out toward the beach that always had a spectacular view of the fireworks show.

  “Tonight, but it’s not the fourth?”

  “There are fireworks every night this week leading to the fourth,” I informed her from the knowledge I had of years past. I could see it now, cuddled in a blanket on the beach with my man, watching the fireworks. I rolled my eyes at myself, I was such a sappy girl.

  “A toast, to a weekend away, and to Megan possibly popping the cherry,” Jaylesha cheered as she raised her glass. I laughed, but joined along in raising my glass. After this weekend, I might be an entirely new woman.

  * * *

  Laid out on the beach, relaxing in the sun, perfection. Nothing could top that, until I heard the sounds of guys chatting and heading in our direction. I sat up from my place on the sand and slid down my sunglasses to see Spencer and Kyle. My hormones were already raging and there was Spencer in board shorts and a tight tank top. I waved them over.

  “Hey!” I said happily as I stood and strolled in Spencer’s direction. There was no prompting as his arm looped around my waist and pulled me in tight, molding our bodies together.

  “I told you I couldn’t wait to see you looking hot in your bikini,” he murmured against my lips before placing a soft kiss on them. “The only thing better would be getting it off you,” he growled before taking a nibble at my bottom lip. I moaned softly at his words and actions while a buzzing flew through my entire body.

  “Can the two of you get a room?” a British accented voice suggested. I peered to the side to see Kyle watching us and shaking his head.

  “We intend to,” Spencer gruffly proclaimed in my ear, causing a shiver to run down the entire length of my spine. He had this affect on my body that I couldn’t control, it frightened me and intrigued me.

  “Kyle, nice to see you again,” I mentioned sweetly as I wiggled from Spencer’s arms and wandered to his best friend, giving him a quick hug.

  “So, you do remember?” Kyle questioned, a cocky smile on his handsome mug.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I remember,” I groaned before turning to Jaylesha, whose eyes refused to leave Kyle.

  “Joe, this is Kyle, Spencer’s best friend. Kyle, this is my best friend, Jaylesha,” I introduced. Kyle wandered to where Jaylesha was sitting on the sand, her white bikini glowing on her dark skin and accentuating all her curves.

  “Hello there,” Kyle said as he plopped down in the sand next to her. “I suppose we are both the tagalongs for the weekend while those two get cozy.”

  I turned back to Spencer, who’d slipped his hands around my hips. There was something in his arms that I’d never felt, ever, a net of safety and peace. The only time I ever remotely got near that was at school when I was thousands of miles away from my demanding mother.

  “We should chill with the PDA,” I commented to my boyfriend, who instantly frowned. “I’m not ashamed of you or anything, I’m just not ready for the attention our relationship is going to bring, especially from my parents.”

  “I understand, Peaches. Just one more kiss,” he said before he pulled me in deep. My arms slipped around his neck and pulled him in closer. I’d never desired to have my skin connect with the skin of another so deeply. I burned for the moment that I could completely give myself to him.

  Breaking away, I peered into his eyes. I was smiling so hard that my cheeks hurt. I’d been dragged under and there was no coming out.

  “Fireworks tonight, we’ll meet down here for all of us to watch together,” Spencer informed me. “And then, the beach house is ours for the night.” For the night? Did that mean tonight? My anxiety kicked up, I was eager and nervous.

  “What about Kyle?” I asked.

  “He can stay in your room in the main house. We’ll make sure the two of you have switched back by breakfast. Your darling mother will never know.” Spencer had a decent plan. Tomorrow, there was a possibility I’d wake up no longer a virgin. Holy crap, shit just got real.

  Chapter Eleven

  Spencer

  Damn, that woman wa
s smokin’ hot in her bikini. It took all of my self control not to throw her in the sand and have my wicked way with her, right then and there. The way her top hugged her curves, and the bottoms of her bikini showed just the right amount of her plump chocolate ass was enough to make me instantly hard for her.

  She’s a virgin, Spencer. Calm the fuck down! My brain screamed at me.

  And my brain was correct. I found myself walking down this path again, and honestly, it scared the shit out of me. I’d been down this road with Chloe, and in the end it had backfired in my face. Although I had told Megan some of what had happened in Europe, I had left out some of the vital parts of my leaving.

  When I had first gotten to Malta, I was staying with a wonderful family as part of my study abroad program. Chloe had been twelve when I arrived, compared to my twenty one, and she was like the sister I never had, even though in reality, that title had always belonged to Megan. She was smart and knew multiple languages, and taught me. Through the years, we had both grown together and when she turned eighteen, she admitted her feelings had grown for me.

  At twenty-seven, I was still young and dumb, and had slept my way across most of Europe, so when she asked me to be her first, I literally pounced at the chance. She was a consenting adult and so was I. Looking back now, I should have seen the disaster before it unfolded.

  After two years of sleeping with Chloe, I was done, and wanted out. She turned psycho and told her parents that I had been sleeping with her since she was sixteen, and they believed her. Lawsuits followed, but I got lucky. Her doctor took my side and spilled the beans that, even at her yearly appointment at seventeen, she had still been intact. The case was dropped, but everywhere I went around the small village we lived in, I had been called vile names, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

  I was thirty one when I moved back home, broken and deflated. How could someone spread such vicious lies about me? Sure, I had a reputation, and yes, I had slept with my fair share of beautiful women, but I wasn’t a rapist.