by Mj Fields
“You got me drunk again.”
“I did.” I grabbed her as she stumbled towards the hall. “Buddies fuck.”
“Wow, okay?”
“We’re not that kind of buddies right?”
“Not tonight.”
She laughed. “Maybe we should. I’m sure he’s fucking her, so why would it be so bad?”
“Because you’d be thinking about him and I don’t want that shit.”
“I’ve never had an orgasm, well not with him. I’ve had plenty by myself.”
We walked into the bedroom and I let her plop on the bed. What the fuck was I doing?
“I’m sure the next guy will help you out.”
“You. You’re the next guy.” She yawned and laid down. “That way I know my rebound fuck won’t expect more from me than a piece of ass.”
“You sayin’ you want me as your rebound fuck?” Say yes, say yes.
“Uh huh,” she smiled and her eyes closed.
I picked up her legs and put them on the bed and her eyes popped open.
“I’m not wearing any panties. You got them all wet.”
“See? I am that good.”
She giggled and rolled to her side.
“I liked you washing my hair.”
“Tell me what else you liked.”
“I liked you --.I just like you.” And she fell asleep.
I should have gotten that shit on tape. Had a contract drawn up, done something so she’d remember that in the morning. Damn. Damn. Damn.
I turned out the light and started to walk out the door.
“Xavier?”
I stopped and turned around.
“Taelyn?”
“Will you stay? I mean just to sleep. Not fuck. Will you stay in here with me so when I wake up I don’t wake up alone? I’m so tired of being alone.”
I walked over and got into bed.
“I never thought someone could be so lonely when they were with someone. Not just because of tonight but since we moved in together. Isn’t that weird?”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I was but the room moved.” She tried to sit up and laughed at herself when she couldn’t. “So don’t you think it’s bad? I mean if you love someone--. This sucks.”
“Sorry girl.”
“Do you have clothes on still?”
“Jogging pants.”
“Do I?”
“Yes Taelyn, you do.”
“Can you hold me?”
I moved over and put my arm behind her head and she rolled onto me. One arm across my chest and one knee bent, resting real close to my dick.
“You always smell good. And warm, you’re always warm.”
“You too. Go to sleep.” Please go to sleep before I fuck you proper at an improper time.
It was foreign to me to have a female sleep in my bed that I actually wanted there. It wasn’t because I wanted to do her either, not yet anyway. I was less pissed off that I was falling for her and more accepting the idea that she may be someone who I could explore the idea of a relationship with. I wouldn’t be promising her forever but, when she was ready, I would be promising her that while we were doing all the filthy, nasty, hot as fuck things running around in my head, I wouldn’t be doing it with anyone else. And then I stole a kiss. Just one and not one that was full of lust or desire. Not one because I was prepping her for what was coming next. But one kiss, my lips to hers just to see how it felt. And fuck if it didn’t feel right.
~
I woke up in the morning and she wasn’t in my bed. I was exhausted. Every time she woke up, she’d ask questions. Normally drunk chicks bugged the hell out of me but not her. I will admit I’m a prick to most people’s standards but I don’t fuck girls who aren’t begging for it and I don’t take advantage of weakness.
I sat up willing myself to get out of bed. I walked around and when I looked everywhere and realized she had left I was pissed. I went to grab my phone and saw a note.
-Thanks for last night? Not sure what all went on but I woke up clothed and so were you. I will see you Monday. Thank you for all the help. TP
I grabbed my phone anxious to see if she had seen him, to see if she was alright, and to make sure she told the fucker she was done.
“Hello.” It was him.
“Let me talk to Taelyn.”
“She’s in the bathroom.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Let me talk to her.”
And he hung up the phone. Mother fucker!
I called back and my call went immediately to voice mail.
I jumped in the shower and washed up quickly. I jumped out and messaged her.
-You need to call me. Work emergency. X
Then I sent a message to our resident snoop at Steel.
-Address for Taelyn Patrick ASAP, like right fucking now. X
I threw my clothes on and grabbed the keys and out the door I went.
I knew she was in the city so I headed towards the tunnel and my phone rang.
“What’s up?”
“Xavier, we have a problem.”
“She okay Abe?”
“Who?”
“Taelyn.” I felt my heart beating so fast against my chest, anticipating the worst. I was sure she had quit, had decided she wasn’t gonna stay on because I fucking over stepped.
“Your picture’s online. Well one of you with some chick in an ally and another or what I assume is your dick in a girl’s mouth. Apparently Xavier Steel, our hot bachelor of Forever Steel, has been discovered.”
“Oh fucking well I don’t give a shit.”
“And they connected Steel Incorporated. You were supposed to stay the fuck away from the shop. Away from gold digging--.”
“So fucking what? I don’t give two hoots about that shit. Have you heard from Taelyn?”
“Of course I haven’t but--.”
“Fuck!”
“What did you do now?” Abe’s tone rubbed me the wrong way.
“That’s really none of you God damn--.”
“It is. Have you ever considered--.” He stopped talking. “And there is now a picture of you in bed with a redhead that just popped up. Xavier Steel doesn’t seem to have a type. Looks like we all have a shot--.”
“Great. Turn that shit off and get me her address.”
“Yeah let’s see how that turns out. She’s gonna love that in a two weeks’ time you fucked two other girls. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Damn it Xavier!”
I was getting a text from George. “Yell at me later, I have more important shit to deal with.”
I hung up and tapped the address to get directions. Twenty minutes. Twenty fucking minutes away.
I pulled up in front of what appeared to be a student housing apartment building and thank fuck I found a spot right in front. I fed the meter and crossed the street. I stopped when I saw the intercom and wondered if she’d let me in. Nothing felt right at this moment, it was like the world had turned sideways.
Lucky for me two chicks slid their key cards through the lock and giggled as they were looking at me. I gave them a wink, just to ensure I could throw them off for a moment to sneak inside.
I ran up three flights and looked for apartment 332. I found it and stood for a moment taking in a few breaths before I knocked on the door.
I waited for just a moment and then knocked again. The door cracked open. “Go away or so help me God I’ll spray you.”
I was looking at a can of pepper spray. “Taelyn?”
She pulled it away and looked through the crack.
Her lip quivered and tears fell hard.
“I want to be alone.”
“Okay. Can I use the bathroom before I drive back?”
She nodded and wiped her face.
“Can you unlock the chain?”
She closed the door a
nd I heard the chain clanking against the door. “It’s open.”
I walked in to a very bare apartment. A small table was on its side and she picked it up. Her back was to me and she pointed. “Over there.”
I went to the bathroom, I didn’t really have to but there was no way I’d be leaving so damn soon.
When I walked out she was sweeping up what appeared to be her smashed cell phone.
I grabbed the dustpan and squatted down.
“Please don’t.” Her voice broke.
“Come on let me help.”
“Xavier. I really don’t want anyone here right now. I want to be alone.”
I took the broom from her and swept up the mess and emptied it in the garbage.
“You left.”
“I think I embarrassed myself enough last night.”
I watched as she looked at the air mattress and then wiped her face and walked to the one window in the small studio apartment.
“I didn’t think so. I thought we had--.”
“What? We had what?”
I walked over and placed my hands on her shoulders and she jumped. I didn’t move my hands. I held a bit firmer. “I don’t know why, but I’m not embarrassed.”
I turned her to me and then tried to push some of her hair away from her face. “Don’t.” She pulled it back.
I held her chin and pushed her hair back. “Look at me.”
She dropped her hands hiding her face and sobbed. “Please don’t. Please don’t say anything.”
I pulled her tightly against me and her body shook as she sobbed. Thankfully, because seeing her lips had been bloodied and the bruised cheek that had been hidden by her hair made my body tremble in anger.
I don’t know how the fuck I missed it. The way I felt, the unease that I had felt from the moment I woke up alone. I’d never felt like that. The turned over table, the shattered phone, her hair was a mess, and the fact that she didn’t come to the phone when I called should have been all I needed.
But no. I was fighting the fact that I may have feelings for her. What a fuck up I was. Well it wouldn’t happen again.
“He--.”
“I hit him first. I--.”
“It doesn’t matter. Not one fucking bit Taelyn. Jesus Fucking Christ. Did you call the cops?”
“No! No, I hit him first.”
I picked her up and went to sit on the mattress to hold her, to calm her while I tried to calm myself.
“No, not there. Xavier--.”
“Did he touch you? Did he--.”
“No, no please--.”
I sat her on the counter and kissed her head. “Stay.”
I opened her closet and grabbed a suitcase and filled them with her clothes, everything I could get my hands on. She didn’t stop me either. When I had shoved every article of clothing of hers in a suitcase I walked into the bathroom and threw all her toiletries in a duffel.
I walked out and noticed for the first time she was in a bath robe. I grabbed a sweatshirt and a pair of leggings out of her bag and she looked at me.
The sadness in her face, the way her normally squared shoulders and proper composure had turned into what reminded me of an abused animal. Her eyes lacked the normal shine and she looked hollow.
I untied her robe and pulled it off her shoulders and quickly noticed the hand marks on her biceps. I closed my eyes and pulled her against me. “He will pay for what he did to you.”
“I broke his nose.”
I pulled away and looked at her, “You what?”
“I told you I have a temper.”
“Good. I’m gonna break his face. Did he rape you?”
“No. He held me down. I couldn’t get up,” She sobbed. “I tried so hard and I wasn’t strong enough. He held me down and it was forever. Hours? I was so afraid. The look in his eyes was terrifying. I was so afraid.”
“You don’t have to be ever again. He won’t be hurting you, not ever again.”
“Xavier?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m cold.”
“Sorry, Jesus Christ,” I pulled the sweatshirt over her head. “What the hell are you doing to me? You’re fucking naked and I don’t even notice.”
“Sorry.”
“Jesus I need to shut my damn mouth.”
I pulled her off the counter and held out her pants.
“I just got out of the shower. I don’t have -- I can do it.”
“Right. Of course you can. Sorry Taelyn. I am so sorry.”
~
We drove down the street to Cyrus’s place. It was covered with photographers.
“What’s going on?” Taelyn asked.
“Oh you know.” I laughed. “You sleep well?”
“Yes, but what’s all this?”
“Photographers. Apparently I’m big news. We’ll be staying elsewhere.”
She had my phone when I looked over.
“You calling home?”
“No I’m googling your--. Oh my God.” She gasped.
“That bad? Fuck. I should’ve been more careful. I really don’t give a shit. I mean--.”
“Your penis is on google and you’re not worried about that?” She gasped.
“Why? Does it look small?”
She laughed. For the first time in two hours she laughed.
“Okay Babe, I’m glad your laughing but answer the damn question would ya?”
“Bigger than Daniel.”
“Good fucking answer.” I laughed.
“Is this us? Is this last night?”
“Taelyn. I haven’t seen them and I’m driving girl. But if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck--.”
“Ha ha, very funny. Oh, oh wow.”
“Do I need to pullover? This is fucked up. You’re checking out my goods--.”
“You saw my boobs today.”
“I wasn’t trying.”
She set the phone down and leaned back and closed her eyes.
“Tired?”
“Exhausted. I could sleep for a week.”
“I bet.”
“Where are we going?”
“My sister-in-laws old pad. They won’t make the connection.”
Chapter 10
Irish
We pulled into a gated apartment complex. It was pretty upscale. When we got to the gate Xavier leaned out the window and bumped fists with the guard.
“Sam, I’m staying here for a while. Don’t let anyone in that you don’t know.”
“She staying too?” Sam smirked.
“She is. Key please.”
He handed Xavier the key. “There’s a code you know.”
“Well aware of it. Thanks bro.”
He looked over at me and handed me the key. “That’s all you.”
“I can’t stay here.” I looked around.
“Why not?” He drove through the parking lots avoiding the speed bumps.
“School?”
“Tuesday’s and Thursday’s right?”
“Yes. I--.”
“James will get you there. No worries.”
“I’m so tired.”
“Your face hurt Irish?”
“Irish?”
“It’s either that or Lucky.”
“I don’t feel very lucky right now.”
“Alright, we can stick with Babe?”
“No way,” I tried not to smile.
“Irish. That’s it. Irish.”
“What’s wrong with my given name?”
“Too many syllables.”
He pulled up into the driveway and jumped out. I opened the door and got out.
He punched in the code. “Welcome home Irish.”
“Irish has two syllables.”
He laughed. “I like it though, it’s you.” He opened the door.
I took a deep br
eath and tried to straighten myself, to act appreciative, to be normal but instead I felt my body slouch.
“You want me to carry you in?”
“No. I just want to sleep.”
“Stairs are straight ahead and then turn left. I’m gonna grab your bags. Head up, I’ll meet you in the master bedroom. We didn’t sleep till noon Irish.”
“Irish is two syllables.”
He stopped and turned around and looked at me. He smiled like my Dad did when I cried because I scraped my knee.
“We’ll discuss some other time.”
He turned and was out the door.
I walked up the stairs and found the room,
I heard him on his phone whispering to James, I assume.
I pulled down the covers and laid down.
I could hear Xavier bounding up the stairs and I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to talk anymore I wanted to sleep, to cry…
“You asleep?”
“Yes.” I answered dryly.
“Okay.”
I heard him set the bags down and then heard him walk towards the bed.
He let out a loud breath.
I opened one eye and he looked around anxiously.
“It’s okay that I sleep right?”
“Of course.”
“Are you gonna stand there hovering over me?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged and gave me those concerned eyes again.
“Are you waiting for an invitation?”
“Probably.”
I pulled the covers back, “Come on.”
He pulled his shirt over his head, walked to the other side of the bed, and laid down. He huffed out another breath and I rolled to my back and looked at him.
“I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do. No one’s lived here for a while so there’s no ice or pain meds or…”
I leaned up and kissed him as a thank you. Just a thank you.
A sound escaped from his chest against my lips that made me not want to move away. He didn’t pull away either. His lips slowly moved across mine and lightly pressed on the spot that hurt the most. I felt his breath against my lips and then the tip of his tongue lightly caressing that same spot.
He leaned over me and ran his hand up my neck until his fingers were threaded through my hair. He kissed me harder as he lowered my head to the pillow. Again his chest vibrated and I, not only heard it, but felt it.
This wasn’t intended, but it was, God it was nice. The pressure of his lips lightened and I raised my hand to his shoulder. The connection between our lips was broken but his lips continued to give me feather light kisses across my sore cheek bone and then continued to my ear and down my neck.
