Chantal Fernando - Toxic Girl

“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.

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.