Then Came Indecision (Southern Love #2) (10 page)

“I’ll hurt him if he hurts you.”

She sighed. “He isn’t like Gabe so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Don’t bring him up again,” he snapped.

Alexandra felt the tension of his muscles. “I’m sorry.”

He leaned in and pressed his face against her cheek, closing his eyes. “I love you so much it hurts.”

The breeze moved through her hair and made her skin prickle. His warm breath fell on her skin, heating her. The sound of his breathing reminded her of the nights they slept together. His hand was still on her neck, holding her in place. When the moment became too intimate for her, she pulled away.

“I should get to bed.” She put her glass down.

“Okay,” he whispered. “I’m tired too.”

She grabbed the bottle and the glasses and took them inside. Paul came behind her and locked the door and checked the windows.

“Goodnight,” she said as she walked down the hallway. When she got into her room, she realized Paul was behind her. “What are you doing?”

“Going to bed.” He pulled his shirt off, revealing the muscled chest and torso she admired.

“No. Last night was a one time thing.”

“I haven’t slept that good in a really long time.” He stepped toward her. “
I like feeling you in my arms. I did it for two years then it suddenly stopped. I miss it.”

“No, Paul.”

He pressed his face close to hers. “What’s the harm? I promise I won’t do anything.”

She shook her head. “It’s just…not a good idea.”

He stared at her then grabbed her waist. “Why?”

“It’s just not.”

“Because you don’t trust yourself around me.”

“You’re my ex-boyfriend. It’s completely inappropriate.”

“It wasn’t inappropriate last night?”

“That was a special circumstance.”

“Every night is a special circumstance,” he said.

“Paul, I said no.”

He sighed. “If we love each other, there’s no reason why we can’t sleep together.”

She stepped away. “Stop pressuring me.”

He stilled. “I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

Alexandra crossed her arms over her chest.

Paul grabbed his shirt and put it back on. “I’m sorry. It just seemed like you had a hard night. I thought sleeping together would be good for you.”

She looked at the floor.

Paul wrapped his arms around her and held her. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“I’ll be on the couch if you change your mind.” He pulled away and walked out of her bedroom, closing the door behind him.

When she was alone, she let the breath escape her lungs. She enjoyed sleeping with Paul last night. It was wonderful to feel safe and whole. But she couldn’t do that again. She already felt confused about Paul. Being intimate with him would only make it worse.

Chapter Thirteen

Alexandra dreaded going to school the next day. She would have to face Gabe and she had no idea how he would react. He may be angry that Paul attacked him. He might even press charges. The possibilities were endless.

She was purposely late to her English class so they would have no opportunity to speak. She didn’t look at him as she took a seat in a different row. Acting like nothing was amiss, she took her notes and didn’t look behind her. When the class was over, she grabbed her stuff and bolted toward the door.

“Alex!”

She kept going.

He blocked her path. “Please talk to me.” His left eye was still swollen and blue. There were a few cuts on his nose and mouth. Alexandra didn’t realize how badly Paul hurt him. His face wasn’t a healthy pink. It was mixed with black, purple, and blue. When she remembered what he did to her, her pity evaporated. “I’m so sorry about the other night.”

She met his gaze but said nothing.

“I was so drunk. I don’t even remember most of it.”

“Even
when you’re drunk, you don’t do things you wouldn’t normally do in real life. Only your inhibitions are lifted, not your sanity.”

“What are you saying?” he asked. “I would never try to sleep with you if I were sober.”

“No, you tried to
rape
me,” she snapped. “My dress was torn apart, my underwear were on the ground, and my breasts were hanging out. You forced yourself on me, Gabe. I should report you to the police.”

“I think the beating I got from your boyfriend was enough.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she said quickly.

His eyes n
arrowed. “Why do you keep lying?”

“I’m not! We’re just…I don’t know what the hell we are.” She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. “Let’s just stay clear of that topic.”

“Okay,” he said. “Please forgive me, Alexandra. I was totally wrong and out of mind. I really regret what happened. I’m not just saying that.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t even stand to be near you. If Paul weren’t there…I don’t want to think about what would have happened.”

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Can you at least think about it? I really am sorry. Nothing like that will ever happen again.”

“Gabe, you’ve made me uncomfortable since the day I met you. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel safe with you.”

“I just really liked you. You’re so cool. There are no girls like you. They are all catty, conceited, confrontational, slutty…and you aren’t like that. You’re the biggest sweetheart I’ve ever met.”

“That doesn’t justify what you did. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

Gabe reached for her but she stepped back.

“Touch me again, and I’ll call Paul. He won’t hesitate to kill you.”

He lowered his hand. “Please don’t be this way.”

“I don’t owe you anything. Get out of my life and stay out of it. I won’t change my mind.”

His eyes darkened at her announcement.

She looked at him one last time before she turned away.
“And you’re lucky Blaise isn’t here. He really would bury you in his cotton field.”

His eyes widened before she left.

She went to her classes, still thinking about her conversation with Gabe. It was cold for her not to forgive him and let it go, but when she saw him she became angry. She hardly lost her temper or got upset, but right now she was livid.

When her school day was over, she met her friends outside.

Lisa looked at her with apologetic eyes. “I’m so sorry for the way I acted the other night. Cole and Hannah told me how much of a bitch I was. I’m a bit of a mean drunk.”

“It’s okay,” Alexandra said.

“I really didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” she said.

Alexandra sighed. “No, you’re right. I need to forget about Blaise. It’s just hard…”

Both of her friends stared at her.

“It was just different with
him…I can’t explain it. Like love at first sight or something. When we were together, it felt so right. I just can’t believe all of that was a lie.”

Lisa
rubbed her back. “We know. It’ll get easier.”

“And Paul seems like a really great guy,” Hannah said. “And freaking gorgeous.”

Alexandra nodded. “He is a sweetheart.”

“Why did you break up?”
Lisa asked.

“It’s a long story,” Alexandra said. “Let’s get a drink.”

They walked to the bar and grill and took their seats in the booth. They ordered their round of drinks and started talking.

“Paul cheated on me,” Alexandra said bluntly.

“No way,” Hannah said in surprise. “He so in love with you.”

“Well, it was both of our faults in a way. I was a really shitty girlfriend to him for a few months, lying about where I was so I wouldn’t have to see him. I ignored him most of the time. He started spending time with this other girl who was having relationship problems. They got drunk one night and kissed.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? They just kissed?”

Alexandra nodded.

“Let it go,” Lisa said. “He came all the way down here to win you back. He seems really apologetic about it. And if Cole treated me like shit, I’d look elsewhere too.”

“I’ve forgiven him,” Alexandra said.

“Then take him back, Alex,” Hannah said. “Do you love him?”

“I’ll always love him.”

“And does he have tattoos in other places…?” Lisa asked.

“His ribs,” Alexandra answered.

Lisa licked her lips. “What the hell are you waiting for?”

“Keep it in your pants,” Alexandra said with a laugh.

“Seriously, what’s stopping you?” Hannah asked.

Alexandra stirred her drink.

“Please don’t say Blaise,” Lisa said with a sigh.

“It’s complicated…”

“No it isn’t,” Lisa said firmly. “Are you two ever getting back together?”

The thought made Alexandra sad. “No.”

“Then go back to Paul and be happy. If you’re waiting for Blaise to prove everything he said was true, you’ll be waiting a lifetime. I hate to be cold about it, but it’s a fact.”

“I know, I know,” Alexandra said. “But I still need time before I go back to Paul. I can’t just jump back into a relationship when I love someone else.”

“So you will go back to him?” Lisa asked.

“Probably.”

“And I doubt Paul cares that you still love Blaise,” Hannah said.

“I don’t think he does either,” Alexandra said.

“Then that’s settled,” Lisa said. “It’s you and Paul now.”

Alexandra took a long drink.

Gabe came to their table, his hands in his pockets.

“Hey,”
Lisa said happily. “Where have you been?”

He stared at her, his lips sealed, then looked at Alexandra.

She hadn’t told her two friends what he did. Word would spread and he would be labeled as a serial rapist and an asshole. While she was livid with what he did, she didn’t want his life to be ruined over it.

“Just out,” he said quietly. “Can I join you?” He was staring at Alexandra.

She nodded.

He took a seat next to
Lisa and grew quiet. Lisa and Hannah started talking about how hot Paul was. Alexandra ignored them.

“He looks so sexy when he’s mad,” Hannah said.

Alexandra broke out of her trance and saw Paul walk toward their table, a look of murder on his face. When he arrived at the table, she held her hand up. “Paul, no.”

He glared at Gabe with hatred.

Gabe didn’t look at him, resting his hands on the table.

“Paul, don’t do anything.”

He clenched his fists by his sides.

Hannah and
Lisa both looked confused.

Paul took a deep breath before he looked at Hannah. “Do you mind if I sit next to my girlfriend?”

“Sure,” Hannah said as she got out of the booth so he could sit next to Alexandra.

“You’re not my boyfriend,” Alexandra said in annoyance.

He placed his arm over her shoulder. “When that fucker is around, I am.”

Gabe stayed quiet.

Alexandra glared at him then looked away.

“What were you talking about?” Paul asked.

Lisa’s cheeks reddened. “Tattoos.”

“I have a few,” Paul said.

Hannah blushed as well.

“What are your tattoos of?”
Lisa asked.

“Lyrics,” he said. “Mainly Mumford and Sons.”

“Is that your favorite band?”  Hannah asked.

“Yeah,” Paul said.

Hannah leaned closer to him. “Are you a musician?”

“I play the guitar,” he said with a shrug.

Hannah’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning. “Wow…”

He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah.”

“What do you do for a living?” Lisa asked.

“I’m a lawyer,” Paul said. “I just took my bar exam last year.”

“Wow…” Hannah said again.

Alexandra heard
both their ovaries pop. She was getting uncomfortable by the attention her friends were showing in him. It made her slightly jealous. She leaned closer to him and put her hand on his thigh.

Paul immediately looked at her, his eyes wide.

Alexandra didn’t realize what she did until it was done. She pulled her hand back, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. Paul grabbed it and returned it to his thigh. He leaned into her ear. “I’m yours. Claim me all you want.”

“Please tell me you have a brother,” Hannah said.

“I have a brother and a sister.”

“Is he hot too?”

Paul smiled. “People say we look a lot alike.”

“Is he a lawyer too?” Hannah asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “Our father owns his own firm. We want to continue the business someday.”