Imperfect Bastard (24 page)

Multiple orgasms could do that.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The following night, just after we shared a shower, I went back to my room to begin packing. Not that I had a lot to pack since we had been in our robes for the last twenty-four hours, but I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything left behind. Before heading for class, I had to drop my things back at the apartment, and that could take some time with traffic.

While in the shower, we had agreed he would take me to my place then drop me off at school. His route was the opposite of mine, but he had insisted, and who was I to resist a free ride?

“I know you don’t trust me, but give me a trial,” Drew said out of the blue as I held my hairdryer.

Confused by his statement, I frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

He didn’t blink as he strode to me, stopping just a few steps away. “For you … to be with me.”

Dropping the dryer on the carpeted floor, I shivered as I tried to grasp what he was saying. “I’m not going to let you trample on me like that. We’ve been here before.”

“I know I’ve done a lot of wrong, and I don’t deserve you after hurting you, but I can’t risk losing you again.”

“Drew …” This was horrifying. When I’d loved him, I had loved him with everything I had, while he had thrown me away like garbage. He had lost my trust, and it would be nearly impossible to reclaim it.

“This has been amazing. Hell, you’ve been amazing, and I never thought that was possible before … But as much fun as we had together, I just can’t do it. I’m sorry, but I’m terrified of what you’re capable of.”

He dropped to his knees, crestfallen as he gripped my hands. “I haven’t slept well since we parted. I’m stubborn and prideful, and I told myself that I’d eventually get over it, even it killed me to know you’re with him. But it’s been impossible, and God knows I’ve tried to forget you. But you wouldn’t leave me alone, you are in all my thoughts, hounding my dreams until I wake up, reaching out for you, only to have to remind myself that you’re gone.

“On the nights that were really tough to get through, I came back to the condo sometimes at three or four in the morning just to check if you were home and not at his place. It comforted me that you would fall asleep in my bed, wearing my shirt, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to you, because after I pushed you away like that, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. It became a bad habit of mine, watching you sleep just to reassure myself that you were okay.

But that one Saturday when your family came to visit and you went out with him, I came to find your bed empty, and I really lost it. So I tracked you down to his building. I waited until people began waking up, but you never came out. I came the next day, wanting to make your life a living hell, but when I found you baking cupcakes with dried icing on your cheeks, I knew I had lost the fight. It hit me then … that I really lost you.

“I’ve been sick, thinking about you and how I pushed you back in his arms. I’d rather suffer what you put me through than lose you again. So please choose me, give me a chance to prove to you that I’m going to do everything to make you happy. I’m only at peace when I’m with you. There’s no way I can live without you after this, Chloe. I won’t be able to bear it. I don’t have the strength to survive it constantly, living in agony every single day without you.”

When I didn’t immediately respond, Drew became even more desperate.

“If you can’t choose, I don’t mind having half of you. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me as long as it doesn’t result in losing you completely. I’m at your mercy if you’re willing to have me.”

He was in a whole different field. Did he really think I would be capable of juggling men like that?

“I’m not with Cori. And after we fought and I dated him for some time, I didn’t go through with it. I couldn’t. Not with him, not after what happened between us.” My heart ached at the thought of making a decision that would greatly affect us. Had he told me what he was going through, we might have not suffered for so long.

“I’m overjoyed to hear that, but where does that leave me, Chloe?”

Gazing down at him, I felt bereft at the thought of handing him my heart like I had before. “I’m scared.”

“I am, too, but I’d rather be scared with you. My future is with you by my side as my partner, as my best friend, my family … and hopefully, someday … as my wife. It’s insane to think so far ahead when we’re still so young, but I just wanted to let you know where my thoughts rested. If you’re going to decline me, go ahead, but I’m not giving up on you, not now, not ever. Letting you walk away was the biggest mistake of my life. Never again.”

He was referencing the future as though he had already pondered it. And when he said wife … We were far too young to even let our thoughts stray that far, yet it seemed like he already had, seeing me as the only woman for him.

“You really want to be with me?” I found myself asking.

“More than anything in this world,” he stated without hesitation.

“What about the models?
Poppy?
”

“You’re the one I want, Chloe. It’s always been you, though it took me too long to accept it. Now that I have, I don’t want anyone else but you, day in and day out. You, just you, welcoming me home.”

“What if you change your mind later on, what then?”

“Not a chance in hell.”

“But … What if I’m not enough?”

“Chloe, you’ve seen how much I couldn’t get enough of you. I want you like I want no other woman. All I have to do is take one look at you, and I’m all yours, over and over again. I’m yours.”

“Are you sure this is what you really want, Drew?” I needed to make sure for the umpteenth time.

He groaned before tackling me back in bed, holding me down as he stared into my eyes. “Yes, woman, you’re all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve been trying to win you back for days, but you seem to only want one thing from me.”

The cheeky bastard.

“Oh, please. You’re the one who’s insatiable.” I couldn’t help smiling at him.

But on a serious note, I knew I still loved him. And even though I had held him at arm’s length when it came to my heart, deep down, I knew I would regret not giving us a proper shot at being together. So here I was, ready to bite the bullet for the last time.

“One chance, Drew; that’s all you’re going to get. Fuck it up, and we’re done for good.”

“I swear on everything that’s Holy and divine that I’m going to make you so happy you’re going to get yourself knocked up and propose marriage to me.” He laughed before he held my head and kissed the tip of my nose. “You’re my drug, Chloe. I want you in ways I never thought possible, and I hope someday, once I’ve regained your trust, you will feel even half of what I feel for you. But for now, I just want you to know that I take this promise seriously, that I’ll protect your heart before my own, and that you will always come first before anyone else, before my own interests. Your happiness is my priority for always.”

“Kiss me, please.”

He made me so happy I hoped to God this time we would be able to get it together for it to last.

I was over the moon, and I wanted to stay like that forever.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jackson came back the next day with a huge announcement, so big in fact that I didn’t see it coming.

“What do you mean you’re taking a semester off? Why would you do that, Jacks? It’s not like you’ve got better things to do back home. I mean, of all places, why home? You hated it there, so why go back to the place you couldn’t wait to get away from?”

He shrugged, barely meeting my eyes. “It’s just something I’ve gotta do, okay? I’ll explain later, but I really don’t feel like talking about it.”

“And they’re okay with you taking off like that?” I referred to our parents, not his school.

“Not really,” he said before scratching the back of his head. “But it’s just a semester; that’s all I’m asking. They can’t hold that against me.”

Whatever it was he was trying to figure out, it was blatantly obvious he was tormented by it. Maybe this could be good for him. It wasn’t like he was trying his best in school, anyway. His life was full of parties, which couldn’t be good if you were feeling lost and in need of redirection in life.

“All right. Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m here for you either way, Jacks.”

“I appreciate that, booger face.” He gave me a wan smile. “So, what’s this talk I heard that you’re dating my best friend?” His smile grew, radiating happiness for me.

“He told you?” I gasped before blushing deeply. “We’re still trying to find our groove. I’m not really sure if he’s serious this time, but so far, he’s been very good to me. Too good, in fact, and it scares me that he’ll get sick of it.”

“Have a little faith in my buddy. He loves you, and that’s all that matters to me.”

I wouldn’t go as far as that, but I supposed, as my brother, he wanted to believe it.

Apart from my doubts, things were perking up in my love life. Drew was taking me to the Christmas party of one of his father’s companies a week and a half from today. There was no doubt in my mind that I would definitely be wearing red.

On the days leading to the party, I mostly slept at Drew’s hotel suite, or he would come over and sleep in my bed. With school and work pressing on us since it was almost winter break, we would go to bed exhausted, but together. And I loved that part the most. It was where we shared stories. It seemed more intimate, and I felt as though it brought us closer together.

On the night of the Christmas party, I wore the dress that Chuey had approved when we had gone shopping two days before. My hair had that old Hollywood glamour style with a side up do and the ends were tamed and wavy. It went perfectly with the dress.

“These dresses tend to fuck with my head. They never fail to keep me up at night,” I heard Drew say from somewhere in the bedroom while I was in the bathroom, applying my lipstick.

With a wicked look in my eyes, I grinned as I approached him. “Well, at least this time around, you can ease your mind with knowledge that you can unstrap it whenever you fancy, seeing what’s underneath.”

“Don’t tease me like that, babe. You know I get hard easily when you talk dirty, and we’re already running late. Sporting a boner will slow us down.” His face was a crossover between tortured and aroused, evoking another laugh from me.

“Oh, boo-hoo. You’re fine! Come on, let’s get going, or your stepmother will blame me for being late.” Shrugging, I began to pick up my clutch and wool jacket before frowning back at him. “Why aren’t you moving?”

He glared at me. “I’m kind of hard right now.”

“What?” I huffed. This was seriously not the time to be horny. “Can’t you walk, like, in little steps or something?”

Drew glowered deeply, as if I had just suggested the most annoying idea. “Give me a moment. Maybe you should put that jacket on,” he suggested. “Babe, please, come on. This is not funny.”

He was insane, and I couldn’t help it. I guffawed so hard I was almost in tears.

“Oh, poor you and your darn dick.” Although I found it beyond hilarious, I began to slip into my jacket, buttoning it up to my neck so he would immediately sober up.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make fun of me next time.”

Planting a soft kiss on his lips, I fell in love with him all over again. “You’re too cute sometimes, and I do want you just as much.”

He grinned then kissed my forehead. “Good, because it’d be a horrible thing if I didn’t have the same effect on you.”

“Ready?”

“Almost,” he whispered. “Let me hold you for a little bit longer.”

At moments like these, I realized how needy he could be. Never had I imagined Drew Cavendish would resort to such notions. He simply wasn’t the type to be so cliché, but he kept proving me wrong.

His father was hosting a private party at The Met, so it was imperative we looked the part. This was an aspect of Drew’s life that I hadn’t been exposed to, but tonight, I finally saw the vast contrast of our lives when his father announced his only son and heir, garnering Drew more attention. From what he had told me before, people knew about him, but since he hadn’t been publicly introduced, they didn’t know what he looked like. Tonight had changed that.

From what I gathered, Drew’s grandfather had two sons, and for those sons to inherit, they had to have heirs, male heirs, or the portion they ought to get would be sent to a particular foundation. Hopefully, this wasn’t Conrad’s only motive in trying to rekindle his relationship with his son. It would hurt Drew if it were the case.

A part of me was tempted to google his paternal family, but another part of me insisted that I should wait until Drew was willing to reveal the information. I knew he was still trying to acclimate to this new life, and when he was ready to talk, then I would be there.

Drew sat with me during dinner. I was having the time of my life up until I had to excuse myself to use the restroom, and I came across Caroline with Poppy.

Stopping in my tracks, I gave a courteous smile, though it pained me. “Caroline, Poppy, good evening.”

Draped in full regalia of diamonds, Caroline threw me a condescending look. “I had to get reinforcements since you’ve proven yourself a liar, Chloe. You gave me your word that you weren’t going to be permanent, yet here you are, pretending to be someone you’re not.”

The back of my neck began to heat as I tried to control my anger. “And what am I pretending to be, Caroline? Your stepson’s girlfriend? Yeah, it’s not a pretense; it’s the truth. I am his girlfriend. But before you jump into the gold digger tirade, let me point out that I’ve known him his entire life. I’ve been there through the good and the bad, and I doubt that’ll change anytime soon. I can’t say the same for you, though. You better amp up the Botox, honey, because Conrad might accidentally stumble on his fourth wife if you’re not careful. That would be tragic, wouldn’t it? So spare me the bullshit. I’ve had enough of these high school mean girl antics. You should be ashamed of yourself for stooping so low.”

I could almost see Caroline’s ears releasing steam as she shook with anger, her face red. “You little cunt! You think you’ve got it all figured out? Just wait and see when Drew transfers to Oxford with Poppy this fall. You’ll be history, just like the rest of the slutty lot that came before you.”

My body went cold. “You’re lying.” Drew had never mentioned anything about Oxford.

Caroline’s eyes sparkled in victory. “Go ask him yourself. His father has plans for him, and you best move out of the way. Poppy suits him best. You’re nothing but American trash.”

“I think that’s enough, Caroline,” Poppy chided, seeming uncomfortable. I didn’t think she wanted to be there.

Breathing through my lips, I pinned Poppy with a hateful glare. “Is this true?”

Poppy gazed at me emotionlessly. “It is. It’s already been arranged.”

So much for being a changed man. It was all just a sham. A stupid game Drew liked to play with me, and I hated myself for buying into it. I could console myself that I hadn’t told him I still loved him like I had before.

Heatedly spinning on my heels, I almost ran back to the table. Drew was still sitting at the table, but I saw no one. All I saw was red, telling me to get as far the fuck away from him as I could.

“Chloe?” I heard him say with a hint of alarm in his voice.

He saw how distraught I was, but I didn’t care. Purposely ignoring him, I took my clutch and headed for the exit without even checking out my jacket. I didn’t want Drew to catch up with me.

“Chloe! Stop!” Drew called out from behind me just as I was coming down the damn stairs.

Willing myself not to look back, I barely shivered when I reached the pavement and the winter chill hit my bare skin. Adrenaline rushed through me. I felt nothing but the urgent need to escape, and that was what I did.

Almost there
, I thought as I yanked one of the cab doors open before sliding into the backseat.

“Pretty dress, but it’s not worthy to catch pneumonia over, missy.” The aged Rastafarian shook his head with disapproval.

“I’ll try to remember that next time, but could you step on it? I’m in a rush,” I rattled on while my heart slammed against my chest.

“Are you in trouble?” The driver frowned at me through the rearview mirror. “ ’Cause I see a man rushing right behind you. Oh, there he is!”

“No. Just drive now, please!” Of all the cabs, I just had to get into one with a nosy driver. Fuck.

And just like that, the other door opened, and in came Drew, huffing like a true motherfucker as he pierced me with daggers in his eyes.

“Do you have a death wish?” he practically screamed in my face.

“I said the same thing,” the driver muttered. “Where am I taking both of you? The hospital? Or to a department store to get a jacket somewhere?”

“Midtown. 49
th
street,” Drew interjected without taking his eyes off me. “Aren’t you going to say anything? Don’t I get an explanation or something to justify why you ran out of there like some bat-shit crazed woman?”

“It’s over, Drew,” I murmured, gazing out the window as my eyes began to gather tears.

“Hell no, it’s not over. It’s never going to be over!” he savagely declared. “What the fuck happened, Chloe? You were fine when you left for the bathroom. Fuck, baby, help me out here. Help me understand—”

“Oxford happened. Is that enough for you to understand?” My voice shook, not because my tears threatened to spill itself, but because of anger. I wanted to claw his eyes out for being such an asshole.

“Oxford?”

“Yes, Oxford! According to your bitch of a stepmom and Poppy, that’s where you’re heading soon. I don’t see why you’re wasting your time with me when you’re going to leave and reunite with Poppy, anyway. So leave me alone. I don’t want to be near you.”

“Oxford was an option; that much is true. But that was all planned before you and I got together.”

Drew would have me believe anything. He was full of bullshit.

“I don’t care what you do. I just want you to move out the moment we get home.”

“Please don’t do this. You’re being too harsh.” He tried to reach out, but I swatted his hand away.

“Give him a chance. He seems sorry enough,” the driver commented, obviously entertained.

Drew had promised never to hurt me, but by not disclosing his plans, he still had. How much more was he hiding from me, because I doubted this would be the last.

Wiping the tear that fell down my cheek, I shivered, feeling quite cold all of a sudden. Then, out of nowhere, I felt him drape his dinner jacket around me, enveloping my senses with his intoxicating aroma. Had I not been almost freezing, I would have shoved it in his face.

“I’m sorry, Chlo. I just didn’t think it was that relevant since I changed my mind. Why would I wanna go there when I have you back here?” he rasped out, beyond solemn.

Blocking him out wasn’t easy, but I did the best I could. And when the cab arrived right outside the building, I hurried out, leaving Drew to pay for it while I headed straight into the elevator. Once it opened, I frantically pushed the button to get to our floor, but before it had the chance to close its doors, Drew slipped through in the nick of time. Though he had been running after me, he didn’t look displaced. It irritated me to no end that he still looked as though he had just stepped out of a cologne ad, suave and positively polished.

Standing a few feet away from him, I could feel his eyes boring into me, but I didn’t dare meet his gaze. I was completely done with all this useless drama that I’d rather not be a part of.

“Forgive me, Chloe,” he pleaded.

There was no way I would yield back into his arms. I had given him one chance, one fucking chance, and he had fucked it up.

“After you’re done packing, do me a favor and leave your keys, as well,” I stated as the elevator dinged.

After stepping out, I pulled out my key to let us through the door while he followed right behind me. I wanted him gone, and taking the keys would make sure some of my privacy was restored.

“Chloe, please, don’t do this to me. Don’t do this to us.” He tried to block me from getting through my bedroom door, making me fume even more.

“Move. Out. Of. My. Way.” Or this would get ugly really fast.