When You Were Mine

  Valerie didn’t even care that she was making a huge scene. There was always at least one of these sorts of scenes at drunken frat parties. So after two years in college and all the damn girls continually throwing themselves at Alex, she’d finally gotten the satisfaction of doing what she’d wanted to do for so long. So what if she’d made a scene.

  Fuck Nadine!

  Alex hurried past all the gawking and laughing people in the front, refusing to put her down until they reached his truck up the street.

  The moment he let her go she pushed him away. “She always waits up for you?” Valerie asked, glaring at him while she desperately tried to calm her breathing. “What?” She pushed his chest again with both hands though he didn’t even budge. “When you’re done with me you go fuck her too? Is that it, Alex?”

  “Never,” he said so infuriatingly calmly and convincingly it only made her madder.

  “Then why did she say that? Why—”

  “Because she’s a bitch,” he said, taking a few steps closer to her and giving Valerie no choice but to take a few steps back because she absolutely refused to let him touch her. “She was trying to push your buttons. Piss you off.” He shrugged. “And it worked.”

  “Yeah, well, she got what she deserved.”

  Alex moved in even closer until Valerie was backed up against his truck. She lifted her hand against his chest. “Don’t touch me.”

  “I won’t. Just calm down,” he said in that tone that drove her crazy. He was way too calm again, almost as if he’d enjoyed seeing her slap Nadine.

  He purposely leaned in, knowing how weak she was for him. She hated it, but just having her palm flat against his hard chest was already doing things to her. Being this close to him and feeling the warmth of his body against hers calmed the fiery jealousy that had consumed her just thinking about Alex meeting up with Nadine later.

  “Bad girl,” he whispered as he leaned in even closer against the side of her head but remained mindful not to touch her. “Why’d you do that?”

  Gulping back what she was feeling because she didn’t want him to see how easily he managed to calm her anger yet awaken her hunger for him without so much as touching her, she turned to him with a purpose, their mouths close enough to touch now. “Same reason you were getting ready to do the same to Ivan.”

  He pulled away from her, his expression instantly hard. “Ivan?” he asked, and if disgust were a tone of voice, he nailed it with just the one word. “I would’ve done a lot more than hit him once.”

  Valerie lifted a stubborn chin. “If you hadn’t carried me away, I would’ve done more to that bitch.”

  Alex shrugged. “She asked for it. I’ll give you that. But I wasn’t gonna let you get arrested for her stupid ass.”

  Calmed considerably, Valerie’s chest still heaved. The question burned at the tip of her tongue. Had he actually slept with Nadine? She gulped hard, staring into those eyes she’d loved staring into for years. Those beautifully intense eyes had melted her from day one.

  A part of her was so tempted to just ask him—get the truth—but she was still pumped. Even as her heart continued to pound in her chest, she already knew one thing. Just like all the other scenes and confrontations their tumultuous relationship had endured over the years, tonight’s incident was already another one for the books. Alex was gazing into her eyes in that way that always made her feel so weak—weak because she knew what it meant. He could hardly wait to be alone with her. And this was the reason she was afraid to ask. It was the same reason she’d always refrained from asking direct questions about all the rumors she’d ever heard. She knew what would happen if the answer was yes, he had slept with Nadine. Maybe even recently. This night—maybe more—would be ruined because she’d lose it.

  “Let’s go back to my place,” he whispered in her ear. “I have something I wanna show you.”

  Valerie shoved him playfully unable to refrain from smirking. “You always do.”

  Alex laughed that sexy laugh that never failed to make her melt. “No, not that. Sofie came by today and dropped something off. I think you’ll get a kick out of it. It’s why I came down to get you.”

  That piqued her interest and Valerie tilted her head, peering at him curiously. His sister had brought something to him he thought Valerie would get such a kick out of he came looking for her at a party? Not that this was the first time he’d showed up unexpectedly at one of these parties to whisk her off, but, still, this was different.

  “What did she drop off?”

  With a click, Alex opened the door to his truck behind her. “Get in. I’ll show you when we get there.”

  For a moment, Valerie pretended to consider it. That prompted Alex’s usual pleading eyes, and she was done. She smiled, nodding, and he leaned in and kissed her softly, sweetly, like the Alex Moreno she’d fallen for so many years ago.

  Who was she kidding? He’d had her at “Let’s go.”

  As usual she’d had to play a part, the part she’d been playing for years with him: That she was okay with this arrangement. That like Alex, she too, could go out and have a great time with someone else and not be thinking about him the whole time. That she too was a bit on the commitment-phobic side and that’s why this arrangement was perfect as is. No promises. No exclusivity. Just uncomplicated fun times. Yet many who knew them would argue that their relationship was anything but uncomplicated.

  After tonight, after seeing him with someone else, not just hearing about it, Valerie had confirmed the one thing she’d feared from the beginning. Even though she’d yet to admit it even after all this time because she was sure it’d have him running for the hills, she was in love with him. And if she ever got the proof she refused to seek out—that he was in fact seeing other women when he wasn’t with her—it would break her as none of the unconfirmed rumors had ever done before.

  All this time her heart had held on to the gut feeling that he did care about her as much as she did him. Just as she couldn’t bring herself to so much as kiss another guy, she hoped he felt the same way about her. The gut feeling was still there, but now she knew one thing for a fact. If she ever got proof that all those rumors were actually true, whatever this was she had with Alex for years now would be over. As much as she’d tried to convince herself that she’d be able to handle it, she now knew she was dead wrong. She’d never be able to handle seeing him with someone else.

  Ever.

  Chapter 2

  Alex

  The warmth of Valerie’s naked body next to Alex’s was always amazing. This was the only time being with a girl ever felt perfect. Not that he’d been with anyone else in years.

  Not like this.

  As much as they liked to think of their relationship as simple—carefree—unlike most of the couples their age, theirs was arguably more convoluted than most.

  Still, as the years had gone by, one thing had become clear: Alex had never met any other girl who could make him feel the way Valerie did. It had never been just about sex with Valerie as it’d been with most of the girls he’d gone out with in the past. Even in the very beginning when they both agreed their relationship would be just that—friends with benefits—the friends part, the relationship they’d built, had always outweighed everything else.

  Alex glanced down at Valerie, who slept soundly next to him. As usual, he couldn’t gaze at her without instantly admiring everything about her. Her soft blond hair spilled delicately over his pillow. He smirked, knowing Romero would certainly call him a pussy for even thinking it, but that pillowcase her beautiful head rested on—he’d likely not wash it now until the scent of Valerie had faded.

  Then there was that stubborn little brow that even as she slept arched just so. How many times had those delicate brows said so much in just a movement—that she was furious at him, excited, aroused, or just very, very content. As she was now.

  He reached for the small envelope on his nightstand. It was full of photos Sofie had dropped off earlier. He’d c
onveniently used them as excuse to go out and find Valerie tonight.

  As expected, they’d both had a few laughs going through them. Alex didn’t know Sofie had so many old photos of the two of them. He pulled one out and stifled a chuckle so he wouldn’t wake Valerie.

  The next photo took his breath away. It was of Valerie, so young and sweet, before all their drama. She sat in a booth at his family’s restaurant, smiling beautifully for the camera. He stared at it for a moment, stared at her striking big brown eyes, eyes he’d stared deeply into countless times and he’d never get enough of. Finally, he flipped to the next one, again refraining from laughing. This one was taken that same day, but in it, he sat next to her, smiling just as big. It’d only been a few years, and he couldn’t get over how young and innocent—naïve—they both looked. Both of them were oblivious—had no clue what was about to begin that day.

  Alex had heard of Valerie from her cousin Sarah, who back then had recently started dating his brother Angel. Sarah had told him about Valerie being a “fan” of his for years since he and his brothers had been on the football team and on the popular side all through high school. At the time, he’d been a freshmen in college, and Valerie was still a senior in high school like Sarah and Angel. Alex had expected to meet a young, timid, and sweet girl he’d make squirm with his flirting as he’d done so easily when Angel introduced him to Sarah. He’d expected someone he could tease a little for his own amusement and then be on his way.

  Instead, she’d been so impressively undaunted by him and his flirtatious attempts to unnerve her, even shot back with her own playfulness, he hadn’t been able to get enough of her. So he asked her out on the spot. And ever since, he still couldn’t get enough of her.

  Alex leaned back against the headboard, staring at the photo of them that felt like a lifetime ago now. Just like when Sofie first showed it to him, he was unable to wipe the smile off his face and closed his eyes remembering the day he met Valerie . . .

  He spotted her instantly the moment he walked into the dining room at the restaurant. Angel had mentioned Sarah and her cousin would be coming in for brunch today when he rushed out of the house that morning. Alex had to admit he’d been curious, so he’d been looking out for her from the moment he arrived. And then he saw her.

  His first thought . . . she was tiny.

  It was how he’d known it was her. Sarah had mentioned Valerie being a petite girl, and Angel had mentioned the light hair, but Alex hadn’t expected a blonde. He watched her as she filled her plate at the buffet. As petite of a girl as she was, her legs were impressive—eye catching. Maybe it was the high-heeled wedge sandals she wore or the short denim skirt that accentuated the pair of well-toned legs.

  Her eyes opened wider as she took in the fresh enchilada tray one of the waiters put out replacing an empty tray. She didn’t have green eyes like her cousin, but somehow her blond hair made her big brown eyes stand out even more.

  “Very nice,” he said under his breath still ogling her as he approached the booth where Sarah sat eating alone. “Is that Valerie?”

  Sarah flinched, nearly spilling her drink, and looked up at him wide-eyed and already blushing. He apologized for startling her. Feeling guilty about obviously embarrassing her, he had mercy on her and brought his attention back to Valerie instead. She was still at the buffet.

  “Well”—he smiled—“I’m partial to brunettes, but a cute little blonde every now and then could do a body good.”

  “That’s really romantic,” Sarah said.

  Alex turned back to Sarah, picking up on the sarcasm in her tone, and slid in next to her with a playful smirk. “You think so?”

  As usual, Sarah timidly attempted to pretend he hadn’t unnerved her by sitting up straight and playing with her food. “I didn’t think you were here today.”

  “I just got here,” he murmured, feeling a little evil about how easily intimidated by him Sarah was, but no way was he going to tone it down now. This was too much fun. “You missed me?”

  Her cheeks tinged with color instantly, and he had to smile.

  “No,” she said again, doing her best to stay composed. “Valerie asked about you, actually.”

  That made him turn in Valerie’s direction again. She was already ambling toward them with a full plate. She wore a big smile and looked him straight in the eyes, self-assured, so unlike her cousin.

  “Did she now?” he asked, raising a curious eyebrow as he took Valerie in again from top to bottom.

  Valerie put her plate down on the table and sat across from him. Sarah immediately introduced Alex to Valerie then turned to her cousin with a humorous smile. “I think you know who Alex is, right, Valerie?”

  “Of course I do.” She reached her hand out to shake his, squeezing firmly. “I’d have to have been buried for the last few years if I didn’t.”

  “Really?” Alex said, his eyes going from hers to her smiling lips, and then it dawned on him. “I remember you now.” To his surprise, he caught the slight roll of Valerie’s eyes. “I saw that.” he said.

  “I wasn’t trying to hide it.”

  Her laugh was sultry—sexy—inviting. Just like that, she had his full attention, and he laughed too, unable to take his eyes off her. They were even bigger this close.

  “You don’t think I remember you?”

  “Nope,” she said simply and dug into her food.

  He watched as she ate without a care, and for a moment, he was distracted by her tongue wiping her bottom lip clean.

  He cleared his throat, remembering what she’d just said about him not remembering her. “You wanna bet?”

  Valerie shook her head, licking her lips again then wiping her mouth with her napkin. “You’ll lose.”

  That amused him. Her entire demeanor toward him, even though she’d just met him, amused him. He’d met plenty of girls in his life. Girls and women of all ages. Even women older than him were a little gun-shy when they first met. This wasn’t at all what he’d been expecting, not from any girl who, as Sarah had said, had been admiring him for years no matter what age. But least of all from a high school senior.

  “Does that mean you’re scared?” he challenged.

  “Of betting that you don’t remember ever seeing me before?” She lifted an eyebrow, and suddenly, every little thing she did had his undivided attention. “Of course not. But what are we betting for?”

  Having never felt so instantly intrigued by someone, Alex decided to take advantage of the moment. He smiled big. “You have plans for tonight?”

  Once again she didn’t even flinch. Instead, she lifted a shoulder. Alex’s eyes were immediately on her soft bare shoulder. Even the subtle tug at the corner of her lip got his attention. “I might.”

  Their conversation was momentarily interrupted as Sarah coughed suddenly as if something went down the wrong pipe and Alex stopped to ask if she was okay. When he was sure she was, he turned to Valerie, getting right back to where they’d left off.

  “You might?” he asked curiously. “What does that mean?”

  Valerie shrugged. “All depends if anything better comes up.”

  She took a spoonful of food and chewed while smiling sinfully at him. Alex was certain he’d never seen eyes twinkle quite the way hers did at that moment. They were beautiful, and right then, he knew he had to nail his impulsive idea of asking her out.

  “Okay”—he smirked, surprised by how badly he suddenly wanted this—“if I win the bet, you cancel whatever plans you have and I take you out.”

  “You’re on.”

  Perfect. Alex sat forward with what he knew had to be a wickedly triumphant smile because it was exactly how he felt. “What time do I pick you up?”

  Valerie and Sarah both laughed. “You haven’t won yet,” Valerie reminded him.

  Alex glanced at Sarah then back at Valerie, realizing he’d jumped the gun, but he wasn’t worried. “Oh, yeah, that. Sure, I’ve seen you before. You’re Reggie Luna’s ex.”

 
Valerie’s blank expression confused him, but curiously, he found himself hoping Reggie was still her ex. She studied him then flicked her gaze at Sarah.

  “I never mentioned Reggie,” Sarah said quickly.

  “No,” Alex agreed just as quickly. “We played on the same team last year.” Then just for good measure, he added, “You broke his heart.”

  Impossibly, her big eyes got even bigger. But he saw her try to regain her composure. “Did I?” She stared at Alex curiously.

  “Sure did,” he said, not even trying to hide how smug he felt, but suddenly he wanted to make sure the guy was still her ex and they hadn’t since reconciled or anything. Not wanting to ask outright, he went about it another way. “So, why’d you dump him?”

  Seeing her face turn bright red brought on mixed feelings. He’d managed to rattle her, and that should’ve been satisfying, but strangely it wasn’t. Alex had never felt so instantly drawn to someone, and he was sure it had everything to do with her self-confidence. She’d been so comfortable in her own skin from the moment their eyes first met. So seeing how easily the subject of her ex had affected her in just the opposite way was a bit disappointing—irritating.

  Angel brought a halt to their conversation when he came over to announce he was ready to leave now that Alex had arrived. Fortunately, Valerie said she wasn’t done eating, and since Alex was nowhere near finished talking to her, he offered to keep her company so Sarah could leave with Angel.

  A low moan and a slight movement from Valerie broke Alex from his thoughts of their first meeting. He glanced down at her, and she was still asleep, but the small pinch just between her eyes reminded him of one thing, and he was instantly hard. Valerie had admitted to him earlier this year about often having dreams of them making love and how real it felt right down to the amazing climaxes. He wondered now if that’s what she was doing.

  Unable to help himself, he slid down slowly until he was lying next to her and pulled the sheet down below her bare breast. He licked his finger then caressed her nipple. Valerie’s body trembled in that unmistakable way she did when she was aroused.