07 | Weaker, Part 1 (Bella)

// Amabella's POV //

Kaden Matthews is much weaker than I thought.

A few kisses here, a little groping there, and boom—the truth spills out of him like a confession, and I'm playing the role of his priest.

It felt so damn good to be told I wasn't crazy, that I was right about *all* the accusations I'd been throwing around. What felt even better was the mistake that Kaden and I made inside the pool this morning. I got the upper hand towards the end of our fooling around, but at the beginning, Kaden had me completely.

His kisses are addictive, and I find myself constantly craving his touch. He knows exactly how to work my body despite never having had a full taste. I desperately wanted to succumb to him in the pool. I wanted to give him whatever he desired. I wanted to fuck his brains out inside every room of the mansion we share, which is precisely why I left when I did.

"Courtesy of the gentleman over there."

I hesitantly accept the drink from the bartender before turning to look in the direction he's pointing.

My gaze locks onto the only man waving at me. He's of average height, has a fit but not overly muscular build, and he's a dirty blonde. Major red flag. I smile and wave out of politeness. Every time I get mixed up with a blonde, things end in disaster. I doubt this guy will be any different, so I need to shut him down quickly.

"Are you guys hiring?" I ask the bartender, slowly pushing the drink from the stranger off to the side. Maybe he'll get the message that I'm not interested. "Part or full-time. Weekends only. Anything. I just really need some extra cash right about now."

That isn't a lie. I do alright working as a freelance graphics designer; a passion I found I had while I'd been on my 'figuring out who I am as a person' journey after dropping out of college. But when it comes to clients, they always come and go. Lately, they've been going more than coming, which has resulted in wild fluctuations in my bank account.

Money is tight and I need much more than what I currently have if I ever plan on moving out of Kaden's place.

I'm still waiting to hear from my landlord to see if I can temporarily stay in one of the vacant apartments that the fire hadn't touched. I was told they had given priority to the elderly and people with children, which was understandable. But, it's been weeks since I last heard of any updates, so I assume whatever was available has now gone.

"Sorry, we're not hiring at the moment." The bartender gives me an apologetic look before turning away to tend to another patron.

I sigh and resume sipping on my original drink.

This bar is my last stop for the night. It's getting late and I'm tired of running around town. I left the house this morning to keep from sleeping with my stepfather, and while out driving around in one of his fancy cars, I quickly realized I had absolutely nothing to do. I have no friends here; I have no job; I have no boyfriend. I have nothing to keep me entertained. Nothing but myself.

So, to kill as much time as possible, I took myself out on a date. I window shopped at several stores, got my hair trimmed, saw two movies at the theater, skipped lunch but had dinner at this amazing Mexican restaurant, and now I'm wrapping up the night by having a drink at the bar.

Whoever said you can't have fun on your own must not have been doing it right.

"Did I order the wrong drink?"

I spin around and am greeted by my blonde admirer. He's wearing a suit and has a big watch on his left wrist, which tells me he recently clocked out from his well-paying job and came straight here to unwind before going home. His eyes prettily combine blue and brown. Crow's feet appear when he smiles at me, and if I had to guess, I'd say he's in his late thirties.

I shake his extended hand as he introduces himself as Tyler. He isn't bad looking, and if I didn't have my thing against blondes, perhaps I'd give him a chance.

"I'm sorry?" I question.

"The drink." Tyler points to the drink that I slid off to the side. I blush with embarrassment. He had been watching me, after all. "You haven't touched it, so I'm guessing I ordered something you didn't like."

I laugh awkwardly. "I'm actually about to head out for the night and I didn't want to drink too much..."

"Ah, I see. Well, he's a lucky guy."

"Huh?"

"Whoever you're getting ready to go home to," Tyler clarifies. "He's a lucky guy to have someone as beautiful as you."

I scoff. "He *doesn't* have me because he's married, which makes our relationship quite complicated."

Tyler's eyebrows raise in shock. I want to slap myself for having such a big damn mouth! How could I have muttered something so private to a complete stranger? I only had one beer tonight, so I'm not even that drunk! God, just strike me down already.

"I-I'm sorry, but I really have to go now." I pay my tab and then run out of the bar in the same chaotic fashion as I did when I saw the red flames licking up the walls of my apartment.

I'm in no rush to get home, so I take my time driving. It's more peaceful when there's someone else in the driver's seat and I'm in the passenger, staring out the window and admiring the stars in the sky. I soon get lost in my thoughts, the majority being about Kaden, and before I know it, I'm pulling into the driveway of my temporary home.

No lights are on when I creep my way inside. I make it upstairs without tripping over my feet, and once inside my bedroom, I strip and freshen up quickly.

After exiting the shower about fifteen minutes later, I'm feeling tired but refreshed. I shut off the lights and climb into bed, yawning loudly. I have no clue what tomorrow will bring, but I hope it offers more restraint for me and my irresistible crush.

As I'm drifting off to sleep, I hear a light tapping coming from my door.

"Mom?"

The door opens and a tall shadow slips into my room. I swiftly sit up in bed, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Kaden?"

"I'm here to pick up where we left off earlier in the pool," he answers in a low tone. "Be a good girl and get undressed. We don't have all night."

My hands reach for the hem of my shirt before my brain can give it permission, proving that I'm much weaker than he is.