Irresistible (Scandalous Series Book 2) Read online

  Copyright 2019 Ady Anes

  All rights reserved

  Irresistible is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's overactive imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, alive or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of trademark are not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  All right reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the author.

  Cover design and formatting by Pink Ink Designs

  Author’s Note

  This novel was previously published under the Irresistible Series under another name. Irresistible has since then been edited and republished. This series contains mature content. If you enjoy this novel and the series, please leave a review to help encourage other readers to take a chance and fall in love with these characters too.

  Table of Contents

  Author’s Note

  Fallout

  Aftermath

  Wednesday Dinner

  Exclusive

  Staff Party

  Battle Lines Drawn

  Oops

  Much Needed Conversation

  Beyond Compatible

  Start of Something

  Just Ask

  My Guys

  Marco's Place

  Not So Simple

  Gold Medal Status

  Plenty to Give

  Hips Don’t Lie

  Playing Dress Up

  Happy New Year

  Nicholas

  Performance

  Private Tour

  No Goodbyes

  Song List

  Temptation Sneak Peek

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Fallout

  Carina

  VALENTINO DELUCA'S CONDO is equal parts luxurious as it is comfortable. The charcoal leather sectional makes me want to curl up and fall asleep here. The place has a masculine touch but doesn't scream bachelor pad. I've been here since Friday night and it's almost time to head back to my dorm. My shoulders tense just thinking about what I'll have to face. I had my fill of Valentino Friday night until the sun came up Saturday morning. He surprised me by balancing our time together in and out of bed. We went shopping late Saturday afternoon where he bought me several outfits with matching shoes. We aren't dating; I have no intention of being his sugar baby but it's hard to pass up designer dresses and shoes. My roommate Desirae has that kind of stuff by the boatload, but unless I can find one on sale or with a cosmetic imperfection, I can't afford to buy anything like that.

  The only hiccup in our weekend came when my phone started blowing up. At first it began as incoming text messages. By late Saturday evening, it included non-stop calls until I had to turn my phone off. I'm not sure what's happening but I've managed to get calls from Andrea, Jaxon, and others. Something's up but I’ll deal with it when I get back to campus. Hopefully Desirae doesn't try to reach out to me in the meantime. I know I need to deal with Jaxon Wright, but I've had such an awesome weekend that I don't want to ruin it by thinking about my now ex. Just remembering the scene when I last saw him makes my stomach churn and my temper rise. I can only imagine how he spent his weekend. He's probably still buried balls deep in random pussy. I can't believe he had the gall to act like it's okay to mess around with someone else so long as you don't penetrate.

  "Thank you for this weekend" I manage to drag myself off the sofa and walk into the gourmet kitchen. Valentino's dressed in a three-piece suit. His black hair curls at the end making me want to run my fingers through it, again, loving how soft it is. My favorite look is when his hair is sweaty and plastered to his forehead. The man looks primal then.

  "I enjoyed every moment." He steps toward me wrapping his hand around the back of my neck. It's such a possessive gesture and I've come to immensely enjoy it. "Thank you for spending the weekend with me." He peppers my face with chaste kisses. "What are your plans during the week?"

  Goosebumps erupt across my skin at the contact. I shrug my shoulder unable to process what I have coming up this week. The reality is winter break is right around the corner and my entire focus will be on my academics to finish out the semester strong. Since it's my freshman year of college I want to find the right balance to maintaining my grades while still having a social life. My best friend, and roommate, would have us going out nightly but I keep her on track.

  "I usually don't go out during the week." I hope he doesn't think I'm trying to blow him off. I'd really love to spend more time with him, but school comes first.

  Valentino nods in understanding. "Do you think you can make time for dinner during the week? I'm sure you have to eat daily…" He teases.

  My skin tingles with anticipation of seeing him again. It'll give me something to look forward to during the school week. "Is Wednesday okay?" I ask while mentally running through my classes and any major upcoming assignments.

  Valentino taps his phone looking through his calendar. That simple action reminds me of the difference between him and Jaxon. Valentino must be in his late 20s or early 30s. I have yet to ask. He runs a popular nightclub while Jaxon is a junior in college. Both are good looking men, okay more like fine-delicious-hot… Both are great in bed. But that's where the similarities end. Jaxon isn't ready for a committed, monogamous relationship although he claims to want one. While I don't know if Valentino is, at least he isn't sending me mixed signals. Jaxon spent weeks pursuing me asking for me to give "us" a try. And we did for a few short weeks things were great but the moment we encountered our first test, our first obstacle, everything went to shit. "Let's plan for seven. I'll pick you up."

  "Great" I reply also saving the date in my phone's calendar. It's not like I'll forget but I don't want to accidentally plan anything around that time either. I peek up at him wondering if this is technically a date. Valentino has taken me home twice from his club in the last two months. I don't want to make any kinds of assumptions. An incoming text from Desirae brings a frown to my face. It isn't that I don't want to hear from my best friend, I just don't want to part ways with Valentino yet.

  "Time to go?" He doesn't read my text message, but he knows Des is supposed to pick me up any minute.

  I sigh and text back that we're heading downstairs. "Yes" I lament. He grabs my stuff including my new clothes and shoes and follows me out of his condo. He tenderly kisses me on the temple as we wait for the elevator. I think he's relieved to see my reluctance to leave him but that may just be me reading too much into things.

  "We'll see each other Wednesday... " he reminds me, "I expect to hear from you via text or calls before then too."

  "Works both ways" I challenge although I know he'll reach out to me without hesitation. He's the one who made the first contact after our one night together. A knot forms in my chest as the elevator doors open to the lobby. Is it because I won't see him for a few days? Or is it because I'm headed back to campus?

  Valentino remains the chivalrous gentlemen. He walks me to the car and loads my belongings in the back. He presses me against Desirae's car and devours my mouth. My tongue moves in tandem with his. I cling to his biceps while my knees
wobble. "Wednesday" he breathes against my swollen lips.

  "Wednesday" I whisper. He steps back sporting a noticeable bulge in his dress pants. Hopefully it'll go down before he walks into the club to work on paperwork. A memory of us in his office makes my core clench. He can't go to work or home without seeing reminders of me. I like the thought of that. I slink into the passenger seat and watch Valentino disappear as Desirae drive away. "How was your weekend?" I decide to beat Desirae to the punch.

  "I'm sure not as interesting as yours… But I did get laid so much that I needed a hot bath to soothe my lady bits... gotta abstain for a few days. Damn that man can fuck!"

  I throw my head back laughing. It isn't often that Des can't keep up with a guy. She's usually complaining that they're done after five minutes and have completely neglected her. I'm starting to see a pattern her. MEN know how to please a woman. BOYS just aim to bust a nut.

  "Unlike you" I playfully scoff, "Valentino took me out. He bought me some things and we had dinner at some nice place on Park Avenue."

  Desirae bounces in her seat. "Oh, that hurt" she winces. She leans to the side and continues to drive in that position.

  I scrunch my face at her. "Don't ask me to rub ointment on your shit! You need to learn your limits instead of letting the man fuck you into oblivion."

  "Worth it" Desirae singsongs. "So..." she drawls, "Have you checked your phone all weekend?"

  "I had to turn the damn thing off" I shake my head in disgust. "He finally decided to fucking start harassing me Saturday afternoon. He must remember something since this is the first time he’s tried reaching out to me in two weeks."

  Desirae's face pinches like she's dying to say something but doesn't know whether to share it or not. "I'm sure whatever you want to say Des is already on this phone. Just spill it so that you can spare me the bullshit." I stare at the blinking red light letting me know I have all kinds of voicemail messages and unread text messages.

  She exhales slowly causing my hackles to rise. Apparently, this is going to be big or bad, or both. What the hell did he do after we parted ways Friday evening?

  "There are two things you should be aware of" Desirae begins, "The first is that there are social media pictures of you and Valentino leaving the club Friday night. Everyone's seen it and decided to call both of us about it."

  My hands twitch wanting to pull up these so-called pictures. "Are they bad?" I quietly ask. Was I humping him in the parking lot or something? Are there cameras in his office? Why didn't he mention anything? Surely a man of his position would know what's out there posted about him.

  "On the contrary... you two appear intimate, tasteful... Like a real couple. You make him look younger." Desirae laughs making me smile. Valentino isn't old, but he did confess that I'm the youngest woman he's ever been with.

  "The other thing..." she hesitates. By the tension in her voice I know this is going to be bad. She parks the car at a nearby grocery store. Yep, really bad…. "Everyone's talking about Jaxon."

  I arch my brows waiting for the rest. This isn't news. Where's she going with this? Desirae nods before continuing. "They say he banged that blonde bimbo he was feeling up Friday night."

  I sigh not in the least bit surprised. Jaxon couldn’t mask the relief and irritation on his face when we'd "talked" during his drunken stupor. I doubt he even remembers the conversation.

  "It gets worse" she hedges. Time to brace myself. "Apparently" she emphasizes the word, "It was so good that the bitch cried or passed out. That motivated the entire sorority to an orgy that featured Jaxon as the headliner. Word has it Pete and the other dickwads took advantage and partook in the sorority fuck-fest."

  Aaannnddd whatever little hope I had left for Jaxon is gone… I swallow the bile threatening to climb up my throat. "Well, Jaxon Wright always goes big or goes home right?" I hate that my voice trembles. There should be nothing but disgust lacing every word. Just knowing he slept with that many girls in one night makes my skin crawl. I've allowed him to go bareback more than one. I make a mental note to get tested for every fucking thing under the sun after classes this week.

  "For what it's worth I am sorry" Desirae whispers into the silence of the car.

  A traitorous tear trickles down my cheek. "We both called it Des. This was just the kind of embarrassment I wanted to avoid when I left him the first time." What I would give to just be back in Valentino's condo away from all this drama. I lean my head back knowing I need to face this. I hand Desirae my phone so she can read the slew of text messages. No wonder my phone was blowing up on Saturday. I am so glad I turned it off and tuned out the world.

  "Damn! That many calls?!" Desirae shakes her head in disbelief. "Let's go ahead and listen now away from everyone and everything."

  It's what I love about this girl. She always has my back. I scroll through the voicemail messages looking for Jaxon's. We bitterly laugh as we listen to his first straightforward message. "He doesn't fucking remember shit." I scoff.

  "Can't we fucking castrate him with our bare hands?" Desirae has a wicked gleam in her eyes. I believe she's more than capable of pulling it off.

  "Can we eat in tonight?" I beg hoping she won't make me eat with the others.

  "With pleasure" she responds. She pulls the car out of the parking lot and heads back to campus.

  My hands are full as we confidently walk through the dorm building. I ignore the blatant stares and looks of pity. We slow our approach thanks to a group hovering by our door. No one seems to notice us which doesn't bode well. What the hell has everyone so riveted? I try to breathe away the vise in my chest. Maybe Valentino left something beautiful and all the girls are enviously eyeing it.

  "What the fuck is going on here?" Desirae demands pushing through the small crowd. I swallow the lump in my throat as we stare at the corkboard by the door. Normally it only displays stuff that Desirae puts to show everyone that it's our room. Today, every inch of that board is covered in pictures. At the center of the collage is the picture of me and Valentino exiting the club Friday night. That wouldn't be so bad if it didn't include countless commentary beneath it. Trolls claiming that I'm a gold digger. Others calling me a whore. One even has the gall to say I'm an illegal trying to get my papers through sexual favors.

  What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. These. People.

  Once I get over the shock of that, my eyes zero in on the rest of the pictures on the board. All the color leaves my face as I focus on each individual picture tacked on. All the snickers, comments, and reassurances dissipate thanks to the loud whooshing in my ears. I'm paralyzed by the images of Jaxon; a very drunken and horny Jaxon, but one and the same. These images are proof of the sorority story Des shared with me. Thank goodness she told me beforehand. It takes a moment for my brain to process things. The background is the same in each image, but it isn't the same girl in each photo. I count at least eight different girls in the slew of pictures on the corkboard. In each one, Jaxon is in some sort of compromising position.

  Desirae cusses, yells, and manhandles the unashamed spectators until we're the only two left in the hallway. I reach out and carefully remove every picture. My hands tremble but I won't be deterred. I'll be damned if I let it stay here but I refuse to throw them away. Whoever placed the pictures here succeeded with their intentions. This 'proof' has left me shaken. It's no secret that Jaxon gets around. Hell, I consider myself promiscuous. But these pictures prove that whatever we had is well and truly over. It's one thing to stomach listening to the rumors but it's entirely different to lay witness to it. Someone set out to hurt me and they succeeded. Jaxon and I may have had a precarious relationship, but I didn't want it to end like this.

  "I'll take care of them" Desirae tries to take them from my shaky hands.

  "No" I adamantly shake my head. "I need these as proof. What kind of excuse can he give when he sees these?"

  Desirae's mouth tightens but she doesn't object. We gather every picture and silently step into our room away from
prying eyes. She doesn't say a word as she shoves the disgusting photos into a manila envelope. I hang up my new clothes and lose myself to laundry and unfinished assignments while she orders take-out for dinner. We don't leave the room for the rest of the evening.

  Aftermath

  Carina

  CLASSES RESUME THE next day as usual, but I find myself walking around slightly numb. For almost two weeks I'd been left in the dark about our relationship status. I hadn't heard from or seen Jaxon during that time. Technically it wasn't until our fight on Friday night that resulted in our official breakup, but things had been adrift even before that. I thought we had closure, but Jaxon probably doesn't even remember seeing me that night.

  The aftermath is one colossal mess. I avoid all my usual hang out spots and keep to myself not wanting to engage with anyone in conversation, knowing where it'll eventually lead to. I don't call Valentino, although I want to. He doesn't need to be privy to this bullshit. I want to see him Wednesday evening with a clear head. In my goal to isolate myself I inadvertently run into Jaxon. My initial reaction is to head in the opposite direction, but we need to deal with this. I steel myself for the confrontation. Jaxon and his rowing team nearly run me over in my standoff.

  He stops dead in his tracks upon seeing me. "Why the fuck haven't you called me back?" He barks like I've wronged him somehow.

  I rear back blindsided by his approach. "What else do we have left to say Jaxon? We said it all Friday night." I know he still doesn't remember our conversation and it shows when he swallows hard and rubs his forehead with his hand.

  "All I wanted was a real chance with you." He throws his hands out to his sides in frustration. That fuse that seems to come alive within his proximity reignites. This is why I can't be near him.

  "We tried... it didn't work out... Now you can move on." I deadpan. We have an audience; Jaxon seems oblivious, but I have no intention of putting on a show.