Owned by My Best Friend's Brother

5. Go at your pace

ALEX POV

I'm pleasantly surprised that Celia hasn't shown up at my office or home during the entire week. It's now Friday and my family is having dinner at our favorite restaurant, Sundance. I haven't been by to visit all week and I'd like to blame it on my work, but the truth is, as busy as I am, I have time to drop by. The only thing stopping me is the fact that Stella keeps randomly popping into my mind. I don't know what it is about her that makes me want to get to know her. Is it that she stood up to me, or the way she stood up to me? I really don't want to keep thinking about her, but I can't help it. It can't just be her body. I've been with plenty of women with amazing bodies. Maybe not as curvy as hers... but amazing enough. This is the last thing I need. I wish I had been right about her. Then I could keep disliking her instead of thinking about what she's like. I don't need any distractions right now, I just recently took over as the CFO for the hotels we own. On top of that, I don't think she would be able to handle my need to completely own my woman. I decided to take a cab to the restaurant since I will be going back to my parent's for the weekend. It dropped me off in front. As soon as I walked in, I saw my family. My eyes immediately looked around searching for her, as much as I wanted to avoid her. There she is next to Cici, she's smiling, laughing at something Cici said. I walked up to the table and noticed Logan was sitting next to her again. I don't want it to bother me, it shouldn't, but it does.

"Hey brother!" Logan says while slapping me on the back.

I smiled at him and pulled him up for a hug, then I moved him to the side and took his seat next to Stella. He scowls at me and takes the seat next to me.

"Nice of you to join us, son." My mother smiled at me. "Thanks for waiting for me." I replied, smiling around at everyone at the table.

I looked next to me and Stella was avoiding looking at me. She was blushing and looking down at her menu. I wonder if she thinks about me as much as I've been thinking about her. Soon we all ordered and drinks were brought out. As always, we were the loudest party in the restaurant. My dad was scolding Derick for breaking up with Tina again, telling him he had better not bring her back around as his girlfriend. Logan, Cici and mom were still discussing colleges. Stella was quietly watching everyone with a small smile on her plump lips. I'm just now noticing how effortlessly gorgeous she is. Not only does she have an hour glass figure, probably 39-24-36. Rich chocolate brown hair, so thick it makes you want to grab a fistful. Honey brown eyes and light brown sugar skin, it probably taste like sugar too. A round face with almond eyes, heart-shaped lips and a small, slightly turned-up nose.

"Are you going to visit your parent's while on summer break?" I asked Stella.

She looked up at me and looked like she wasn't sure how to answer.

"My parents aren't around anymore, I mean... they died when I was little." She said softly and gave me a weak smile. "Oh, sorry to hear that." I couldn't imagine losing my parents as a child. "No siblings?" I asked her.

She shook her head no and took a sip of her water. I didn't want the only conversation I had with her today to be about the fact that she has no family. I wanted to try and move our encounters on a more positive note.

"How did you like your first year of college?" I asked Stella, hoping this question would lead to lighter conversation. '"It was actually my second year." She corrected. "How old are you?" I asked in disbelief. "I'm eighteen, turning nineteen this November." She smiled shyly. "You skipped two grades?" I'm sure I sounded impressed. "Yeah, I only went to middle school for about two semesters. I requested to be tested each semester to move up a grade each time." She didn't seem as impressed with herself as I was. "I wanted to finish getting my bachelors next year but since I didn't attend summer classes I wont be able to." She was visibly disappointed. "Do you always take summer classes?" I asked, genuinely intrigued. "I did last year but this year I couldn't. My scholarship only covers the normal school year. I lost my job and didn't have time to raise the money needed for housing and to pay for my classes." She clarified.

She has more work ethics than some of the managers at our hotels. This only intensified my interest in her, I think it's actually turning into admiration. The food arrived and everyone started to talk about the fourth of July. We have a beach house in Santa Cruz and everyone was discussing when we should head out and what activities we would be doing while there.

STELLA POV

I feel strange being involved in their family discussion about the holiday trip. I don't want them to feel obligated to invite me and make me a part of it. It's not like I can ask them if I can stay in their home while they are away. Maybe I can find a summer job by then and stay at a motel or something. I still have a couple of weeks to look around.

"The beach house is amazing, Stella, we are going to have so much fun! There are so many cute guys there." She gushed at me.

I giggled and shook my head at my friend's one-track mind.

"Shouldn't you focus on spending time with your family?" Alex scolded. "I'm doing this for Stella, she needs to meet some cute boys. Or some handsome men." She clarified and wiggled her eyebrows at me. "Is that right? Stella, are you the one that wants to meet some boys? Or men?" Alex asked teasingly. I'm sure I looked like a tomato at this point. Why does my best friend have to put me on the spot like this? "I-I guess I'm not opposed.... I wouldn't say it's my main goal or anything." I probably sounded like a blubbering i***t.

He gave out a deep throaty laugh and I almost purred at the sound. Why the hell did it sound so good? I need to get these thoughts out of my head. This grown man is not interested in someone like me. Then it dawns on me that he's making fun of me. I frowned and looked down at my food. Why is it that every encounter with this man is so complicated? Is this why he always sits with me, so he can have a first row seat at a good show?

"Hey, I was only joking." He put his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it.

I just smiled awkwardly and kept eating my food. Is it obvious that I have absolutely no idea how to approach the subject of the opposite s*x? I'm not necessarily interested in meeting boys or men or whatever. I just want to allow myself to experience what a normal girl my age experiences. Is the fact that I want that funny? Is the fact that I just realized I wanted that funny? I was silent the rest of dinner and I felt Alex looking at me but I couldn't bring myself to look back at him. I knew my awkwardness about the subject wasn't his fault, but his reaction made me feel ever more inadequate. Cici's parents paid for dinner and we went outside to wait for the car.

"I'm going to take a cab to the bakery and pick up a cake. Stella, join me." Alex announced, pulling me back.

Cici was already in the car along with everyone else and Alex didn't really give me a chance to reply. He closed the door after Logan got in and held my arm, leading me to the cab stand by the Valet. I watched the car drive off and I wanted to wave for them to stop. Why does he want me to go with him? The cab pulled up and he opened the door for me and helped me inside. I scooted, leaving room for him to sit next to me. He gave the driver the name of the bakery and off we went.

"Stella, I was only joking. Did I upset you again?" He looked over at me. "I just.." Do I really want to talk to him about this? "You can talk to me little one." He held my hand in his and smiled at me.

I don't know what it was about the way he spoke to me or the way he held my hand. He made me feel safe and important. I let out a deep breath and considered opening up to him. I don't want to go into detail about my first and last experiences with men in college. I knew all men weren't like the few I happened to encounter, it just didn't help that they were the first. They were so much bigger than me and they were VERY pushy, and that's putting it mildly. It deterred me from giving any other man an opportunity to get too close.

"The few men that did give me attention in college, did not give the kind of attention I wanted. They were older than me and had expectations I couldn't meet. Who kisses someone they just met? After that, I decided to steer clear of the opposite s*x and here I am now." I shrugged and looked out the window.

He chuckled and I turned to see why he was laughing at me again, but he smiled at me.

"You were at a disadvantage. There were no males your age to do the awkward puppy love stage, like holding sweaty hands." He explained. "Yeah I guess so." I was glad he could explain it.

Most people think that I should just find random guys and start handing out my firsts quickly. Why? Because everyone was always ahead of me? I don't think that's a good reason.

"You'll find someone that's willing to take their time and go at your pace." He assured me.

We arrived at the bakery and bought Vera's favorite cake. The trip back to the house was quieter, but it was a peaceful quiet. He actually made me feel better and even helped me see why I felt so awkward about something as simple as dating.