Fierce For You (Manhattan Beach Series #1)

Toni

“Aren’t we going to the mall to pick out new outfits for the coming semester?” My friend and roommate, Pia, asked me.

I shrugged.

The new semester is on its way but I haven’t thought of anything to wear on the first day. It was our tradition—Pia and I—to wear matching colors of our outfits on every first day of the semester. This time, we agreed on color fuchsia. I don’t know why she wanted that color but I agreed anyway.

“Oh, come on, Toni! We need to buy our outfit for the first day!” She jumped from the couch to me on the kitchen counter just to whine to buy new clothes.

I showed her a sarcastic smile. “I think you only want to show off to the “hot and rich” students of Stockton U.” I rolled my eyes and continued rolling the kimbap.

She laughed before hitting my arm. “I don’t show off, Antoinette. They show off to me.” She emphasized the word.

Well, I can’t disagree with that. First and foremost, Patricia is beautiful and sexy. Her tanned skin is something I have always envied. I am tanned too but not as bronze as she is. Whenever we go home to Manhattan, all the tourists would swoon at her. Not only is her skin so shiny bronzed but her hair has end curls and is naturally-highlighted with blonde strands.

“Acknowledged!” I beamed.

She laughed and then sat on the high chair on our bar. “Well, then, let’s buy outfits this afternoon.” She told me.

I nodded, not having any choice in this. I just concentrated on rolling this kimbap so we could eat our brunch sooner.

“Toni!” She beamed. “Someone texted you!”

I rolled my eyes. It’s probably just the operator or some scam. Who would text me this morning? I don’t remember having an appointment with someone else.

“Baby, what are you doing today?!” Pia sounded so shocked when she read the screen of my phone. “Baby?! Baby?!” She ran to me while waving my phone right onto my face. “Who is this, Antoinette Johann Milton?!”

I looked at the screen and saw the familiar number that has been texting me these days. I somehow know where it comes from. He asked me to save his number but I never did. More like I didn’t want to because I don’t want to be tempted to reply to him.

It’s been two weeks since that fateful night but I’m still feeling him touching me all over my body every time I lie down on my bed.

“Who is this?!” Pia’s voice is through the roof, demanding me to spill all the beans.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged. “I don’t know? Maybe that person just got the wrong number.” I replied, hoping that she’d stop asking.

But she didn’t. She continued to probe until we are inside the mall, searching for outfits and bags for the next semester.

“Is he the man you were with when you didn’t go home one night?” Pia asked me as we ran through the clothes rack in front of us.

I gave her a look. “You mean the night you bailed on me?” I asked her back with the intention of giving her a trip to guilt paradise.

She laughed at me. “Move on, girl! My flight to New York was postponed! And I had to say goodbye to my boyfriend!” She replied.

I grinned at her sardonically. “Whatever!” I rolled my eyes. “As if Chancellor wouldn’t want you to come back to New York for your work…”

She shrugged and became quiet. I stared at her, observing the sudden change in her expression. I don’t know anything about her relationship with Chance since we both decided to leave California for a while and start seeking our dreams in New York.

Pia has been very open with me about her relationship with Chancellor. They have been dating since we were in college. Recently, they have celebrated their sixth year anniversary. I know because Pia prepared so hard for it when we were in Manhattan. She rented the whole café near the sea. I even helped her in preparing for it but then she hadn’t said anything about it the next day.

I didn’t bother asking her about what happened anymore. I believe that she’ll tell me when she’s ready or if there’s anything to tell.

“Here! I think this will suit you!” Pia showed me a pair of black corporate attire with fuchsia linings.

I took the hanger from her and looked at the piece intently. It’s sophisticated and formal—my style. Pia really knows what I want.

“Take that. I’ll look for mine.” She said as she moved to the other side to look for hers. I believe she’ll take a dress because she looks good on them. The curves of her body are something to be envy about.

I also tried helping her look for her outfit but she declined everything I gave her. She said she needs to change her style this semester. I don’t know why she suddenly wants to change but then again…maybe a little change would be good.

I sat on the couch while I waited for her. My eyes roamed around the whole boutique and stopped when I saw a poster of a sexy beast on the wall. He’s topless while holding onto the waistband of his jeans. He has a perfect body—with perfectly sculpted pecs and abdominal muscles. It’s actually so perfect and delectable that it sends my mind flying back to that night once again.

I remembered how warm his body felt close to me, how he tasted every inch of me, how he made me go crazy with his touch…I took a deep breath. I shouldn’t be thinking of that in this public place.

My phone beeped suddenly.

It’s from Fierce again.

Will there be a chance that we’ll see each other again?

I narrowed my eyes at the words on my screen.

Fierce is so handsome…so handsome that no one would actually be enough for him. So why is he always sending me messages? Is he so bored right now that he messages his past one night stands?

I shook my head and didn’t reply. It should be enough. He’s just too hot that I willingly surrendered my virginity that easily. And damn. He’s two years younger than me!

I need to erase that thought.

“I’m done.” Pia stood in front of me with the bags on her hands.

I narrowed at her shopping bags. “How many clothes did you buy?” I asked.

She snickered. “So many that I’d let you borrow some?” She smirked.

I smiled and helped her carry all those bags. “That’s why you’re my best friend.” I said as we went out of the boutique.

“New York is a crazy place.” Pia uttered while we were eating in one restaurant inside the mall.

I looked around and saw most people in suits and formal attires. “They are all work-oriented.” I said as I took a bite on the pizza.

She sighed. “Manhattan’s way freer,” she commented.

I nodded, agreeing. “That’s because Manhattan’s a beach side. Not all are actually into formal suits and cocktail dresses.” I said trying so hard not to miss my Mom in Manhattan.

She took a deeper breath. “I miss Manhattan…” she said sadly.

I smiled. “Me, too. But this is our goal…since high school.” I told her, trying to cheer her up.

Pia looked at me and smiled. “I know. I’m happy that we’re already where we wanted to be.” She said as she sipped on her sweet tea.

I looked at the people walking again. And now it makes me wonder…are we really where we actually wanted to be?

Two weeks passed by so quickly. Pia and I have been so busy with our requirements at work that we barely see each other even if we’re living in one apartment.

“Looking good, Toni!” Gerald, my co-professor, beamed as he entered the faculty room.

I looked at him and saw him wearing a dark blue button down shirt tucked in a pair of black slacks. Gerald is masculine so his muscles are very much emphasized in his fitted top. I bet all the female students would want overtime all the time.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Gerald.” I told him as I fixed my records in front of me.

“Toni!” Jane came up to me. She handed me the list of the classes I would handle with the names of the students. “I’m sorry for giving you this late. There were a lot of changes in the blocking this semester. The registrar had to make major amendments.” She explained.

I smiled and nodded. “Sure. No biggie.” I said as I accepted the list.

Jane smiled. “Thank you, Toni! You’re such an angel.” She said before moving on to give others their lists, too.

“Right! She’s an angel.” Gerald beamed and winked at me.

I shook my head.

“Lovers are prohibited in this department!” Olivia teased making everyone in the faculty of Economics laugh.

“Hey, Liv! It’s fine as long as it’s not a student-teacher relationship!” Gerald rode on but many agreed with him.

I just smiled and scanned through the list of my students. I’ll be handling eight classes this semester and I’m so excited to meet my pupils. I just hope everything will go well this sem.

I looked at the clock. It’s ten minutes before eight. I need to get going. I took my bag and my folder.

“Are you going?” Gerald asked.

I nodded. “I can’t be late.” I told him.

He smiled. “Sure. See you at lunch?” He asked.

“I have an eleven to one class. I guess I’ll see you after lunch.” I laughed before leaving the faculty.

I walked to my first class and was shocked to see the person who came in before me. I immediately looked at the names in my list and my eyes widened when I saw his name.

“Fierce Mihkail Bradley.” Oh f**k.