Virgin Roommate

  Virgin Roommate

  Alexa Riley

  Contents

  Virgin Roommate

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  Pretty Virgin

  Chapter 1

  Stalk the Author

  Copyright © 2019 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to riley_alexa@aol.com

  http://alexariley.com/

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Edited by Aquila Editing

  Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers

  Virgin Roommate

  by Alexa Riley

  Gia Fisher comes from a big, all-up-in-your-business family. They all love each other and they come with good intentions. She’s kept her boyfriend Marco at a distance, however, because she didn’t want them to drive him away. But she’s head over heels and tired of hiding her love.

  Marco Taylor knew Gia she was the one for him the moment he met her. She’s keeping him away from her family and he can’t blame her. He doesn’t come from anything special and in the past he’s had a run-in with her brothers. He’s not good enough for her, but he can’t let her go.

  Warning: What happens when the two of them finally shout their love from the rooftop? Oh, you know it’s gonna be explosive! Grab the final installment of the Virgin Marriage Series and see if these two can find their happily ever after.

  Chapter One

  Gia

  I swing my feet back and forth, keeping my eyes on my textbook. Normally the room is loud but it’s quiet today. I don’t know where everyone is, but I swear it’s like they know I have something to tell them and they’re making it drag out.

  It’s Sunday and in the Fisher family you never miss family dinner. Ever.

  I read the page in the book over again as I wait for everyone to get here. The quiet of the family home is messing with my nerves. The only thing I can hear are the quiet sounds my mom makes as she cooks, but my dad hasn't even made an appearance yet.

  I glance up, feeling my mom’s eyes on me. “Do you need help?” I ask for the fifth time. I tried to help when I got here, but when she saw I had my backpack with me she told me to sit and work.

  “Nope.” She cocks her head to the side, trying to read my mood, which she knows is off.

  Everything about me is off right now. At least it feels like it because I’m in love—head over heels in love. It’s different than anything I’ve felt before and I know what love is. My family is a close bunch and there’s so much love between us. Even though at times we can fight hard, too.

  It’s why I’m so edgy today. I’m not sure how this is going to go down. I need to tell my parents that not only am I seeing someone, but he’s the one. I can feel it in my soul.

  She keeps on staring at me, so I look back down at the textbook so I don’t blurt it out. I’m going to tell them when everyone is here. I didn’t want to repeat myself and get the same questions asked on a loop. I’m going to do it over the dinner table. That way all my brothers will be there to start their interrogation.

  Somehow I’ve been the first to find someone, which is crazy because they’re all older than me. Not one of them has brought someone home and I swear they’ve done this on purpose. Maybe they thought it would keep me from ever doing it. They’d be happy if I lived out my life like Aunt June who we all speculate is still a virgin. They even try to play up how great her life looks. She can do whatever she wants and doesn’t have someone else to worry about! I’m not that wet behind the ears and I’m on to them. I love Aunt June, but I’m pretty sure she’s crazy.

  Maybe I should have warned Marco I’m going to tell them first. Last night I started to tell him that I loved him and that I was ready to take us to the next level. My best friend Caroline told me I’m running scared and she was right.

  I wondered why he hadn’t said it first, but I know Marco grew up without a family. Caroline reminded me that some people aren’t used to saying I love you like I am and that maybe he’s never had those words spoken to him before. That’s when I knew I was being a jerk and needed to tell him the next time I saw him and stop avoiding him.

  Then everything in Caroline’s life exploded and distracted me from telling him how I feel. I know Marco loves me because I don’t see how he couldn’t, not with how he treats me. I’ve never met a man like him before and maybe that’s why he’s the first and only to have ever caught my eye. It doesn’t hurt that I’m not living at home anymore. My big brothers tend to scare away everyone with a dick. They mean well, but they’ve made dating impossible.

  “How’s Caroline?” Mom asks, because she’s probably wondering where she is.

  She fit right back into our family since moving home. She usually comes to family dinners with me most Sundays. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say that she’s banging a married man, but then my mom would lose her mind. I also know I’d only be shifting attention off myself and Caroline doesn’t need that crap.

  “I’m so happy she met someone.” I glance back up at my mom, who doesn’t look surprised at what I told her.

  “Good for her.” She nods as she stirs the red sauce on the stove.

  My mom is being evasive and I wonder if she’s on to me about seeing someone. She could be pretending it’s A-OK for Caroline to date someone and not give me the third degree about it so that I’ll admit to seeing Marco.

  Again I bite my tongue because I’m pretty sure she’s baiting me. My mom and I are way too much alike and it’s annoying, even though it can be useful. Right now I’m really not sure what her reaction is going to be, but we’re both pretty blunt.

  I go back to reading the textbook and try to get caught up on my class work. I have to force myself to sit here instead of reaching in my bag for my phone to text Marco. I told myself when I left him last night that I wouldn’t talk to him again until I told my family what was going on. I want this to be a gesture of my love for him. He can see I’m really in this if I tell my family. He knows they’re a big part of my life but hasn't pressed about meeting them. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or not.

  I want my family to accept him with open arms and give Marco a taste of the family he should have had when he was younger. I’m not sure that’s how this will go down, but a girl can dream. They can throw a fit if they want, but I’ll be coming to our next family dinner with Marco or not at all.

  I haven't brought a man home before because I never dated before Marco. They should realize that this means I’m serious and they should also trust my judgment. I’m giving myself this pep talk as I hear people come into the house—five big men tromping in make a lot of noise.

  “Where have you guys been?” I ask when they come flooding into the kitchen and everyone gives mom a kiss and hug.

  My oldest brother holds up a pie from Mom’s favorite bakery, earning him another kiss on the cheek. Everyone falls into easy conversation, but
for some reason I think everyone is looking at me. I put my book away as the words I’m dying to blurt out bubble in my throat. No one is looking at me, but it feels like they are.

  “Spill it already,” Mom yells.

  Of course she knew I had news. She always knows everything. Everyone turns to look at me as Mom points the wooden spoon in my direction.

  “I’m seeing someone,” I blurt out and rip off the Band-Aid. The room goes completely silent before my older brother speaks.

  “Who?” he asks.

  I want to say, “no one you know,” but I swear they know everyone.

  “Marco Taylor,” I say.

  “What?!” All of my brothers yell at the same time.

  Mom and Dad stay quiet as my brothers lose it and start talking over each other.

  I guess they do know him, and now the secret is out.

  Chapter Two

  Marco

  I was having one of the worst days of my life the day I met Gia. I was late for a meeting after an ice storm came through and knocked my power out. I was rushing around and then I got out to my car and realized the battery was dead. By that point it was pouring rain and I couldn't get a cab to save my life. I ducked under a nearby coffee shop awning just to get out of the storm and that’s when I saw her through the window.

  She was sitting at a table alone with a pile of books around her and a pencil in her mouth. Her hair was in a messy bun and she had on sweats. There was an uneaten pastry in front of her and a mug of coffee that was half empty. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and one look at her and I knew.

  I grew up with nothing and worked for everything I have. I was given up for adoption when I was only a couple of days old and I never knew anything about my birth parents. I made good grades but kept to myself while I was in the system. That didn’t stop me from getting into trouble a few times in school, but I don’t like to think back on those times. No one ever said it to my face, but I heard the whispers about what an ugly baby I was. I think it was the reason I was never chosen for adoption and aged out of the system when I was eighteen.

  Luckily I had a business professor in college who took me under his wing and when I graduated he helped me get a job. I worked in the stock market for a couple of years before my boss realized that I was good at what I did. Really fucking good. I was promoted up through the ranks at an unprecedented speed and eventually I took over as chief executive officer.

  I was running late for a board meeting when I saw Gia and I didn’t have a second to stop. But there are some things in life worth throwing it all away for, and she was it.

  Thunder sounded behind me as I opened the door and it caused her to jump in her seat and look up at me. When our eyes locked I smiled at her as I walked over to her table and sat down like she’d been waiting on me.

  I’ve been by her side every moment she’ll let me since then. I’ve never felt this way about another person in my life and I know she feels it too. But there’s something wedged between us and I don’t know if it’s her or me.

  Her family is important to her and I don’t have anyone to speak of. She’s this vivacious beauty who lights up a room and I’m the type to silence a crowd when I walk in. On paper we are complete opposites, yet when I’m with her there is nowhere else I’d rather be.

  Sometimes I wonder if I was living my life at all before she came into it. The sound of her laugh fills my soul and the feel of her lips on mine is heaven. But when I think about the future with her, it feels so shaky.

  I’ve never voiced it to her, but I sometimes wonder if she’s ashamed of me. I know I’m not the best looking, but I’ve got a good job and I make enough money that she never has to work again unless she wants to. It could be that she’s found out about my past with her older brother Jason and she’s scared to let us meet.

  The two of us have a history that isn’t pretty. He blames me for losing his business and leaving him with nothing. But he’s bitter and wants someone, besides himself, to take responsibility. He’s in a tough place right now, but that’s not something I can fix for him. I know if he finds out we’re dating he’s going to cause problems for us. Maybe she already found out and that’s the reason she hasn’t introduced me to her family, or maybe why we haven’t gone past kissing.

  Of course I wanted to get her on her back the moment we met, but I also want to respect her. She’s not the type of woman that sleeps with men on the first date, and from what she’s told me she didn't have many dates before me. She hasn’t come out and said the words, but I know she’s innocent when it comes to being touched. I want to be her first, but I don’t want to rush it, and she hasn’t given me any indication that she’s ready.

  I lean back in my chair and look down at the city below. It’s Sunday and I’m at work, but it’s because I know she’s with her family. She didn’t ask me to go with her and when I waited for the invitation that never came, I made up some excuse about needing to catch up on work.

  I’ve sent her several messages but I haven’t got a response and that’s not like her. I should call or go by and see her, but then I wonder if she’s finally realized that I’m not good enough for her.

  It’s the biggest worry in the back of my mind that one day she’ll look at me and realize she could have done better. That she settled on a man with no past and no family who scares most people away. She’s light and warmth, and maybe I’m smothering that by being with her.

  Self-doubt is the easiest thing to feel when I’m away from her. But when I’m by her side I feel like nothing can touch us. She deserves a man who can give her that feeling all the time, but I’m too much of a bastard to let her go.

  Gia is so goddamn special, and though I should let her find a love she deserves, there's not a fucking chance in the world I’ll ever leave her side.

  My cell phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out to see her name. My chest warms and I feel relief until I read what she’s sent.

  Gia: Hey, can we meet up tonight?

  I haven’t talked to her since yesterday and this is what she’s sending me after all the messages I’ve sent her? There’s not even an emoji after her text and it’s unlike her.

  Me: Yeah, everything okay? You’ve been quiet since last night.

  Gia: All is good. Just need to talk. It’s important.

  I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as I lean forward and type out my response.

  Me: I can be there in an hour.

  Gia: K

  I stare at the letter in the text box and I’m offended by it. She couldn’t even type out an entire word? What the hell is going on with her? Something must have happened with her family today. If she told them about me and they don’t like the fact that she’s dating someone, I’m afraid she may just kick me to the curb.

  As much as I get down on myself and think that she deserves better, there’s no one else for her but me. So her family, most importantly her brother Jason, better get used to the idea that I’m in this no matter what. I should have said ten minutes. Now I’ll have to wait a whole fucking hour.

  I’ve never been one to stay where I’m not welcome, but if she thinks she’s going to get rid of me so easily she’s got another thing coming.

  Chapter Three

  Gia

  I sit in the same coffee shop where I first saw Marco as I watch the time slowly tick by. I glance at my phone screen, annoyed it’s only been another few minutes. I’m avoiding this, which is something I’m not used to doing, and it’s putting me on edge. But for some reason when it comes to Marco I have a knack for avoidance.

  The time has come to face this because I promised it not only to myself but him, too. It might have been a silent vow, but it still holds the same weight as if I told him the words.

  I’m staying away from my brothers for now, especially Jason. He’ll be pounding down my door because Mom won’t be able to hold him back long. This is how it always plays out when I fight with them about something. First Jason will come in pla
ying bad cop and then my youngest will be the good cop. My middle brothers will shift around, but I know they all tell each other what they’re doing.

  I don’t want to hear it because my family is loud and will drown out everyone around them. I’m not sure my brothers saw me slip from the room when they exploded after the mention of Marco’s name.

  Both my mom and dad watched me as I slid from my chair and booked it out of there. My mom gave me a nod as I left and I knew she understood. I wouldn’t let whatever they had to say about Marco drown out what he needed to tell me. I find it hard to believe he doesn’t know who I am if he knows my brothers, but I caught the edge of their words.

  Liar. Using you. Snake.

  Though my brothers said the words, I find them hard to believe.

  Glancing at my phone, I give up the fight and grab my bag. I can't be completely mad at Marco for keeping something from me because I’ve been doing the same thing with him by not telling him how I feel.

  My mom not stopping me from leaving said a lot. We’re alike and she’s just as determined as I am when it comes to what we want. She also knows I’m in love with Marco and she was playing me with her innocent act while cooking. It makes me wonder if she knows who Marco is since everyone else seems to.

  I don’t make it to the front of my building before I see Jason standing there with his arms folded over his chest. It’s clear he’s ready to have it out with me.

  “I’m not doing it,” I tell him when he sees me. I put one hand up as I get closer to him and I’m thankful I never gave any of my brothers a key to my place. This is why. They make themselves right at home and if he wasn’t out here, he’d be pacing in my apartment.