Let Me Love You {on your knees} book 1

Chapter # 10

I had never lied to my boss in my whole entire time working at Starbucks, until now. I didn't like thinking it but I blamed it on Andy.

Andy made me do and feel a lot of things that I had never before in my life.

We were now in his car, heading who knows where. He had put on his sunglasses and his arm was hanging out of the open window while he smoked a cig. A few times he would take his hand off the wheel just so he could push his hair off of his forehead.

It was hard to keep my eyes off of him and I kept wondering if he noticed me watching him. If he did, he wasn't saying anything about it.

"So.... Where are we going?" I couldn't help but ask. He finally looked over at me through his dark glasses and grinned. "You'll see..."

ANDY'S P.O.V-

Bella looked nervous like always around me, when I didn't give her a solid answer to her question. I hated to admit it but I loved when she looked so nervous. I love how I made her feel so nervous... I couldn't wait to strip her down and see her reaction to my eyes on her naked body.

I had been thinking about it from the first moment I'd 'met' her.

I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to do this little dance with Bella but I did want to know her. I wanted to know who she was and who she wanted to be... What she wanted to be.

When we finally reached our destination her eyes widened. "Venice beach!?" She looked extremely shocked and I wasn't quite sure why.

"Problem?" I asked her.

She turned to me and pointed inwards at what she was wearing. "I'm going to die... Remember how hot it is?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her. "Come on, we'll fix that problem ok?"

She looked hesitant and obviously confused. I got out of the car and walked around to open her door. "Come on darling." I held out my hand to her and she took it. I pulled her out and against me. Her eyes grew wide and I let her go immediately. "We're gonna have fun today."

BELLAS P.O.V-

His body felt hot against my chest and it shocked me that he had pulled me so close. Everytime he touched me it shocked me. I don't know why. Maybe I was still unsure of why he was taking the time to get to know me. Me of all people. Plain nobody me. Maybe I was still weirded out by the fact that I had made him jealous, him and his big hot.... My brain lingered on the word hot. Hot rock star seIf. I just didn't understand it.

I followed him down the boardwalk and it looked like he was looking for something. I could already feel the heat beating me down and I got a few weird stares, probably because of what I was wearing.

Finally we stopped in front of a shop. It looked a bit expensive from what I could see from the outside, through the windows. I could also see that there was swim wear inside. Oh no.... Oh no, oh no, oh no....

"I'm going to buy you something cooler." He walked in and I cautiously followed behind. He immediately began to browse. And then he stopped by a section in the back, pulling something off the rack.

He turned around, holding up a bikini. It was tie dye and pretty... But... Tiny. "This. Perfect. It will look great on you."

I walked over to him cautiously and grabbed it from him. "I'll try it on first ok?" Andy grinned at me. I didn't even want to look around I wanted to get this over with. I was freaking out thinking about being in a bikini in front of Andy.

Before I went into a dressing room I frantically looked around the store, spotting some of those scarf like things with little dangly looking beads that you tied around your waist over your bottom. I would need that. I ran over, grabbed it and flew into the open room.

Just before I could shut the door, Andy put his hand in the way. I looked up at him unsure of his intentions. "Do you want to come in or something?" I asked sarcastically and then laughed.

"No..." He paused, like he was thinking. "But, show me how it looks when you try it on?" Bold much? Yeah... Show him and fall over dead. Just kidding! I couldn't be such a wuss. I mean if I actually got it, he would be seeing me in it all day. I nodded and then he let me shut the door.

I examined the suit and gasped looking at the cup size. How the hell did he know I was a 32C. Could he guess just by looking... Well I guess he could. I wasn't surprised. How many breasts he had probably.... STOP BELLA. I didn't let myself go on. Don't go there....

I slowly undressed and then put on the bottoms first. They tied at the sides with little colorful beads too. And then the top which was extremely revealing. I had never worn a bikini like this in my life. I spun several times in the mirror and examined my back side too.

I quickly picked up the blue scarf like thing with little beads and tied it around my waist. I stretched it as far as it could go down my butt. It covered it completely but would rise when I walked.... Damn....

Sudden knocking on the door disrupted me from my thought process. I was criticizing the way I looked of course.

"So, how does it look?" Andy asked, sweetly.

I swallowed down the lump that formed in my throat. "F-fine.."

ANDY'S P.O.V-

Her voice shook. And I wanted to be patient with her but I knew the other side of me that I was trying to contain was gonna rear its ugly head sooner or later. I needed to feed it just a little bit....

"Let me see." I spoke calmly and then I heard the door unlock. My heart jumped in my chest and then the door slowly opened.

A heat wave washed over my whole body as I caught sight of her. The suit I had picked out for her hugged her body in all the right places. It didn't leave much to the imagination. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, uncontrollably. She watched me do it too and then her eyes met mine. "You look beautiful, my God."

Her face flushed. "Th-thank you Andy..." She trailed off. I wanted to push her back in, lock the door, spread her legs, inch aside the suit and.....

"You ok?" I hadn't noticed that I was staring off into the distance behind her. "Yeah.. Yeah I'm good. Rip off the tag and you can leave in that." She did and walked out to stand beside me. "What about shoes? I can't wear my sneakers. I wish you would have told me we were going to the beach and let me go home to get some things.."

I laughed at her. "That would have ruined the surprise... I'll get you flip flops Bella. And I better get you a dress for the restaurant I'm taking you too. If it's not sheer you can just slip it over that, let's pick something out."

"I don't want you to spend money on me.."

She surprised me saying that. "Don't girls like shopping and new things? What's wrong with you?"

She grabbed the price tag for the bathing suit out of hand. "I make my own money, I have my bank card in my back pants pocket. There's nothing wrong with m-"

I watched her eyes grow wide as she read the price tag. "129.99!?!?" Her loud voice caught the attention of quite a few people in the store. "Yes Bella. This is Venice Beach. Look around at the people in this store." She did and then her shoulders slumped.

"I don't want it anymore. There's gotta be another shop...." She went to make a u-turn back to the dressing room and I put my arm out to stop her. My hand landed on her shoulder and my arm across her chest. I felt it rise and fall rather quickly and I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering. She stood ever so still and kept her eyes straight ahead.

"Bella, I'm getting you the suit and some shoes... And a dress. Don't ruin my fun. Don't ruin my surprise." My voice sounded authorized to me and I was hoping that it wouldn't push her away. I had a habit of taking control with women. They usually liked it. But Bella was stubborn, I had a feeling she'd try to fight back.

"Dammit Andrew." She lowered her voice and it sounded almost like a growl. She was so back and forth and up and down with me. It was like a roller coaster ride. It made me like her even more. She was slowly coming out of her shell I could tell.

"Stop being so stubborn Isabella." She looked me in the eyes and it made my heart flutter. "Ffffff-INE." She kept a straight face until I stuck my tongue out at her and she laughed.

After she picked out some flip flops and a pink vintage looking dress that I refused to let her see the price tag, we paid for them and left.

She slipped on the dress outside of the store and then we headed off to one of my favorite places.

BELLAS P.O.V-

It only took a couple minute walk to get to a little ocean side restaurant. It was adorable. It reminded me of a little fairy cottage with a deck. Having lived in LA my whole life I had never been here and I had been many places in Cali. It was a past time of Ellies and mine to try out new places to eat. We had been doing it once a week since the beginning of high school.

"Wow, this place is so cute!" Andy smiled at me. "Yeah, Juli-" he stopped abruptly before continuing. It gave me a weird gut feeling. "What?" I asked but I was highly doubtful he'd go on.

"Just someone that I used to know. I used to come here with them all the time. I've been coming here for years" I nodded, not wanting to know anymore because I knew where it would go.

"Nice! I'm excited to be here with you. Thanks for bringing me!" I kept my mood positive and upbeat. Although I did want to get to know him, I didn't want to dig too deeply into his past. Referring back to that article Ellie and I had read a bit ago about him going through a breakup and then going off the rails.... I wonder if this certain person broke his heart and that's why he had become what he had.

And I wasn't trying to make him out to be something he wasn't. I'm sure deep down he really wasn't wanting to be the way he was being portrayed... Blahhh that sounded confusing. Maybe he just had wounds that hadn't healed yet and the way he was, was his way of dealing with those wounds.

He was being so nice to me. After admitting that he had bad intentions, I never thought we would have ended up here. I bet he probably didn't either.

"I'm glad you're glad. Come on, you're gonna love the inside even more." He put his arm around my shoulders and we walked inside.

ANDY'S P.O.V-

I was just about to bring up an old relationship I hadn't talked about in years. I hadn't even said her name in years and I could tell that Bella knew what exactly was happening.

I had come to this restaurant plenty of times since my breakup and never once have I thought of her and now all of a sudden I'm with Bella and I almost mention her name. What the hell is wrong with me?

As soon as we walked in Bellas eyes grew huge. "Oh my goodness it's so cozy! There's lanterns in the center of each table!? How rad is that!?" Her face was lit up with excitement. It gave me a fluttery feeling in my stomach. I knew she would love this place.

Along the windows there were moss covered rocks and each table was uniquely carved from wood. It was like something from a fairy tale. I often came here to think and to write. Mostly alone. I had never taken any other girl here before other than my ex a long time ago. No one ever recognized me here except for the owner and some of the employees.

After we were seated and got our menus, Bella immediately opened hers. "I'm freaking starving! I didn't have time to eat breakfast today. That muffin was all I had."

I gave her a displeased look. "Yeah, I bet. If only you would have called me for a ride...." I teased.

She looked at me over her menu with a raised eyebrow. "Ohhhhhhhhh shush you..."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her. "Well... I'm kind of glad you didn't now. Because if you would have, we probably wouldn't be here right now. You would be working." She gave me a little crooked grin and again my heart started to act crazy. Dammit. I couldn't stop it. How could I be developing feelings for someone I just met. I felt so helpless to stop it.

"Yeah, you're right. I would be working right now. But I'm glad I'm not...... I'm glad I'm here with you now."

BELLAS P.O.V-

Andys face actually turned bright red and he chuckled nervously. I couldn't believe it. It made my whole body tingle. Had I made him nervous?

"I'm glad I'm here with you too Bella." He said in a hushed voice. I watched him run his hand through his hair and take a sip of the water the waitress had left on our table.

We both grew quiet as we skimmed our menus.

"Could I get away with an alcoholic beverage here?" Their drinks looked amazing and there was a watermelon one I just needed to try.

He gave me a hesitant look and I sighed. "I'm not going to get wasted and try to make you jealous again, you don't have to worry..."

"Ok. You better not. Or else." He started laughing. Which made me feel much better. I almost thought he was going to say no....

He ended up getting a few drinks and I had a few too with our food. But we sat there talking and laughing for quite awhile. No one bothered us or said anything about us just sitting there for what I was pretty sure was hours.

He told me a lot of stories about touring and what he went through when he first moved to LA. Sleeping in his car and how he got the band together. Listening to him talk made me realize how intellectual and intelligent he was. The way he formed sentences and the words he used. I was blown away by him. Fascinated. Every moment that passed, I felt myself begin to like him even more. It was an amazing feeling. Being so fond of someone. But it was also frightening.

He had years on me. He was so successful. Had so many dreams and goals. Such a busy and hectic life. I didn't want to fall for him. I didn't want to let this go on any further. Yes, we could be friends but it would never be anymore than that. I couldn't let there be. It would never ever work.

Not that he was even looking at me like I was looking at him. Sure I had made him jealous, but he was a man. Perusing me first and then someone got in his way. Of course he got jealous and acted the way that he had.

I was 18. Fresh outta high school. With no absolute plans for my future. Living at home with my mother. Still unable to drive.... I felt tears forming behind my eyelids and I rubbed both of them to force them in.

Andy was still in mid sentence and he stopped abruptly. "Something wrong?"

I shook my head quickly and smiled up at him, worried that my eyes would give me away. "I have bad allergies. Something must be irritating my eyes. No biggie, it's not too bad. Just a little itchy."

He didn't speak for a second and it looked like he was contemplating my answer. Thinking it over in his head. Unsure if he believed me or not. "Yeah allergies can be a bitch." He said with a grin and then continued on with talking about BVBs fall tour.

A feeling of relief washed over me and I was thankful that he didn't push the issue.

And then he stopped talking about himself and turned the tables. "So, Isabella, tell me about yourself some more. I still feel like I barely know you. And I know you know more about me than what I've told you here. Because of Ellie and all..."

The waitress came again just then to ask if we needed any refills. I picked out another exotic fruity sounding beverage and Andy passed. As soon as she left with our empty glasses Andy pressed on. "So?"

I shrugged my shoulders at him. "So... What do you want to know?"

"How long ago was your last relationship?"

Wow. Straight to the hard questions huh? He really was bold and I was definitely not expecting that question.

"What relationship? Hahahahahah....." I laughed nervously. It was so incredibly obvious that I was embarrassed having to answer that.

ANDY'S P.O.V-

Oh my God, really? Had she never even been in a relationship in her life? She was so freaking gorgeous. And funny. And sweet and kind... And sassy. Who wouldn't want to get to know her? Or be with her....

"You've never been in a relationship before!?"

Her brow furrowed a bit like she was troubled by my reaction to her answer. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with that... But I'm just curious as to why? I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable..."

Just then the waitress came back with her drink and she took a huge sip.

"I don't know. I've just been too busy with school and friends... And work and concerts... Well.... I guess I always had Ellie as an example of what not to do."

This intrigued me. Ellie seemed to greatly influence her life and her behavior. In the opposite. She may have been Bella's best friend but they were nothing alike.

"What do you mean had Ellie as an example of what not to do?"

Again Bella took another sip of her drink.

"Well she's always been promiscuous. Going from one guy to the next. And she'd get attached. And I never wanted that. It would tear her apart again and again when the guy would either lose interest or cheat... She's had some really bad luck with guys."

Well... Things were starting to make a lot more sense now... "I see." Was all I could seem to muster out. My mind was racing. What do I do? What do I do now?

"Yeah it's ok if that pushes you away. I wouldn't blame you." She suddenly said. I was completely NOT expecting that and I immediately wanted to know why she had said that.

"W-what?"

Her eyes almost looked like they were watering. Was she going to cry!?

"I know I'm not your type. Your long standing type anyway. I get it, I'd always be a one time thing. I shouldn't have come here."

I watched her stand up, stunned. And I wasn't quite sure what was happening because it was happening so quickly. I was confused. I thought everything was going well. I thought we were having a good time laughing and talking. Where was her thought process coming from? What was she thinking?

She picked up the bag of her work clothes and headed for the door. I stood up quickly, following after her. "Bella! Wait! What are you doing!? Where are you going!?"

She didn't look back at me but she answered. "I'm leaving Andy, I'm going home."

BELLAS P.O.V-

I couldn't handle it anymore. Alcohol brought out all the hidden emotions in me. All the ones I tried so hard to suppress. Why had I done that to myself. Why did I have to drink again.

All Andy had said to my answer was, 'I see.' Because he didn't know what else to say. Because he didn't have anything else to say. Because.... He was going to do what almost every guy had done to Ellie to me. This little thing was just a charade.

Dammit. This is why I didn't ever let myself fall for anyone... And how completely ironic I would fall so hard for Ellies obsession.

I couldn't let this continue. I was too weak to be friends with someone like him. I was too shallow and I knew deep down I would always want it to go further. I was ridiculous and immature and not ready for something like this. He was just way too good for me.

As soon as I exited the restaurant and started to head down the boardwalk a hand caught hold of my wrist tightly, almost painfully and I was jerked around to face a fuming Andy.