BE MY GIRL

CHAPTER 3:

MORNING AFTER

Tori woke with her head throbbing.

But what pulled her attention more was the dull ache deep inside her when she shifted slightly.

Her eyes flew open.

And she immediately turned to the side, only to freeze when she saw the man sleeping next to her.

It was Taj.

‘Oh, God...'

Slowly, she sat up and pulled the blanket up to her chest, covering her bare body. Her brain hadn’t fully processed everything yet, but she knew exactly what happened.

She wasn’t born yesterday.

Tori looked around and winced. This wasn’t a familiar room. When she glanced out the window, she saw that it was still dark outside. The green curtain was pulled to the side, so she could see clearly.

She pressed her palms to her face and curled in on herself.

The ache between her thighs flared again and she grimaced.

“What have I done?” she whispered to herself, picking at her thumbnail.

How did she and Taj even end up like this?

The last thing she remembered: they stopped at a store after riding around on his motorcycle. They bought drinks and agreed to hang out at his place instead of her ancestral house. His grandfather was already asleep. Taj told her he was the one who raised him and his only sister.

They watched a movie and drank beer.

Then they talked about everything.

And then…

She winced as the memories came back in full.

Shit. She was the one who kissed him first!

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Taj was already awake, watching her with a small smile.

She jumped when an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling the blanket down and exposing her bare chest.

“Good morning,” Taj said, voice rough and sleepy, as he pulled her back down with the arm around her waist.

The moment she fell back against him, he rolled on top of her before she could say anything.

“Hello, my Infinite Star,” he murmured, both hands braced beside her head. His voice was still thick with sleep.

“G—Good morning…” Tori answered, face burning.

She honestly didn’t know how to react. Everything happened so fast but deep down, she didn’t regret any of it. “S—Stop it,” she breathed when she realized he was staring at her chest. The blanket had slipped down to her stomach when he pulled her down.

“What if I don’t?” Taj asked, voice low, eyes locked on hers like a challenge.

Tori froze — especially when she felt him stirring against her. She swallowed hard. Her throat felt dry. And then, on instinct, she wet her lips with her tongue.

And that was a mistake.

“That's it,” Taj muttered, losing patience.

Without warning, he dipped his head and claimed her mouth in a punishing, desperate kiss.

“You’re mine, Tori,” he whispered between kisses.

Tori didn’t answer. She was too busy kissing him back — rough, hungry kisses full of longing.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched when his lips trailed down to her neck.

He teased the spot with his tongue before moving to the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“T—Taj…” she whispered his name as his hands roamed boldly over her body.

She didn’t know what made her shiver more — the way he nipped at her ear, or the way his fingers played between her thighs.

“Hmm?” Taj hummed, like he was asking why she called him.

“P—Please…” she begged, voice shaking.

Oh God, she wanted him so badly.

Taj paused kissing her, but his fingers didn’t stop. They kept teasing her slowly, deliberately.

“Say it,” he ordered, jaw tight. “And look at me, love.”

Tori opened her eyes and met his gaze. Her hips lifted in silent pleading before she finally snapped,

“I want you, damn it!”

Taj laughed softly at the frustration in her eyes.

“Say it again, love…”

Tori scowled and shoved at his shoulder, trying to push him away. But she stopped the second she felt him slide into her.

Her eyes widened and she gasped, feeling him move slowly above her.

“Be my girl, love,” Taj said between slow, deep thrusts.

Tori couldn’t answer. She could barely breathe.

The sensations were too much. She could barely think straight. But she managed to nod, over and over, without hesitation.

And with that, Taj drove into her harder, deeper.

“Oh, gosh!” Tori cried out when she felt his hot mouth on her chest.

Taj's tongue circled her while his hips kept moving in a relentless rhythm. Her nails dug into his back as the tension coiled tighter and tighter inside her.

She wanted more.

“Taj… Taj…” she chanted his name like a prayer.

Taj lifted his head and kissed her again, soft but claiming.

Tori held him tighter, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Oh, Tori…” he groaned, then gave four final, hard thrusts.

They both cried out as they came, waves crashing through them almost at the same time.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

They just stayed tangled together, catching their breath.

When he finally recovered, Taj rolled off her slowly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

They stared at each other for a second before smiling, soft and real.

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“Now, go back to sleep,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

---

*LATER THAT WEEK*

Tori peeked around the back of their ancestral house, where a small mango tree stood. It had been a week since she and Taj got together. They were supposed to meet today. But she couldn’t go out the front gate — her uncle was sitting on the terrace so she had to use the back door.

Her eyes darted around. When she was sure no one was watching, she climbed the mango tree. She wasn’t good at climbing trees, but she had no choice. Taj was waiting.

They’d talked on the phone earlier. She told him to wait at the back of the house. He thought it was weird, but he agreed anyway. He usually picked her up and came inside, even though her uncle clearly didn’t like him. This was the first time she told him to wait outside. He’d probably ask her about it later.

Once she was up, she crawled across a branch that hung over the wall. They gripped another branch tightly as she inched forward. When she accidentally looked down, she grimaced.

What love makes you do...

Never in her life did she imagine herself climbing a mango tree like a monkey just to sneak out and see her boyfriend.

But she loved Taj. Whether it was love at first sight or a whirlwind romance, she didn’t care. All she knew was that she loved him, and she’d fight her mom for him if she had to. And she’d just realized something: love isn’t about how long you’ve known someone.

When it hits you, it hits you.

She sighed in relief when she made it to the top of the wall safely. Carefully, she stood on it and looked down at the road. And immediately smiled when she saw Taj leaning against his motorcycle.

She took in the sight of him and instantly forgot the pain of climbing the tree. God, her man was so handsome.

He wore black jeans with holes at the knees and a white semi-fitted V-neck that fit him perfectly. He had a black bonnet on, which somehow made him look arrogant and sexy at the same time.

Like who wouldn’t fall for her man?

Tori whistled softly to get his attention. He was playing with his keychain.

“Psst! Love, over here,” she called, waving with one hand while gripping the branch with the other.

Taj looked up, startled. He froze for a second when he saw her on top of the wall. Because come on, she was Tori Herrera. Seeing her like that was insane and kind of amazing.

“Hey, love!” she called again when he didn’t move.

“Jesus Christ, love!” Taj exclaimed, snapping out of it.

“What are you doing up there?” he asked, alarmed, as he jogged across the street to the wall.

“Sneaking?” Tori answered hesitantly.

Taj stared. “And why are you sneaking?”

“Because—” Tori started, then stopped. She’d explain later.

“Just help me down first.”

“Just jump,” Taj told her. Tori’s eyes widened.

“I’ll catch you, love. Don’t worry,” he added when he saw her hesitate.

Trusting him, Tori closed her eyes and let go.

Taj was ready. The moment she fell into his arms, he didn’t put her down right away.

“Are you okay?” he asked, worried.

Tori slowly opened her eyes. When she saw he was carrying her, a sweet smile spread across her face.

She hooked an arm around his neck and quickly pressed a light kiss to his lips.

“Yep! Now put me down…”

Carefully, Taj set her down and spun her around once.

“Let’s go, love, before—”

Tori stopped when she noticed what he was doing.

“What are you doing?” Tori asked, confused.

“I’m checking if you have any bruises,” Taj said, still inspecting her. He even lifted her arm to check her elbow.

Tori paused, then smiled.

God, she wanted to melt from how sweet he was.

“Nothing, love,” she said. Then she held up both hands, showing her red palms. “But my hands sting,” she added with a pout.