He Makes Me Weak

Chapter 1

Sophie

It's not like I wanted to move here. I was perfectly fine with living in California where my job and all of my friends were, but when your dad requests that you move back in with him to help him through a bad spot, you just do it. You and your brother both. Even when you're 25. Because for some reason my mom has flipped her lid and has hit her mid-life crisis earlier than her mid-life and wrecked everyone's life around hers, but her own. My brother doesn't care as much as I do because he's dads pride and joy what with playing football and all that and dad doesn't depend on him for emotional support like he does me. Plus, he only has a couple months left before he leaves to go play ball and leave this foreign town behind. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against small towns but as for me and my social skills, they are my worst nightmare. It was hard for me to find people that I actually clicked with in Cali. I can't imagine how hard and long it's going to be for me to find that here.

I turn around and look at our new home. It's nice. I knew dad wouldn't buy a shack, but it sure as hell wasn't this swanky when I pictured it. I walk up and lean my head back to stare at the balcony that covers the front of the house. Hopefully it's connected to my room. I need a place where I can sit and do my reading and writing.

Just as I'm about to open the door and walk into the new house I hear a loud roar and quickly turn around to see what the culprit is.

Riding by on an illegal looking, pitch black, machine between his legs, is this mammoth of a man that I swear could rival a big ass bear...and win. He looks over at me and even from where I'm standing I can see a smirk on his sexy manly face. I stupidly stick my hand up and wave at him until I realize what I'm doing and rip my hand from the air and turn around to walk into the house. What the hell, Sophie?! What's wrong with you? You don't know how old he is! He could be a murderer or a thug for all you know and you're just waving at him!

I push a huge breath out of my body and try to laugh off my slip for the day and walk into the house. It's stunning. Dad did a great job picking it out in all honesty. I could get used to living here. He doesn't really need me ribbing him and bitching about moving here anyway, I guess his wife leaving him for a guy my age was enough of a kick to the balls to him for a while.

I wheel my biggest bag into the foyer and continue looking around at the sheer beauty of the house. I'm just about to walk upstairs to scope out my room when I hear someone clear their throat at the front door and I scream as loud as I can as I realize I left the door wide ass open until I turn around and see it's the guy from outside. I clap my mouth shut and take him in. He's full out smiling right now and it's nothing to be ashamed of on his part. His teeth are perfectly white and straight and his smile is, I'm absolutely positive, a panty dropper on most women. Lord I need some air, cause this house is stuffy all of a sudden. I walk closer until I'm fully in view and I can see him do a quick scan of my body.

"Hey. Sorry to scare you. I just wanted to come and introduce myself since it looks like you'll be living in my neighborhood. Plus, waves aren't usually what I get when I pass by on my bike. It's usually the middle finger." He releases an easy laugh when I continue standing there gawking at him. "Yeah, so I'm Damian. It's nice to meet you..." he sticks his hand out towards me a bit warily as if he really doesn't want to and it takes me a second but I get myself together quickly and grab his hand and shake the hell out of it all while trying not to let him see how embarrassed I am. "Sophie. It's nice to meet you too Damian. Welcome to the neighborhood."

I really shouldn't be allowed to talk. To anyone. Ever. Why on this earth does one of the most beautiful creatures have to be standing here while I make the biggest fool out of myself?

He runs his fingers through his hair as he laughs at my huge screw up and I almost choke on my own saliva. I'm so screwed. "Isn't that supposed to be my line, to you?" He's laughing at me in his mind too. I can see it in his dreamy blue eyes. Damn it.

I look around to try and find something to get my mind out of the gutter, anywhere but at him. I laugh so uneasily it makes my skin crawl and I want to hide under a rock and never come out. I'm just about to open my mouth and probably make a bigger ass of myself, but my brother comes through the door with a huge smile on his face obviously looking for me as his eyes scan until they find me, and then they turn into tiny slits.

Aw hell. Here comes big brother to further pound my already deflated ego into the ground. Why couldn't you have just ridden on by without stopping, Damian? I wouldn't have felt like such an idiot this early in the day. It usually happens much later in the day.

I clear my throat before I speak to make sure I don't choke. "Elijah, this is our neighbor Damian. He was just coming by to introduce his self and I was embarrassing myself, as usual." He looks at me with his eyes widening and cracks the smile I've come to love throughout my childhood. He's so understanding and the pity that always crosses his face when he knows I'm so awkward knocks me in my gut every time. He's such a natural with people. He walks toward Damian and extends his hand. Damian looks at his hand and I see him visibly tense up. Elijah must notice it too because he drops his hand. I find that odd considering he offered his hand to me, even though he clearly didn't want to.

"Hey man, I'm Elijah, nice to meet you." All the awkwardness is gone when Damian smirks towards me and looks back at my brother. "Are you going to welcome me to the neighborhood too?" I look at my brother and his eyes grow as wide as they can possibly go. "Sophie... Tell me you didn't!" I drop my face in my hands as both he and Damian laugh together at my screw up.

"I think I've had enough embarrassment for the day. It was nice meeting you Damian. I'm sure I'll see you around or something." I grab my bag with as much pride as I have and start climbing the stairs. As I reach the top I hear Elijah call my name and look back down at them. "Dad said he wouldn't be able to get here tonight but he'd be here as soon as he could. Last minute meetings and stuff. You know how it goes." I just nod my head and refuse to look at Damian even though I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face. I'm suddenly stopped by the sound of his voice. "Welcome to the neighborhood Sophie. I'm positive I'll see you around sometime." The smile in his voice has me blushing like a little school girl and scurrying to get out of view. Damn him.