The men took turns doing his own fire dance to the strong rhythmic pounding of the drums. The flames seem to kiss their skin as they threw flaming batons into the air and caught them behind their back and even with their feet. It seemed each dancer had to one-up the next. The entire display was breathtaking.
"I meant to give this to you earlier, but I got distracted." Xander pulled a small square box wrapped in glossy black paper with a small red ribbon from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table to me. "Open it. I was hoping you'd wear it tonight."
I took the ribbon off and slid my finger under the tape of the glossy wrapping paper. When I lifted the lid of the wrapped box, it revealed a navy suede box inside. I lifted the hinged top and gasped when I saw a platinum necklace with a single large, round sapphire surrounded by a halo of tiny diamonds.
"It’s beautiful, but I can't accept this."
"Yes you can, and you will. You don't have a choice. Let me put it on you."
He removed the necklace from the box and fastened it around my neck. His hands then slid onto my shoulders. Electricity ran up my spine from his strong hands on my bare skin. My mind went back to the break room at the art gallery, causing a warm feeling to course through my body. I wanted him badly.
As if he sensed his power over me, he kissed my neck, just over the thin chain of the necklace. I let out a long sigh of pleasure from that simple gesture of his, which awakened every pore on my body.
The rest of the meal was a blur. I spent most of it lost in his ice-blue eyes as we talked about anything that came to mind. After dessert, we could hear jazz music coming from one of the hotel lounges, and he took my hand and we danced in the light of the twinkle lights and tiki torches.
It was the end of a perfect day, but I wasn't ready for it, I needed more. I was intoxicated by the combination of his spicy musk and his muscular body pressed against me as we swayed to the music. Although it wasn't like me, I was prepared to make the first move. I couldn't control myself around him.
I lifted my head to kiss him, and our lips met as his head came down. His hands immediately went up to my face and into my hair. My legs felt like jelly and I was sure I was floating. His lips moved between and over mine as hungrily as I kissed him.
"Do you want to go back to the room?" His voice was gruff yet soft.
I couldn't speak. My breathing was shallow with excitement and longing. I nodded, and he grabbed my hand and we ran back down the long walkway and to the elevator.
Once alone in the elevator, he bit my earlobe softly then moved his lips slowly down my neck to my collarbone. I unknotted his tie then began unbuttoning his shirt. His chest was sculpted as perfectly as I imagined when I felt it pressed against me. I was about to slide my hands over his pecs when the elevator slowed and the doors opened.
Xander scooped me up into his arms, his long gait making easy work of the long hallway. He opened the door of the villa, and I was shocked to see candles and flowers throughout the living room. He was about to set me down, but I didn't want that.
"No, your bedroom. Go!"
He laughed, hearing me order him around, and carried me into his bedroom before placing me on the king size bed. I pushed open his shirt, and he quickly removed his jacket and shirt.
Finally sliding my hands over his chiseled torso, I let my fingers trace each muscle of his abs before I unbuckled his belt and opened his pants. I wanted to touch him so badly! He stepped out of his pants and I reached for the bulge in his charcoal grey boxer shorts, but he stepped back.
"No, I get what I want, remember?"
The simple sound of his voice was enough to get me more excited. He ran his hand over my hair, held the back of my head, and kissed me. First his lips lingered on mine then they pushed my lips open as his tongue slid against my tongue.
I ran my hands over his beard and through his shaggy hair before they continued down to his shoulders and arms, enjoying the strong feel of his muscles under my fingertips. His lips left mine as he kissed my chin, then the soft spot at the front of my neck where my collarbone met.
His hands traveled roughly over the dress, squeezing my heavy breasts together as he kissed my cleavage. He sat up and gazed at me for a moment before getting off the bed. Taking my foot, he slipped off my sandals then kissed my instep. I giggled uncontrollably.
"Stop! That tickles!"
He laughed then kissed my ankle and my shin as his hands slid up my legs and under the dress. When his hands reached my panties, he curled his fingers around the silky material at my hips and yanked them down and off me. He had me so turned on, I knew my panties were wet.
His lips worked their way up my leg and once he reached my thighs, he pushed them apart and I was suddenly aware of how bare I was underneath my dress without my panties, and it turned me on even more.
As he slid the dress up further, his lips covered the soft sensitive skin of my inner thighs. His hand slid across my trimmed mound, making my breaths come even faster. He nipped the uppermost part of my thigh and I jumped, then he slowly sucked the spot, making the sensation even more intense.
His lips inched up further and as I resigned myself to the torture of anticipation, he slid his tongue between my lower lips and over my clit. Instinctively, my fingers ran through his hair. Using the flat part of his tongue, he teased me with long slow licks, followed by flicks with the tip of his tongue.
Clutching the pillow my head rested on, I moaned and spread my legs further. No longer was I self conscious of my size, my only thought was the things this sexy man was doing to me and how I wanted more.
He twirled his tongue in small circles as my hips slowly rocked. The pressure was building quickly inside of me and a tingling sensation traveled up my spine. The pulsing between my legs turned into a throb. I wanted more than just his tongue and couldn't believe the thought even entered my head.
He slipped a finger around the outside of my entrance before sliding it inside of me. I couldn't take it much longer, and somehow he knew.
As I let out another moan, his tongue worked its magical circles over my clit and his finger moved quicker as it thrust into me. He pressed his lips around my swollen clit and sucked as I arched my back just a bit and the tingling reached my neck. The pressure within me released and I cried out.
Drawing in a quick breath, I squeezed the pillow tight between my hands as my orgasm overtook me. I writhed while he continued rubbing my clit with his tongue until I was exhausted as I tried to catch my breath, and he moved up beside me.
I reached for his face and kissed him deeply as he wrapped his arms around me. Slowly, I moved my hand down over his tight body to his underwear. I easily slipped my hand into the elastic waistband and over his large member but was stopped by his hand over mine.
"You have no idea how much I want to make love to you, but we can't," he whispered into my ear.
"Why not?"
"Because I want to explore every inch of your body. I don't want to be rushed. I want to take my time and for us both to enjoy every second of it."
He kissed me, and it took all my willpower to not jump on top of him.
"We've got plenty of time though. You said you're not working tomorrow."
"Unfortunately, our plans have changed. We have to head home in the morning."
I sighed as I laid my head down on his chest. He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me tight against him, reminding me of the contrast between his muscular body and my soft one. Through the cracks of the window shades, I could see the sun begin to rise. This was the first sunrise I wish didn't come at all.
Chapter Eighteen
Xander
Being back from Hawaii meant it was time to move back into the house. While I looked forward to being that close to Ashley, I knew it wasn't a good idea. Things got out of hand in Hawaii. I should've known better than to bring her, but I couldn't help myself. She brought out feelings I never thought I'd feel again. She deserved to have a special day, but I didn't plan for it t
o end the way it did.
I thought about her soft skin and her luscious curves. The way she always smelled like vanilla even though she didn't wear perfume. I felt myself falling for her but I had to stop, especially if I was moving into that house.
Ashley wasn't the reason I hadn't moved back in yet. Setting the house up, hiring staff, all those things amounted to the fact that I wasn't ready to be in the house. The closest I'd come to moving in was living in the cottage by the stables.
Walking towards the door, I grabbed my suit jacket from the hanger which hung on a wall hook. The cottage was only three rooms, but it was all I needed. On the outside, I played the role I needed to play--the billionaire--but inside I knew what was really important.
The cottage had handcrafted wood mission-style furniture. A small couch faced the fireplace, which was the only source of heat. The home was so small, it didn't need much more. Beyond the couch was the kitchen with a small dinette table. The only doorway led to the bedroom and bath.
The entire cottage was smaller than the master bedroom at Jefferson Manor. I grimaced when I thought about that room. It hadn't been touched. Everything was still in place as it had been three years ago when I moved to downtown Canyon Cove. Maybe it was time to face it and the demons that existed in there, but I wasn't ready.
Too much pain existed in that room. Too many memories. I began to think that having the entire room redone might be a good idea. Get a fresh start. I wondered what Ashley could do to that room.
The vibration of the phone in my pocket yanked me out of my reverie. I let out a long sigh when I read the caller ID.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning? That's it? You've been home from Hawaii for two days and don't think of calling your mother? Who raised you?!"
"Actually, the nanny did, Mother."
"Ha! The nanny. That Miss Amy," she scoffed. "Who taught you how to read? I didn't have to do that, you know."
"No you didn't, Mother. You could've let Miss Amy teach me, but you wanted someone to read to you. How many nights did I have to stay up or miss school to read to you while you soaked in your tub?"
"You've always been ungrateful. You're only talking to me like this because of that floozy you hired. I've seen it all before, you know. Heard you took this one to Hawaii. Shame you had to rush back, but you didn't even check on me! I was in the hospital with a stroke!"
"She's not a floozy. I don't know what you're talking about. Yes, she came to Hawaii with me. She's my assistant, and I was speaking at a conference. And as for your stroke, I went to the hospital as soon as I got back. They told me you were fine and had been discharged within an hour, which is what you told me on the phone. Nothing's wrong with you. That shouldn't have surprised me."
"Well, you've had other assistants and have never taken them to Hawaii. Do I need to meet this one?"
"This is different--"
"Oh really?" she interrupted. "I seem to remember another one of these assistants of yours that you took to Hawaii. How do you think she would feel about it? Did you think about that? How would Darcy feel about you taking someone to Hawaii?"
I seethed with anger. My mother knew all the buttons to press. She always did things like this whenever she felt she wasn't getting enough attention.
"Mother! Don't go there. Don't you dare talk about Darcy. You didn't even like her."
"It would break her heart if she knew. You know that. I didn't raise you like that."
"You didn't raise me, remember?"
I hung up the phone and punched the wall. I couldn't speak to her anymore. I didn't want to hear it, but she was right. How could I do this to Darcy? If she knew, she'd be crushed. Hawaii was our place.
I dialed a number as I walked to my car.
"This is Xander Boone. I need a bouquet of two dozen red roses with Hawaiian orchids. Deliver it to the usual address. Yes, 2674 Wordsworth Drive. Thank you."
Chapter Nineteen
Ashley
While I loved my new life at Jefferson Manor, I missed Hawaii. The day Xander planned for me was the most incredible day of my life. It was something I would never forget. I hoped we would spend more time together during the rest of the trip, but it simply wasn't meant to be.
We had been back two days and I hadn't seen or heard from him. I knew something important happened that he needed to come back for, but I ached not knowing what was going on. It made me wonder if that night we had in Hawaii was a mistake.
I wandered down the hall of the second floor as I tried to find something to get my mind off of him and ended up in front of the double doors of the master bedroom. Xander planned to move in soon, and I didn't even know what the condition of that room was. Tara told me to stay out, and I did.
It was clear that the nights Xander spent at The Manor, he stayed in the cottage. I realized it was his car I heard coming and going and that I had seen him leave in the mornings since the cottage was visible from the study. I wondered why he didn't sleep in the master bedroom.
Curiosity got the better of me. I paced the floor in front of the double doors at the end of the hall. No one was around. The staff was busy downstairs. I put my hand on the doorknob and turned it. It was unlocked.
As I entered the master bedroom, I saw a completely decorated room. Nothing was covered. It still looked lived in. The antique furniture matched the rest of the house and was adorned with ice-blue accents not much different from the color of Xander's eyes. I pushed back the drapes and watched the dust dance in the sun's rays as they streamed through the windows.
I didn't know what to think. I couldn't see what was so wrong with the bedroom that he would rather stay in a tiny cottage.
In the corner of the room, I spotted a vanity. Why would a man have a vanity in his room? Only one thing sat on the vanity, a picture frame. A wedding picture. Picking it up, I immediately recognized Xander from the old photo in the newspaper. He was clean cut and smiling. The bride next to him was stunning in her antique white lace gown, with loose brown curls around her face.
The frame slipped from my hand as realization dawned on me. He's married? It didn't make sense. Where was she? I went to the closets and saw they were filled with clothing, some with Joshua's label. Joshua didn't mention anything, but...
I suddenly remembered when we arrived at the hotel. The front desk clerk had asked if someone was with him. Did she mean his wife? When the hotel manager ran over, I swore he said "Mrs.", but I thought he assumed we were married. Now I realized he meant Xander's wife.
My heart sank in my chest then ached. How could I think I was special to him? All this time I thought what stopped our relationship was the fact that he was my boss.
The ringing of my cell phone shook me from my pain.
"Yes?"
"Hi, I was looking for Xander Boone, and his office gave me this number. He placed an order for flowers and I'm leaving now to deliver them. Can I verify the address with you?"
"Yes, you can. What address did he give you?" I didn't know what came over me, but I needed that address. I was going to confront him for making a fool of me.
"2674 Wordsworth Drive?"
"Yes, that's the correct address."
"Thank you, the flowers should be there in a few minutes."
I didn't know that address or where it was, I just knew I had to go there. I ran out of the house and got into the Audi Xander gave me. I entered the address on the GPS and left.
The address took me further out of town than I expected. The old roads were bumpy and tree-lined. A few times I thought I had taken the wrong turn but continued following the GPS's directions. Finally I made the last turn on the instructions--entering a cemetery.
"You have arrived at your destination. 2674 Wordsworth Drive."
"You stupid piece of shit!" I yelled at the GPS as I smacked the dashboard.
A car came up behind me so I had to drive forward to get out of its way. As I drove, I thought I spotted Xander's Aston Martin. I pulled up behind
the car, recognizing the license plate--Boone2.
Getting out of the car, I looked over and saw Xander holding a bouquet of flowers as he stood, head lowered, in front of a gravestone. As I got closer, I read the stone: Darcy Boone - Beloved Wife.
My heart went out to him. The year on the gravestone said she died only three years ago. Everything made sense now. I knew Xander well enough to know he was sensitive. His mean front was just to protect himself from others. I reached up and put my hand on his shoulder.
"She was everything to me. Part of me died with her. I never thought I would feel for someone even an ounce of what I felt for her." He cleared his throat. "Until I met you."
He didn't move. He stared at the grave. I didn't know what to say. Everything I thought of seemed weak and trite. I rubbed his back softly, hoping he understood my own feelings for him.
"I can't do this. You have no idea how much I want to. How madly I'm falling for you." He turned and glanced at me then looked back at the grave. "I can't go through this again. I can't lose another piece of myself, and it will happen. I can't be around you. This has to end."
"What are you saying? I don't understand."
"You're fired. I can't be near you anymore. The more I see you, the longer I'm with you, the more I'm falling in love with you. I can't do that. I'm better off alone. I can't take the pain of losing someone again."
"But--"
"No." He shook his head, still lowered towards the grave. "Remember the man I was speaking to in the conference room when you brought me the flash drive? I didn't introduce you to him, but he's an old buddy of mine. We started our companies around the same time. He needs an assistant and said he would love to hire you. I know you need a job, so I arranged that for you if you want it. Also, I know you have no place to go so you can stay at The Manor until you find your own place. I'll stay at my condo in the city."
"But Xander, don't I get a say in this?"
My Boss’s Whim Page 6