Love Undefeated (Unexpected #5)

by Anne Leigh

  She huffed and let out a loud intake of air. “You’re asking me to change Club 1919, one of the city’s most private and elegant clubs, into a Pepto-Bismol color-themed party.”

  “I don’t like Pepto-Bismol.” That crap was disgusting.

  She let out another exasperated breath. “Mr. Lockheed.” Now she was being formal. “I don’t know how my team is going to pull this off.”

  Looking up from the sample book she brought with her, I asked, “How much?”

  “It’s not going to be cheap,” she stated, her face a shade of orange. Was there something wrong with my lights? Or was that her normal skin color? She should tell her tanner to lay off the bronzer or whatever crap she’d been using. I didn’t use anything on my skin that had more than five ingredients. My parents gave me good looks and great skin, it was my job to upkeep both.

  “I don’t care about the cost.” I laid down the book. It didn’t matter what I thought of her, her high-and- mighty attitude or the extreme amount of cologne she used, she was my only hope.

  Claire had already contacted two other party planners and they were already overbooked. Kendy Weister was our last option.

  Last, because I really wanted to work with the other two before her.

  I’d viewed her website and was put off by the coldness in the photos. I liked warmth, color. Her parties were great, I’m sure. I’d been to a friend’s wedding where her team was the planner, as the maid of honor boasted. I just didn’t like the super clean, robbed of color, just mainly black and white themes.

  “I have to get the club owner’s approval on the decors,” she explained, her demeanor slightly more relaxed. I didn’t wave my money around like it was nothing. I worked hard for what I had. I might have grown up with no lack for material things, but I didn’t take anything for granted.

  But the world didn’t function that way. To Kendy, it was the only thing that mattered. I could tell with her pricey bag and her expensive shoes that if I said money was not an issue, she’d do everything to make the party happen. She’d probably turn that club into an aquarium if I wanted her to.

  I would love to say no to her and shop for another party service, but I was running out of time.

  And truth be told, when it came to Nales, I would spend my money on her, down to the last dollar.

  “I want Hello Kitty, pink and white confetti streaming from the ceiling to the floor. I want pink glasses and balloons in every color,” I said, my voice taking command. I had a video conference in five minutes.

  “I’ll do my best,” she replied, her fingers tapping away on her phone. “What about the cake? Also Hello Kitty?”

  “Yes,” I said, my thoughts envisioning Nalee’s smile when she saw the club converted into her own dreamland. “I’m going to text you what the cake should say, but it has to be chocolate and strawberry ganache. That’s her favorite.”

  “Okay.” Without glancing at me, she asked, “The guest list, when can I have it? I just want to make sure that we have everyone covered.”

  “Claire will be sending it by close of business tomorrow.” I was just waiting on five people, and once I had their answers, Claire would forward the list to Kendy.

  “The birthday girl, does she like anything else aside from colorful things?” Although her emphasis on colorful was possibly meant to take a pass at Nalee, I chose to let it go. I just needed her skills to make my girl’s special day a day to remember and honestly, Nalee’s whims might be seen as unreasonable by other people because again, Hello Kitty?

  “She loves shiny things.”

  “You mean jewelry? Diamonds?” Her green eyes glittered. Now we’re on a topic she clearly liked.

  I’d hate to disappoint her, but well… “Shiny as in glittery stuff. Sequined things. She doesn’t like jewelry.” Though I loved to shower her with those sparklers. “She also loves fireworks.”

  “Oh. It sounds like I’m really planning for a seven year old’s birthday party.” Her back straightened and her eyes took in the view of downtown San Francisco, the sun was behind the clouds so Kendy ’s face was safe from accidental detonation.

  “What can I say, those are the things she likes,” I said, reliving this morning’s breakfast in bed with Nales, the bright smile she had even with her tired eyes when she saw I prepared her oatmeal and topped it with three pieces of strawberries. She’s the most colorful girl I know. Her computer was bedazzled. Her water bottle was Swarovski’d out, a gift from Sedona after graduation. Even her room was all pinked out. Those were parts of what endeared her to me. She’d always been her own self. Never tried to be anyone other than who she was.

  Kendy faked a cough, trying to get my attention since I must have zoned out on her. “I think I have everything. It will cost a mint to get 1919’s okay. I don’t think they’d want the place all glittered out.”

  “Alright,” I acquiesced. “How about you designate an area where all the confetti would descend upon us? Maybe a central spot where I could stand with her when the cake comes out and everyone’s singing happy birthday? I can live with that.”

  “Hmm, that’s workable,” she conceded, the tapping on the door interrupting us.

  Claire, my father’s loyal assistant, now mine, peeked through, “Sir, you’re eleven twenty’s online.”

  I nodded my head. “Thank you, Claire. I’ll be there.”

  Standing up, I addressed Kendy. “Thanks for coming in on such a short notice. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. If you need anything else from me, please let Claire know.” I couldn’t have her calling me directly since I don’t want Nalee getting any hints of my surprise.

  Reaching to shake my offered hand, her face had slightly changed, and if there was one thing that needed to be banned, it should be Botox. Women should allow themselves to age gracefully. My mother was beautiful with her wrinkles and white-gray hair. “Yes, I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

  “Okay.” My footsteps led the way as we stepped outside my office.

  Kendy was now on her phone talking to her assistant. “Call Alonso, tell him this is an emergency. We need to book 1919.”

  Giving myself a wide berth when we turned the corner since I was trying to save myself from being assaulted by her massive black bag which she probably had no idea was flinging widely at her side, I gave her a smile. “Thanks.”

  She tucked her phone to her chest and said, “She’s a lucky girl.”

  I pursed my lips and barely nodded as I walked towards the conference room, leaving her standing by the elevator door as she got back to talking to her assistant.

  I wondered what made Kendy say that.

  Nalee’s a lucky girl because I’m willing to throw her a no expense spared birthday party?

  Was that it?

  Was that the basis of whether or not a person was happy in a relationship?

  If it had been the other way around, if Nalee had money instead of me, would I be the lucky one then?

  Babacan Balic, the vice president of HF Consulting, our sister company in Istanbul, Turkey smiled on the screen.

  “Is it afternoon already?” Babacan asked in perfect English. He went to school here in the U.S. and like me, was taking over his father’s company in his birth country.

  “Why?” I shook my head. Babacan was a joker. He started meetings with a loud horn just because he loved futbol.

  He was quiet, then he delivered his punchline, “Because, Xavier, you look like you’re ready for a nap.”

  “Dude, that’s a dud.” I laughed, then leafing through the papers that Claire had set on my table this morning. “Alright, let’s get down to business.”

  Babacan started showing last week’s audits and just as he was flipping the page to the next slide, I looked out the window.

  “You marry the woman who would be right beside you even when you’re a penniless schmuck,” my nana used to tell me when I visited her in New Hampshire in the summers before I turned sixteen. She lived to ninety eight and sevent
y one of those golden years were with my grandpa before he passed away.

  Nalee would.

  She’d be with me.

  Even if I was a penniless schmuck.

  She wasn’t the lucky one.

  I was.

  “Harder, Xavier, harder,” Nalee commanded as I rammed my cock inside her pussy.

  She was bent over the counter and I grabbed a hold of her fine ass, a work of art, and kept pushing inside of her.

  My hands roamed her shoulders as I continued the rhythm she liked.

  God, she was so soft everywhere.

  Her body was pliant as I filled her with every inch of me.

  She’d just gotten inside the house, removed the blazer that covered up her assets, my pillows, and the minute she looked at me, I just knew.

  She needed me.

  Inside her.

  In.

  And.

  Out.

  In, out, in, in.

  I’d barely removed the light blue bikini briefs she’d paired with a dark blue bra when she climbed on top of me and urged me to take her right there.

  Against the wall. Then over by the counter.

  I’d dipped my index finger inside of her to find her soaking wet for me.

  With my other hand on her hip, I’d removed the strip of clothing barring me from entering her, more like ripped it off, and then she’d bit me on my right shoulder and I was a goner.

  Slowly she’d lowered her naked body to rid me of my clothes.

  I was out of my work clothes and down to a shirt and shorts so the hard-on that sprung to life when her lips met my pre-cum was thanking me for already having the foresight of getting relief from Nalee’s lips.

  I caught sight of the red lipstick that marked my cock as it exited her body once again.

  Fuck, she felt so, so, so fucking good.

  She’d wanted me to blow my load inside her mouth but I’d refused, much to the dismay of Big X.

  I called him Big X because he was well…big. And X because I’m Xavier.

  Guys had pet names for their cocks.

  Trust me.

  I refused to name it any other name than mine because that was just creepy.

  “How hard do you want it, Nales?” My voice muffled by her shoulder, my lips skimming the side of her neck.

  “Harder.” The sounds coming out of her were in short gasps.

  I moved my right hand to touch the top of her clit and felt the walls of her pussy tighten around my cock.

  Unbelievable.

  If there was heaven, it was right here. Inside of her.

  The small hairs on her back stood as I licked them, slowly, gently, lightly.

  “Oh, oh, oooohhh,” her screams were punctuated by a gush of fluid coating my cock and I continued barreling inside of her.

  “I’m so close, sweetheart,” I rasped, my hands grabbing a hold of her breasts as I continued pumping in and out. The back of her legs were wrapped around my hips, the intense motions were creating a burn down my legs.

  We’d been at it for a while.

  Her boobs were going to be chilled by the cool granite counter I had set her facing down on, her ass slightly tilted up in the air.

  All for my viewing pleasure.

  Mine.

  Just mine.

  I pumped once, thrusted another, and finally I let it all out.

  “Yessss,” I hissed as I slowly pulled out of her. If I could I would live inside of her.

  Being inside of her was the best feeling in the world.

  There was no comparison.

  Now that she was back on the pill and we were back to no-condoms. The past few times I felt all of her slick wetness without any barriers and it felt damn good.

  I wasn’t against condoms. But we were having sex only with each other.

  And would only have sex with each other for as long as I was standing on my own two feet.

  When I could no longer stand, I would buy a cane so at least I’d be standing...with support, but hey, still standing.

  Refusing to leave her naked body, I placed my head over her shoulder. I had to stand with my legs wider apart because Nalee’s head only reached up to my jaw.

  “You’re the best, Nales,” I whispered, caressing her right shoulder, eyeing the small skin I’d marked with my teeth.

  I loved seeing me on her.

  If I was a guy who loved tattoos on women, I would ask her to have my name inked into her skin.

  But I loved to preserve the way she was.

  All curves.

  No ink.

  Just her.

  Of course, if she wanted to get one, I’d support her, but it wasn’t something that she wanted.

  “Mmmhhhmm.” Her voice was languid, lazy, the air brimming with the scent of sweaty, great sex.

  “I missed you,” I said as I slowly turned her body around, wanting to see her eyes.

  Her hazel eyes looked tired, but now the spark was back. I prided myself in charging her internal batteries. I wasn’t opposed to equipment that used batteries to enhance our sex life.

  We’d used it a couple of times, but the best sex had always been between just the two of us, no mechanical toys around.

  “I missed you too.” Her lips swollen from my rough kisses, I touched her bottom lip with my hand. A hand that was still coated with her wetness.

  Big X was stirring back to life with the sensual way she was licking my finger.

  “Had a bad day at work?” I asked, my thoughts coming up with lots of ways I could make her feel better.

  “Yes, just…” her eyes met mine, “too much stuff.”

  I brushed my fingers through her hair, it was getting longer. She’d had short hair for a while now. She’d said it was easier to maintain. Before we’d lost our baby, she was letting her hair grow, and after the miscarriage she’d cut off her gorgeous locks.

  It was nice to see her growing it back. Not because I was into women with long hair or anything like that.

  It just meant that maybe she was getting herself back to a place that’s good.

  Less sadness, more light.

  “Do you want me to help you feel better?” I asked out of courtesy. I was going to do it whether or not she said yes.

  A smile graced her face, the afterglow of our lovemaking still coating her aura, and her cheeks pinking up because she could sense what was coming.

  “How about I help you take a shower?” I picked her legs up and balanced her head in the crook of my elbow.

  She yelped, and her legs made a few dolphin kicks as I kissed her full on the lips, silencing her protests with my mouth.

  It was time for me to take care of her.

  I knew Xavier’s habits.

  The second he wakes up he grabs my boobs as if to reassure himself that they’re there.

  Then he stands up to go to the bathroom, brushes his teeth with an orange peppermint toothpaste before walking into the kitchen.

  Then he prepares breakfast while singing Josh Groban, where he’s not completely out of tune.

  I was no stranger to his behaviors. After our first year of being together, his tells where second nature to me.

  The way he shoots with his left hand - the stick with the ball inside – for a goal in lacrosse.

  The manner in which he walked when he was on edge about something.

  There weren’t a lot of things that he could hide from me.

  Not anymore.

  So today when he got up and stuck his hands to feel my breasts and it lasted for only ten seconds each breast…I knew.

  When he took his phone to the living room and I could barely hear his voice…

  He usually talked loud.

  When he was sitting at the dining table drinking coffee while watching TV, I knew something was bugging him.

  Without further ado, I blurted out, “What’s going on?”

  I sat on the wooden chair beside him, drying my hair with a small green towel. My blow dryer was acting wonky lately, I n
eeded to get a new one, but hadn’t found the time. On the cool setting, the air that came out was extremely hot and on the hot setting, it barely turned on.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, his eyes not quite meeting mine, the hand holding his phone freed up

  and the tips of my fingers touched his.

  “You’re acting weird.” I paused, moving my fingers on the table, trying to ebb the tension I was starting to feel on my shoulders.

  His dark blonde brows furrowed. “Huh? I’m not acting weird.”

  I shook my head, feeling the dampness of my hair against my sheer top. I was coming in late for work since I had a late meeting tonight. “Really? You’re drinking coffee by your lonesome. You don’t drink coffee and watch the news unless something’s got you all worked up.”

  A mischievous grin outlined his face. “I’ll work you up.”

  “No, Xavier. Stop. Is something going on?”

  “It’s nothing to worry about, Nales,” he said in a rare patronizing voice. The one he used when he was trying to get me off his tracks.

  I stared at him for a few seconds, stood up, and walked back to his bedroom.

  It was time for me to start getting ready for work.

  Patience, I’d learned, was a virtue.

  Of all the characteristics I’d wished I had more of, it would be patience.

  I’d been patient when I waited for him for three hours after a lacrosse game.

  The bus that the international team he played with got stuck in the mud and I had to wait for him to arrive with the key to our room in Croatia. I’d tried to check in, but the receptionist was adamant that I wasn’t on the list so I was not allowed to get inside Xavier’s room. It wasn’t a nice day to be stranded inside a musty Croatia hotel where my clothes were soaked from being rained on as I got out of the cab from the airport, and had a very rude cab driver who had probably broken a few speed limits on the way.

  I’d been patient when he said he was going to show up at our company dinner only to be detained by his own work issues.

  I’d been patient when he refused to talk to me after I’d told him about our baby…more than two and a half weeks’ worth of patience when all I got were voicemails and unreturned texts.