What the hell do I call him then?
Lover?…Gah! Hell no.
The man I’m seeing…lame.
Xander, just Xander.
Labels are for amateurs, anyway. Unless it’s husband. I like that title.
WTF?
“Katrine? What are you thinking about? About twenty different emotions crossed your face.”
“Nothing, just the usual.” She smiled. He placed a light hand on her back and held open the door.
The Black Duck was dark, so it took a few minutes for Katrine’s eyes to adjust. When they did she noticed the place was small and charming, the genuine charm that only seasoned pubs had. Xander said the food here was great and the house band was awesome, so Katrine was looking forward to the night. He whispered in her ear, “You look so beautiful, by the way.”
She loved that he added by the way. Like he hadn’t told her three other times in the last hour. She scanned the place, it was fairly crowded, but that was to be expected on a Friday evening. A hand shot up in greeting from the back corner of the bar. Xander noticed and snaked his arm around her waist. It was a “mine” type of move, and she loved it. Total turn on.
Mark me, caveman. Drag me by the hair back to your lair and fu—Focus, Katrine.
“Well, well, if it isn’t young Alexander Abbot. How good of you to grace us with your presence,” teased a slender blond guy wearing a very pink golf shirt. He was handsome, but way too clean cut for her taste. She liked her men with a little character to their faces. Like Xander, with his small moon-shaped scar by his left eyebrow or the fact that his upper lip was just slightly fuller than his bottom. This guy’s face was way too symmetrical with prominent cheek bones. He needed to be in an upscale catalog standing on a sailboat with a sweater tied around his neck.
“Pretty tough talk coming from someone wearing his sister’s shirt,” Xander shot back with a smirk.
“You’d know all about my sister’s shirts.” Katrine didn’t miss the not so subtle allusion to Xander’s former slutty ways.
“Behave, dick head… Hey, guys,” he said to his other buddies at the table. Katrine was relieved to see there were no wives or dates. She wanted to focus on getting to know Xander’s friends, not making small talk with the Buffys. Stereotype? Maybe. Truth? Likely.
“Katrine, this loud mouth here is Scott. And that’s Gabe and the svelte number over there is William.” He was referring to the fact that William was a little on the portly side. She elbowed Xander in the rib for that comment. William may have been fluffier than the others, but he was just as handsome. Gabe had a shaved head, not in an ‘I’m hard’, but in an ‘I’ve lost my hair’ kind of way. He had glasses, but they didn’t hide the kindness in his dark brown eyes.
They were all wearing golf shirts, so with her top notch detective skills, she figured they’d just come from the golf course. If guys up here were anything like the guys back home, they would have five or six drinks into them at this point.
“Hello. Nice to meet you all,” Katrine said with confidence. Nerves still there, but fading with each passing minute. After a beer they would be nonexistent.
She sat down. “By the way, I’m well aware of his man-whore days, so don’t waste your breath on my account.” They guys looked at Xander and started to laugh.
“Nice, I love a woman with spunk,” Scott said, eyeing her appreciatively. He gave her the heebies.
Speaking of man-whores…
She put her hand on Xander’s leg, letting him know it was okay. She didn’t want him beating up a friend because of her, especially a friend who seemed three sheets to the wind already.
She sipped her beer as they caught up, they hadn’t seen Xander since Christmas. Katrine was surprised that none of them lived in Manhattan, where they worked. They lived in Greenwich and took the commuter train into the city. Well, not Scott, he didn’t work anywhere. He was mildly amusing and single, shocker. Gabe and William were both married. Gabe had three year old twin girls and William had a five year old son. It was cute to hear guys talk about their kids. They both seemed like doting father’s. Bonus points.
“So you live in Texas?” Gabe asked.
“Yes, Dallas.”
“How are you not married? You’re way too hot to be single,” Scott added.
“I’m not single,” she said, nodding towards Xander. “And I was married. We got divorced almost two years ago. We have an eleven year old son.”
Scott looked at Xander. She knew that look. The she’s a divorced, single mom look. Katrine usually cursed her bladder, but right now she was thankful for the intrusion.
“Pardon me, guys. I need to use the ladies’ room.” She smiled and pushed her chair back. Xander squeezed her hand. He looked worried. She winked and walked away.
“Jesus, Scott. What the hell is wrong with you?” William spat.
“Sorry, Xander. He had about six beers on the course and two scotches on the turn,” Gabe explained. Well, at least he had an excuse. Xander had yet to speak. He was glaring at Scott. If looks could melt skin, Scott would be a meat-sicle.
“Man, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to figure it out. Usually you have a different girl every weekend. You’ve never brought a girl to meet us and when you do, she’s a divorced single mother who lives in a different state? It doesn’t make sense. Don’t get me wrong, she’s super hot. I’d wrap those legs around me in a heartbeat.” Forget meat-sicle, change that to a bloody seat his body once occupied.
Finally Xander spoke, his voice low and threatening. “Let me say this once. I don’t care about any of that. She is the one, not the one for now, but the fucking one. And if you disrespect her or make any more sexual innuendos, if you make her feel uncomfortable in anyway, I-will-end-you.” He sat back in his chair and took a sip of his beer, cool and calm. Whether he meant physically or financially, the threat was heard and heeded. They were all old friends, but they knew better than to cross Xander.
Katrine came back to the table. The four were looking in opposite directions, silent. Scott looked a little pale. She looked at Xander and raised an eyebrow, he gave her a lazy smile. She wasn’t sure what had transpired, but she could take a guess.
“What? I leave the table and you boys have nothing to talk about? Come on, guys, I need stories. The more embarrassing and depraved, the better.” The grinning started with Gabe and William, then finally Scott. They had a few stories all right.
An hour later, a large plate of fish and chips had taken up residence in Katrine’s stomach. With three beers thrown into the mix, she was feeling quite content.
“Where do you put all of that food? You’re so tiny and I mean no disrespect in any way, shape, or form by that,” Scott said. She laughed. Xander must have threatened him something serious, because his attitude had done a 180.
“None taken. I love to eat, but I have to run my butt off, literally. Plus good genes, I guess.”
“She enjoys food like no one I’ve ever seen. She makes eating an event,” Xander said with affection.
“I think I might have scared him a few times, though. He’s used to women who consider a ketchup packet a calorie splurge.” The guys laughed.
“Do you have a sister?” Scott asked.
“Yes, but she’s nothing like me, and she’s not available. Sorry.”
Not even if my sister was Rosemary’s baby, buddy…
The band started and they were great. Their play list was right up Katrine’s alley, which was very rare for cover bands. They started their set with a Kasabian tune and followed that up with ‘High and Dry’ by Radiohead. She was in heaven.
“You’ve known almost every word of every song they’ve played. I’m surprised you like this kind of music,” William said between sets.
“Please tell me you’re not under the stereotypical delusion that Texans only listen to country music,” Katrine pleaded.
“Uh, well, don’t you?” William asked.
“No! I mean, some do, of course, but it’s no
t a prerequisite. I was a grunge loving, flannel wearer back in the day, if that gives you any idea. Still love grunge, as a matter of fact.”
“If you say you can play golf, you have officially become the woman of my dreams,” Gabe joked. “Um…next to my wife.”
“Sorry, William, it looks like you’re still alone in your Taylor Swift fixation,” Scott laughed. Everyone turned to look at William, disbelief on a few of the faces. “Sorry, buddy. I overheard Adrinana telling Lori about your thing for Taylor Swift at your last cookout.”
“It’s not a fixation. I enjoy her upbeat music…What? She’s very talented for a girl her age. She writes all her own songs.” Still not helping, but it was cute to see him defend himself.
“Your wife can keep the top spot, Gabe. I can’t play golf,” Katrine said, attempting to get poor William out of the hot seat. She wouldn’t judge him, to each his own.
They drank, sang, and laughed a lot. These guys were really down to earth and treated Katrine like one of the gang. They also laughed at her jokes, which showed an amazing sense of humor, in her opinion. Scott did end up being very charming and funny once the alcohol wore off. He had cut himself off at the beginning of the night. Xander was so relaxed around these guys, Katrine loved seeing this side of him. And of course the stories from their prep school days were hilarious and very insightful.
Xander and Scott had been quite popular with the students at the all girl’s private school across town, Scott with a few of the teachers, too. And there had been many a rager held at Xander’s place, and countless pranks. She also learned that Xander had spent a summer in Namibia building schools. Gabe may have brought it up to earn Xander points with her, but what Gabe didn’t realize was that he didn’t need any. Xander never mentioned his philanthropic endeavors. She loved that about him, his generosity was a private thing.
She would almost forget these guys were from affluent, wealthy families, then something would remind her. They talked about trips to Aspen and Europe. Rowing at their Ivy League schools. They weren’t obnoxious about it, it was just commonplace to them. Going surfing in Thailand was like she and Maddie going down to Austin for a live music fix. Different worlds, for sure.
They hugged good night and she promised the guys she’d be back soon. Gabe and William wanted to have them over for dinner, meet their wives and kids. “Hey, and bring Teddy.”
“Thanks, Will, that’s very kind of you. It was great meeting you all.”
“Wait, you don’t say ya’ll, either? Everything I thought I knew about Texas has been thwarted on this night,” William joked dramatically. It looked like a certain blue-blooded Yankee was a closet Texan-wannabe. Katrine laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Yawl have a good night.” She made sure to lay the accent on thick. William had a strange look on his face.
Yikes, I think I just gave him a chubby.
Attempt at humor…misfire.
Xander kissed her temple and held her close as they walked back to his car. He opened her door and stepped off the curb, pressing her against the car.
“You are the most amazing woman, did you know that?” he asked, kissing her gently on the mouth.
“I am? What did I do?”
“Nothing, just being you. I think the guys are completely under your spell. And I think Scott might be rubbing one out to your image as we speak. William, too, by the look on his face.”
“Eewww. Mental image, unwelcome.”
He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you. Do I say that too much?”
“Are you crazy? I’ll never get tired of hearing those words come out of that gorgeous, luscious, kissable mouth…Ever.”
He took that as an invitation and sealed his kissable mouth onto hers.
“I think you need to take me home, cowboy,” she drawled. His eyes went wide.
It looked like someone else had a thing for a slow southern drawl. She could work with that…
Chapter 33
Katrine awoke, feeling sore in all the right places. They had taken ‘ride ‘em cowboy’ to a whole new level the night before. She looked over and was disappointed to see the other side of the bed was empty. The bathroom door was open and the light was off, so he wasn’t in there. She sat up and gripped the white sheets to her chest. She was all kinds of naked. She had a hard time keeping her pj’s on whenever Xander was around. Although she didn’t feel hung over, the beer from the night before had a considerable affect on the current state of her mouth.
“Yuck!”
She rolled out of bed and grabbed a t-shirt. First order of business, de-funk mouth. She brushed twice and gargled for good measure.
“Awww, much better, but the Flock of Seagulls ‘do has got to go.”
The hot water pelting her back felt glorious. She closed her eyes and stood under the spray. A smile spread across her face when she felt fingers lightly caressing her spine.
“I was wondering when you were coming back.”
“If I knew I was missing shower time, I would have been back ten minutes ago. Sorry, I meant to get back in bed before you woke up.”
“That’s okay.” She turned off the water and he wrapped a fluffy towel around her. “I was surprised you were up before me, that never happens.”
“I woke up really early for some reason. I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I got some work done. Millie made us breakfast and I told her we’d eat outside, if that’s all right with you?”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Then a dip in the pool?”
“Perfect. I guess I didn’t need to get a shower after all, but I was worried about meeting your dad with bed head.” Katrine grinned, pulling out her bathing suit and cover-up.
“They’re set to arrive at 2:00, so you’re safe for now. That gives us plenty of time to enjoy a swim and there’s somewhere I wanted to take you after breakfast.”
“Okay, can I wear this?”
“Yes, just put on some shoes.”
They ate huge macadamia nut pancakes on the terrace overlooking the pool. The sun was warm, but the humidity was still low. The weather was perfect for dining al fresco. She felt like the lady of the manor.
“So what do you have up your sleeve, Mr. Abbot?”
“What, no more Cowboy? Damn, I was enjoying that.” He laughed when she ducked her head a little, loving that she could still get embarrassed after the night they’d had. “Nothing up my sleeve. I just want you to meet someone.” Katrine was a little disappointed because she really wanted to have him all to herself a little bit longer. They were going to be surrounded by people soon enough.
“No pouts, you’ll love him, trust me.”
They made their way past the pool house and through a cluster of trees. She couldn’t believe there was more land back here.
“Wow, all of this is yours? How many acres do you have?”
“A little over three, we just needed a little extra room for this.” He pointed at a small clearing with a paddock and a building just beyond. She smiled. A paddock and stable could mean only one thing, horses. Well, one horse, to be exact.
The stable was small, but in excellent condition. The wood was dark green with white trim. She was sorry she’d worn flip flops, but she’d manage.
“I would like you to meet Figaro.”
Katrine crept towards the stall, straw crunching beneath her feet. Large dark brown ears twitched at her approach. Black eyes blinked, making his long lashes flutter. She stuck out her hand and let him sniff, then she gently stroked the white patch of fur on the center of his muzzle. His tail swished and he made a sound that sounded like he was enjoying the rub. She couldn’t get over how shiny his coat was. It looked like milk chocolate.
“He’s so beautiful, Xander. I didn’t know you had a horse.”
“He’s not my horse, really. Figaro’s mother, Madame B, was my mom’s horse. She died about five years ago. My mom loved horses, that’s the main reason they built a house here. It was one of the few spots that had enough l
and for her horse. Gregory comes every day and takes care of him. I think my dad likes to keep horses around. Reminds him of Mom.” She smiled when she heard the names, Madame B and Figaro. His mom loved opera. His father really loved his late wife and still did, by the looks of it. She hoped one day he would find someone to love again.
“Wow, horses live that long?”
“If well taken care of, yes. Do you ride? And before you say it, I don’t think everyone from Texas can ride a horse.“
She laughed. “I wasn’t going to say that, and no, I can’t ride. Or at least I’ve never tried. I do have this fantasy though…me and a gorgeous man ride off into the sunset and then make love under a tree.” She was a little surprised she’d shared. But the look on Xander’s face made her glad she had.
He ambled over to a set of cabinets on the wall and grabbed a large quilt. He took her hand and led her out of the stable. Katrine said a quiet goodbye to Figaro and trailed behind obediently.
They walked back to the cluster of trees they had passed before. Xander held one side of the blanket, popping it open into the air, then laying it down on the grass. “I thought we’d skip the riding off into the sunset part and go straight to the making love part.” He gave her a half, one dimple seductive grin. This was really her favorite part of the fantasy, anyway.
She kicked off her shoes and turned towards him, he pulled off his shirt. She loved the way his trunks hung well below his waist, revealing his muscled hips and the soft hair under his belly button. With care and gentle hands, Xander removed her cover and bikini.
The blanket was cool under her back. A bee buzzed somewhere nearby. The crisp scent of fresh cut grass hung in the breeze. He took his time, held her gaze. Raising their clasped hands above their heads, he kept his rhythm and pressed his chest against hers. The build was gradual, almost lazy in its approach. Katrine wanted to lift her hips to quicken the sensations, but she resisted, deciding to be patient. It would make the end that much sweeter. On rare occasions, reality proves to be better than the fantasy. Anyone can have sex, but to make love, really and truly, is to possess each other’s soul, if only for moment. As she gasped, looking into his vibrant eyes… he possessed hers.
Resilient (Rebound Book 2) Page 26