“Are you hungry?” I genuinely meant that question, but with his head on my neck and hands squeezing my hips and ass, it came out as more of a moan.
“Yes,” he answered before licking the side of my neck.
My entire body shivered around a sigh; I couldn’t hold back.
“I picked up Indian food. Chicken tandoori, naan, yellow rice and ice cream for dessert, of course.”
“Hmm,” he mumbled as he pressed kisses down my neck and toward my collar bone. “Feed me,” he directed, pulling back with his mouth, but sliding his hand up the cream- colored pleated skirt I’d changed into after work, cupping my pussy with his hand. “From here first.” Wrapping his hand around the lace panties I wore, he tugged, ripping them off me and moved so quickly I didn’t know what was happening until I was flat on my back with him hovering above me.
“Mmmm,” I moaned when his thumb began making circles against my swollen clit. “Xavier,” I panted.
“Mm, sounds like you missed me,” he teased, kissing my lips, then my neck, down to my collarbone.
I went to grab the back of his head to pull him to me, but he wasn’t there. He’d slid down the length of my body, pushed up my skirt and had his mouth on me before I could blink.
“Ohh, shit!” I screamed when his tongue circled my clit, teasing it. I moaned even louder when he slid one finger, then two into me at the same time. My hips rose to meet his greedy mouth, and I dug my heels into his upper back. That only seemed to encourage him. He angled his fingers inside me to make contact with my G-spot while he continued to tongue my clit and I completely came apart. My legs trembled and tightened up around his head, my head fell back over the arm of the couch, hips rising uncontrollably as my orgasm washed over me. I sucked in air as I caught my breath, but there was little time for a reprieve as Xavier sat up, bringing me with him to straddle his hips.
I saw the wetness on his lips and wanted nothing more than to taste myself on him. Leaning down, I licked the perimeter of his delicious lips. God, I loved those lips, so soft, and such a contrast to the rest of his body. He groaned into my mouth, and I heard the wrestling of a belt buckle and zipper beneath me. I raised my hips to make room for him to release himself, my mouth still devouring his. Seconds later, his strong hands were around my hips, angling me and then pulling me down onto his stiff shaft.
“Mmmm, you feel so good,” I moaned as I sank onto him, feeling every ridge and vein on his dick. Fuck, this was what I’d been craving for three days.
“You missed this dick?” he questioned, grabbing my hair to pull my head back.
I whimpered when his hips rose, slamming into me.
“I ain’t hear you! You missed this dick?” Our hips met again and again as he fucked me, although I was the one straddling him.
“Yes!” I hissed.
“Say it! Say you missed this dick!”
I dug my nails into his shirt-covered shoulders and tried to lower my head back to his lips, only to be halted by his hand on the back of my head.
“Say it!” he growled.
“I missed this dick,” I drawled out. The sounds of flesh smacking against flesh turned me on even more. It must’ve done the same for Xavier because he ripped off the sleeveless chiffon top I was wearing, pulling it down along with my strapless bra, sucking one of my breasts into his warm mouth. I threw my head back in ecstasy, moaning loudly as wave after wave of pleasure overtook me. He released one nipple from his mouth and moved to the other one. I bit my lower lip so hard, straining against all the sensations running through me, I thought I might draw blood. But even that little bit of pain was no match for how good Xavier was making me feel.
“Shit!’ he grunted, and I felt him straining against me.
I knew he was close.
“Come with me,” he ordered, rubbing his thumb against my slit.
I bent lower, capturing his lips with mine and we both released, giving and taking every ounce of pleasure our bodies could wring out from one another. Our screams and grunts were in unison as we came.
When I finally came down, I was still straddling his hips, leaning down, cradled to his chest that rose up and down as he struggled to catch his breath. I closed my eyes against the warm feeling of peace and security that wrapped itself around me, just as his arms were. I wriggled, trying to move out of his embrace, but he held onto me tighter.
“Don’t. Don’t run.”
How the hell did he know? I hated that either I was that obvious or he knew me that well in such a short period of time.
“I’m not running, but we just made a mess all over my couch.” I tried to lighten the moment.
“I’ll buy you another couch.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need you to buy me another couch.” I tried again to pull back, but he held tight until I finally acquiesced and let him hold me to him. I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent, a mix of his sweat, cologne and his usual manly smell, with a whiff of our sex in the mix. It was perfect, and my nipples began to harden against his chest. I don’t know how long we lay there, him holding me, and me enjoying his smell and reluctantly surrendering to the safety of his arms.
Eventually, his stomach growled.
I laughed. “I bet you want some real food now.”
He grunted.
“Come on, let me feed you.”
He finally let me push back and stand, slowly releasing himself from me around a loud pop. I went to the bathroom to clean up, realizing we’d just had sex without a condom.
“Shit,” I cursed myself. We always used protection. I didn’t know what the hell happened. I made a mental note to pick up some Plan B pills the following day. I headed to my bedroom and changed my now-stained and ripped clothing to a pair of light pink silk pajama shorts and sleeveless top. By the time Xavier came out of the bathroom, he was down to his T-shirt and sweatpants he’d brought with him. I pulled his plate from the microwave and sat it at the counter in the center of my kitchen. Sitting in there was more intimate than the dining room. When I sat on the stool next to his, he pulled me closer, wrapping one hand around my waist and using the other to eat.
“She didn’t get enough recognition for this album. It was so good,” I commented on Tamia’s Love Life album that played in the background. I’d been feeling the hell out of that album lately.
“What’s your favorite song on the album?”
“Mm, that’s tough, but ‘Stuck With Me’ is probably the winner.”
“Sing it to me.”
I stared at him.
“I’m serious. Sing it to me. I already know you can sing.”
“I cannot sing. I might be able to hold a note or two, but I’m not a singer.”
“So what? Sing for me.” His gaze penetrated mine. This man actually wanted me to sing.
“Xavier, I—”
“Don’t think; just sing.”
I hated the way his words warmed me all over. I took one last look at him and picked up my phone to change it to “Stuck With Me”.
“You asked for it,” I lamented as the opening chords began.
“I did,” he answered smugly.
I looked him in the eye, took a deep breath, and began to sing. My voice started off low to match the melody of the music. I closed my eyes and started snapping my fingers to the rhythm. When I felt Xavier’s hand tighten on my thigh, I opened my eyes, to stare at him. I continued to sing, completely entranced in Xavier’s gaze. His eyes never left mine and that only emboldened me. I sang the song with complete abandon, letting the words and feelings flow. I got into it when my favorite part of the song came up. “Baby, you're stuck with me…” I felt like I was revealing a piece of me that I’d never shown anyone. I loved singing, but never did it for anyone besides myself these days. I stopped performing as a child and had vowed I’d never sing for anyone again. Now, here I was singing my heart out to a man I was pretty sure I was doing the unthinkable with. I was falling for him.
By the time the last lyric spil
led from my lips, my vision blurred from the tears that I refused to let spill over. But, I found myself in Xavier’s arms, chest to chest, as he pulled my legs up and around his waist and stood, walking both of us to my bedroom.
“Take the day off tomorrow,” he told me as he laid us both down on my queen-size bed.
I swallowed, still choked up from the emotions of singing for him.
“Call in. Spend the day with me,” he said again.
I nodded, silently agreeing, and his lips were on mine.
Chapter Eighteen
Chanel
I paused, my fingers around the door handle of the deli, inhaling, trying to calm my nerves. I’d been preparing myself all morning for this meeting. Hell, I’d been trying to prepare myself for a week.
Once I’d gotten the return email from Ethan saying he was free the following week, I’d agreed to meet him and see what he wanted. There I was, ready to talk to the man I’d once thought I was going to spend my life with, but now hadn’t seen in five years. A man for whom I’d waited until he’d left for work, then packed one suitcase and flew across the country to break free from.
I thought about all of that as my hand rested on the door handle to the deli. I started when a patron pushed the door open to exit. It brought me back to the present moment. I wasn’t the same woman I was five years ago; at least, that’s what I told myself as I entered the deli. Ironically, it was the same place where Xavier claimed we had our first date. And thinking of him somehow made me feel a little stronger, made me straighten my stance, and walk with just a little more confidence than I’d had just seconds before.
At first, I didn’t see Ethan, but as I looked toward the back, my breath caught. He didn’t immediately see me, allowing me to study him from afar for a moment. He appeared the same, his six-foot frame looking huge around the small table, his caramel skin clear, and he’d let the goatee he’d had when we were together grow into a full beard.
He looked up. His honey eyes locked on mine as he rose from his seat. He was dressed casually in a pair of dark jeans and a Polo top, the muscles of his arms bulging as he stood. He was still as imposing and handsome as the day I’d met him. I swallowed and made my feet move in his direction.
“Chanel,” he greeted, a shy smile playing on his lips. “I was wondering if you’d show up.”
“I considered not coming,” I answered honestly.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.” He rubbed his hand down the side of his jeans. “Please, sit.” He pulled out a chair for me, and I obliged, but scooted farther away. I was still leery of what this was all about.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
I shook my head. Getting food made this feel too much like a date, or old friends getting together. This was not that.
“I’ll just have a smoothie.”
“I’ll get it. What kind?”
“Strawberry banana.”
I turned and watched as he went to the counter and ordered a sandwich for himself and the smoothie for me. I studied him, his mannerisms, trying to discern if I could glean anything. I still wasn’t sure of his intent, and that made me nervous.
“Here you go,” he said, handing me the smoothie. He sat down, barely making eye contact with me. Not knowing what to say, I took a sip of the smoothie, allowing it to coat my dry throat.
“Ethan, what is this about?” I finally asked.
“I wanted to apologize. For everything.” He turned, staring off into the distance before turning back to me. “I, uh, I was a terrible boyfriend and an even worst fiancé to you. You didn’t deserve any of my abuse or cheating, and I just wanted to tell you that, face-to-face. I’m sorry.”
I could’ve been knocked over with a feather. I slumped back in my chair. I looked him right in the eyes, trying to figure out if his words were sincere. Trying to figure out what his angle was, and how or why he would be trying to manipulate me.
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
“You’re right. You have no reason to believe me. I lied to you so much when we were together. But, I…I’ve been making changes in my life over the last few years. I’m trying to right my past wrongs, and I know there’s nothing I can do to make what I did right, but I can offer my apologies and continue to work on myself so that I never treat anyone like I treated you.”
“You came all the way to Houston to apologize?”
“Nah, I don’t live in D.C. anymore.”
“Oh.” I didn’t bother asking him where he lived now, because in all honesty, I didn’t have the energy to care.
“How did you know I was in Houston and where I worked?” I’d been curious and alarmed that he was able to find me.
He gave a small smile. This Ethan I wasn’t familiar with, the bashful one. The Ethan I’d been with was so full of arrogance, it bordered on hubris.
“You told me.”
I tilted my head and gave him a confused look.
“While you were in law school, you’d said that one day you’d like to go back to Houston to practice law and when you did, you’d practice under your mother’s maiden name, so no one would think you only got to be successful because of who your father was.”
“And you told me it didn’t matter, because no wife of yours would be working anyway,” I added, remembering those conversations.
He lowered his eyes to the table. “I did. I’m sorry about that too. I said a lot of bullshit that shouldn’t have been said. I’m glad you didn’t let me stop your plans.”
I was shocked.
“Yeah, I know, but it’s true. Leaving was probably the best thing you did. For the both of us. You’ve been able to accomplish a lot of your dreams and me, well, I was in a bad place for a while afterward. But it ended up being the best thing for me.”
Something inside me told me he was sincere. This demure person wasn’t the braggadocious Ethan that needed to be the center of attention. This was closer to the person I’d thought I’d once fallen in love with. The one whom I’d spent talking with all hours of the night when we were just friends, getting to know one another. The person who’d let his guard down. I don’t know what’d happened to Ethan over the last few years, but I believed him.
I reached across the table, squeezing his hand, “Thank you.”
His larger hand covered mine, patting hit.
“I need to get back to work,” I stated, pulling my hand back.
He rose from his seat. “Yeah, I should get going. I’ll just have this wrapped up,” he indicated the untouched sandwich. “Thank you for meeting with me. Good luck with everything,” he added.
I gave him a smile, grabbed my smoothie and headed toward the door, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I didn’t want to head back to my office. Instead, I pulled out my phone, calling the only person I wanted to speak to at that moment.
“Hey, baby girl,” his deep voice answered.
“Hey, Xavier. Are you busy?”
“Never too much for you. Hell, I should be asking you that. It’s the middle of the day.”
“I know, but I wanted to see you. Are you in your downtown office?”
“No, I decided to work from home since my flight got in late last night. Everything all right?”
“It will be once I get a chance to see you. You up for a visit?” My tone had dropped to a seductive purr.
“Hell, yeah.”
“Good. I can be there in twenty minutes.” I hung up and quickly called Liza to let her know I’d be out of the office the rest of the day and to forward any important calls to my cell.
****
Xavier
As soon as I opened my front door, I saw exactly what she wanted written all over her face. The way her eyes ate up my entire body from head to toe sent a chill straight to my dick. I didn’t even have time to say hello before she grabbed the collar of my shirt, pulling my head down to meet hers. My arms went around her waist as she stepped into me, and just like every other time, our bodies fit perfectly togethe
r.
“Mmm,” she moaned into my mouth. “I missed you,” she whispered. That little confession lit my entire body on fire—even more than her kiss.
I pulled her into me, stepping back to close the door, before I pushed her body against it.
“Tell me again,” I instructed nipping her earlobe, eliciting another moan from her.
“I missed you.”
I covered her lips with mine and stooped down to pick her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I easily strode to my office where I’d been working. I just barely managed to set her down on my desk before she reached for my belt buckle, making quick work of undoing the buckle along with the button and zipper of my pants.
“In a rush?” I teased, tipping her chin up so she was look at me.
She grinned and licked her lips before nodding. Seconds later her hand made its way into my boxer briefs, stroking my manhood.
“Fuck,” I moaned low. I stepped between her legs, pushing her knees further apart and hiking up the black skirt she wore. I wanted to taste her before I entered her. Moving her hand out of my pants to allow me to bend down I gripped her by the waist, and pushed her back by the shoulders to lean back on the desk. In the background, I heard papers and pens falling to the floor, but my sole focus was on getting between Chanel’s legs. Her hunger for me turned me on even more when she pushed my head down, lifting her skirt and spreading her legs even wider for me. I was shocked as hell when she pulled her skirt all the way up revealing she was naked underneath.
I raised an eyebrow, grilling her. “We’re gonna have a talk about you going around not wearing any panties,” I growled.
“I removed them in the car,” she giggled, pushing my head back down. Her laughter turned into a moan as I dipped my head and licked her outer lips. She sighed loudly as I felt a shudder run through her entire body. I captured her swollen button in between my lips and let one finger sink inside her wetness. “Ohh, Xavier,” she panted.
Safe Space (Book 1) Page 18