Ignite: Book 2 (The Heat Series 1)

by MJ Masucci

  Xander knew that she had a trust, but he was unaware of the value. He never asked, and she had no worries that he had designs on getting his hands on the money. She had no intentions of asking for a prenuptial agreement even though she was certain her father would want her to draw one up. Whatever she had would gladly be shared with Xander.

  She stared at the statement going through each page. She was so focused that she had no idea Xander had gotten up until he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.

  “Oh, you scared me.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I couldn’t resist your delicious neck.”

  He glanced over her shoulder at what she was reading before he realized it was something personal and looked away. But not before he got a glimpse of the total she had in her portfolio, seventeen million dollars give or take a few.

  “Do you want to see?” Ava held out the top page of the statement.

  “No. I’m sorry I looked. That’s private, and I have no business looking at your finances.”

  “It’s not private now that we are engaged. Don’t you think we should discuss our finances with each other? The debts and assets we have?”

  “Ava, that money is yours. I would have no claim to it even if we were married.”

  “Oh, this old argument again?”

  “There is nothing to argue about. I have my assets, and you have yours.”

  Ava had no idea that Xander had a small nest egg of his own to the tune of close to one million dollars. He had started investing in college with money he received from his uncle as part of his inheritance. He also saved money from birthdays and other events in his life which he invested. He had lived frugally when they were apart and invested most of his salary into the portfolio.

  “But we are a couple now, and I want to know what your debt is and you to know how much I have especially if something happens to one of us.”

  “I don’t want to discuss it right now. Can we discuss it after the wedding?”

  “Our wedding or Sam and Robert’s?”

  “Sam’s, of course,” he said not hiding his irritation.

  He turned to walk away, and she grabbed his hand.

  “Please don’t be angry with me. I just want to know everything about you before we get married.”

  “Why? So you can decide if I am a good choice for a husband?”

  “Xander, don’t be that way.”

  “I'm not any way. I just don’t want to discuss this now especially the part about something happening to one of us.”

  He turned his back on her and went to walk to the bathroom. A few minutes later she heard the shower. She went to the bedroom, stripped off her clothes and slipped into the bathroom. Xander had his back to her and was washing his hair. She quietly opened the shower door and stood behind him running her hands down his muscular back. He wheeled around almost knocking her over. He reached out before she fell and pulled her against him.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  He held her against him. “Sweetheart, I just don’t want to think about losing you. I know we have to discuss finances, but we have plenty of time. Your salary is going to change, and so are our financial circumstances. We need to discuss many things. Where we are going to live is another of them.”

  He bent down to kiss her then turned her around to wash her hair. After he was done, he began to kiss the back of her neck and shoulders. Ava could feel his erection pressing against her, and it was exciting her. He backed over to the shower seat and sat down pulling her with him. He reached under to feel her slickness, running his fingers through her folds. She started to moan, and he positioned himself at her opening, pulling her back.

  She whimpered as he entered her and he grasped her hips as she started to move.

  “Fuck, Ava. You’re so snug.”

  They continued in a rhythm. Ava could feel her orgasm starting to build. Xander removed his hands from her hips, letting her do the work. Then he placed them on her breasts, caressing and pinching her nipples. With each pinch, she let out a moan, and a shock of electricity went down to her core. He leaned to kiss her back and squeeze her ass.

  “That’s it, baby,” he encouraged.

  He again grasped her hips and started to gyrate his own until she let out a final moan as she found her release. He continued to move keeping his hands on her until he climaxed. She stood up and stumbled, weak kneed. He pulled her onto his lap, and she curled up as the steam from the shower floated around them.

  “I love you, Xander. I don’t want to fight.”

  “I know, baby. Neither do I.”

  Chapter 34

  That afternoon they had lunch with Xander’s parents. Peter and Gabby wanted to congratulate the happy couple. Ava wasn’t sure what they were going to say to them, but she hoped it was nothing negative. They sat down, and Peter ordered a bottle of champagne. After the waiter brought the bottle and poured each one a glass, Peter made a toast.

  “To my son and his beautiful bride-to-be. We wish you all the best.”

  He reached into his suit jacket and handed Ava an envelope. She opened it and slipped the card out handing it to Xander. He opened it, and he raised his eyebrows. He handed the card back to Ava. Peter and Gabby had gifted Xander and Ava the Lake George house as a wedding present.

  Ava gasped, “This is too much. The home is fantastic, but it’s just…too much.” She tried to push back the tears, but they started to sting her eyes.

  “Mom and Dad, we can’t accept this. You love that home.”

  Gabby placed her hand over Ava’s and reached across the table to grasp Xander’s.

  “We don’t enjoy the place without you children there. It’s time for it to pass to someone else in the family. We hope you will one day fill the bedrooms with the next generation.”

  Xander shot Ava look. He knew that those words would affect her deeply since she wasn’t able to have children of her own. He reached under the table and found her hand to hold. He hoped she wouldn’t break down anymore than she already had.

  Ava was able to find her voice, “Thank you, Gabby and Peter. It’s a wonderful gift, and we will cherish it.”

  After hugs were passed around, they bent their heads to look at their menus. This gave Xander a chance to look at Ava. He saw the tortured look on her face and knew that his mother’s remark was tearing her apart. His heart hurt for her.

  She didn’t eat much during lunch. He watched her and worried that she would lose more weight. She knew he was watching her, but she didn’t care. Her stomach was hurting, and she was afraid if she ate too much she would vomit.

  In the cab on the way home, she leaned against Xander and let silent tears fall.

  “Mom didn’t mean anything by what she said. She is well aware that you can’t have children. But she knows there are other ways we can have them. Please don’t be upset. We have a busy night ahead of us.”

  They needed to get home and change for rehearsal of Sam and Robert’s wedding. She was the maid of honor and Xander was one of the groomsman. She tried to pull herself together, but she knew that the emotional rollercoaster wasn’t over. They quickly changed and left for the church.

  Most of her family was there including David, who was sitting in one of the pews ignoring her as he played with his phone. Twice she looked up during the rehearsal to see him looking at her, his intense stare burning into her. She knew they were going to have to have a conversation. It was obvious that he was upset. She didn’t know what she could do.

  The rehearsal went well, and they reconvened an hour later for dinner at a large Greek restaurant owned by Sam’s uncle in midtown Manhattan. They were ushered to a large private room where all types of Greek and American appetizers were laid out. Ava’s appetite was piqued when she saw that there were stuffed grape leaves, one of her favorites. Sam had introduced her to them several years ago. She piled several on her plate and sat down next to Xander who was enjoying a plate of shrimp in Latholemono sauce.
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  It had taken her several minutes before she realized that David was again staring at her from his table across the room. She had enough and excused herself to talk to him. He avoided her eyes and kept his head bent as she asked him to speak privately. Luckily, her stepmother, Felice was engaged in conversation with Sam’s brother, Stavros, or she would have asked what was going on between them.

  Ava led him to small banquet room and sat down at a table.

  “What is your problem, David?”

  “My problem? Like you care.”

  “So this is it? Aren't you going to talk to me? I miss you.”

  His face brightened, and he looked up at her face.

  “You miss me? Not enough to not be with him,” he said sarcastically.

  “He has a name, and I love him. You know that.”

  “You know I remember comforting you in a room much like this when he was with that other woman. You loved me then.”

  “You did comfort me, but I never loved you the way you want me to.”

  “Can you say you don’t feel anything for me?”

  “David, I love you like a brother.”

  “I want you to kiss me.”

  “No. Why would I do that?”

  “I want you to see that you love me the way you say you don’t.”

  “I can’t do that, and you will just have to trust me when I say I don’t.”

  He reached over and pulled her head to his, pressing his lips hard against hers. She struggled to break the kiss and managed to just as Xander came into the room.

  “Everything alright in here?”

  “Yes, fine,” David said as he got up quickly to leave the room.

  “Was it something I said?” Xander asked. “Is everything resolved?”

  “No, not like I wanted it to be. I will tell you later. Let’s go back to dinner; I’m hungry.” She wasn’t, because any appetite that she had before she talked to David was gone. But she knew it would take Xander’s focus off David and onto her eating.

  As they sat down, she looked for David but didn’t see him in the room. He must be off wandering around the restaurant. She didn’t want him to be angry with her, but it seemed they were at an impasse. She tried to eat under the watchful eye of Xander.

  She got up to go to the bathroom leaving Xander to eat by himself. He felt someone tap him on the shoulder and was surprised to see it was Brooke. She had kept her distance since she was in New York and that was just how he liked it.

  “Can I sit down?” She said gesturing to Ava’s vacant chair.

  “If you must.”

  “Xander, don’t be nasty. You will soon be my brother-in-law, and I don’t want there to be animosity between us.”

  His face softened, “I’m sorry. I know you aren’t the same person you were years ago. What can I do for you?”

  “I just want to tell you to treat Ava well. She was so broken up when you were apart. She knows she made mistakes, but you are the one and only man she loves.”

  “Brooke, I have no intention of repeating the past. I will always treat her well and take care of her. You have no idea how much I love her.”

  “I think I do because it’s much the way I love Walter. Just promise me you won’t break her heart.”

  “I said I would never do that again,” he snapped.

  Ava walked into the room to see her sister talking to Xander. She watched as her sister gesticulated with her hands. She waited to see the outcome of the conversation before she intervened. She was relieved to see them hug before Brooke got up to go back to her table. At least she had someone on her side not being so sure about Michael or her father.

  She sat back down at the table and asked him about his conversation with Brooke. He told her what had transpired and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was going to need Brooke’s help if she was to convince her father that Xander was the man she wanted to be her husband. Ava knew he was still upset about what had happened four years ago.

  The appetizers were cleared, and a buffet was laid out of all kinds of food. The conversation she had with David had put a pall over her mood. She was melancholy, and she tried to hide it from Xander. He grasped her hand, and they went up to the buffet to get some dinner. She put little on her plate and Xander scowled at her.

  “What?”

  “You aren’t eating enough. You barely touched your appetizer.”

  “I’m just nervous about tomorrow.”

  “Why? You’re not the one getting married, not yet anyway. Look at Sam and Robert; they seem to be very relaxed.” He gestured over to them as they buzzed around the room talking to their families and friends.

  “I know, but I’ll be in front of a lot of people in the church.”

  “But I will be right across from you. Don’t be nervous, sweetheart.”

  He could always make her comfortable. She put a little more food on her plate, and he smiled at her. They sat down at a large table next to Rachel and Rigo.

  “Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Rachel asked.

  “A little. I think I will be alright once the ceremony is over.”

  “In a little while, you will be the bride so get used to being the center of attention.”

  Ava groaned, “Don’t remind me.”

  “Come on, sweetie. You know I’ll design a fabulous dress for you.”

  Ava’s face lit up. She was hoping Rachel would offer. She knew how busy she was with her clients. With a new baby and a booming business, she didn’t think she would have time to make her a dress.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t offer? I love you, and I wouldn’t dream of making you go searching for a dress off the rack. Yours is going to be one of a kind. I’m going to burn the pattern once I design your dress.”

  Ava hugged her cousin. She was happy that she wouldn’t have to search for a dress. Rachel knew what she liked and would make it perfect. Her conversation had driven her appetite, and she began eating. One of the waiters offered her a glass of wine, and she accepted. She had held off from drinking because she wasn’t eating much and didn’t want to get drunk.

  The rest of the evening went without a hitch. She and Xander danced and circulated the room talking to everyone. As they got ready to leave, her father approached her. It seemed like he had been avoiding her all night as had Michael.

  “Ava, I want to speak with you privately.” His face was stern, and he nodded at Xander. She followed him to the same banquet room where she and David had spoken. He closed the door and told her to sit down.

  “I know you think that I am going to chastise you for getting back together with Xander, but I am not. I spoke with your stepmother last night, and she told me that I need to let you make your own decisions. I was upset last night, but I’m going to trust your judgment. I know you love him. I see that you have the same look your mother used to give me. Remember no matter what happens I’m here for you. I love you, Ava. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “I know, Daddy. Thank you.”

  Jason wrapped his arms around his daughter and hugged her tightly, but he wondered if she was making a mistake.

  At home that night, Ava lay awake in her bed with Xander curled around her. She kept thinking about what David had said. She was sad that he couldn’t get over her. There was nothing she could do. She loved Xander, and he was going to be the only man for her.

  “Sweetheart, it’s time to get up.”

  She opened one eye to see Xander leaning down in front of her. He smelled delicious from body wash having just come out of the shower.

  “What time is it?” She mumbled.

  “It’s 8:22. Don’t you have a hair appointment?”

  She jumped out of bed. She had to be at Verona with the rest of the bridesmaids at 9:30. She practically knocked him over as she brushed past him on the way to the bathroom. She had a little over an hour to shower and get to midtown. Samantha would have a fit if she were late.

  When she came back to the bedroom, Xander was lounging on the bed with
the towel still wrapped around his waist.

  “You aren’t dressed?”

  “No. I’m in no hurry. I already combed my hair.”

  She groaned, “I wish I could just comb my hair and be ready. I hate having to get my hair, makeup and nails done. You go to the hair appointment, and I’ll sit in my towel watching TV.”

  “If you sit in a towel I might not be able to control myself.”

  She dropped the towel and began putting on her bra and panties. Xander scrambled off the bed as her back was turned and cupped her breasts.

  “Don’t start,” she said in a husky voice.

  He backed off, “You’re no fun.”

  “Wasn’t last night enough for you?”

  “I told you that I can never get enough of you.” He kissed her and went in the closet to pull on a pair of sweats and a shirt.

  Ava finished dressing and got ready to leave for Verona. She was nervous as the cab drove to the salon. She made it exactly at nine-thirty, but nonetheless, Sam gave her a dirty look while the stylist was preparing to wash her hair. Ava sat down to get her nails done while she was waiting for a chair to open for her hair. She sipped orange juice through a straw while her nails dried.

  By 12:30, the entire wedding party was finished. She needed to get home and get her dress. The limo would be taking her and the other bridesmaids to Sam’s loft to get ready. Once they were ready, it would whisk them off to the church and then after the ceremony, to The Pierre for the reception. Sam and Robert were having almost four hundred guests. It made Ava wish she hadn’t told Xander she wanted a big wedding. She preferred not to be the center of attention.

  She walked through the door, and Xander was sprawled out on the couch with Boomer and Riley next to him. He had on the Yankees game and was still in his sweats. She leaned over and kissed his lips, and his eyes fluttered open.

  “Hey, sweetheart, you’re home. You look good enough to eat,” he offered seductively.

  “No.”

  “No, what?”

  “We are not having sex. Why do you always do this when I’m all made up?”

  “When do I ever do this? We don’t go to many events.”