A Spring Affair

by Té Russ

  That was the same night they'd made love for the first time. Maya thought about how loving and attentive he'd been as he worshipped her body that night.

  "Or how he told you about when he found out she cheated, she had her father try and wreck his business," Eva continued. "If you really think about it, if Darby knew Xavier was in a relationship, it's not out of the crazy realm of possibilities that she set the whole thing up to ruin what you two had together. She obviously wants him back and is willing to do whatever it takes."

  Maya stopped walking and thought about Eva's view of the situation. Maya had been so upset when she'd walked in and saw Xavier with Darby that her mind, body and heart had instantly been filled with grief and betrayal. She hadn't stopped to think of all of the other horrible things Darby had done to Xavier.

  "I mean think about it," Eva added. "Why would he knowingly have that woman over there after he told you where his secret spare key to his house was and then tell you to come by anytime? Xavier isn't malicious like that. I've only met him once and I can tell. I can also tell that he is crazy in love with you. He looks at you the same way Roger looks at me. And you already admitted earlier that you love him. Give him a chance, Maya."

  Maybe Eva was right about all of this, Maya thought to herself. She had to admit, even with what happened, she missed Xavier fiercely. The last few months between them had been amazing. It was hard to imagine throwing it all away.

  "I'll think about it," Maya relented.

  "Don't think too long," Eva advised. "The last thing you want to do is decide too late to forgive him and then find out that he's already moved on."

  "What the hell happened to your hand?"

  Xavier noticed the light bruises on Lena's knuckles as she picked up the tray full of wine.

  "Oh that?" Lena nonchalantly shrugged. "I ran into Darby earlier and we had a little...'chat'."

  "You didn't," Xavier said, gravelly.

  "The hell I didn't," Lena said, slamming the tray back down. "That heifer is lucky all I left her with is a black eye after that stunt she pulled with you, Xay."

  "I don't need my baby sister fighting my battles for me," he insisted. "I've already taken proper measurements to keep Darby out of my life for good."

  "The proper measurements," Lena threw back at Xavier, "should have been me beating her ass, when I walked in on her at your house with another man. Or after she sent dear old dad to try and get Wined & Dined shut down. No, this was long overdue."

  Xavier watched Lena grow solemn. "Maybe if I had, you'd still be with Maya. She still hasn't returned any of your calls?"

  "No," he said, with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

  "Xay–"

  "You know, I don't want to talk about Maya right now."

  Lena stood there with a look of disbelief on her face. "I don't believe this."

  "What?" Xavier asked, growing uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

  "You're giving up on her, aren't you?"

  "What am I supposed to do Lena? I've tried reaching out to her in every form of communication that I can. I even drove to Napa, looking for her at her job and her home. She wasn't at either."

  At first he'd been frantic with need to tell her the truth, then he'd been sick at the thought of losing her. Somewhere along the way, he'd grown pissed. After everything he'd confided in Maya about Darby and the woman's wicked ways, she chose not to even hear him out. If she couldn't trust him after he'd been nothing but honest from the beginning, if she wouldn't even give him a chance to tell the truth, why should he even continue to try?

  As if reading his mind, Lena said, "Maya just needs time. Her walking into your home and finding you like that, no matter what actually happened had to be a shock to the system."

  Xavier didn't want to give up, he'd just exhausted every avenue of trying to reach out to Maya.

  "She'll contact you when she's ready," Lena said, without a hint of doubt in her voice.

  "What makes you think she'll even reach out to me?" Xavier asked, wishing he had as much hope as his sister.

  "Because you two are meant for each other. Nothing is going to keep you apart. Not even a misunderstanding caused by that crazy bitch Darby."

  Xavier had just shut down the shop and stopped by the grocery store on his way home. He planned on running in to grab something quick because he didn't feel like cooking anything. The last person he expected to see rounding the corner of one of the aisles was Maya.

  When she noticed him, her eyes grew wide, but he was thankful when she kept walking toward him.

  "Hey," he said, still in a bit of shock.

  "Hi," she said, quietly.

  "What are you doing here in Sacramento...in a grocery store...at this late of an hour?"

  "Oh...I, uh...I've been staying with Eva. Roger had to go out of town on business and since she's still healing I offered to stick around. She's already having pregnancy cravings, so here I am."

  "That explains it then."

  "Explains what?" she asked, confused.

  "I came to Napa looking for you. I wanted to explain what really happened with Darby. And when you wouldn't return my calls, I came to see you in person. I even went to Russell Oaks."

  "I don't think I would have been ready to hear what you had to say anyway," Maya honestly replied.

  "Does that mean you're ready now?" he asked. The fact that she was still standing in front of him and hadn't told him to go jump off of a bridge gave him hope.

  "Yeah, I think so," she said, and he released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

  "Look, I have to go. Can't keep the pregnant lady waiting."

  "Right," Xavier said, his spirits rising for the first time in days. "Yeah, I get it. When can I see you again?"

  "I'll call you," Maya said, then she brushed past him and headed to the check out line.

  Xavier stood there, watching Maya, her scent still tickling his nose. It was the same scent that still lingered on the pillow next to his. As she walked toward the exit, she looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with him and his heart stopped when he saw something on her face that he feared he may never see again.

  A smile.

  Chapter 14

  Maya's hand shook as she reached up and rang the doorbell at Xavier's home. She didn't think she would be coming back here after the last time she'd visited. But despite what had happened, she couldn't stop the small thrill of eagerness running up her spine.

  Running into Xavier the night before, at the grocery store of all places, had been more of a pleasant surprise than Maya thought it would have been. She'd had to squash the urge to drop her basket and run into his arms, because seeing him stirred up all of the good memories they'd shared.

  He looked damned good, but she could also see the misery in his eyes. It was the same pain she was feeling, not being with him over the last few days.

  Seeing him again also confirmed that her feelings for him were still as strong as ever. She was still very much in love with Xavier. He'd always been caring and attentive to her, and he deserved the chance to give his side of the story.

  She saw him through the door coming to answer and she quickly smoothed her dress down and ran her hands through her hair.

  He opened the door and smiled at her. That smile always made her feel like it was just for her.

  "Come in," he said, stepping to the side to allow her to enter.

  They walked into the living room and sat on the sofa.

  After several moments of awkward silence, Xavier asked, "How is your sister doing?"

  "She's doing good, thanks for asking."

  "I'm glad you decided to come by so we could talk."

  "Things happened so quickly that night, after taking time to really think about what happened, and who it happened with, I figured there was more than met the eye."

  "You have no idea," he said, shaking his head. He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. "I wanted you to see this."

  She unfolded
it and began to read it.

  "You got a restraining order against Darby?" Maya asked, looking up at Xavier.

  "That night..." Xavier started, "when I got home, there was music playing and the lights were down low. I thought it was you in the house, since earlier that day I'd told you where my key was and to come by anytime."

  She remembered how thoughtful he'd been, bringing Eva flowers and impressing her parents.

  "I heard the shower running in the bedroom, so I decided to wait in the living room. When she came out, I instantly demanded she leave."

  Listening to everything, it made much more sense.

  "How did she get in the house?" Maya asked.

  "My housekeeper let her in. She's been working for me since I bought the house, so of course she knows Darby. I should have let her know months ago that Darby and I were no longer together, but the very next day, I let her know and told her that under no circumstances was Darby allowed to come in here ever again. I also went and filed that," he said, nodding at the restraining order still in Maya's hand.

  He took it from her and sat it down on the table in front of them, then moved closer to her.

  "Maya, this time away from you has been absolute hell. I've missed you so much." He reached out and touched her cheek. "I've missed your laugh, your smile. Baby, I've just missed your presence. I haven't been able to stand you not being with me. You've become such an integral part of my life and it only took me a few weeks to know that what I have with you is better than anything I've had with anyone else. I've never loved anyone the way that I love you. You've made my life so much better and I need you."

  If any trace of doubt had been left, hearing him profess his love for her wiped it out completely.

  "I should have known better than to think you would ever really do something like that, especially with Darby of all people after everything she's done to you already," she finally said quietly. "You've done nothing but be wonderful to me and I'm sorry I avoided you for so long, because I've missed you too. And...I love you too."

  "So does that mean we're good now?" he asked, sliding his hand to the back of her neck.

  She shut her eyes and nodded. "I think we're better than good," she answered.

  And then, while her eyes were still closed, she felt Xavier pull her mouth against his.

  He couldn't believe how good it felt having her in his arms again. Even though it hadn't been that long since the last time they'd made love, it felt like a lifetime ago. Kissing her now, and knowing that she loved him as much as he loved her, sent his ache for her through the roof.

  Maya's need for him seemed to be just as strong, if the way she was tugging at his shirt was any indication.

  "Eager much?" he teased.

  "I hear make up sex is some of the best sex," she said, before swirling her tongue underneath his ear.

  He swiftly stood and nearly tossed her over his shoulder to get them to his bedroom.

  Within minutes they were naked, and he was watching with astonishment as Maya sat up and rode him like a madwoman. He loved the way she always let go in the bedroom with him. His sweet Maya could be a total hellcat and it was just for him.

  She caught his attention again when she moaned his name. He pulled her down and kissed her hard, then whispered in her ear, "I love you, don't ever doubt that."

  "I won't," she swore. "Never again."

  And then they came together.

  Xavier felt Maya's body relax on top of him and within minutes she was asleep. As he stroked her smooth back, Xavier felt thankful that they'd worked things out and were together again. She belonged to him now, and there wasn't a damn thing that would keep them apart ever again.

  Maya floated into Eva's kitchen the next morning feeling lighter than she'd been in weeks.

  "Well, look who's just now getting in," Eva said, as she sat at the kitchen table drinking her herbal tea. "What's in the box?"

  Maya tossed the pink box from Fuller's on to the table in front of Eva.

  "A little something to go with your tea," Maya said.

  She watched as Eva opened the box. Her eyes rounded and she snatched one of the buttery pastries out of the box and took a huge bite. Her eyes rolled and she shoved the rest in her mouth and grabbed two more.

  "These have got to be the best croissants I've ever tasted."

  "Hey!" Maya said, moving toward her. "Save me some."

  Eva wrapped her arms around the box and held it to her chest.

  "Where did you get these?" she asked Maya.

  "Fuller's," Maya said.

  "The place you were telling me about?" Eva asked. "The one Xavier's parents owned?"

  "Yes. Now his uncle and aunt run the place." Maya reached for the box again. "Evie! Give me one."

  Eva tightened her hold on the box. "You can go and get some more."

  Maya put her hand on her hip and glared at her sister. "You are not seriously about to sit there and eat all of those croissants."

  "I'm eating for two," Eva said, rubbing her stomach. "Besides, they're practically your in-laws now. You can get the family discount."

  "They are not practically my in-laws, Evie."

  "Whatever," Eva said, ignoring Maya's protest.

  Maya was quick enough to swipe the box from Eva and she got a croissant for herself out of the box then stuck her tongue out at Eva.

  "I take it, from the fact that you're bringing me food from his family's place, that things went well between the two of you yesterday."

  "Evie, you were right about everything," Maya admitted, then went on to retell Xavier's side of what happened. She even told Eva about what happened when Lena ran into Darby after the incident.

  "I'm glad he got a restraining order on her," Eva said, after Maya was done.

  "Me too, I just wish I hadn't spent so much time not responding to him." She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "He told me he loved me."

  "I knew it!" Eva said triumphantly. "So...when's the wedding?"

  Maya nearly choked on her croissant. "Wedding. What are you talking about? We just told each other 'I love you' last night."

  "So? Look at Roger and I. We met, fell in love and got married within six months."

  "Yeah, but–"

  "Mom and Dad," Eva continued. "Met, fell in love and got married in three months. You and Xavier may have only been dating for a short time, but you've known each other for a few years now. Mark my words little sister: the women in this family fall in love hard and fast. And Xavier doesn't seem like the type of man who wastes time, just like Roger and Daddy. If he loves you as much as I think he does, he's not gonna wait too much longer before he proposes. And he's not going to want a long engagement. I wouldn't be surprised if you're married by the end of spring."

  Maya grabbed another croissant. "Evie, those pregnancy hormones of yours have got you spitting all kinds of nonsense."

  But her sister hadn't been wrong about anything where Maya and Xavier were concerned so far. If Xavier did propose so soon, would she be ready for something like that?

  She hadn't realized she was beaming until Eva called her out.

  "Look at you! You're already excited about it! Oh I've got to start picking up bridal magazines. We don't have much time to plan–"

  "Evie...Evie! Slow down. We just made up. Let's just see where things go from here."

  "I know exactly where things are going," Eva said, confidently. "Right down the wedding aisle."

  "Xavier..."

  He felt Maya's breath against his ear as she whispered his name and the lower half of his body woke up instantly. The top half on the other hand was still demanding sleep.

  "Xavier," she said again, "We've got to get up."

  "What time is it?" he grumbled.

  "Almost seven," she giggled, running her hand up and down his arm. "We promised Uncle Bobby and Aunt Lee that we would pick up Lena and take her to Fuller's for a graduation breakfast."

  He liked the way she referred to his family now,
as if they were hers as well. If he had his way, they would officially be her family soon.

  Things had been wonderful in the last couple of weeks since they'd made up. They couldn't seem to stay away from each other now. Usually one of them would end up making the hour drive to the other's home after work so they wouldn't have to sleep alone at night.

  "Breakfast," Xavier murmured. "I don't think they're going to have what I want."

  He finally opened his eyes and pinned Maya with a heated gaze.

  "Oh no," Maya said, scrambling out of the bed. "We don't have time for that."

  She rushed to the bathroom, and he heard the sound of the shower. He got out of bed and stood in the doorway of the bathroom, which was already quickly filling with steam. He saw her outline in the shower and his body became fully awake.

  He made his way over to the shower and she turned when she heard him join her.

  "Xavier," she said, putting up a flimsy attempt to ward him off. "We can't."

  "I told you," he said, grinning. "They don't have what I want for breakfast on their menu."

  He pressed her back against the shower wall and kissed her until a moan drifted out of her mouth and her nipples peaked against his chest. When he slid his fingers inside of her and felt her arousal, he could no longer resist. He craved her more than anything else in the world.

  Xavier shifted their bodies and coaxed Maya to sit on the teakwood seat in the shower. Then he knelt down and spread her legs wide. He kissed her inner thighs, causing her legs to tremble. He knew how much it drove her crazy when he put his lips there, which was probably why it was his favorite spot on her body.

  "Xay," she pleaded. He chuckled, scraping his morning stubble against her leg. After a few more minutes of sweet torture, he finally gave her what she wanted. He placed her legs over his shoulders, planted his hands on her hips and leaned in to taste her. Her body began to gyrate as he made love to her with his mouth and soon she had her hands on his head, keeping him right where she wanted him as she orgasmed. He continued to give her small kisses until he felt her body go limp.