by Xavier Neal
“Yeah well apology accepted. You can go now.”
“Bryn-”
“Don't even fucking bother.”
“I know you didn't send that email-”
“No shit,” I snap and dagger my eyes at him. “I would never do something like that to you. And the fact there was ever a thought in your mind that I could is the real fucked up part, Wes. I wanted you to come into the world. I wanted to be a part of that for you. I wanted the big bad world to see that no matter how heavy shit gets sometimes people really can stand back up. People really do persevere. I wanted you to walk among the rest of us and realize it really doesn't matter what's on the outside. It matters what the hell you're made of on the inside.” When sadness coats his eyes, I bitterly add, “But since you look like an asshole on the outside and are actually one on the inside, I guess it doesn't matter.”
Now wanting nothing more than nautical miles between us, I stand to walk away. Re- actively, he grabs my wrist and tugs me back down.
“Let me go.”
“No,” he refuses, a look I've come to love coursing through his expression. “You pushed me to be the man you loved in private, in public. So here I am. No. I won't let you go. No. I won't let you walk out of this building without giving me one last goddamn chance to breathe.”
His grip softens as does my expression.
“I was wrong for accusing you.” Wes' hands return to his lap. “That was my mistake. I handled everything about that day poorly, to say the least. It turns out Penny was the one who sent that email.”
“Let me guess. Get me out of the picture?”
“Yes.”
“A bit extreme but I can't say I'm surprised. She never did like me very much.”
“Not just you,” he carefully continues. “Your mother either. She was the one responsible for making her ill.”
Rage roars through my blood. “Are you fucking with me? Oh! I swear! When I get a hold of the redheaded bitch I'm gonna-”
“You won't,” Wes cuts off the tangent.
“That better be 'you won't because I already Dextered the body Bryn' and not a 'you won't because I'm protecting her'.”
His expression doesn't alter. “Penny is Clark's daughter.”
“Wha....”
“So while pressing criminal charges for everything was the instinctive decision, your mother and he both convinced me to have her committed instead.”
My eyebrows furrow.
“Turns out, Penny has some deeper issues that I don't think being locked away in prison would help. After a brief discussion with the two of them, my lawyer and hers, she agreed to the be sent away to a mental health facility.”
“What if-”
“In Switzerland.”
“Switzerland?!” I croak, grabbing a woman's attention as she passes by with her son. Doing my best to dial down my shock, I grumble, “Why the fuck would you send her there? We have mental health facilities here.”
“Because your what if question is one I don't want to be forced to deal with. I don't want a what if she breaks out or what if she's deemed better and is released early. I want Penny as far away from the people I love the most and I want Clark to know his daughter is safe in the same breath. This was that compromise. She may get better. And they may release her. But she is not allowed back in the country.”
Slightly impressed, I lean back against the wall. “You really have that kind of power?”
“I do,” he confesses. “I also have the kind of power to make her or anyone else permanently disappear if they threaten my family again. I promised you I would make this right. I promised I would protect you. I am keeping that promise.”
Relief drifts over my shoulders and I divert my attention back to where Steven seems to be lingering.
“I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this right between us, Bryn. Put whatever mirror in front of me you have to. Finish punishing me for being the heartless dick I was and then let me breathe again.” I drop my eyes to his just as he pleads, “I'm suffocating without you, baby. I can't live without you breathing life into my life.”
All of a sudden his lips are pushed firmly against mine to continue his merciless begging. The gesture guts the lingering animosity and eradicates the notion the man fighting for me right now is the same one who was terrified what the world would think of him. His hand wraps around the nape of my neck, tugs me closer, and anchors me in place. Our mouths fight for forgiveness as much as dominance. With every push of his tongue and pull of my body, doubt is destroyed, promises planted, and endless love reestablished. Before this moment, I never realized how it's not really about not needing someone to save you, so much as knowing someone would go to extreme lengths to try. I hope neither of us ever stops trying. I don't think real love ever truly gives up.
Wes and Brynley will be returning in “Public” coming soon!
Read ahead for a sneak peak!
Public (Private #2)
One Year Later
“Yeah, I'm coming for the closing meeting,” I say into the earpiece just as Brynley strolls into the room. She gives her bedhead a ruffle, her curvy body completely uncovered by clothes, to my delight. “I gotta go.”
As soon as I end the call she questions, “Why'd you hang up so fast? Was that the wedding planner again? Did I sleep through another one of those calls?”
“No,” my retort is followed by pulling her into my boxer covered lap. Once she's settled in a straddled position, I trail a finger down her chest to her nipple, enjoying the small shudders that are the result of my light touch.
“Then who was it?” She moans her question.
“J.T.” I give the hardened nub a tease with my teeth. “Business.”
“Closing the deal with the Morgan Brand?”
Once I repeat my action to the other one, I hum, “Mmmhm.”
About a month after the media frenzy of my return began to simmer, we successfully started the paperwork to acquire a small company with big promise. Having the Morgan Brand join the Wilcox family is part of our decision to dip our toes into the world of beer. Our name being synonymous with whiskey is beneficial at the same time harmful. Wilcox is the trusted name of liquor not beer. Different fields. Different requirements. However the board, myself, J.T. and Brynley all agree branching to the other side of the fence could grow the brand exponentially. And that's exactly the place in life I've entered. Trying to grow. It's happening in my private life as much as it is my public one.
Brynley allows for my tongue to roll and tease her nipples for only a minute more. “What happened to saying good morning?”
“I'm trying to make it a good morning,” I counter, my cock nudging against her dripping heat. “Actions baby. Actions are always better than words.”
Her arms tangle around my neck as she meets me with a stern expression. “Quit saying clever shit to try to get laid. You know I have to go in early today. I have to check on some of the new adoptions.”
When Brynley's internship ended, she wasn't hired on for the job she trained for. Instead, due to her vast knowledge of marine life, they felt her expertise could be better used in other departments. For a couple months, she taught other trainees about the types of creatures in their care. Then she taught the tour hosts some interesting facts and showed them better presentation points. Most recently she was asked to be a part of the research and rescue team. Part of her job requires on sight rescue assessment, which is a few days at the rescue location sight, analyzing a creature's behavior and possible recovery time. I hate not sleeping beside her on those nights. Hell, I don't actually sleep. I typically spend the time working around the clock, so when she returns home I can spend around the clock hours on top of her. Underneath her. Beside her.
“Yeah, but the institute isn't that far from our penthouse, which is the entire reason we've been sleeping here all week. I'm going to take advantage of its benefits, the most important being I can fuck you properly and still get to work on time.”
Acquiring the penthouse had dual intentions. Brynley wasn't thrilled about the drive or ride to the city every morning and evening as well as some late nights she ended pulling. My reestablished presence in the company building also ended with many late nights at the office. With that in mind and Brynley's desire for us to have a place to call our own as opposed to having her just move in with me, grabbing a place downtown seemed like the perfect solution. It was like pulling teeth with her to let me buy the damn thing all on my own. She kept insisting if it was going to have both our names on it then it should come out of both of our pays. I compromised by letting her pay the monthly bills, which thankfully ended that discussion. I love how independent she is. Determined to take care of herself. Fend for herself tooth and nail, but it gets frustrating having to learn to fight for middle ground. Just like she gets frustrated with my resistance to large social settings and overwhelming need to assure everyone's safety of a situation before proceeding. At least I know the biggest threat we've dealt with is no longer an issue. She's still healing in the Swiss Alps. Since she's been admitted she's called Clark to apologize and seek reprieve. Lauren and him seem to be a little more forgiving than I am. Definitely more forgiving than Brynley. However, I did offer to fly Clark over there any time he would like to visit. I'm not sure he's ready to look his daughter in the eye for what she did just yet.
I flip Brynley onto her back and nudge her legs apart with mine. She let's out a frustrated sigh, “Can we at least talk about what the wedding planner said yesterday?”
Sliding my boxers off I mutter, “You talk. I'm not listening.”
“Wes.”
“Bryn.” She twitches a momentary glare that's washed away by a wave of ecstasy from my shaft slipping in deep. Her heady moan, causes me to cock a smirk and whisper, “How's that for a good morning, baby?”
The rocking of her hips is all the answer I really need. I bury my mouth in the crook of her neck, devouring the best breakfast a man could ever ask for.
Thank Yous!
Crazy Lady- Didn't see that coming huh?!
Her Husband- Thank you for being the best dad you could be.
Sissy B- You are an amazing person. Never forget that.
The Lumberjack- Thanks for giving me LFD time to keep my head clear!
The Law Student- Hope you follow your dreams like I did.
Katniss- Maybe one day you'll need more than just a bookshelf for all my books, lol
Throwback- My bestie, my movie partner, my swag masssttaaa!
The Real Life Erin- Love love.
Dallas Angie- Love our dinner dates. They always make me smile.
Boss Lady- You are my rock. My writing/publishing advice teammate. You are my friend and I love you.
Genie- Never forget how important the world knows you are.
The Editor- You never let me down. I love you lots.
The PAs- Left and Right brain, the good, the bad, and the busy. You're still an awesome team!
Dream Team- You ladies and your love make all things possible. Hands down.
Andrea P.- Your kind words and kind actions make more than just time in the cave possible. I am so so glad to know you and have your support.
Jamie R.- Your help, your support, your introduction to other authors has made all the difference in my professional and personal life. You're a rock star lady.
When I Grow Up- To all the authors out there who I follow, who help me, who have supported me from a share, to advice, I cannot possibly thank you enough, but damn sure will never stop trying.
Bloggers- Thank you for the work you put in regardless if I pay you or not. You make this big dream for this little indie more than possible.
Readers- You keep the heartbeat of my writing career going. Thank you.
Until next time….
FOLLOW ME!!!
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/XavierNealAuthorPage
Facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1471618443081356/
Twitter- @XavierNeal87
Instagram- @xavierneal87
Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990135.Xavier_Neal
Pintrest- https://www.pinterest.com/xavierneal/
Newsletter Sign up-http://eepurl.com/bYqwLf
Curious about my other works?
Check them out down below!
Senses Series (Sports Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Vital (Prequel Novella)
Blind
Deaf
Numb
Hush
Savor
Callous
Agonize
Suffocate
Mollify
Blur
Blear
Adrenaline Series (Romance/ Romantic Suspense)
Classic
Vintage
Masterpiece
Unmask
Error
Iconic
Prince of Tease Series (Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Prince Arik
Prince Hunter
Hollywood Exchange Series (Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Already Written
Blue Dream Series (Contemporary Romance)
Blue Dream
Purple Haze
Havoc Series (Military Romance/ Romantic Suspense)
Havoc
Chaos
Insanity
Collapse
Devastate
Never Say Neverland Series (NA Fantasy Adventure)
Get Lost
Lost in Lies
Lies, Mistrust, and Fairy Dust
Rub Me Series (Erotic Shorts)
Rub Me The Right Way
Rub Me The Wrong Way
Rub Me All The Way
The Just Series (Second Chance Romance)
Just Out of Reach
Just So Far Away
Private Series (Romantic Suspense)
Private
Standalones
Compassion (Military Romance)
Cinderfella (YA Contemporary)
The Gamble (Romantic Comedy)
Freeform (Romantic Comedy)