by Abby Gale
“Have you ever learned the meaning of NO?” I asked and sat down my own chair.
“I didn’t need to learn it. But I’m recently hearing it so much from you and for the record…I don’t like it,” he looked at me directly.
“You should have learned earlier that you cannot get what you want all the time,” I shrugged and put a piece of pancake in my mouth.
It was delicious!
“Hmm…I’ll remind you of that the next time you’re begging me to let you come, Flame,” Xander said with a cruel-mischievous glimpse in his eyes.
I looked at Alex for a back-up.
“That asshole won’t let me near you if that what’s on his mind, trust me,” Alex answered me. He gave me an apologetic look but I knew he was enjoying this conversation as much as Xander.
“To threaten a woman with depriving her of an orgasm? How mature,” I huffed in annoyance.
“So?” Xander asked.
“So what for fuck’s sake? This is the silliest conversation on earth!” I groaned but kept eating.
Damn, this man was good at making pancakes!
“I’ll tell you what’s the silliest thing—I’m offering you to take a shower with me and you’re saying no. That’s silly.” Xander answered me with his cool demeanor and leaned back to his chair while sipping his coffee.
“You’re a megalomaniac,” I huffed but couldn’t help my smile.
“I’m just stating a fact.” Xander shrugged nonchalantly.
I shook my head and kept eating instead of giving him an answer.
“Well, I’m full,” I said a while. I’ve never eaten that fast in my life.
“Good. Let’s shower, then.” Xander stood up with grace.
“I’m joining to the party, too.” Alex said playfully but Xander was quick to snap at him.
“No, you’re not, brother.”
“What? Why?! You became a possessive bastard.” Alex protested like a whiny girl.
“You had your fun this morning, bro. And I won’t fuck her in the shower so don’t cry.” Xander scolded him.
He wouldn’t fuck me? That was how disappointment felt like. I should have been glad that I wouldn’t be late, but tell it to my slutty body.
“Okay…let’s do the shower. Because that’s the most important concern I have right now,” I said sarcastically and left the kitchen.
“You’re a bastard, Xander,” I heard Alex said to his brother.
“Then, it makes you one, too, brother. Just saying.” Xander snapped back at him but he didn’t sound so annoyed.
I quickened my pace toward Xander’s room but he caught me by my arm.
“Eager, Flame?” he asked huskily.
“Yep. I have more important things to do today than having a shower with a megalomaniac. I prefer it to be done already,” I answered him with a fake smile on my face.
“You’re pushing my limits, Flame. I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warned me with sinfully seductive voice.
“Why I feel like that’s not a threat or a warning? That’s more likely a promise or a teaser…” I whispered to his lips.
He narrowed his eyes.
“Let’s do the shower before I decide to give you a sneak peek,” he said with a dangerously hot voice and took my hand as we climbed the stairs.
“Strip,” he commanded when we got into his bathroom.
He frowned again but I couldn’t understand what he was thinking. I could never understand the way his mind worked ever since I’ve met him. When he told me he wouldn’t do any word games, I thought he would be like an open book and I would be able to read him easily, but it wasn’t like that.
Sometimes, he showed his feelings, slightly—with only a twitch at the corner of his lips or a momentarily spark in his eyes…But now, he shut himself off.
I didn’t know if it was normal, that I could sense the little changes in him but I didn’t care. I wanted to learn everything about him. I wanted him to let me in like I did with him in my life. Alex was already a part of my life and he made me feel like I was a part of his as well. But with Xander…Everything was blurry.
“I told you to strip, Flame. Not day-dream.” Xander said.
“I wasn’t daydreaming. I was trying to figure out what you’re thinking… and feeling,” I said and started to take off my clothes.
“What I’m feeling?” Xander asked confused. His frown deepened.
“Yes…you were almost playful today but then just boom.”
Xander took off his sweatpants without looking at me. His frown was still in place. His nakedness distracted me.
“Come here,” he said after he got into the shower and extended his hand to pull me in.
I took joined him in the shower, let the water spray us both. It was like a massage on my body, thanks to modern showerhead. Xander was silent with his arms wrapped around me from behind and I waited till he decided to speak.
“You want to know what I’m feeling, hmm?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I wasn’t sure whether he heard me through the cascading water.
“Why?”
“Because I want to understand you. And I…” I didn’t know how to continue or how he would react to my answer.
“You what, Flame?” he nuzzled to my neck. His body behind me, his breath on my neck…I could stay there, like this, forever.
“I want to be close to you. Being around Alex is so easy but with you…I’m not sure if you’re annoyed by me or if you like having me around.”
A part of me hoped he didn’t hear me. But I knew he did when he pulled his head back.
“If I didn’t like having you around you wouldn’t be around,” he said sharply.
“But I’m annoyed with you. You’re defying me and I’m not familiar with that,” he murmured. I was afraid to say something and he would stop talking.
“How am I defying you?” I whispered.
“I don’t want you to go that fucking club but you’re not listening to me,” he huffed.
“I’m not your slave. You cannot control me, Xander.”
“I can think of a way to control you if you keep pushing my limits,” he said stubbornly while putting shower gel into washcloth and started to wash my body.
“You can’t and you should accept that. Alex doesn’t have any problem with that.”
“I’m not Alex. This is who I am,” he said. His hands moved between my legs and he washed me there. I knew what he was doing…he was trying to distract me.
He wrapped my hair around his wrist and pulled back.
“What if I told you to kneel? Will you defy me on that one, too?” he asked seductively and his fingers grazed my clit, causing me to moan with the sensation for a second but I immediately forced myself to focus.
Turning to face him I put some gel into my palm. He didn’t stop washing me when I put my soapy hands to his torso.
“You don’t understand, Xander. If you tell me to kneel so I suck you off, you don’t have to say that twice. I’d gladly do that. Because I want you. But if you want me to kneel so you can control me, make me stay here and wait for you to find Angel…then you’ll have to think of something else. Because, yes…I’ll defy you, fight with you.”
“I’m trying to protect you, can’t you see that? What if something happens to you? If you won’t let me be in control how will I protect you?”
He looked almost vulnerable in that moment. I’d never seen him like that. He cared for me. It was so fast but also so intense, I couldn’t doubt it.
“I don’t want you to be in control, Xander. I like you more when you’re out of it, when you’re open like this.” I moved closer to him.
“But this is not me…I don’t talk easily about my feelings or what I’m thinking, like Alex does. This is one-time thing, Flame. Just to make you understand and maybe make you listen to me. But it’s not working, I see.”
“Angel is my only family, Xander. She is my sister and I’ll do whatever I have to do to find her. I’ll d
o whatever I think it’s right. And just so you know…I will not ask for your permission to do it.” Determination was clear in my voice.
When I touched his cock he was already half-hard but I kept spreading gel on him.
“Enough. We’ll be late, otherwise.” His voice was tense. I gave a few more strokes and dropped my hand.
“Is there anything new you found out during your talk to Fabien?” I asked as water washed away the shower gel.
“No. He’ll be here tomorrow and we’ll go to the club together.” Xander answered me.
“Oh, I’ll meet you there, then,” I said but his frown deepened.
“What are you talking about?” he asked as I was reaching for the towel.
“I mean, you guys will come to the club together and I’ll meet you there. I don’t know what the problem is,” I was confused by his question. I wrapped one towel around myself while extended one to him.
“You’ll be here tomorrow when Fabien comes, Flame.” He was still frowning but wrapped the towel I gave around his waist.
“Okay…let me know when he’ll show up and I’ll be here before him,” I told him sweetly. I was trying to figure out why he was frowning.
“Flame…I see you’re somewhat confused. Let me clarify it for you. You’re staying here.” Xander told me slowly like he was talking with a five years old child.
“What do you mean by ‘you’re staying here’? You mean like…you want me to move in here?” I asked in shock and followed him to the bedroom.
Alex was already there and lying on the bed.
“Why are you guys so serious? What did you do in the shower for fuck’s sake, a business meeting?” Alex was grinning like an idiot.
“Xander wants me to move in with you,” I exclaimed. I didn’t know how to feel about that.
“Yes! You’re the man, brother!” Alex extended his fist to Xander but Xander just shook his head at him.
“Yes. Why are you so surprised?” Xander asked nonchalantly.
“Xander…I don’t know if you realized this but we don’t know each other that well,” I said while grabbing another jeans and a t-shirt from the bags.
“We know each other enough and this is convenient.”
“How is that?”
“You work in the club we usually go. You’re modeling for Alex.” Xander started.
“And you fuck us both.” Alex interrupted loudly.
“That, too. So you need to stay here.” Xander finished.
“I’ll think about it, okay?” I asked them. Alex was nodding but Xander was frowning.
“I’ve accepted your decision about going to that club and I’ve accepted the fact that you don’t want me to butt into your business so much…So you will not think about it, you’ll accept to move in with us. End of the discussion” Xander said and put on his suit jacket on.
“Okay,” I sighed and tried to put my hair into a ponytail.
“Okay. Since you’ve just forced me to accept your offer, now I’m leaving,” I said and grabbed my purse.
“Wait, Dawn!” Alex called out for me the moment I left the room.
“What now, Alex?” I groaned.
“I’m coming with you.”
“What? No! What now, you guys won’t let me go anywhere without you?” I asked in annoyance.
“Do you want to be late and fight about it? Because I have a meeting I need to attend so I’m leaving with or without you guys.” Xander said and went to the first floor after a daring look to my way.
“Okay, let’s go,” I grabbed Alex’s arm.
“Will Xander take us to the police station like a good parent?” I asked sarcastically. I made sure Xander could hear me.
“Get in the car, Flame or I’ll give you a good spanking like a bad parent.” Xander answered me but his eyes were amused.
“Punish me, Daddy. I was a naughty girl, I deserve your spanking.” Alex mimicked sultry girl voice and slapped my ass.
“You’re sick, Alex,” I rolled my eyes and got into the car.
I saw Stephen on the driver seat.
“Hi, Stephen.”
“Hello, Miss Violet. Nice to see you again,” he answered me back politely.
“Where to go first, Mr. Vincent?” Stephen asked.
“Police station, Stephen. Then, you’ll take me to the company.” Xander answered him.
“You’ll stay with me, Alex?” I groaned.
“Yes, I’ll be your shadow, babe.” Alex winked at me.
I sighed and rested my head on Alex’s shoulder.
After a few minutes drive, I took my phone out from my purse to call Kevin.
“Missed me, Dawny?” Kevin answered the call.
“I’m coming to the station, Kevin. You’re there, right?”
“Yes, come to me, babe,” he told me in his usual cocky way.
“See you soon,” I said and ended the call.
“Are you sure this guy is your friend, Dawn? You seem tense whenever you talk to him.” Alex squeezed my hand. Xander was on the phone but I felt his gaze on me with Alex’s question.
“He is just a jerk. He does the work but he expects me to owe him,” I said and rested my head on Alex’s shoulder again.
“What do you mean by owe? He wants you to pay him sexually?” Xander asked after rested the phone on his shoulder.
“I don’t think you’ll like the answer.”
“Vance? Call me in five.” Xander snapped to the phone and turned to me.
“Tell me.”
I could feel his anger but he was controlling it. Alex wrapped his arm around me and kept squeezing my hand on his lap.
“I only wanted one thing from him and it cost me a blowjob. But don’t get your panties in a twitch. He didn’t exactly force me. I just did it to make him keep his mouth shut,” I said.
“Son of a bitch.” Alex cursed under his breath.
“Hey! Don’t start, okay? I don’t wanna stress over that. I’m nervous enough about what I’ll find in the photos,” I said before Xander could say anything. But I was aware of his tension. His hands were fisted on his lap.
“I just don’t like to think about your sweet lips around that fucker’s-” Alex started but I put my hand on his mouth.
“Stop! You’re making it worse,” I whispered to him. Xander was literally shaking with anger.
“Guys! Stop it! You’re making it worse for me and it was in the past. Can you just let it go?” I said and put my hand on Xander’s fist.
“Please.”
Xander stayed like a statue for a while but then nodded his head.
“We’re here, sir.” Stephen announced when the car stopped.
“Thank you, Stephen,” I said to him and turned to Xander.
“See you tonight, Xander,” I murmured. I was desperate to kiss him but I couldn’t be sure if I was welcome to do that.
“I’ll come with you, too.” Xander said tersely.
“No, you won’t. You’ll go to your meeting. Alex is here with me. Don’t worry.”
Alex already got out of the car and waiting for me to join him.
“Flame…”Xander said annoyed.
I leaned toward him and kissed him shyly. But the moment our lips touched, I felt the electric pull between us.
He wrapped my ponytail around his wrist, pulled me closer, and brought my hands to my back; secured them in his hand. His kiss became rough, causing me to moan and rub myself to him like a cat in heat. His kiss deepened and I lost myself in the sensation until he stopped kissing.
“I want to tie you down and teach you how to listen to me,” he growled to my face.
“You’re making me crazy,” he continued.
“I know,” I whispered and leaned forward to lick his bottom lip.
“If that guy-” He started between his gritted teeth.
“I know, Xander. Don’t worry,” I said and sucked his bottom lip this time.
“You’re mine,” he half-groaned half-growled.
“I’m y
ours and Alex’s.”
“Right…my bastard twin,” he chuckled.
“Are you done with claiming her, asshole? I’m freezing here.” Alex poked his head inside the car and teased his brother.
“See? He knows his name.” Xander told me amused. He was turning back his semi-playful-self.
“See you later,” I said again before getting out of the car.
“I thought he won’t let you out of that car.” Alex wrapped his arm around my waist with his signature grin on his face. His hand rested on my hips and I was glad for the comfort he provided.
“Shh…you’re shaking. Don’t be nervous.” Alex whispered to me.
“I’m trying. Do you remember what those photos looked like?” I asked as we climbing the stairs.
“Hardly. But I can recognize them once I saw them.” Alex answered.
“I want to believe she sent me some kind of message through those photos, but what if she didn’t?” I asked. I was so nervous.
Alex stopped me and turned my face to his.
“Whether she has sent you a message or not, we’ll find out what happened to her. If she didn’t send you some secret message in those photos, then you’ll have something that belongs to your sister.” Alex said softly.
“I don’t want to find out what happened to her. I want to find her. Safe and sound.” There was a lump in my throat.
“Shh…you know what I’ve always believed?” Alex asked me.
I shook my head and waited for him to continue.
“I think if something bad ever should happen, it would be heard of. I mean…I believe she’s not dead. Because if she was, the police would have already found her.”
I didn’t know if his logic would make any sense to anyone but to me, it helped. I wasn’t alone in believing she was alive.
“Thank you, Alex,” I whispered and kissed him on the lips shortly.
“Let’s meet that fucker,” Alex huffed.
“Hey, behave.”
“He should behave or I’ll kick his ass,” he said with a daring tone in his voice.
“This way,” I pointed toward the hall where Kevin’s cubicle was located.
The office was almost empty but two officers with Kevin.
Kevin stood up with a smirk the moment he saw me, but his entire expression turned sour when he noticed Alex and his possessive arms around me.