Burn: Book 3 (The Heat Series)

by MJ Masucci

  He took the poof from the shelf and put two dollops of her lavender body wash on it. She let him soap her body from head to toe, then sat on the shower seat while he washed. After, he dried her and let her take care of her personal things while he went to the bedroom to dress.

  The bedroom was empty when she came out of the bathroom, but the smell of coffee was in the air. A few minutes later he came in with a mug for her. He sat on the bed and watched her dress. She carefully chose her clothing for the day. A black lace bra and panty set, a gray pencil skirt, purple blouse and a pair of silk nude colored thigh highs.

  “Don’t wear those,” he noted gruffly.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m not going to be able to concentrate knowing you’re wearing them.”

  “Suppose I wear flats today?”

  “It doesn’t matter what shoes you wear; it’s the stockings that get me, not what you wear with them.”

  She giggled and put the thigh highs back in the drawer. This was how she knew that he was no longer upset with her. He eyed her as she dressed until she gave him a look in the mirror.

  “I can’t help it if my wife is sexy.”

  She grinned as he left the room with his coffee. When she was done, she went to the kitchen and found him sitting on the couch in the living room reading emails on his phone.

  “Anything of importance?”

  “Nothing much. My father wants to see me when I get in today. Not sure if it’s personal or about a new case. I hate when he’s so cryptic.”

  Ava watched as the frown on his face softened when he looked at her.

  “Come here.”

  She did as he asked and sat next to him.

  “You know why I was angry with you earlier, right?”

  “Yes, I understand. I just want to be a good wife.”

  “And I want to be a good husband. You can always say no. I feel like I forced you to do something you didn’t want.”

  “Don’t feel that way. I enjoyed it even though I didn’t come.”

  He leaned in and softly kissed her lips then glanced at his watch.

  “It’s almost seven-fifteen, do you want to leave for work or wait until seven-thirty?”

  “We can leave now. I need to do some filing when we get to work. Might as well do it to start the day.”

  They caught a cab, and he held her hand the entire trip, stroking the back of it with his thumb. At the office, he walked her to her desk and kissed her on the cheek before he went to meet his father. She wondered what the meeting was going to be about.

  A half hour later, Sam startled her, and she nearly messed up the neat piles she had just organized on her desk.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was wondering if you want to hang out with me one night this week?”

  “Sure, I’d like that a lot. We haven’t been out together for awhile.”

  “I want to get some lingerie and need your opinion. Then we can go out to dinner.”

  “Just let me know what night you want to do it so I can let Xander know.”

  “How about Wednesday? Robert is teaching a spinning class and will be busy until after ten. That will give us enough time to shop and have dinner.”

  Ava agreed, and she hugged Sam as she started to go back to her desk. She hadn’t heard from Xander, so she headed to his office to see if he was finished speaking with his father. He was sitting at his desk and typing on his laptop. He looked up when he noticed her at the door.

  “Hey, sweetheart.”

  “So, what did your father want?”

  “He said that he is thinking of selling the apartment and wanted to know if I was interested.”

  “Are you?”

  “I would be, but it’s worth about two million dollars. He said that he would give me a break on the purchase price, but I still think it would be too expensive for us.”

  “Why would you think that? In another couple of months, I will start my career. Surely we could afford it on our salaries.”

  “Maybe, but there is also the possibility that you will want to move to North Salem. Didn’t we say we were going to have that discussion? You liked that house.”

  “I did, but I love the city. I think I want to stay here. Besides, we have the lake house.”

  “Yes we do, but we don’t live there permanently.”

  “Why does your father want to sell the apartment?”

  “He said that they are trying to streamline their investments now that they are getting closer to retirement.”

  Ava had a thought, but she knew if she brought it up that Xander would get angry at her. She decided it was best to shelve the conversation for a later date.

  “I’m going out with Sam after work on Wednesday. We’re going shopping and having dinner afterward.”

  Xander’s head shot up, “Are you sure that is a good idea?”

  “I can’t stay cooped up in the apartment all the time. I need this.”

  “Ok, but you need to be careful and make sure you have your phone on you at all times.”

  “I promise I will.”

  She couldn’t wait to see Sam outside of work, and when Wednesday rolled around, she became nervous. Though no further incidents took place, the police still had not located the two men that attacked Xander. They had kept quiet about what took place so as not to worry their families. Mike Halloran had said that he had a few leads he was following and hoped he could end this sooner than later.

  At 4:45 PM, Ava went to Xander’s office to kiss him goodbye. He was on the phone when she entered, and she sat patiently waiting for him to hang up.

  “Come to say goodbye? You’re leaving me all alone tonight.”

  “Stop it. Don’t make me feel bad.”

  “I’m just kidding. Please text me and let me know where you are. Let me know when you’re on your way home. Take a cab, not the subway.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be with Sam.”

  “I know, but still, please be careful.”

  Ava kissed him goodbye, and he embraced her, holding her to him long enough to know that he was worried. As soon as he let her go, she started for the door, waving as she left. Sam was waiting for her at the elevators, and they made their way to the main floor.

  “I want to head over to Bloomys. Then we can go to Victoria’s Secret.”

  “I think I might get some more lingerie, too. Xander said he doesn’t see me in enough of it.”

  “You should. When was the last time you bought it?”

  “When we last shopped together.”

  In Bloomingdales, Sam found several outfits she wanted to try. Ava sat patiently for her to come out of the dressing room. She texted Xander to let him know that she was okay. When Sam finished, they took a cab over to the Fifth Avenue Victoria’s Secret location. They went their separate ways in the store as Ava perused the bra and panty sets. She inwardly rolled her eyes when she realized she needed to replace some of the panties that her husband had shredded in his passionate haste.

  After choosing several sets, she joined Sam in the lingerie section where Ava also selected a black lace plunge garter slip, a strappy plunge teddy in a wine color and a pleated babydoll in emerald.

  “Wow, those will look great on you. Xander won’t be able to keep his hands off.”

  “He already can’t,” she mumbled.

  “Oh, my mistake,” Sam giggled.

  They went to the counter to pay for their purchases. Ava handed her credit card to the clerk and was asked to show identification since she hadn’t signed her card. She fished her driver’s license out of her purse and handed it to the cashier who handed them back.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Wilder.”

  Sam, who had been fiddling with her phone, narrowed her eyes. Ava quickly tried to shove her license in her purse, but not fast enough as Sam snatched it from her hand.

  “Mrs. Wilder?”

  Ava grabbed for the ID and shoved it in her purse and moved away to wait for Sam to pay for her item
s. She stood picking at her nails and chewing on the inside of her cheek. She would have no choice but, to tell the truth. Sam took her arm and pulled her into a corner of the store.

  “I swear if you’re married… I want the truth.”

  “We’re married.”

  “What the fuck. When?”

  “August.”

  “That’s almost three months ago. When were you going to tell me?”

  “I wasn’t. We weren’t going to tell anyone until we had our official local ceremony.”

  “This is bullshit. I’m your best friend, and you hide something like this from me?”

  “Sam, please.”

  “You know I’ve put up with a lot of your nonsense the past few years. Your little alcoholic and sex binge where you went over the edge and I had to pull you back. Your shitty attitude when you were my maid of honor. Your ups and downs with Xander. Now, this?”

  Sam walked out the door leaving Ava to run after her. She grabbed at her arm, but Sam yanked it away.

  “Fucking stop, Sam. You won’t allow me to give an explanation?” She yelled, drawing attention to them from passersby.

  “What explanation could you possibly have?”

  “I didn’t want to die without being married.”

  A look of pain came over Sam’s face, and her mouth dropped open. She put her hand to her mouth and covered it.

  “Oh God, you’re not sick are you?”

  “No, it’s…it's Liam. He is out there still, and I know he’s going to kill me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Sam said as they headed up Fifth Avenue looking for a place to eat dinner. They found a steak house several blocks away. After they had been seated and the waiter had brought them each a glass of red wine, Sam questioned her further.

  “Why would you say you think you’re going to die?”

  Ava sighed deeply, “Liam called me several times and said he was going to get me, make me pay. After what he did to Jayne, I have no doubt.”

  She looked at her with a shocked expression, “So you decided to get married?”

  “If something happens to me, Xander will be well taken care of financially. I know he doesn’t want my money, but it comforts me to know that when I’m gone, he’ll be okay.”

  “That comforts you? Do you think he would be okay with you gone? He would be devastated, and your money would mean shit to him.”

  “Don’t you think I know that? But I needed something rational.”

  “Something what? Nothing is going to happen to you.”

  Ava wiped at her eyes as they grew teary.

  “He is out there. I don’t know where, but he wants revenge. It’s only a matter of time.”

  “I think you should stop worrying. They are still looking for him and eventually, they’re going to catch him.”

  Their conversation ceased as the waiter brought their meals. Ava picked at her steak, no longer hungry.

  “Eat, or I’m going to tell Robert. You’ve lost weight, I can tell.”

  “A couple of pounds.”

  “It’s more than a couple. Stop doing this to yourself.”

  To appease her friend, she ate a few pieces of her filet mignon before nausea started to push back. When the waiter came back to check on them, she asked him to take it away to the disapproving look of Sam.

  “How was the wedding? You haven’t told me anything about it.”

  “It was sweet. We got married in Key West when we were on vacation.”

  “Oh? What date?”

  “August fourth, the day after Xander’s birthday.”

  “Was that his birthday present - you?”

  “No, I got him the Corvette.”

  Sam looked at her dumbfounded, “Say again?”

  “I got him the Corvette. He always wanted one, so I bought it for him. I rented the same car for our trip to Key West. If he didn’t like it, then I would have canceled the order.”

  “No wonder why he said yes.”

  Ava scowled at her, “You think I bribed him?”

  “I don’t, but I think he was the cooler head. You forget, I’ve known you for a long time and probably better than you know yourself. You brought it up, and he went for it.”

  “Are you saying I’m impulsive?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “That hurts.”

  “Have I ever lied to you, Ava?”

  “Not that I remember.”

  “I’m not saying it to be hurtful.”

  Thankfully, her phone buzzed, and she was able to remove herself from the uncomfortable conversation. Xander was texting her. She let him know they were at dinner and she would be home shortly.

  “Do you want to get the check? I’m tired.”

  “I guess.”

  Outside the restaurant, they hugged goodbye, but Ava felt unsettled. Sam still seemed upset with her.

  “Please don’t tell anyone.”

  “What kind of friend do you think I am?”

  “I know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said as Sam got into a cab.

  How did this get so fucked up? Now my best friend is pissed at me, and Xander will be, too, when he finds out she knows.

  As her cab headed towards Xander’s apartment, she contemplated the conversation she would have with her husband when she walked in the door. He wasn’t going to be happy with her, but the revelation to Sam was purely by accident.

  “Xander?” She called when she entered the apartment.

  He didn’t answer, and she dropped her packages on the floor in the bedroom and began to search for him, finding him in his office. The flat backed pumpkin they had selected at the farm that past Friday was sitting on the desk and he was putting the finishing touches on his painting.

  “What did you paint?”

  “Come see.”

  She approached the desk and saw that he had painted two caricatures. One was of her in a wedding dress, and the other was him in a tuxedo. She started to giggle as she gazed upon the painting.

  “It wasn’t supposed to be that funny,” he said annoyed.

  “No, it’s just so fitting. I have something to tell you.”

  “By the tone of your voice, I’m not sure I want to hear it.”

  “Sam found out we are married.”

  Xander began scratching at the stubble on his jaw and knitted his eyebrows while staring at her. Fuck, he is angry.

  “I would say that I am angry, but I wanted to tell you something too. I told Lidia.”

  She raised her eyebrows, “When?”

  “Three weeks ago.”

  “And when were you going to tell me?”

  “I had to tell her. She was going on and on about how she wasn’t sure that you were the right match for me and maybe I didn’t give Kaycee a chance. I wanted to yell at her, but it just came out when I said it’s too late now. When she asked what I meant, I told her that we were already married.”

  “So it comes out. Your family has doubts about me as much as mine has doubts about you. Wonderful.”

  He waved the white paint tipped brush he was using, “You know what, fuck them. This is our relationship, and we’re adults. I don’t need advice from my sisters or anyone else to know what is best for me.”

  “You said, sisters? So Suzanne has a problem with me, too?”

  She turned away and went to the bedroom, pulling the typical Xander move when he didn’t want to discuss something. Their roles had somehow reversed.

  Xander called after her, “Sweetheart, don’t walk away. We need to discuss this. Nothing is going to be solved if you ignore me.”

  He joined her in the bedroom and found her sitting on the bed picking at her nails. It was her comforting mechanism, and he was determined to make her stop. He stopped her by placing his hand over hers and held them.

  “Please talk to me. No one matters to me more than you. Your opinion is all I care about.”

  “Why don’t your sisters like me?”

  “They do. After what happened wh
en I was in California…they just worry. I’m their baby brother, and they don’t want to see me hurt. I can say the same about your father and Michael. I know that they are weary of me.”

  “I just want everyone to butt out of our relationship.”

  “They can only be in our relationship if we let them and I refuse to let them. We’ve come so far. Don’t let trivial nonsense wreck that, okay?”

  She looked at him with sad green eyes, and it tore at his heart that she was hurting. He let go of her hands and stroked her face with his knuckles.

  His hazel eyes blazed, “When is your period over?”

  “Most likely tomorrow.”

  He looked at her disappointedly then toed the bags she had sitting near the bed, deciding it was best to change the subject. “What did you get?”

  Picking up the Victoria’s Secret bag, she began removing its contents. Ava heard him swallow hard as she showed him the lingerie and a smirk came across her face.

  “Don’t tease me; I can’t take it.” He nuzzled her ear, moving her hair away so he could caress it with his tongue.

  She closed her eyes at the sensation and felt her belly clench as he moved his mouth to feather kisses along her neck and shoulder. Her face flushed, and heat moved down her body to her core. She pushed the bags away and slipped to her knees in front of him, tugging at the drawstring on his sweatpants.

  “You don’t need to.”

  “I want to.”

  Xander became rock hard at the prospect of his cock being in her mouth. She managed to undo the string and pulled down his waistband, revealing the top of his trimmed pubic area which she kissed. He raised his hips, and she slid his pants down, moving them to his ankles. Encircling him with her hand, she began to stroke then tentatively licked at his head with her tongue.

  “You taste good,” she told him as the tip of her tongue stretched to lick at the bead of cum that had pooled at the top of his head. Her velvety soft mouth slipped over him, and she sucked hard, hollowing her cheeks. A low whistle escaped his lips as his wife worked his length with her tongue and her hands caressed his balls.

  He groaned loudly and leaned back on his elbows. Each thrust of his hips met the rhythm of her mouth. Swirling her tongue around him, he felt his orgasm begin to build. She squeezed the base of his cock, teasing him. His breath became ragged at the erotic pleasure she was giving.