Perception

by Nicole Edwards

  He’d had an emotional moment when he’d noticed Mercedes studying the tattoo on his side. He’d had the word “Trust” etched into his skin years ago, a daily reminder of what he was searching for. When he’d witnessed her looking at it, then up at him, he knew that she understood.

  She was the woman. She was the one he trusted. The woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had known it for years and years, even if she hadn’t realized it. But he hadn’t said anything to her minutes ago because he feared he would freak her out. That and he had hardly been able to swallow past the lump that had formed in his throat.

  Mercedes reached her hand between them, gripping his cock in her hand and he groaned. “I need you, too,” she whispered back, the raspy inflection of her voice making his blood boil.

  “Just like this,” he said, making sure she understood.

  She didn’t hesitate, just shifted so that he was aligned with her slick entrance.

  “Yes,” she said, leaning up and pressing her lips to his, “Just like this.”

  Oh, damn.

  Xander’s muscles tensed as soon as the head of his cock breached the scalding entrance to her pussy. He had a long way to go and for the first time in a very, very long time, he had to pray he wasn’t about to do what every man feared – come prematurely.

  But she felt so… fucking perfect. That was the only way to explain it. Mercedes was perfect. Every inch of her skin was molded to him, her leg was now wrapped around his hip, her ankle pressing into his ass as she encouraged him to go deeper.

  “I’m taking my time,” he warned her.

  “Don’t bother,” she urged with a grin. “I’ll be right there with you. And then, after we’ve slept for a few hours, I’ll wake you while I ride you.”

  Lord have mercy.

  Xander’s hips took on a life of their own, and he thrust forward, his cock tunneling deeper as Mercedes cried out beneath him.

  He immediately stilled.

  “Don’t stop,” she pleaded. “Please don’t stop.”

  Her ankle pressed harder against his ass and Xander couldn’t resist sliding even deeper. Wanting to find the position that would send her over as fast as he feared he would be going, he pushed himself up onto his knees and gripped her ankles, holding her legs straight up. With her hips elevated off of the bed slightly, the back of her knees against his ribs and her ankles near his head, he began shallowly thrusting into her, never retreating fully until he was rocking faster, the sweet grip of her cunt on his cock making his head spin.

  “Harder,” Mercedes pleaded, her hands clasping onto his thighs as she tried to pull herself toward him. “Deeper.”

  Unable to speak because he was overwhelmed by more than just physical sensation, Xander kept his eyes locked with hers as he began to increase his pace. It wasn’t until he had her practically bent in half, her legs now over her shoulders and was pounding hard and deep into her that she began chanting his name over and over. Just the sound of her voice and his name on her lips had him nearing closer to the release he was beginning to crave like a drug.

  “Fuck, baby,” he growled. “Your pussy’s so damn tight. So fucking perfect.” He continued to ramble, not quite sure what he was saying, but as that telltale tingle started in the base of his spine, he couldn’t stop himself.

  “Xander! Oh, yes! Xander, I’m coming!”

  And that’s all it took for him to lose it. Coming hard and fast, the only thing that kept him upright was the fear of crushing her. He wasn’t sure how many minutes passed before he had control over his body once again, but by then, he knew it was too late.

  What had just happened between them, what could be easily classified as an earth moving experience, had likely just sealed his fate.

  Pulling out of Mercedes, he immediately missed the silky warmth of her body surrounding him. But he managed to force himself to his feet and over to the bathroom. He took care of business and then returned with a warm washcloth. Attempting not to wake her, Xander cleaned between her legs before making the trek once more to toss the cloth into the hamper.

  He crawled back into bed, pulling her as close as he could and practically wrapping himself around her. It was then, as his mind began to drift into sleep that he knew without a doubt that he’d never be able to willingly let her go.

  ~~*~~*~~

  Mercedes didn’t know what time it was when she came awake suddenly. It didn’t take her long to acclimate to where she was. She heard Xander’s heavy breathing, the heat of his body surrounding her, the safety of his arms immediately bringing her out of her dream.

  As she lay there, she tried to ignore the dream, tried to ignore everything except for the man spooning behind her.

  For the first time in a very long time, Mercedes didn’t want to flee the bed when a lover was there. Not that she’d taken a lover in a really long time, but even though her memories of all the others were blurry, she knew without a doubt that this was different.

  How, she wasn’t sure.

  Aside from the fact that she still feared she couldn’t be what Xander needed – a submissive – there was a shameless hope that maybe, just maybe they stood a chance together.

  Not that she was thinking about forever.

  Definitely not.

  Ok, maybe a little.

  Wait.

  Forcing her eyes open, Mercedes glanced out at the Dallas skyline brilliantly lit against the inky night sky. The view, even from his bed was incredible. She didn’t have exactly the same view as he did, and as she lay there, trying to be quiet and listening to him breathe, she tried not to think about how much she never wanted to leave this place.

  She wasn’t talking about his condo or even his bed. No, Mercedes was talking about his arms.

  Never in her life had she felt for someone what she was beginning to feel for Xander. Ok, so maybe it was because they were friends. Great friends. Longtime friends. She had never been in a relationship that had such a strong foundation as this one.

  Not that this was a relationship.

  Hating where her mind was drifting to, but not willing to let go of the security of Xander’s arms around her, Mercedes decided to listen to her body, rather than her heart.

  Rolling onto her back and then over to her side so that she was facing Xander, she discreetly – or what she hoped was discreetly – wrapped her leg over his hip, gently urging him to roll over too.

  He did.

  He didn’t say anything either, but his breathing had quieted, so she figured he must be awake.

  Fine, she’d do this his way.

  Rather than jump on him immediately, which she had to admit was a damn fine plan, Mercedes began stroking him slowly until his cock was thick and hard, pulsing against her palm. Then and only then did she climb over him, slowly lowering herself onto him until she was completely impaled by his impressive erection.

  Before she could move, Xander’s hands slid up to her hips. He didn’t rush her, and he didn’t open his eyes either. Instead, he just pulled her down onto him, her breasts crushed against his chest while he filled her completely.

  Their mouths met, their tongues began a lazy slide back and forth, back and forth as he began to pump his hips, driving himself deep inside of her.

  And in her mind, that moment would go down as the first time she had truly made love.

  Never once did Xander rush, never once did he break the kiss either. The friction intensified, but his pace never did. Slow and steady, until Mercedes could take no more. Her body began to tingle, that gentle pulse that started between her legs and radiated outward, through her core, her arms, her legs, her fingers and toes.

  She was fully engulfed by the man and the orgasm that rippled through her wasn’t earth shattering like before, but it was, without a doubt, the most amazing orgasm she’d ever had. It consumed her entire body. And Xander, being the Dom that he was, had controlled every movement, every single satisfying movement.

  And only when she settled, did h
e increase the pace, pumping his hips faster until another orgasm was building, faster, hotter, this one like a tsunami rather than the gentle rolling waves like the first. It was then, as he claimed her body, sent her soaring one more time that he came hard and fast inside of her.

  It wasn’t long before Mercedes gave herself over to sleep, knowing that this man had forever changed her.

  But in ways he probably hadn’t expected.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Day 1… Officially

  Thursday

  The following morning, Xander found himself in his office, a cup of coffee in hand as he stared at his computer screen just as the sun was beginning to filter light through the thin layer of clouds overhead. He’d been up for at least two hours, having left Mercedes to sleep in a little longer.

  He knew she was usually an early riser, but he hoped she’d stay in bed. And unless she had snuck out of his condo without him knowing – which was damn near impossible – he figured she was still asleep. Considering it was only six, he hoped that was the case.

  Right on time, his phone rang and he snatched it up, even though he knew Mercedes couldn’t hear it.

  “Morning,” he greeted.

  “Why is it you’re always up so early?” his mother asked.

  “Me? What about you?”

  “It’s not early for me.”

  His mother was definitely a morning person. Maybe that’s where he got it from, he didn’t know. But, this was the same way they began pretty much every conversation they’d had for the last few months.

  “How’s Dad?” he asked, getting right to the point.

  “He’s doing better,” Stella told him.

  “Ok, spill it, Mom,” he ordered when she hesitated.

  There was a long sigh and then his mother’s voice once again filled his ear. “He’s fine, really. We went to the emergency room, and they x-rayed him thoroughly. No broken bones, but he’ll be sore for a few days.”

  “What happened?” Xander asked as he leaned back in his chair, unable to disguise the worry in his voice.

  “It was silly, really. I don’t think he’d want me to tell you.”

  Xander’s mind immediately went in the wrong direction, and he sat up straight. “Ok, you know what. Never mind. Forget I asked.”

  Stella laughed, her soft, elegant tone drifting back. “Not that. Oh, dear.”

  Xander could imagine her blushing to the roots of her short, dark hair.

  How had she known what he was thinking?

  “But, regardless,” she said with another laugh. “He’s fine. Just being a man, soaking up the attention for a little while.”

  Xander knew his father and he understood what his mother was saying. So, maybe it was true that they both generally allowed Stella to dote on them more than necessary. Xander knew it made her feel better, which was why both him and his father had never told her that she was a little overbearing, especially when someone was hurt.

  “Do I need to come up there?” he asked seriously.

  “No, I don’t think it’s necessary. But if it’ll make you feel better, we’ll never tell you not to.”

  Xander grinned. That was his mother. That was her way of saying she wouldn’t mind him visiting. It had been at least three months since he’d seen his folks. They were always travelling, and in order to make sure they didn’t have to change their plans, he would make time to fly to wherever they were, allowing his mother the opportunity to give him a guided tour of whatever city they were invading at the moment.

  “I think I should come visit,” he told her firmly, knowing ultimately that she wouldn’t put up a fight.

  “Fine. If you insist.”

  Xander laughed out loud. “I insist, Mother.”

  “Good. Then that’s settled. I’ll let you know when we move on and where we’re going. But for the next few days, I’m going to make him stay right where we are. At least until I know for sure he’s not going to hurt himself again.”

  “Is he around?”

  “Of course.”

  “Can I talk to him?”

  There was some shuffling on the phone and then his father’s gruff tone sounded in his ear.

  “What did she tell you?”

  “That the two of you were hanging from the rafters and had just moved on to swinging from the ceiling fan. Something about hot, monkey sex, Dad. It wasn’t a good visual, and I absolutely have no interest in talking about it,” Xander said deadpan.

  “Oh, dear Lord,” Stan Boone groaned. “Why in the world would she tell you something like that?”

  Xander laughed again. “Please, Dad. Do not go into detail. I really don’t want to know.”

  “Good, then I won’t. When are you coming to see us?”

  That was his father. Always right to the point and never ashamed to let him know that he preferred him to come visit. That sealed Xander’s plans, so he answered with, “Give me a couple of days. I’ll let you know when I can head out.”

  “What are you working on? Buying up the other half of downtown?”

  “I’m trying,” he chuckled as he shook his mouse to make the monitor come online.

  “Seriously. Did you hear anything more on the Milton building?”

  “Not yet. Mercedes is putting in an offer for me. I’m hoping we’ll know something more by the end of the week.”

  “That’s a smart move, son.” Stan wasn’t into real estate by trade; however, he was interested in everything that Xander did, so through the years, he’d made a point to know the ins and outs of the real estate market.

  “I thought so,” he answered easily.

  “Are you going to X-hale tonight?”

  Shit. Was it the third Thursday of the month already? Xander pulled up the calendar on his computer. Yep. It was. “Yeah, I’m going over there.”

  “Tell Shane hello for us,” Stan told him. “One of these days, maybe we’ll be back down there. You can take me again.”

  Xander was pretty sure he heard something in his dad’s voice, something very much like longing. But he didn’t question him, rather saying, “I’d like that, Dad.”

  Going to X-hale – the cigar bar Xander purchased and renamed roughly four years ago – was a monthly thing, something both he and Shane looked forward to. For the year before his mother and father headed out on the road, Xander would invite his father as well. Not that he went often, but the few times he did, Xander knew the man had enjoyed himself.

  “Look, Dad. I’ve got a conference call in a few. Tell Mom I love her and that I’ll see you both in a couple of days.”

  “Will do,” Stan answered. “And try not to think about your mother and me on those rafters, will you?”

  Xander laughed, just as his father had probably intended, as the call disconnected. Leave it to his father to try and torment him. The man was always trying to come up with something.

  ~~*~~*~~

  Mercedes was dressed and downstairs just in time to see Xander walking into his kitchen. She was carrying her shoes and heading for the coffee pot, hoping she didn’t look as harried as she felt.

  Snatching a cup from the cabinet, she dropped her shoes on the floor and grabbed the coffee pot. God, even one cup would go a long way to improving her morning. As it was, she wasn’t sure she could function without at least a little caffeine.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t wake me up,” she chastised him when he came up behind her.

  “You looked so peaceful. If I had my way, you’d still be in my bed,” he mumbled close to her ear, pulling her hair back from her neck and placing a kiss to the sensitive spot that made her shiver.

  “I have a meeting,” she told him, pulling away to glance at her cell phone. “Shit. I’m actually late.”

  “Where’s your meeting?” Xander took her coffee cup from her hand and placed it on the counter before turning to the refrigerator to retrieve the creamer.

  “Not far from here,” she informed him. “I’m meeting a client.” Fidgeting wi
th her shoes, Mercedes finally managed to get the damn things on, and when she turned back to Xander, he was holding out her coffee mug.

  Mug.

  Not cup.

  He’d transferred her coffee from a cup to a mug, and he was sending her on her way.

  “Be careful. Call me later.”

  Mercedes stopped. She stared up at Xander. “You’re sending me on my way, just like that?”

  “Just like what?” he laughed. “You’ve got a job to do, M. I wouldn’t dream of getting in the way of that.”

  Yes, she did have a job to do. But for some reason, she’d expected him to be… demanding or something. Insisting that she stay and do something. Hell, she didn’t know.

  He stepped close, placing his hands on her hips as he pulled her against him. “Trust me, if I could keep you tied to my bed, you’d be there right now. And I’d be buried so deep inside of you, you’d never be able to let me go.”

  Mercedes’s sucked in air. When he talked to her like that… It did strange things to her.

  “Well,” she said on a breath. “I better go.”

  “Yes, you better.” Xander pressed his lips to hers. He didn’t linger, didn’t tease. Just quick and sweet. “By the way, it’s Thursday,” he told her as though she didn’t already know what day it was.

  “And?”

  “And I’m going to X-hale tonight.”

  He looked disappointed, but Mercedes knew he enjoyed going to the cigar bar. It was one of the highlights of his month and had been for years. So much so that he’d acquired, redesigned and renamed one of his own a few years back – What had previously been known as Smoke became a much more refined establishment appropriately named X-hale. According to Shane, the name had been Xander’s ego hard at work.

  “Ok.” At the moment, Mercedes didn’t have any plans for the night, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. If she did, she feared he might just change his plans for her. And that was the last thing she wanted. “I’ll call you later to find out what time you’ll be home.”

  Xander nodded, but he didn’t say anything.