* * *
I made it to lunchtime. It’s a small feat, but it’s something. And I am going to take the minor win. I need something to be even the least bit proud of right now.
Waiting for Ellie outside of the cafeteria, I hear a loud snicker coming from behind me. I know that laugh and it belongs to the last person in this fucking school whom I want to deal with right now.
“Look, a broken slut out in the wild,” Melina scoffs as I slowly turn to see her posted up against the brick wall with her arms folded under her massive tits. Someone needs to tell her that she looks like a hooker, not a high school student. Her bright red lips and inch-thick makeup make her look like trash. I want to scrub it off her face with a Brillo pad.
“I’m not in the mood.” I turn away from her. My fists clench and my jaw tightens. I can feel her getting closer to me.
“But I am,” she whispers only inches away from my ear.
I whip around, closing the gap between us. “Remember what happened last time you tried to fuck with me? Want to run to the bathroom crying like a little bitch with a bloody nose again? Are you that desperate to be manhandled that you’ll just push buttons until you get your rocks off?”
Her eyes narrow as her lips curl. “You’re such a little punk ass bitch. No one wants you here. You think I’m scared of some rich, prissy little cunt like you. You have no idea what I am capable of. But Xander does.”
His name slides out of her mouth and assaults me. “Fuck you. I don’t give a shit about anything you have to say to me. Leave me the fuck alone before you regret ever even looking in my direction.”
“You know that you’re not woman enough for him, right?” She cackles.
“Then why does he keep coming back for more?” I pop my hip out, crossing my arms over my chest.
Her lips twist into a sinister sneer as she whips out her phone. “See for yourself. He was out with me last night.”
Glaring at me is a picture of a smiling Melina with her back pressed against Xander’s chest. His face is hard — pissed. But that fact is lost on me. All that crosses my mind is that after he told me he loved me he went to a club with that slut. Rage prickles my skin as I start to see red.
Without even thinking about it, I lunge for her, grabbing a fistful of her hair with my left hand. My right connects with her jaw as she screams, trying to scratch me. but I am too quick for her, I yank her to the side, slamming her face first into the brick wall.
Jumping back, I let her rush for me but then step to the side, kicking out my leg. As Melina tumbles to the ground, I dive on top of her. Scratching and punching with her pinned under my knees, I scream at her. Every foul thing I can think of. I call her a cunt, bitch, pussy, asshole — everything.
Students start to gather around, forming a tight circle around us. They’re all cheering me on as I pummel the horrible bitch to a fucking pulp. I take all of my rage out on her face. My anger at Xander for standing me up. The rage that has built up since I realized that Scarface is threatening my very existence. The hatred for my father and him being a complete asshole. The anger that my brother was taken from me and possibly murdered.
Right as I was about to stop because Melina is just whimpering and begging for me to get off of her, a hand grips the back of my arm and yanks me up.
“Char, what the hell?” Xander’s eyes are wide as he pulls me into his broad chest.
I didn’t realize it until that moment, but I was hysterically crying.
Melina scrambles to her feet. “She attacked me, Xander. Again! You need to teach her a fucking lesson.”
Xander releases my arm, pushing me behind him to get between me and Melina. Every muscle in his body tightens as I watch from a few steps back. All I can do is try to get my head back on straight as I pant.
“Teach her a lesson? Fuck you, Melina. I told you that I didn’t want anything to do with you. I know that Charlotte didn’t start this. But fuck if she ended it. And thank God she taught you a lesson. Stay the fuck away from her and me. I am not going to say it again.” Xander’s voice was level but calculated.
Melina holds her gushing nose with one hand, trying to paw at Xander’s chest with the other. “Come on, baby. You know that you’re going to get bored with her and come crawling back. You always do.”
Xander grabs her arm, shoving her away. “Things change, and one major difference about you and her is that I love her and you were never more than a piece of meat to me. Now go get yourself cleaned up and never talk to either of us again.”
He turns his back on the whimpering slut as she tries one last time to touch him. Pulling his arm away, he grabs my hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
My teeth grind as I stare at our fingers laced together. “No.”
“What?” I can’t believe how shocked he looks. “We need to get you cleaned up and ready for the rest of your classes.”
“I am not going anywhere with you, Xander.” I plant my feet, turning my head away from him.
“What is going on?”
“Have fun last night?” I growl. “You can’t keep treating me like a yo-yo! I thought I could trust you, and I see that you’ve been fucking around behind my back again.”
His hand runs over his face. “Not here,” he whispers. “Please, just come to my car with me so we can actually talk.”
“I am done talking. I am done listening. You told me you would come back last night, and instead you went out with her. I think that says it all, Xander. And I am done.”
Xander pulls me into him, forcing me around the side of the building away from the prying eyes and ears of our classmates who were still enjoying the show.
“Look, Charlotte.” His eyes search mine as he starts his empty attempt at explaining himself. “I went out last night to get answers about Scarface. Melina found me. She wouldn’t leave me alone and I told her to get lost. That is all that happened. You have to believe me.”
“How can I believe anything you say anymore? You make all of these promises, say all of the right things, claim to love me. But, this is not love, Xander. Or if it is love, I don’t want anything to do with it.”
His head falls into my shoulder. “I am trying to protect you, love you, and do right by my family all at once. There’s so much fucking going on and I feel like I am failing on all fronts. But I can’t lose you. Not now, not like this. Don’t let some fucking cunt get to you like that.”
I pull away from him. “She’s not the one who is getting to me. She’s not the one who is making me lose faith in you. Don’t blame your mistakes on someone else. You stood me up. You were out with her. You are the one causing all of this shit to turn into a flaming crap-heap. Not Melina. Not me. It’s you.”
Xander blinks at me a few times, chewing on his bottom lip. “I’m trying. I am doing my fucking best. That has to count for something.”
“Was it worth it last night? Did you get the answers you were looking for?”
“Some of them,” he mutters. “I saw the guy with the scar talking to someone who was supposed to be loyal to my family. He didn’t offer up much, but it’s a start.”
For once Xander wasn’t talking in circles, he was actually opening up. I have to give him a little credit for that one.
“Do you believe me?” he asks with a little glimmer of hope washing into his storming irises.
Bowing my head, I nod. “I am starting to.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” He grabs my shoulders, brushing his lips over my cheek. “Now can we please get the fuck out of here so I can prove to you just how sorry I am?”
My pulse quickens as his tongue plays with my ear. Fuck him and how much I need that kind of release right now.
Grabbing his hand, I start to walk to the student parking lot.
“Where are we going?” he asks, following me.
“You’re taking me to the beach.”
* * *
We drive in silence to our spot. My brain is a muddled mess of anger and lust but my p
rimal instincts win out.
I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to be mad. I just want to feel loved by the one person I have ever truly desired.
Sitting on the trunk of the Judge, looking out onto the deserted beach, I lean into Xander’s shoulder.
“Why didn’t you at least call me back last night?” I finally ask.
Xander sucks in a deep breath. “I didn’t want to disappoint you again.”
“Don’t do that again. At least communicate with me.”
“I’ll try to do better.”
“That’s really all I can ask for.”
Scooting around, I tuck my knees into Xander’s side, pulling his face to mine. As our lips connect, all of the bullshit starts to wash away.
“I love you.” Xander’s hot breath dances over the nape of my neck as his lips dance over my skin.
Rolling my head back, I let him kiss down as he unbuttons my shirt. Right when he starts to work on my tits, my entire body goes into hyperdrive. Grabbing his hand, I shove it under my skirt.
“I’ve been thinking about this since you left my house yesterday,” I coo as his fingers pull at my panties and start to work on my swelling clit.
“Me, too,” he pants, his lips still devouring my tits.
Ecstasy washes over as his fingers start to explore my wetness perfectly. I start to fumble with his belt, but Xander stops me.
“It’s all about you right now,” he growls, getting up to stand between my legs.
I bite my bottom lip as he pulls my thong down to my ankles.
Getting onto his knees, Xander buries his face under my skirt, his tongue working magic as he drinks in my nectar. My back arches as my desire pools quickly.
“Oh, fuck,” I moan as his tongue teases my sensitive skin.
He groans as his pace quickens. “I love how you tease,” he mumbles, never letting his mouth move off of me.
I lean back, basking in the warm sunlight and the sheer pleasure of Xander’s talents.
Without warning, his fingers dive in, hitting my spot and sending me right to the edge where I screech to a halt.
I need more.
“I need you,” I growl, trying to push him away from me.
His hand shoots up, stopping me. “You’re not moving until your cum is running down my chin, baby.”
I cry out as he works me flawlessly. His tongue. His fingers. They send me careening over the edge before I can even know what is happening. As I shake and moan, Xander gets back to his feet.
I try to steady my breathing as Xander swipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “That’s all I ever want. To make you feel that good every damn day.”
His belt releases and his pants fall. I look around, making sure we’re still alone. And we are. In our perfect little bubble. The one place that Xander and I can truly be us.
My eyes narrow at him. “Now it’s your turn.”
A low growl rumbles out as Xander’s nails dig into my hips.
As his hard cock slides into me, I let out a throaty groan. It’s amazing. He’s amazing. And I cannot get enough of him. As his hips rock into me, I bite down onto his neck.
“God, you feel so damn good,” he groans as he thrusts into me. His hands grip on my ass, pulling me harder and harder into him.
My walls collapse around him while his cock throbs deep inside of me. Every nerve in my body is screaming for another release and it is coming — fast.
“Fuck, Xander!”
He moans at the sound of his name as his teeth sink down onto my bare chest.
“I’m gonna…” I cry out.
“Wait for me,” he demands as his eyes slam shut and his breath catches in the back of his throat.
Our bodies tremble. It is fucking mind blowing. The purest form of pleasure I have ever felt in my damn life.
Xander’s head falls onto my chest, his breath heavy and uneven. “You’re fucking incredible.”
Xander pulls my panties back up and helps me get my clothes situated before fixing his pants. Hopping back onto the trunk, Xander tucks me into his side.
“So, what now?” I ask, letting my head fall into the crook of his shoulder.
“I take you home and we do this again as soon as possible,” he breathes out before kissing the top of my air.
“Oh, God,” I breathe. “So much yes.”
Chapter 13
Xander
I pull up to the gate at Charlotte’s house and it creaks open as the guard, Jasper, gives me a little salute. I guess I’ve become part of the privileged few who get to cross onto the other side, much as her father may hate that fact.
Eh. Fuck him.
Charlotte snuggles against me, her fingers creeping over my leg in an extremely mischievous way. “I think you need to walk me up to my room,” she whispers in a conspiratorial tone. “You know, just to make sure I get there okay. You are supposed to be watching over me, right? You want to see that I get there safely, don’t you?”
“If your father finds me in your room after last time…” My voice trails off. Not that I’m afraid of the asshole, but I don’t want Char to have to deal with his bullshit. She’s the real victim here, not me. I get to leave. She’s stuck in this hell hole.
“I don’t care,” she says, straightening up. “Screw him! He doesn’t get to make decisions for me. He gave up the right to give his opinion about my choices.”
“You still need to live here, at least for a little while longer.” My head spins with scenarios where Charlotte and I can manage to get out of Ridgeview and leave this all behind to start new lives, free from threats, danger, and most of all, Charles Hawthorne.
“I want to get out, Xan,” she murmurs. “So badly. But my mom, I worry about her, too.”
“Your mom?” I repeat, disbelief lacing my words. “She’s lucid for like, a day, and all of a sudden you forget about her role in all of this?” I shake my head. “Don’t trust her.”
“Look, I know she’s not your mom, but she’s the only one I have, and it’s actually nice to feel like one of my parents gives a shit.” Her voice gets more and more defensive, and now instead of rubbing her hand over my half-hard cock, she backs away with her arms folded.
“I’m not the enemy here, Char,” I say. “And I’m not trying to interfere with whatever little come-to-Jesus-party you had with your mom. I’m just telling you to be careful. I don’t want to see you put all of your trust in her, and then when your dad lays into her for it, she dopes up and leaves you hanging.”
“She said she’s done with that stuff. She admitted it got out of hand, but she has control over it now.”
“That woman has no control over anything in her life!” I scoff. “And she’s always been damn happy about that, leaving the heavy lifting to your father. He doesn’t like when he’s not in complete control of everything happening around him. He’ll cut her off if she doesn’t remember her place and if she tries to defy him?” I shake my head. “I don’t think I need to paint that picture for you.”
“No, you don’t,” she hisses, running a hand through my hair. “You know what? I’m actually pretty tired. I think I’ll make it inside just fine by myself. I’ll see you at school.”
“Charlotte,” I say, a frustrated sigh escaping my lips. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just want you to be careful. I mean, why now? Why all of a sudden did she decide to turn over a new leaf? Just think about it, okay?”
“I appreciate your concern,” she says, her voice cold. “But I will be fine. I would have thought you’d be happy for me, but I guess ‘shit on Charlotte’ is a game everyone seems to play really well. Looks like you have the winning hand tonight.” She pushes open the car door and slams it shut without another word as she stalks toward the front door.
I watch her slide her key inside the lock and the door slams shut behind her. I don’t even get a backward glance.
One of the curtains in the front window rustles, and out of the corner of my eye I see Charles himsel
f peer out at me. His eyes narrow, his lips twisted into a grimace. We glare at each other for a few seconds before he drops the curtain. My blood boils in my veins and I want so badly to ram in that door, find him, and let my fists fly at that smug ass face of his.
A loud ringtone blares, piercing the silence, and I grab my phone. “Yeah?”
“Xander, where are you?”
I grit my teeth. Fucking Phoenix. My two-faced asshole brother.
“Why should I tell you anything? So you can sell me out to Dad and make my fucking life harder than it already is?” I grunt.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know. Dad called me in for a little meeting so he could rip me a new asshole and then tell me that he’s sending me to Chicago with you when you go back.”
“Well, that’s good, isn’t it? It’s what you wanted.”
“I wanted to do shit in my own time!” I yell, pulling my car back down the driveway and out of the Hawthorne gates. “And I don’t even know if I want to go anymore!”
“Why not?” His voice gets hard. “Because of her?”
“Fuck it, yeah! Because of her, okay! What now? Are you gonna tell me how I’m screwing up my life and my opportunities?”
“No.”
“That’s it?” My pulse throbs against my neck. “I trusted you, asshole! And you sold me out!”
“I was trying to help you, Xander. I wanted Dad to see how serious you are about advancing because you’ve been flaking out and you damn well know it! I didn’t know he was gonna send you back with me!”
“I don’t believe you. I think you all want to keep me as far away from Charlotte as you can!”
Phoenix lets out a sigh. “Look, I get why you’re pissed, but you need to let it go right now. We have some work to do. Tomorrow. Unless you have other plans,” he says in a sarcastic voice.
“I just left her,” I grumble. “And she’s pissed off at me now, too.”
“Great, nice to see you’re landing on everyone’s shit list these days.”
Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2 Page 9