"Evening, Bronson," said Xander in an even tone. "Something we can help you with?"
Bronson stared at him openmouthed. He slowly lifted a box. "I, uh ... Quigley brought me dessert from the restaurant before he went out and I thought you two might like some."
There was an awkward silence as no one moved from their current positions. Deryn could not even look in Bronson's direction. She was too embarrassed and did not want him to see how red she was.
"I'm sorry," said Bronson once he got sick of listening to the clock tick. "Have I interrupted something?"
Xander said, "Yes," while Deryn said, "No."
"Because it looks like I interrupted something. Like maybe Ruby was making sure that your breasts really are slightly less than a handful."
"Hey, my hands were nowhere near her breasts," said Xander defensively. "They were on the insides of her thighs."
"Okay," said Deryn, jumping off the counter and standing in front of him, since Bronson was leaning forward, obviously preparing to strike. "Bronson, I can see where this is going and I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to stay calm."
"Stay calm?" said Bronson, taking a moment to slam the still-open door and lock it before walking forward. "Are you fucking kidding me? He's a Guardian, Deryn! And you're an Outsider! What the hell are you thinking? I thought you said you weren't a masochist!"
"I'm not," she said weakly. "I can't help -"
"You can't help what? Your feelings?"
Deryn blushed.
"This is insane, Deryn! You're insane!"
Tears filled her eyes and she quickly looked to the side so he wouldn't see them. There was that word again. Insane .
"Hey!" shouted Xander, putting a comforting hand on her waist before stepping in front of her. "Don't you dare! Don't you fucking dare talk to her like that!" With flaming eyes, Xander looked back at Deryn and said, "Leon, go take your shower. I'll take care of this."
"But -"
"It's fine," he said, squeezing her hand. "I won't do anything rash. I'm not you."
Deryn smiled faintly. "Like you're any better." She gave Bronson one last disappointed look before heading to the bathroom.
The moment the door was closed, Xander turned back to Bronson and said, "Outside." He grabbed his shirt off of the floor and put it back on.
"I'm not going -"
"I said, outside!" demanded Xander, walking towards the balcony.
After letting out a loud grunt, Bronson followed him and shut the door. Xander pressed his wristband and put up a soundproof shield. The two of them stood on opposite ends with their arms crossed.
"What the fuck, Ruby?" began Bronson, staring daggers at him as he tried to remain somewhat composed in the small space.
"What the fuck, what, Bronson? None of this is any of your business!"
"Well, I'm making it my business! Someone needs to be the voice of reason for you two! I mean ... fuck ! What the hell are you thinking?"
Xander smirked. "Isn't it obvious?" Bronson lunged forward but Xander held out his hand. "Stop right there."
Bronson froze. "What you gonna do, Ruby? Use your Element on me? I'm curious, what reasoning would you give the president for doing it?" he asked venomously. "Perhaps you were putting someone in their place."
Xander said nothing.
"Oh, come on, Ruby. We both know you'd love to do it, so why don't you already?" he baited.
Xander glowered at him. "All of these years and you still think so little of me." He sighed, slowly lowering his hand. "No, Bronson, I'm not going to use my Element on you and I never would, even if I did have it on me. Punch you, sure. Or bind you so you don't come at me again; I'm not against that either."
Bronson's face softened.
"You can think whatever you want about me," continued Xander. "I don't care. But don't you dare, don't you fucking dare come up here again if you're going to insult Deryn! She's been through enough in her life! She doesn't need to hear such horrible insults from someone she trusts!"
Bronson cocked his head in curiosity. "What are you talking about? I didn't insult -"
"Yes you did!" shouted Xander. "In there just now! Didn't you see her? Didn't you see her fucking eyes as she tried to stop herself from crying? You did that! You fucking did that when you called her insane!"
Bronson glanced upwards as he tried to recall everything he had said inside. "If I said that I didn't mean it literally."
"It doesn't matter! Her mind has been fucked with and she's been working so hard to get it back! And then, in one second, you make her doubt herself! That's all it takes with her! That's all it fucking takes for her to lose it! To not want to try anymore!"
Bronson cocked his head again and stared dazedly at Xander, his mouth agape as he tried to process everything he was hearing. Between the lines, of course.
"What are you staring at?"
Bronson blinked.
"Seriously, what is your problem? Deryn and I are both adults and we know what we're doing!"
He blinked again. "Do you?"
"Of course!" shouted Xander. "We're aware the circumstances are not exactly ideal, but she knows we can stop whenever! I've told her! I've told her over and over again that all she has to do is say the word and we'll stop! Because I'm not stupid! I know this is a fucked up situation! It's sick and it's twisted and it's wrong, but I can't stop! I can't stop until I know it's what she wants!"
Bronson cocked his head further. "Why?"
"Because!" Because Xander wanted her. Needed her. Desired her. Because no one else had ever felt so perfect while tangled in his arms, against his lips, around his cock. And he would be damned if he gave up those feelings before he had to. But he gave Bronson no further explanation. 'Because' would just have to do.
Straightening his head, Bronson stared at Xander for a long while, stuck in a blank expression before his lips slowly began to curve into a smile. "Holy fuck."
"What?" asked Xander, more than a little disturbed by this man's growing amusement.
"Nothing, I just ... I get it now."
"Get what?"
Bronson laughed and said, "The fact that you don't know only makes it better!"
"What are you -"
"Don't you see, Ruby?"
Now it was Xander's turn to blink.
"Holy crap, you really don't!" He laughed louder. "You like her!"
Xander's eyes widened.
"You like Deryn! Ah, shit, I'm sorry, mate! If I'd known, I wouldn't have reacted that way earlier. I seriously just thought you were looking for a convenient fuck, but this ... this is alright! I can definitely get onboard with this!"
Xander's jaw dropped slightly. He really had no idea what to say. "I wouldn't ... I mean, I would never ... to her ..."
"It's alright, mate. I know," said Bronson, stepping forward and putting his hand on Xander's shoulder. "I mean, I still think this is going to fuck with both of your heads in the long run but, hey, who am I to judge? You know how many straight men I've been involved with? Big mistake. Mistakes, really. One right after another. Hmm ..."
As Bronson pondered his own life, Xander fidgeted from foot to foot, looking around uncomfortably as the words finally started to sink in. Bronson thought he liked her. That he, Xander Ruby, actually liked Deryn Leon. The girl who had suffered horribly because of something he had done. Who was in the shower now ... soaking wet and lathered in the sweet smelling soap he had purchased for her. And alone. So, so alone. Fuck , he wanted to be in that shower with her. But not because he liked her. Because he liked fucking her. There had to be a difference.
"Well, I suppose I should probably get out of your hair. I obviously was interrupting something before. Here." Bronson handed him the box he was still holding. "The dessert's all yours. They say chocolate is an aphrodisiac." He winked and went back inside.
Xander followed.
"Have fun," said Bronson, heading out the front door.
Xander went to the kitchen and put the box on the
counter. He opened it and took a good look at the piece of chocolate cake. Picking it up, he took a big bite before putting it back and closing the box.
His eyes drifted over to the bathroom door. The shower was still running strong. His efforts earlier didn't have to be wasted.
Without another thought, Xander entered the bathroom, not even bothering to knock. He stripped off his clothes until he was wearing nothing but the black cloth over his wristband.
"Xander?" called Deryn from behind the steamy shower door. "Is that you?"
"Yes," he answered, walking over and standing so his silhouette was just out of view. "I was hoping we could finish what we started earlier."
"Oh, umm ... that sure ended quickly. Bronson isn't dead, is he?"
Unfortunately, "No. He got over it pretty quickly. So can I come in?"
"Uh ... how did you convince him to -"
"Quit stalling, Leon. I have a large scar on my ass from when a Resistance member sent me skidding across the ground that I would just love to show you."
She giggled. "I suppose it would be alright. If you came in, that is."
Xander reached for the door.
"Just don't ask for stories on mine. Not yet."
"Deal," he said before slowly opening the door, a large gust of steam seeping out and obstructing his vision.
When it started to clear, he could just make out Deryn's silhouette in the back corner. He stepped closer. Her hands moved so they were covering her body, so he kept his eyes upward, catching hers as she gazed at him nervously while sucking in her lips.
Xander smirked and took another step forward. "Ease up, Leon. The point of this is so I can see you. Remember?"
Deryn looked away.
"Alright then. I'm not looking yet." He kept his eyes focused on her face as he continued to step forward. When Xander reached her, he rubbed her arms, easing them to her sides before taking her hands in his. "But you should look now."
Deryn glanced up and kept her eyes on Xander's as he took a step back. She bit her bottom lip.
"Go on. I'm not embarrassed."
Her eyes slowly trailed downward, taking a moment to stare at each and every part of him. His neck. His shoulders. His chest. Abs. Hips. Her breath sucked in when she finally reached his cock, growing hard as she gazed at it. She instinctually let go of Xander's hand and reached out to touch it.
He let out a throaty moan. "You like that?" he asked.
Deryn said nothing, but when she looked up at him there was no mistaking the lust in her eyes. Xander pressed forward and crashed his lips into hers, using his free hand to push her wet hair out of her face. Then he moved it downwards, not stopping until he reached her wet core, massaging it gently.
"Lift your legs around me," he instructed.
Deryn nodded nervously and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, lifting her legs as he raised her up against the shower wall. She linked them around his waist, her body trembling as he continued to kiss her, his lips moving to her neck as he guided his cock inside of her.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered. "You can move."
Xander nodded, plunging his hungry lips back on her neck as he thrust inside of her. There would be no going slow tonight. There was too much buildup. Too much anticipation. Too much time wasted with Bronson. And Xander needed to prove something. He needed to prove that this was just sex. A matter of convenience with someone he just happened to desire. Someone he cared for. Nothing more. You could care for someone without liking them, you could have sex with them every morning and every night and fall asleep with them in your arms but still keep those feelings separate. It was not impossible.
Deryn's nails dug into his back as his thrusting became more vigorous. He tangled his hand in her hair and pulled her head back, staring into her sea-green eyes for a moment before heading in for those lips. Those divinely delicious lips he simply couldn't get enough of.
"You taste like chocolate," she said with a breathy giggle.
It was not long before her head fell back and she quickly began to fall apart. He moved even faster, his hips nothing but a blur as her eyes closed and her moans grew louder.
Xander buried his head in her neck as he continued to thrust through his release, not wanting this incredible feeling to end just yet. Closer . Every time was so much closer to that complete satisfaction he craved.
Finally beginning to slow, Xander's legs gave out and he collapsed to the shower floor, taking Deryn down with him. She hugged her arms tighter around him and attempted to catch her breath.
"Fucking beautiful," he whispered while she planted lazy kisses along his neck.
She laughed quietly.
"Can I see you now?" asked Xander.
Deryn nodded. She slackened her hold on his shoulders and let him slowly push her back, not stopping until she was, once again, pressed against the shower wall.
The warm water continued to pour down on them as Xander sucked in his breath, taking in Deryn for the first time. All of her.
Yes, there were scars, but he hardly noticed them. How could he when there was so much more here? So much beauty. Milky skin with a few spattered freckles, especially on the shoulders, something he understood came from living under the sun. Her breasts were perfect. Still perky and young with vibrant pink nipples, obviously a side effect of being in the shower. He couldn't help himself, so flicked one.
"Xander!" she shouted, trying to act offended as she smacked his arm.
"Sorry," he said, stretching down to kiss it. "Better?"
"For you, I'm sure."
Xander flashed his crooked grin and pulled back again, his eyes continuing to trail downward. His fingers traced circles around her bellybutton before he finally landed on their crotches, his cock still soft inside of her. She shifted, signifying her discomfort and, incidentally, making it twitch.
"Probably best if I pull this out now," he said, slowly backing away from her. But then he kept going, instinctually leaning downward so his head was level with the lovely haven his cock had just vacated. He couldn't help himself. He wanted to see all of her tonight. So he reached forward and pulled her nether-lips apart. Deryn fidgeted but he held her still.
Xander breathed her in. The aroma was intoxicating. He wanted to taste it. So he did, running his tongue along her slit once before engulfing her in his mouth.
"Xander!" she shouted while fidgeting again.
"Relax, Deryn," he said, moving his hands up to rub her hips. "Let me do this for you. I promise you'll be thanking me later."
"B-but -"
"Shh," he said, continuing to rub her soothingly. "Relax."
Deryn bit her bottom lip, her head falling back against the wall as he continued to pleasure her with his tongue. As a slave, several men had done this to her in an attempt to loosen her up. She had always hated it. But it had definitely never felt like this before.
A soft moan escaped her lips as he circled the tip of his tongue around her clit, her hands softly threading his hair as her hips began to buck. He smirked before bringing one of his hands down and inserting two fingers inside of her, pumping them slowly as her body weakened beneath his touch. He had always been an expert at making women reach that second orgasm in record time, and it was not long before she was pulsating around him.
Xander stayed down there until her writhing body eased. He gave her soaking lips one last kiss before sitting up and going for the other set.
Deryn barely let him make contact before she was pushing him off. "Okay, Xander. You got what you wanted. You've seen all of me. Now, don't you think it's time you let me see all of you?"
"What did you have in mind?" he asked, smiling as he leaned inward once more.
Xander was a bit surprised when Deryn grabbed his left arm and yanked at the wet cloth he wore.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, trying to pull his arm away.
"Unashamed, right?" she said, managing to successfully maneuver the cloth off and tossing it
aside, revealing the wristband with the president's crest burrowed deep in his wrist.
Deryn barely got a chance to see it before Xander was pulling his arm away and hiding it against his chest.
"I cover this for you ," he said.
Deryn frowned. "We both know that isn't entirely true. I promise I'm not going to freak out like I did that first time. I just ... I want to see. I've never really looked at it before."
"Didn't you take Soren's wristband when you first escaped?"
"Yes, but I never studied it. Not even in training. I just never really cared before."
Xander looked down at his arm.
Reaching out, Deryn rubbed it soothingly, moving her head forward so that she could catch Xander's dark, clouded eyes. "Please, Xander. This wristband is your equivalent of my scars. You wear it against your will."
"Not entirely," he said truthfully, ashamedly.
Under her touch, Xander's arm eased. He let it slacken and Deryn took it in her hands, staring carefully at the crest as she traced it with her fingertips, the only sound being that of the water beating down on them as he watched her in fascination.
Her fingers continued downward, feeling the smooth transition from metal to skin. There were no physical signs to indicate how deeply the wristband ran.
Eventually, she looked up at him, her sea-green eyes sparkling as she crinkled her nose and said, "It's not very attractive, is it? I mean, why a dragon? They're folklore. Wouldn't a creature that actually existed be better?"
Xander couldn't help but laugh. "I never really thought about it. I think his great-grandfather came up with it. He was the first of the Saevus family to enter politics."
Deryn smiled and held up his arm. "Well, then maybe you should have a discussion with him about redesigning his logo to something more modern."
Xander laughed harder. He could not stop himself from reaching out and pulling her in for a soft kiss. He clonked his forehead against hers and the two of them gazed at each other, her hand trailing down his arm until it was interlaced with his.
Broken Wings (Cruel and Beautiful World, Book One 1) Page 26