Family Business

21. Alone Time

**Faith POV**

I really don't know what came over me last night. I expected shame to burn at me when I woke up. Instead, I was kind of smug with myself. Hearing him stutter and beg to touch me was a major ego boost. I don't know why I even did that. Maybe I was spending too much time with Viv. That's the only time I've ever felt in control in an interaction with Xavier.

My confidence did waver a little when I got dressed and went downstairs and saw him. He shot me a cocky smirk from where he was talking to Tristan and Axton. I just shook my head at him, the corners of my mouth twitching up as I looked away and headed to the kitchen. Looks like everyone was up so far except Blaine. All the girls were hanging together on the couch drinking coffee, including Viv. Jeanna got up and bounded over to where I was making some tea.

"You wanna do brunch?" She chirped happily to me, then scrunched her nose, "We made coffee, you know."

"I don't drink coffee. But I'm up for brunch."

"Bleh," she dramatically stuck her tongue out at my green tea, then turned to the living room, yelling, "Brunch?" The girls cheered, making the guys much more likely to agree. She pointed at the cluster of men, "Which one of you is going to pay for it? This isn't coming out of my account."

"Your account? You've only got dad's credit cards." Xavier pointedly drawled, making her laugh.

"Your big mouth means you're it, Mr. Real Job. You owe us for your bullshit, anyway." He offered her a half shrug as he turned back to Tristan and Axton. She looked back to me, her mouth open in shock, "Did you see that? He didn't even sneer or argue. Maybe he's turned a new leaf."

"Pfft, doubt it." I scoffed, making her laugh and basically skip back to the couch with me in tow. I sat between Viv and Ashley, while Jeanna basically curled up onto Makayla. My sister continued her story about a Birkin she almost snagged, and I let my eyes drift to the guys talking in a hushed circle. I wonder what they were up to. My brother looked animated, and Axton and Xavier nodded along, sometimes offering input. I couldn't help but run my eyes over Xavier's muscular back. Something caught my eye on Axton, though. I squinted looking at his tattoos on his back, which was a good camouflage, but I could see tinges of red on any patches free from ink. My eyes went wide as I looked to Viv, who was watching me curiously, a smug ass smirk on her face.

"Viv," I whispered fiercely, "you didn't."

"Rawr," she mewed like a sexy kitten, flashing her teeth and clawing her black, long coffin nails. My jaw hung open as I looked back to Axton, who caught my shocked expression and clearly knew I was looking at the claws on him. He turned and flexed to give me a better view, then looked at me again with the brightest grin. He made a sarcastic heart with his hands, mouthing 'Thank you' before getting back to his conversation.

Xavier glanced over his shoulders seeing his brother's antics, and seeing it was us two looking, he flashed me a brilliant smile and a wink before turning back to my brother. I jerked my eyes away from him, probably too fast, making Viv push me playfully.

"What the fuck was that?" She laughed a little a me.

"Nothing, he's annoying." I covered lamely, making her brows raise and her mouth drop open.

"You're blushing. What the hell?"

"I think you tearing up Axton's back is much more interesting than a stupid wink."

"Is my best friend a little hussy like me?" She teased lowly. I rolled my eyes, but my blush deepened probably 100 shades. She gaped at me, and I pulled my attention back to the other girls to get her off my back.