All's Fair in Love and Business: Xavier's Story

Ch. 12

Xavier Sterling 6:00 a.m.

She didn't answer my calls last night and she didn't show up at my house. That means she went on her date and I have no clue with whom. Did she kiss him? sleep with him? Flirt with him? Touch him? My mind races with questions, the same ones that kept me up all night. I text her telling her to call me, I lost track on how many times I've sent the same damn message. I drain the rest of my coffee, my second pot. I now have the jitters as I wait as patiently as I possibly can to hear from her.

An hour later my phone rings. "You didn't meet me last night." I say, the anger in my voice evident.

"I told you I wasn't." She recalls.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself I continue. "But I told you to cancel."

"And you have no right to tell me what to do." She replies, simply.

"Who is he?" I question.

"Xavier, I'm not doing this with you. I am calling to talk about all the text and calls from you."

"Come see me." I urge, just wanting to talk to her face to face.

"Right now?"

"Please." I practically beg.

"Fine, I'm on my way." She says, ending the call.

I watch her drive up to the house when she walks to the door I notice how fresh she looks. Not like me who has been up for the last 24 hours. I open the door for her and she comes into the house hesitantly. I give her no time to react before I pull her to me, holding her waist tightly as I kiss her roughly. All the time away all the anger I felt when she left me, everything that happened I pour into this kiss. I moan, leaning into her and backing her against the wall. My fingers buried deeply in her hair, our kiss becoming more frantic.

    When I feel her shove at my chest it doesn't even register for several seconds until she rips her mouth from mine, yelling, "Stop!"

I look down at her, her mouth wet, red and swollen. I want nothing more than to lose myself in her. "Stop?"

She nods, shyly looking at my chest making me want her even more. I tighten my hold on her head forcing her to look up at me. I can see she wants me, but fighting it. If I kissed her again, I doubt she'd stop me. I think about it as my head lowers towards hers. She shakes her head, I groan.

Giving her a soft peck on the lips, I hover just above her mouth. "You want to be with me."

"Doesn't mean I'll let myself." She replies, breathlessly.

I stand up straight, slowly moving away from her. "I should go." She says, turning towards the door. Before I can stop her she halts mid step. "Oh. Eva's, here."

I glance out the open door that was forgotten as I kissed Pip. Sure enough Eva is just climbing out of her black Mercedes SUV. "Hi!" She calls out happily. She greets Pip at the door hugging and kissing her cheek. "What a surprise to see you here. I was just stopping by to show Xavier the ultrasound pics and." She turns to me sympathetically. "I heard your mom is trying to redesign the whole place."

"Yes, she was out here yesterday." I confirm, annoyed.

"Well, have no fear. I've come to save you." She says, heroically.

"How are you going to do that?" I ask, tiredly.

"I picked a designer for you. He's meeting us here at 9. You're welcome."

"So, my mother overstepping into my affairs earns your compassion? However, you doing the same thing is deserving of a thank you?" I ask, sarcastically.