Eve tried not to watch, but she was too curious. She glanced back at them and, to her surprise, they were walking towards their table.
“This is Eve, Nicky,” Xavier said, gesturing to her. “Eve, this is Nicky. A friend of mine.”
“Hello, Eve,” Nicky said, her smile looking forced as they shook hands. “Sorry to interrupt your lunch. I just wanted to say hi to Xavier.”
“Pleased to meet you, Nicky,” Eve said with a friendly tone.
“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it. Good to see you again, Xavier.” This time, Nicky did kiss Xavier’s cheek before she walked away.
Eve repressed a sigh. Nicky’s disappointment was obvious. Did they use to go out? Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable.
Xavier sat back down and handed her the new serviette.
“Thank you. You know I have a couple of Nicky’s leggings? They’re such high quality for the price.”
“I guess I’m not surprised. Her brand’s very popular.”
“Yeah. I noticed she didn’t look very happy to see me with you. I hope I didn’t… you know… get you in trouble with her, or something.”
Xavier smiled. “No. She’s just a friend, and not a close one at that.”
She returned his smile. And just as suddenly, she was relaxed again.
“Happy to go to Darling Harbour after lunch?”
She nodded eagerly. “Are you sure you don’t mind going to Sea Life? I bet you’ve already been there multiple times.”
“Not since I was a teenager,” Xavier said with a laugh. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Thank you.” She beamed at him.
“It’s my absolute pleasure.”
They finished their lunch and Eve excused herself to go to the ladies’. She was washing her hands when none other than Nicky King turned up at her side.
She smiled at the woman. “Hi.”
“Hi, Eve. You’re so lucky, you know,” Nicky said in a friendly but envious tone.
“What do you mean?”
“Xavier,” Nicky said with a sigh. “How long have you been going out with him?”
“Um… not long.” That wasn’t a lie. Last night and today was a date, so technically, they’d been going out for two days.
“Really? I must have the worst of luck. I’ve been waiting for that guy for three years! I guess he’s just not into me.”
Eve smiled sympathetically. What on earth could she say about that?
“You know,” Nicky continued as she pulled out a lipstick from her bag, “an acquaintance of mine wants to believe Xavier’s gay.”
“Why’s that?” Eve asked in surprise.
“Because she came on to him twice and he rejected her both times. Like I said, you’re lucky.”
Eve’s heart expanded. “Thanks, Nicky. And congrats on your success, by the way. I have a couple of your leggings.”
Nicky beamed at her. “Thank you. And you take care of that man of yours, okay? He’s a keeper, that one.”
“I will. Bye.”
Eve went out the bathroom, grinning from ear to ear. How naughty of her to have made Nicky believe she and Xavier were an item.
Well, after that little conversation, she was now more and more sure that she’d want to see Xavier again when she moved to Sydney. She couldn’t think of a lonely-hearts conman who’d pass up an opportunity to wine and dine someone like Nicky King, or a cheating bastard who’d reject the advances of a woman throwing herself at him.
Her bullshit antenna hadn’t been malfunctioning. It simply, truly, wasn’t picking up anything.
Xavier was standing outside the corridor leading to the restrooms.
“Ready,” she said to him, holding up her hand.
Xavier grinned and intertwined his fingers with hers, and they strolled leisurely back to the wharf.
The rest of the day was pure entertainment. And by the time they got back to Eve’s place, she was tired, but still buzzing.
“You want coffee?” she asked Xavier by the lifts.
“Yeah,” he said simply.
They rode the elevator, and Xavier slipped his arm around her waist.
She sighed and turned to him, lifting her face to his in invitation.
Xavier claimed her mouth, his lips soft but insistent and his tongue playful.
She disentangled from him only so they could hurry into her apartment. Then, once inside, she went back for more of the hottest, sweetest kisses she’d had in a long time—if not ever. God, she was burning for him.
But it was too soon.
Reluctantly, she pulled away. “I should make the coffee, then we better call it a night. Today’s been absolutely great, but I think we need to replenish our energy for tomorrow.”
Xavier took a deep breath, but smiled with understanding. “Okay.”
She went to the kitchen, sighing. God she really wanted him, but she had to sleep on this.
How would she feel tomorrow?
Chapter 5
Eve nodded at her image in the mirror. Xavier had planned a nice lunch for them at Watson’s Bay today. They wouldn’t be walking much, so she could finally wear this sexy dress for him.
She missed him already, even after spending all day with him yesterday—the best time she’d had in a long, long time.
She laughed. How many times in the last couple of days had she been comparing this weekend to all the dates she’d been on previously? She was truly having a ball with him, and it had been fun letting her hair down. She’d forgotten what it was like to simply relax and not have suspicion as her main driving gear.
But there was something she’d been regretting. She hadn’t asked Xavier to stay the night. She’d listened to her practical side who’d said it was too soon.
She licked her lips and was reminded of the feel of Xavier’s tongue on them. Moisture rushed to her core, her nipples hardening. It had been such a long time since she’d made love with someone. Two years, in fact. Too long ago.
And she knew now that she didn’t want to wait another two months.
Xavier wouldn’t mind if they ditched their plans for today, would he?
Her security buzzer rang and she jumped, her heart skipping. “Hi, come on in.”
She rechecked herself in the mirror and went to the little kitchen to boil some water. Since she planned on staying in, she’d offer Xavier coffee or tea. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any snacks other than some dried figs.
He’d like them. They were nice. But she was sure he’d prefer to have her instead.
She giggled and went to answer the door.
“Hi,” she said, smiling at the sight of him.
“Hello,” Xavier said in a low voice, walking in.
Without any hesitation, she tiptoed to kiss him on the mouth.
Xavier’s arms slid around her waist, pulling her close.
She curved her arms around his neck, which had the effect of her whole body pressing flush against his. And she heard herself let out a soft moan as Xavier deepened their kiss.
His arms roamed her back, then he abruptly pulled away, blowing out a harsh sigh. “We better get going.”
“Do you want to?” she asked softly.
He stared at her with that oh-so-hot gaze of his. “No. But if we don’t leave now, I’m gonna go crazy.”
She bit back a smile. “Why?”
Xavier cocked his head, searching her face. “Because I want to make love to you.”
Such a simple, honest declaration, and it broke down the last of her inhibitions. “Then let’s stay and make love.”
Xavier took a long deep breath before gently pulling her back into his arms. “I’d hoped you’d say that later when we came back from lunch, but now’s good. In fact, now’s perfect.”
Their lips met again and Xavier devoured her mouth, kissing her like a starving man. And she responded avidly, each cell in her body tingling from desire, eager to feel all of Xavier.
“You look beautiful in this dress, by the way,” Xav
ier murmured, his lips travelling to her neck while he pulled down the zipper behind her back.
She giggled. “So why are you taking it off?”
“Because I know you’re more beautiful without it.”
“You’re so sweet, you know that?” she said teasingly.
Xavier didn’t respond. He was gaping at her as he continued to undress her, as if he couldn’t believe his luck.
And, darn, her eyes were misting. When was the last time she’d been on the receiving end of such a look? And she couldn’t wait for more.
She pushed down the straps of her bra, watching Xavier’s face.
He gulped and licked his lips.
“Want to unhook it for me?”
Xavier’s smile was pure male. “Gladly.” He took a sharp breath when the garment fell to the floor, then his arms were back around her, his lips travelling her face, her neck, her shoulders.
He guided her to the bed, a few steps away, and she climbed to the middle, and threw her arms around Xavier’s neck to bring him with her.
But Xavier resisted. He remained standing, gaze glued on her, as pulled his shirt over his head and took off his shoes.
It was her turn to gape. The man was gorgeous, and he hadn’t even taken his jeans off yet. To her disappointment, Xavier stopped stripping to join her in bed.
“I was enjoying the show,” she complained.
He gave her a questioning look.
“The strip show,” she clarified with a grin.
Xavier laughed. “Is that so? Well, I couldn’t wait to finish my own hands-on strip show, either.” He grasped her panties and slowly pulled them down her legs.
“Beautiful,” Xavier murmured, his eyes hooded as he leaned down and started kissing her thighs.
Her breathing shallowed as Xavier slowly made his way up the apex between her legs. Could she last? It had been so long and she was already so aroused.
But Xavier continued his journey up her hips, leaving hot quick kisses on her belly as he moved farther up. Then he cupped her breasts with both hands. “Beautiful,” he said again before taking a nipple in his mouth and circling its twin with his thumb.
She gasped, her hips involuntarily lifting to seek contact with a part of him—any part of him.
But his clothes were still in the way. She sneaked her hand down his bulge and rubbed.
Xavier groaned, hurriedly undressing himself while he continued to lave her bud with his tongue.
She smiled. Mission accomplished.
Soon Xavier was as naked as she was, but she couldn’t feast her eyes on him since he was on top of her. Later, maybe. She was enjoying the attention he was giving her body too much to interrupt him. Her nipples were such hardened, sensitised peaks that she felt she could come if he didn’t stop.
But he did stop, and started a journey downwards.
“Xavier,” she panted, already so close when they’d only just begun. Gosh, it was embarrassing.
“Yes, babe?” he asked, his hands hot and tender while they roamed her body as he left kisses on his way down.
She didn’t answer. She simply looked into his eyes and smiled at him.
Xavier smiled back and, with his gaze still on hers, he parted her legs and ran soft fingers along her inner thighs, caressing up and up, until he touched her wetness.
She gasped while he groaned.
“So wet,” he murmured. Then his tongue was on her, flicking her swollen nub again and again.
“Xavier,” she cried, her body buzzing with pleasure so great she was starting to shake. Then she came, gasping loudly as her body tightened again and again.
A few seconds later, she climbed down from the clouds. “Sorry,” she said with an embarrassed giggle.
“For what?” Xavier asked, kissing her lips tenderly.
“That was so quick. I… it’s been a while.”
Xavier chuckled. “I’m actually glad to hear that.”
“Well, it’s my turn,” she said, running a hand down his chest to close her fingers around his erection.
“But I’m not done with you yet,” he murmured, kissing her jaw.
To her surprise, she discovered she was craving for more. Wow. In the past, she was done once she’d had an orgasm, no matter how teeny-weeny. But she most definitely wanted more right now—in particular, the magnificent hard-on she was tugging with her hand.
Goodness, she’d never been this lustful in her life.
She laughed out loud. There was that comparison again.
“What?” Xavier asked in surprise.
She placed a palm on her cheek. “Nothing. I just want you again.”
“That’s what I want to hear,” Xavier murmured. He kissed her, his lips and tongue eliciting a response from her mouth that eagerly accepted his offer. Then his hand snaked down her body. He gently rubbed her clit, alternating that with inserting a finger inside her as he licked her nipple with his tongue.
She closed her eyes, clutching his hair as she let her body revel in his ministrations.
Her desire spiralled up, her body once again aroused to fever pitch. When she thought she couldn’t hold on any longer, Xavier reared up, looking at her with clear need.
“Take me,” she whispered.
Xavier grabbed his jeans from the floor and took a condom out of the pocket. Soon, he was poised above her.
She widened her legs for him and glanced down between their bodies as Xavier ran the tip of his erection against her nub before pushing inside her wetness.
She gasped, feeling him slowly fill her. It was exquisite.
Then he was moving. In and out. And hitting that part that made her moan, again and again.
“Xavier… yes…” she panted.
“Eve, so good, baby,” he groaned.
Oh, yes. It had never been this good.
Or so she’d thought.
Because Xavier was now moving faster, his breaths coming out in loud grunts.
And she—she was crying out loud in pleasure. Something she’d hardly ever done. But she couldn’t help it this time. It was just too good.
“Eve… babe… coming…” Xavier’s hips pumped against hers faster, his manhood going in deep every single time. He reached between their bodies and pressed her clit with his thumb.
And she exploded, her whole body convulsing as she tightened all around him.
“Fuuuck!” Xavier grunted, joining her in ecstasy she’d only ever read about, and collapsing on top of her.
They lay in bed quietly, catching their breaths.
“Wow,” she said.
“I know. I’ll be back.” Xavier kissed her lips before pulling out of her and going to the bathroom.
She stared at the space he’d vacated. That had literally rocked her world. It was incredible.
And scary. She’d be gone from Sydney for two months. What would happen between now and then?
Xavier came out of the bathroom, and she feasted her eyes on him. He truly was magnificent.
Would this man wait for her? Wait for a woman he hardly knew?
Damn her insecurities! Why did they have to rear their ugly head when she’d just have the best sex of her life?
Still, she really didn’t know enough about Xavier, and he knew even less about her.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Xavier asked, re-joining her on the bed.
She smiled. “Just thinking.”
“About what?”
She sighed. “About how little we know about each other, yet how comfortable I feel around you.”
Xavier turned to her. “Same here. And I’d like to see you again when you come back in two months.”
“I’d like that too,” she breathed, burrowing her head in his chest so he wouldn’t see how thrilled she was.
Oh, Lord, was she falling for him already?
No. She didn’t want to. She wasn’t ready.
What if Xavier reacted negatively once he learned about her new job? For all she knew, Xavi
er might hate that she’d be recognised by a lot of people in the country. Some people had issues with that.
Luckily, she had plenty to do to distract herself from thoughts of him. Just resigning from her current job and arranging her move would take up a lot of time and energy. Plus, there was the Ross Anton/Stirling Mortgage Brokers story to investigate. She certainly couldn’t wait to start on that.
Chapter 6
Two months later…
Xavier was no psychic, so he hoped that this pressing feeling he’d been having about his father was nothing but him being a worrywart. It was just that his dad had grown quiet and withdrawn in the last couple of months, and had been taking time off work. But Gerald hadn’t wanted to go to the doctor for a check-up, stating he simply needed some rest.
Today was the second time this week that Gerald had skipped work, and since his mum was attending a dinner function, he’d decided to pay his old man a visit.
He pressed the security doorbell.
“Xavier, what are you doing here?” Gerald asked through the speaker.
“Hi, Dad. Heard you weren’t feeling well, so I thought I’d bring something to make you feel better.” He lifted a McDonald’s paper bag towards the little security camera, knowing his father wouldn’t say no to his favourite fast food.
Gerald seemed to hesitate. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Well, his dad didn’t sound sniffly or hoarse. Whatever illness he had, it wasn’t a cold or a flu.
The door opened. “Hello, son.”
Xavier gave his dad a man-hug. “So what’s wrong with you, Dad?”
“Just tired. Anyway, thanks for bringing this for me.” Gerald took the bag from him.
“We can open a bottle of wine.”
Gerald stared at him. “You’re staying?”
“Yeah. There are two Big Macs, two large fries and two apple pies in that bag. They’re not all for you.”
Gerald sighed. “This might not be a good time. I’m… you know, not feeling well.”
Xavier frowned. His dad didn’t look ill.
“But of course you can eat with me first.” Gerald put an arm around his shoulders and led him towards the back.
“Everything okay?”
Xavier Page 5
