Flawless - Manhattan Knights Series Book One

by Sienna Parks

  There’s a hairdryer laid out on the table in front of a beautiful gilded mirror. It’s cute that he thinks I could do anything with the brush he left for me! I grab my PJs from my overnight bag. I know it’s silly when he’s seen every inch of me, but I still duck into the bathroom to put on my tank top and shorts.

  When I emerge, Xander’s laughing. “Seriously? We’ve just done the most intimate act possible between two people and you can’t put your PJs on in front of me? You’re so damn cute. Get over here.” His arms are spread wide for me, and I jump at the chance to get close to him… literally… I’m a little over enthusiastic! He tucks me into his side and pulls the covers over us, smoothing my hair from my face, running his thumb up and down my cheek, completely at ease with our intimacy.

  “Are you okay? Was it… okay for you?” There’s a vulnerability in his voice that betrays his cool, confident exterior.

  “Are you kidding me? Xander, it was earth-shattering, life-changing, mind-blowingly amazing. I know I have nothing to compare it to, but I’m sure if it felt this amazing for everyone, I would be supplied with triple the amount of detail from Addi than I already have to endure.” He lets out a heartfelt belly laugh, making my spirit soar.

  “I’m flattered. And if I have my way, you won’t ever have anyone else to compare it to.” I literally stop breathing. I want to believe that he means it, and it’s not just post-coital nicety, but I don’t know the things people say to each other after sex, but I can’t imagine ever wanting to experience this with someone else.

  He lets out a contented hum. “Mmm. You smell like me. I like it. Not as much as I love your smell, but I like you covered head to toe in Eau de ME.”

  I giggle. “Is it weird that I like smelling of you?” His hold tightens around me.

  “God, you’re perfect for me. You even enjoy my caveman tendencies.” He plants a soft kiss on my forehead as he speaks. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “I guess we both got lucky.” I retort with a mischievous grin.

  Xander’s demeanor turns solemn. “I’m serious, Lily. I don’t deserve you, but here you are. I’ve spent so long shutting people out and questioning their motives. Do they want my money? Or my connections? Do they want media attention? Do they really want to be friends with me? And with women – after Natalie I lost faith that any woman would want me for me. I was afraid of getting hurt again”

  I cuddle closer, trying to give him some comfort as he continues.

  “Then you literally crashed into my life and turned it upside down. I can’t explain why I haven’t felt any of my usual reservations with you. From the moment I met you, I’ve wanted to make you mine. Even after our misunderstanding early on, I knew… I had to have you. I’ve never felt this close to someone in my life. The trust you put in me tonight really overwhelms me. Thank you.”

  Tears prick at the back of my eyes. I lift my head from his chest, pulling his head down to mine, sealing his honesty with a kiss. I pour all of the emotion I can’t put into words into this one kiss, hoping that he understands what I can’t convey. It’s not that I don’t feel it, I’m just not ready to put it into words, making it real and opening myself up to being hurt. I know it doesn’t work like that, but I’m doing the best I can.

  I slowly move my body on top of him, marveling at how our bodies fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. I can’t help myself, my thirst for him unquenchable. Our kisses become all consuming, ravaging each other with our tongues, our hands desperate as we trace every line and curve of each other’s body. I can feel the discomfort from earlier between my legs, but I want him so badly it’s a physical ache in my chest, much worse than any other pain in my body. As I lean over, he grabs my hair and deepens our kiss, bruising my lips with his intensity. In a split second I find myself beneath him, his strong frame looming over me.

  “Tell me you’re mine, Lily.” His words drip from his lips in an enticing command - the yearning in his voice, pulling at every cell in my body.

  My answer is effortless. “I’m yours. Only yours. I only ever want to be yours.” His mouth captures mine. “Make love to me. I’m yours.”

  He steadies his breath, trying to control the urge to take me as hard as he can. “I don’t want to hurt you. You’re already sore from earlier.”

  I gaze into his icy blue depths. “Xander. I need you. I want you so badly – it’s a physical ache. Please… please… make it go away. I need to feel you inside me. I need you.” Any control he was fighting to maintain is gone.

  He makes love to me again and again, each time with more reverence than the last. He worships my body with every kiss and caress, taking me to new heights of ecstasy, holding off on his own release; allowing himself to come only when I fall over the edge with him. Sometime after 3 a.m. we fall into an exhausted sleep, our bodies tangled together – a perfect fit.

  Tonight there are no nightmares, just a beautiful sleep with an extraordinary man.

  ****

  Xander’s bed is ridiculously comfortable. I wake up swaddled in his arms, his chest rising and falling gently underneath my head, his steady heartbeat a beautiful sound. I try not to wake him, but I want a peek. I slowly shift myself in his arms, tilting my head to gaze at the perfect plains of his face.

  He looks so peaceful, young, and carefree in his sleep. He’s breathtaking. His long black eyelashes almost kiss his sculpted cheekbones. His eyebrows naturally shaped and masculine. Slight curls in his hair sitting haphazardly on his brow. He really is a work of art; a bronzed God, lying under me, holding me tight even while he sleeps. My heart swells in my chest at the realization that he wants to be here with me.

  “Morning, sweets. Like what you see?” He peeks one eye open, a cheeky grin on his face, his voice low and raspy. I shy away, not wanting to go too close before I brush my teeth. I really don’t want to inflict morning breath on him.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m just going to go brush my teeth. Be back in a minute.” I try to pry his arms off of me, but he tightens his grip.

  “What? No good morning kiss?”

  “Not before I brush my teeth.”

  He starts teasing me. “Oh. Go on. Just one peck. I won’t let you go until you do.”

  “No. It’s gross.” He starts tickling me.

  “Are you calling me gross? You’re going to pay for that.” He’s not lying. I hate being tickled and he is relentless. I’m wriggling all over the bed trying to get away from him, with no success, so I finally give in.

  “Okay. Okay. Okay. You win.” I choke out through giggles. “A peck on the cheek. That’s my best offer.”

  “I’ll take it.” He says with a smug smile.

  I peck him on the cheek but he grabs me, pinning me to the bed. He looks sexy as hell hovering over me, his sex-mussed hair looking like it’s been styled to perfection. He holds my arms at the sides of my head rendering me helpless. Lowering his lips to mine, his tongue licks along the seam of my mouth, coaxing me to open for him.

  I want to refuse and run to the bathroom to make myself minty fresh, but I just can’t say no. Our kiss is gentle, yet passionate – a lazy morning wake-up call to my libido. Only Xander could taste good first thing in the morning. After he works me into a frenzy, he stops and moves off of me.

  “Off you go then. Leave me all lonely and go to the bathroom.” He’s so playful – It’s unbelievably cute. As much as I enjoy the kiss, I jump out of bed and head for the bathroom. Wow. Sex hair is not becoming on me! I must have given Xander a fright when he opened his eyes. I quickly brush my teeth and try to tame the bird’s nest.

  It takes me about ten minutes to get it under control before I can put it up in a quick messy bun. When I head back into the bedroom there’s no sign of Xander – just a note on the bed.

  Gone to rustle up some breakfast.

  Come find me when you’re ready.

  Xander x

  I find my way down to the kitchen, following the sound of him singing along to my
favorite Pharrell song Happy. He’s ridiculously cute and sexy at the same time - shaking his ass as he cooks, dressed only in black pajama bottoms. I stand just out of sight, watching his carefree display, but it doesn’t last long. He spins around to grab some tomatoes from the kitchen island and stops in his tracks before doubling over laughing.

  His response has me giggling uncontrollably. I crumple on the floor, my laughter fueled by his. When I manage to calm myself enough to get up, I run over and jump into his arms, kissing him all over his gorgeous face.

  “If I knew I’d get this response, I’d make an ass of myself more often.”

  “You didn’t make an ass of yourself. That was quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Even cuter than puppies.” I peck him on the nose.

  “I don’t want to be cuter than puppies. I want to be a sexy caveman. Grrrrrr.” He captures my mouth with a groan.

  “Trust me when I say this. Everything about you is manly and caveman and 100% sexy.” He claims me, body and soul. Thoughts of anything but him flee from my mind at his kiss. There is only us and the connection we share. It’s a rush I never want to end, but we’re pulled from our own little world at the smell of burning eggs… gross.

  “Shit.” He puts me down and darts over to the frying pan. “I was making you a Spanish omelet for breakfast, but I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that you don’t want to eat this burnt monstrosity.”

  “How about… you come shower with me and then we can head out and get some breakfast/brunch somewhere?” A sly grin creeps across his face.

  “Mmm. A shower with you… better make that dinner; this could take a while. You’re very dirty, and I personally won’t rest until I’ve cleaned every… single… inch of your filthy little body.” His gaze is intense as he stalks toward me. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me behind him in silence.

  He doesn’t drop my hand - he doesn’t speak. He just starts stripping me, gliding his hands gently over my naked flesh, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. The juxtaposition of the cold sensation on my skin with the fire burning inside me is thrilling.

  I feel dirty in the best possible way as I stand in front of him… naked and unabashed… for his eyes alone. I feel sexy. Reveling in it, I lift my hands up into my hair, dropping my head back as I run my hands down my neck, along my collarbone and down toward my breasts. Xander’s eyes are fixed on my every move, wide and burning with desire. He gives me a confidence that I’ve never had before. I tweak my nipples and watch as he bites on his knuckle.

  “Stop biting and kiss me. I’m yours - Only… For… You.” I’ve unleashed something from deep inside him. I can see it in his eyes. He loses all control, ripping his bottoms off before dragging me into the shower. As the hot water cascades over our intertwined bodies, he grabs me and presses me against the shower wall.

  The cool tiles send a shiver down my spine – my nipples pebbling against his chest. He ravages my body, kissing every inch of my wet skin before taking me hard. After we chase our release together, I slump into his arms, the intensity of my orgasm too much for my body to deal with.

  “I’ve got you. I’m sorry, baby.”

  “Don’t apologize, that was… incredible.”

  “Wrap your legs round me.” He carries me out of the shower, engulfing the two of us in a soft, fluffy white towel.

  “Why did you say sorry?” I burrow further into his chest as I ask.

  “Because I can’t believe I was so rough with you. You’re still sore from last night. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” He lifts my face, searching for the truth and I offer it freely.

  “You didn’t hurt me. Yes - I feel the effects of last night, but… I kinda love it. Is that weird?”

  He strokes his thumb down my cheek, adoration in his eyes. “It’s not weird… it’s… lovely. You’re lovely. Never forget that.” He gives me a gentle kiss, squeezing me close to his bare chest.

  “Where would you like to go for brunch?” I ask, changing the subject. If I don’t steer us toward a safer topic, I’m going to blurt out three words that will change everything, and I can’t do that after only a few weeks. Has it really only been that long? I feel like Xander has been a part of my life forever. I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

  “Earth to Lily.” Oops.

  “Sorry. Wandering mind of an aspiring novelist, I guess.” Good save. I pulled that one out of my ass.

  “Why don’t we just get ready and head out… see where the day takes us?” His voice is playful and carefree.

  “That sounds excellent. We’ll let the Big Apple decide.”

  We get dressed together, my earlier shyness gone. This man wants to be with me and seems to really like my body. It’s a revelation, and it’s liberating. I sit down to dry my hair and Xander takes the opportunity to head to his office to make some calls. Once I’m in the ballpark of presentable, I go in search of him.

  The door to the study is wide open and Xander is sitting at a stunning antique mahogany desk, large and imposing, just like the man behind it with his feet up on the desk. He’s still on the phone so I signal that I’ll leave him to finish, but he ushers me in and gestures for me to sit down on the leather sofa against the back wall. This office is bigger than my bedroom.

  I wonder just how many rooms there are in this apartment. I take a moment to wander round his study, taking in the stunning works of art on the walls. Behind the desk is his degree from Columbia. Guess that partially answers why he was there the day we met.

  My gaze is drawn to a particular piece - it’s a Monet water lily oil painting. It’s not the same as the reproduction he bought me. I think there are about two hundred and fifty different paintings that Monet did in that series. It’s stunning.

  “Do you like this one better?” His arms wrap around my waist from behind, his nose nuzzling into my neck, drinking in my Chanel.

  “I love mine. I’ve only seen a few of them in books and museums. They’re stunning up close.”

  “I think so, too. I bought two at auction a number of years ago. Cost a small fortune but they were worth it, especially now that they have a deeper meaning. When I sit in here and look at this one, I think of a certain someone that has me quite enchanted.” He’s so smooth.

  “Isn’t it strange that you should have this particular Monet? Wait… you said you have two. Where is the other one?” As I wait for his answer, it dawns on me. There is a space on the wall next to the Monet… a space for the one that is hanging in my apartment. It’s not a reproduction. He gave me a real Monet! I am such an idiot. I thanked him for the ‘reproduction’ and he didn’t correct me. I spin round in his arms.

  “Please tell me I’m not right. That you didn’t give me a real Monet?”

  “Why does it matter? It’s a painting. I wanted you to have it.”

  “You have to take it back. It’s not right. It’s too much.” He grabs my shoulders, holding me steady.

  “Listen to me very carefully. I want you to have it. I won’t take it back. Even if you left here today and never spoke to me again - which I really, really, hope you don’t – I would still want you to have it.” I know I’m not going to win this argument, and he senses my wavering resolve as my shoulders slump in defeat.

  “Good, that’s settled. Thank you.” His warm callused palms cup my face as his lips caress me - sending that delicious, and now familiar jolt of electricity straight to my core.

  An hour later, we head out to see the sun shining and the city buzzing with happy couples, families, and friends; all of them enjoying the weekend and everything that this wonderful city has to offer. We do exactly the same and have a fabulous day together, chilling out, chatting about anything and everything. We must walk at least five miles, stopping for coffee, soaking up the sun, lying out in the park for a few hours, grabbing brunch and then later in the day when the sun begins to set we have a lovely dinner before heading back to his apartment. Once there, I realize that our magical weekend is at an end, but
I don’t want to leave him. Lucky for me he has the same idea.

  “I was thinking. If you’re not sick of me yet, maybe I could stay with you at your apartment tonight?”

  I run into his arms and squeeze him with all my might. “I’d love that. I don’t think I could ever get sick of you.”

  ****

  We spend the next three weeks, living in our bubble - only apart when Xander is at the office, and even then we have a habit of texting all the time. When he works from home, I cozy up next to him reading a book or searching for a job online. We fall into a comfortable routine, not having to ask the question, ‘are we staying together tonight?’ It’s a given. I don’t think I could sleep without him next to me. And the sex… has been mind-blowing. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would make me come in ways I couldn’t imagine. There hasn’t been a day that he hasn’t taken me to the heights of pleasure and jumped off the cliff with me. Every kiss, every touch, sparks a thirst that only he can quench.

  This has been the most amazing three weeks of my life, and I couldn’t be happier. To cap it off, I graduate tomorrow and I got confirmation this morning that I got the job I interviewed for last week. I start a week from Monday, so I have a week of freedom after graduation before I join the ranks of the New York employed!

  My mom and sisters are coming to graduation today. This will be the first time I’ve seen them since I met Xander. He desperately wants to see me graduate, so this will be the first time they all meet. I’m not worried in the slightest that my family won’t love him. If anything, I’ll need to keep an eye on my sisters’ flirting. I’m more worried about how he will react to them, especially when he notices that I’m not exactly close with my family.

  My mom and younger twin sisters Catherine, named after the heroine in Wuthering Heights, which is my mom’s favorite novel, and Olivia, chosen from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, are all really close. Cathy and Liv still live with mom, and they do everything together. I used to be part of that, but after my dad died, I think they blamed me for what happened, and we just sort of drifted further and further apart as the years went by.