Stolen Tyme

by S. L. Ziegler

  His glare turns glacial. “No the fuck he isn’t. He needs to come to me again. Tell me you really are back together.”

  “But, Pops,” I plead with my lip stuck out and begin to pout. I’m willing to try anything to stop the inevitable from happening.

  “Don’t fucking ‘but Pops’ now. And cut that doe-eyed look you’re trying to pull over on me. It isn’t working for shit. That ship sailed when you stopped asking me to buy you crap. Now, tell me where your motherfucking boyfriend is. I have a few things I want to discuss with that shithead, and you are in my way.”

  I don’t have to dig through the meaning of Lock’s words. “Discuss” means “fight,” and a fight between my father and my boyfriend will end with us all losing something.

  I’m about to open my mouth, but I close it just as quickly as X comes up behind me. I don’t know what to say. Or how to say it. Who to hide. I’m torn between two—torn in two.

  My father and Xavier.

  My father or Xavier.

  And.

  Or.

  Two words that suck.

  The first man I ever loved, and the man I’m in love with. I’m stuck in the middle of what’s right.

  A dark shadow looms over us, and my heart holds its beat, waiting for one of them to speak, and I don’t have to wait long. I’m just surprised who does it first.

  “Locklan, what do I owe the pleasure of you showing up at my house this great morning?” X’s sarcastic tone surprises me. I would have thought he’d be more careful where Lock is concerned.

  Last time, this ended poorly.

  With me and a broken heart.

  Please let this be different.

  Lock tilts his head, a flicker of something crossing his face. “Let’s think about why I would show up at your house. Uninvited. One being I wanted to see my daughter since her ass has been so far up yours since you made your apology tour, and the second one is to say in front of my daughter that if you hurt her again, I’ll fucking kill you. Like I’ve been wanting to since the going away party at my house years ago.”

  Xavier throws his head back, letting out a forced laugh, and pushes out his chest. “You can try if you want. You have the right to. I’ll give you that. But this time, you’ll have a hard time doing it. I’m telling you now, I’ve been training with Reed. I’m not the little shit I once was, and I have something far more valuable to lose.”

  My father strides closer to Xavier, simultaneously putting me directly in the middle of them both.

  I’m stuck.

  In the middle.

  Of both men.

  And.

  Or.

  Once again.

  “Like I said when you came to see me at work…”

  A trickle of pain runs down the muscle in my back from turning my head at both of them. I didn’t know what Lock was referring to or when X had been to see him at work. I stare at both of them, questioning what the hell they’re talking about.

  But it’s like I’m not here.

  They are in a full-blown pissing contest, ignoring everything standing between them.

  “And like I said when I was there, I was going to go after Naomi regardless of what you said or did. She would be the deciding factor if I walked away—not you. I was being a man then by giving you a heads-up, told you the truth, and I’m being a man now, coming out and telling you the truth.”

  Lock hustles around me, the squeak of the siding reverberates in my ears before my eyes can catch up with what’s unfolding before me.

  Just like my going away party, my father has X up against the wall with his arm across his throat, Lock’s eyes focusing solely on Xavier.

  “Answer this one then. Do you love her now?” Lock asks with a power behind his words I’ve only heard once prior.

  My stomach hits the ground, but not one second passes before Xavier answers without hesitation, “Yes.” His gaze is straight on me as if he has forgotten about my father’s hold on him. “Yes. I do. I love her. With my whole damn heart.”

  I falter, shocked, my mouth gaping open at X laying it all out in the open for Lock to hear. For me to hear. My heart pounds erratically.

  Now it’s Lock’s turn to pop open his mouth with nothing to say. He’s speechless, an action I’ve seen possibly twice in my life. However, he isn’t the only one.

  He said he loved me.

  Lock clears his throat, dropping Xavier on the ground with his piercing eyes still honed in on Xavier. “Have you told her?”

  X shakes his head and stands. “I wanted to do it later today, with something special, but your dumb ass ruined it. However, this time, I wasn’t going to lie when you asked. No more lying. Ever.”

  My Pops nods once. Xavier ignores him and makes a beeline straight for me.

  I freeze as my senses jump to life. This scene had happened once before, but this is the complete opposite of that memory. Complete opposite. Black and white versions of the same story. I’m not broken. I don’t feel the world shifting around me or wanting to swallow me whole.

  It feels right. It’s our do-over.

  X’s large hand takes my face, holding it gently, and his eyes widen as he stares into mine. “I love you. So damn much. I loved you then. I should’ve told you, but you needed to grow on your own. And I love who you’ve grown to be even more. Your light, your soul, you—I. Love. You.”

  Chills spread throughout my body, and I gulp hard as hot tears fall from my face.

  Xavier loves me. For me.

  “I love you, too,” I say through my emotions.

  He places a soft kiss on my lips. That simple kiss is filled with so much promise. A vow in its own right.

  A moan of distress comes from behind me, and X’s lips part from mine, but he still clutches my cheek. And nothing has ever felt better in my life. He doesn’t care about my father being there. Xavier just proved to me this is bigger than them.

  He chose me.

  He picked me.

  He loves me.

  And he did all along. I’ve seen the world, and I came back, not for him, yet here I am. With him. That’s love. A strong, mysterious love. Maybe it was always part of the plan, to come full circle, and for me to be back where I am right now.

  “You keeping my daughter home for good this time? I know you won’t be able to follow her around—remember that.”

  “That’s the plan. My plan anyway. But we haven’t really talked about it. Although, don’t worry, Lock, we will. We have a lot to talk about.”

  I ping pong back and forth between them. “Wait. One, I’m right here. Both of you need to stop talking to each other like I’m not. Two, I’m going to do what I want to do. Okay? Okay.”

  X’s grip on my hip brings me closer to him, and I swear I hear Lock growl like a beast.

  My father takes a step back with his face pinching in pain. “X, I’m not going to kill you, at least not today, but don’t touch her like that in front of me. The space in my head isn’t there. And notice I didn’t say yet. Because there won’t be a space that accepts it. Ever. So watch your damn hands on my daughter before I rip them off.”

  “Pops,” I groan.

  Taking a second to continue to stare at X, he finally says, “What?”

  “I love you. Always will. Just because I love him doesn’t mean I love you less.”

  “Yeah. Okay.” He swallows so hard his Adam’s apple dips. “I’m just warning your…man.” Lock chokes on the last word as it comes out.

  “Got it. But if I don’t leave now, I’m going to miss my training session with Hadley, and that will piss Reed off, and I’m not going to do that. You two have fun with this silent match you have going on. Love you, Pops. Don’t kill him.” I turn my head and lock eyes with X. “And you don’t push his buttons, and I love you.” My heart gets a kick-start by just saying those words.

  Openly.

  In front of my father.

  This, I could get used to.

  “Let me get this straight—something does
n’t seem right. Xavier said he loves you like he should have done years ago. And…your father didn’t kill him? Like Lock, big scary Lock didn’t even hit him? Not once?” Hadley asks with the same look I had while it all unfolded before me.

  She doesn’t believe it, either. I wouldn’t if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes. And even now, it seems like a dream, not reality.

  “Not one single time. I think Lock wanted to. I wouldn’t put it past him, but he seemed fine with it. Not fine per se. Accepting. No, conceding. It was funny. Hell, ironic maybe. I don’t know the right word for what happened. But it was as if he had taken some sort of tranquilizer before he came over. But he was cool. I mean, as cool as Lock can be.”

  I don’t think a friendship between them will ever happen again, but this is a step in the right direction. One that proves I can have them both without ending a relationship with either one. They both love me enough to push away their problems with each other.

  “That’s good, really good. But you did leave them alone. Do you think Lock would…you know…?”

  “No…I don’t know. Explain.”

  Hadley lowers her head, glancing around the gym before she whispers, “Kill him. Maybe Lock was just waiting for you to leave to do the real damage to Xavier. Your father is one badass I just can’t believe would be fine with everything.”

  “Nah, I don’t think so.”

  “Good,” Hadley says. Only I don’t think she believes how understanding Lock was, how the fight left him the minute X admitted he loved me.

  “It is,” I say, picking up the towel from the bench.

  “You want to go to get something to eat?” Hads looks over my shoulder, and a grin forms on her lips. “Never mind, I think you need to hit the sauna. The heat will be good to loosen up the muscles I had you work out. Oh look, Reed is calling for me. I’m going to go see my man.”

  I giggle as she walks off before I can even respond. They can’t keep their hands off each other.

  The beads of sweat form on every inch of my body, and the heavy heat in the air relaxes my muscles. Closing my eyes, I lay my head on the wood bench behind me and let the music in my earbuds relax me.

  Until I’m not alone anymore.

  “You come here often?” X’s deep voice breaks through my music.

  Xavier’s sudden appearance startles me. “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”

  One of his bare shoulders lifts in a shrug. “Reed sent me in. Said he saw some chick walk in here that was just my style, and I needed to check it out to see if she needed some help relaxing.”

  “Oh. And if it wasn’t me?”

  “Then I wouldn’t bang her up against the wall. Now would I?” His lips part into a mocking grin.

  Shithead.

  “And you’re going to do that to me?”

  “Fuck yes.”

  “What if I say no?”

  “You never say no. Besides, when will I get a free pass from the owner to make it happen again? I’m thinking Reed won’t give me the green light a second time. Gotta make the most of the opportunities that are given to us. Well, in your case, handed to me.” He steps over me, the metal of his piercing on the head of his dick pokes out through the towel, and I have to cross my legs to ease the want building just from the sight of it.

  That metal gets me every time.

  “Your fucking mouth is watering. You can’t say no. Not when my dick is this close to you.” X flicks his towel away, freeing everything for me to see before taking his head and rubbing himself in the palm of his hand.

  Hot damn. It’s insanity.

  “It’s your turn now. Show me those gorgeous tits.”

  “What…if someone comes in?”

  He lowers his head. “So? It would be fucking hot. Us fucking for them to see,” X answers with staid calmness.

  I lick my lips, and a rush of heat travels to my core as I drop the towel from my body. The thought of someone watching us, just the mere chance of someone catching us, burns a flame inside. I never wanted it. Never ever thought about it. Not ‘til X came in here, with his unwavering confidence, and his want for only me. I’m a goner. Our passion courses through my blood.

  “That turns you on? Someone watching me fuck you? Huh? Interesting. May need to do more of this.” His fingers trail down my front, drawing circles on my chest, and he gives my body a raking gaze.

  A delicious shudder intensifies my desire. This is new, exotic. Only growing with each touch he gives me.

  “Spread for me. I’m going to lick every inch of you before I give you what you really want.”

  Biting my lip, I say, “Yes.”

  “Now you’re talking. I never thought you’d turn submissive, but I’ll fucking take it. Now spread. Wide. I want to see it all.”

  And I do. I’m burning, not from the heat, but for him.

  Dropping to his knees, he rubs a finger on my clit, my toes curl simply from his touch. “Fuck, you’re soaked. This is just for me?”

  “Always,” I moan.

  X’s rough hands slide under my ass, pulling me toward his face. I arch my back the second his tongue starts circling my clit. Grabbing onto his hair, I tilt my hips for more. He runs his tongue down, meeting his fingers inside. Teasing me—tormenting me. X never lets up, never stops. Not ‘til the orgasm spreads through my limbs like a wildfire, and there’s not a damn thing that can extinguish the flames.

  “Nothing better than making you come from my tongue.”

  “Oh, I can think of something.” I can. Him inside me.

  I stare at his dick, and desire builds in me as the steam forms around us. I shouldn’t want it this bad after what he’d just done with his mouth, but I do. He’s my damn vice, and I never want to stop. Ever. Not as long as he makes me glow.

  He takes hold of his dick, jerking me to him. “I want you, too. Always want you.” Xavier’s features cloud over with his own need.

  “Me too.”

  X rubs the tip of his cock over my clit, every stroke makes my legs quiver and takes me higher with each touch. I play with my nipple piercings while watching him tease me—something, anything, to help with the need, the sense of raw urgency to have him inside me.

  And in one swift motion, he enters me. X grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls my head back until I am directly in front of him and claims my lips, crushing me to him. It wasn’t a kiss—not one that we’d had before. This one builds its own passion. His hips move, hammering into my core, pushing me higher with each stroke of his cock. I let out a gasp as our chests meet. This is agony, sweet fucking agony bringing waves of ecstasy thrumming through me. My own heartbeat pounds in my ears as X follows me over the edge.

  “You have officially killed me.” His body is warm against mine, and our breathing begins to settle and even out.

  “Don’t go and do that. I’d miss you.” Beyond words.

  “You’d miss my cock.” His smile shines so brightly.

  “And the piercings and tats.”

  “That’s all huh?” His smug expression shows on every inch of his face.

  “And I guess you.”

  It’s him. All of him I would miss.

  “I love you.”

  I will never get used to him saying it, my heart will always burst at the sound of those words.

  “I love you.”

  Lifting up, I place a kiss on Xavier’s neck when Reed’s loud voice booms through the door. “You guys done bumping uglies so we can go get dinner? I’m fucking starving, and we only have three hours ‘til the sitter has to be home. That means you need to hurry the fuck up.”

  I can’t help it, the blush creeps up my neck. They could have walked in on us. But this time, the thought of being caught did nothing but pour cold water on any remaining desire.

  “I’m guessing by what is on the outside of the door, we’re having dinner with them tonight?”

  “Yep. I meant to ask you what you had planned when I came in. But you were too busy being yo
ur sexy, naked-ass self that all other thoughts but getting inside you went out of my head.”

  “If you say so. We’ve never gone on a double date before. New territory.”

  Standing up, he offers his hand to me and stares intently into my eyes.

  “What?” One glance from X fills me with happiness—something wonderful that’s beyond me.

  He doesn’t answer. He simply places a single kiss on my lips before wrapping the towel around me and then gathers me into his arms.

  Chapter 13

  Xavier

  “What can I get you guys to drink?” the waitress asks everyone, but her eyes are directly on Reed. And I know Hadley well enough to know she has her fists balled in her lap, trying to control her anger and not deck the poor girl. Hadley says Reed is the crazy one when it comes to being possessive, but I beg to fucking differ. They are equally crazy. God love them.

  I grin over at Naomi staring at the drink menu, oblivious to what is going on in front of her.

  “I feel you staring at me,” she says quietly without looking up.

  Leaning into her, I whisper in her ear, “Are you watching this showdown that’s about to take place? In two seconds you are going to witness the fight of all fights.”

  “I do, but I’m choosing to ignore it. Hadley will be embarrassed when she counts to ten, and I’m not going to be the one to make it worse for her. And it’s rude to gawk, so stop. Now be a good boyfriend, and tell me what I want to drink.”

  I glance down at the menu, the wine list a foreign language to me. “I don’t know. It’s been a long-ass time since I’ve had anything other than Mountain Dew, tea, or coffee.”

  She drops her menu on the table, her eyes are as big as saucers. “I forgot. How did I forget you don’t drink? I’m an idiot. I mean, who the hell blanks out like that. Worst girlfriend right here. I’ll have a Diet Coke.”

  I rest my hand on her thigh, giving it a squeeze. “Don’t, babe. You ordering a drink doesn’t do anything to me. If you were on the table snorting blow…now that would be different. Unless you’re planning to do that when you get your drink, order whatever you want.”