by Alexa Riley
“What’s so funny?” My stomach flutters at the sound of his deep voice.
“Not you.” Collins tries to hit Xander right in the stomach as she walks past him, but Kade grabs her and pulls her to him. Her arm untangles with mine as she lets him take her. “We’re getting food, put me down.” Her protest is half-hearted.
“I can be funny,” X responds, actually sounding offended.
“Ha.” Collins barks a laugh. “Wait, that was kind of funny. You thinking you can be funny.” She wiggles to get away from Kade, but he doesn’t let her go. “Food.” She elbows him but he doesn't budge.
“I can cook,” X offers.
I shrug at Xander before I go to the kitchen. He’s not funny but I have a whole list of things he is. I wrote them down so I wouldn't forget and the list was confusing. I balled it up and threw it away because it made my head hurt. The same things I dislike about him are the things I like about him. It makes no logical sense in my head. How can I like that someone is grumpy? How can I still find it adorable?
“I’m serious.” X stomps behind me. I don’t have to look to know he’s following me. Those stomps are always hot on my heels.
“I’m starting to think you like me, X,” I throw over my shoulder. “I can’t turn around without you being up my ass.”
“I am not,” he defends, and I stop suddenly as I turn to face him. He almost runs right into me, proving my point.
“Show me how serious you are and make me something to eat. God knows I can’t cook.” I walk back toward the kitchen and smile to myself. “Try not to assault any fruit this time.”
He follows.
Chapter Five
Xander
I look over my shoulder and see Kade walk with Collins out to the golf carts. Once the door closes behind them and we’re alone, I turn my attention to Lula.
“Okay that’s enough,” I snap, and it’s enough to stop her in her tracks.
She turns slowly to look at me and when she sees me standing there she crosses her arms over her ample chest. “Excuse me?”
I take a heavy footstep toward her and I see her eyes widen just a fraction as I move closer to her. “I said that’s enough.”
She rolls her eyes but then they come right back to me. “Look, you need to slow your mood swings because they are making me dizzy.”
“You have no idea how much you frustrate me.” I take another step closer and this time she backs up.
“Me? I’m not the one breathing down your neck while you’re trying to work. I’m not the one constantly grouchy just because I exist on this island.” She raises her beautiful chin in the air but it does nothing to make me lose my focus.
“I breathe down your neck because I can’t breathe when I’m not near you.” The confession falls from my mouth before I can stop it, but by this time her back hits the wall and I’m closing in on her. “I’m grouchy because you’re here and although I don’t know a damn thing about you, I can’t get you out of my mind.”
With her body pressed to the wall, I place my palms on either side of her so she can’t get away. Her arms drop between us and I move in so that my chest is pressed to hers.
“I’m not angry that you exist, Lula. I’m angry that you existed for so long without me knowing.”
Without a thought to what I’m about to do, or that this might be a big mistake, I lean in and cover her lips with mine. I tell myself to be gentle, to be patient, but it’s no good. My body has demands that can only be met with aggressive domination and control. I move my hand and place it on her chest just below her neck. My fingertips rest against the pulse there as I lick her bottom lip and then demand entry. I feel her pulse quicken as she gasps and I take what she not-so-willingly offers me. With my chest to hers, I feel the swell of her breasts and the curve of her body as she moves her lower half against mine.
There’s no time for me to stop this, and I couldn’t if I wanted to. My hand on her neck is firm while holding her in place and letting her know I’m in charge. I’ve got this burning need inside of me to not only dominate her but to have her belong to me. I’ve never been possessive of a woman, certainly not enough to make me react without thinking. But Lula is so different, and the way I feel about her is unlike any emotion I’ve ever had.
I drop my other hand from the wall and slide it around the small of her back and I press her lower half against mine. There’s an ache between my thighs that hasn’t been satisfied since the day she stepped on this island. No matter how many times I jerk off thinking about her long legs opening for me, I can’t ease that throbbing need. Even now as her hips roll forward in search of pleasure, I know that it won’t be enough until I’m buried as deep as I can fit inside her tight body.
“Xander,” she whispers against my mouth, and the way my name tastes on her tongue makes every muscle in my body rock hard.
I want to take her to the floor and cover her with my weight. I want to rut and fuck and taste every wet inch of her. It’s the alpha in me that needs her submission and though I’ve never played with that at all, I want to now.
Her lips are soft and wet as I suck on them and then slide my tongue across hers. Her fingers dance along the edge of my shorts and I feel the shiver in her spine. She wants me, wants this, and if I pushed her for more she might just give it to me.
But is she ready for what I’m demanding? Am I?
Where we’re at isn’t all that private and I have a feeling if I try and make her come back to my place, it will give her too much time to change her mind. This is the main house and although Vaughn isn’t here, Kade and Collins could come back. Hell, some of the staff could walk in at any moment. Somehow that only heightens my arousal and my need to take her while I have the chance.
I pull her close to my body and lift her off the ground. Her gasp into my mouth is the only acknowledgement she gives as my hand slides up her shirt and I start walking.
The pantry is right next to the kitchen and the closest door to us. I wrench it open and walk into the dark room as I pull it closed behind us. There’s no lock on the door, but it’s about as private as we can get and I’m not about to lose this opportunity.
The word “consequences” floats around in the back of my mind, but I ignore it. Those are thoughts for later, because right now the only thing that matters is Lula.
“What are we doing?” Her question is breathy, and before I can answer her I’m kissing her again.
As we kiss in the dark surrounded by shelves of dry goods, I reach down and fumble with the button on her jean shorts.
“The only question I want to hear you ask is can you do that again?”
With those words I fall to my knees and yank her shorts and panties down with me. She gasps, but before she can say a word I bury my face between the warm soft skin of her thighs and lick her sweet center.
She cries out as I pull her leg up and throw one over my shoulder to open her up. Her wet lips part and I cover her pussy with my mouth, rolling my tongue over her clit. I hear things falling off the shelf as she leans against it for balance. I ignore all of it as she calls my name and I push my thumb inside of her. I’m aggressive and not the least bit careful with her, going after what I want. All this frustration that’s been building up is finally cut loose and I can’t rein it in.
Her pussy tastes like maple and butter and goddamn do I love it. She’s so fucking sweet and slick, my tongue is lapping it up as my thumb sinks deeper. My finger slides back and rubs across her tight bud, and when I press at the entrance she cries out. I smile against her pussy and I can taste her getting wetter.
“Rub it on my face,” I growl and she does just as I ask. “Good girl.” The two words of praise cause her to move faster against my mouth and I wonder if she’s loving this taste of power as much as I am.
More things fall off the shelves and I hear what must be rice or pasta scatter on the floor around us. It’s all just background noise as I rub her tight little ass and lick her pussy until she purrs like a beautiful little
kitten.
“I think—shit,” she squeals as I push in with just the tip of my finger, but she doesn’t back away. Instead she rolls her hips and rubs her pussy against my tongue. “X, I’m cumming!”
Her scream echoes in the small room and more boxes fall off the shelf. But nothing else matters besides the taste of her orgasm in my mouth and the feel of her pussy squeezing my thumb. It’s so fucking hot and tight my cock is thick and hard with the need to cum inside of it.
“Goddamn.” I kiss her pussy like she’s my most prized possession and just as I’m about to take her in my arms and carry her to my room, the door of the pantry flies open.
“Shit,” Lula curses, but all of her is blocked by me in front of her so no one else could see.
“I’m so sorry!” I hear a woman’s voice call out just before the door closes.
“Fuck,” I mumble as I realize it was Elise, the older woman on the island who brings us fresh bread each day. She’s pushing ninety and I probably gave her a heart attack.
“This was a mistake,” Lula says quickly as she jumps out of my grasp and begins to tug on her shorts.
“What?” is the only thing I can manage to say as I stay kneeling on the floor like an idiot. I stare at her while she hops on one foot until she’s got her shorts on and then bolts past me. “Hey!” I call after her as she flings open the door and bolts out of the pantry. I know this is an island so she can’t go far, but I’m still pissed as hell she’s the one running out of here. I don’t know what kind of plan I had, but that sure as hell wasn’t part of it.
Chapter Six
Lula
I race out the front door knowing if I go up to my bedroom he’ll only find me faster. It’s only a matter of time anyway because it’s an island. I can’t stay hidden forever but I need to collect myself. I have no idea what happened back there. My body still hums with pleasure and suddenly the girls in my college dorm all make sense. I overheard them talking about how it was a way for them to wind down after a crazy week in clinicals. I never believed them until now. My mind blanked when X kissed me. Everything else faded away while I got lost in him and enjoyed what he did to my body. His dirty talk surprised me but really it shouldn't be a shock. X always does and says whatever he wants.
I start to run toward my office but make a sharp left knowing that’s where he’d go first. If he’s even looking. I have no idea what got into him. Not in a million years did I see that coming. I’m going to chalk it up to pent-up frustration he didn't know how to handle. That’s what it has to be. X hates me and it’s better that way.
There’s no way I can go down this path with him because it will only lead to heartbreak. He thinks he has a dislike towards me now, but if he ever found out who I was he’d loathe me. Xander is a grumpy asshole on his own, but if someone messes with his family he turns into a bear. I swallow, wondering what it would be like to have someone care for me that much.
No matter how this plays out it will end in heartbreak. It’s better we don’t go down this path and I took off before he let it go further. Let's say he doesn't find out who I am because I have no plans to leave the island. What if this all goes badly and he wants me gone when it’s over? He could get his brother to find another doctor, but where would that leave me?
Before I realize where I’m headed I’m on the beach. The moon is sitting over the water and the light spreads across the beach. I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath as I try to get my breathing and emotions under control. I reach up and touch my mouth and I’m shocked as flashes of the kiss enter my mind. I never would have guessed X to taste sweet. He kissed me as though he wanted to own me. But even with all the possession and need he poured into the kiss I could tell he was holding something back. I have no idea what it might be, but it’s probably the fact that he doesn't really like that he’s attracted to me. It’s driving him nuts and this must be what people call “hate fucking.” He probably wants to work me out of his system.
If Elise hadn't shown up I might have let him take me to the floor on the pantry and have his way with me. The throb between my legs comes back and I can only imagine how good it could have been. I can’t spend my whole life a virgin, and who knows how long my life will be at this point? I’m not sure which would hurt worse, though, falling for X or never having a piece of him. He will break what’s left of my heart since my mom took a part of it with her when she left this earth. Now my asshole father has the rest of it in his hands. I’ve been left in a state of purgatory that I can never move on from.
I reach my hand up to wipe away the tears that always come when I think of my mom. I’m a world away from my father and he’s still controlling my life.
“You don’t want X,” I lie to myself, but it felt so much more believable before he kissed me. I’ve never felt anything as powerful in my life. I swear it was so deep it touched my soul. Things could be so different if I wasn't his daughter. Then again, I might not be on this island if it wasn’t for him. I’m not sure if I would have taken Kade’s offer with more of a level head and without the threat of my father looming over me. Honestly I think X can tell something is off with me. He doesn't know what it is but something is telling him I’m wrong. I think that inner voice is what’s making his attraction to me so upsetting.
I think of all the rude things he’s said to me as I head back towards my room. I can’t hide out on the beach forever. If he’s looking for me it won't take him long to find me even out on the beach. When I think of all the times he was a jerk I smile at how much I enjoyed giving it back to him. Was this our weird way of flirting with one another and today was the breaking point?
I enter the back of the house trying to sneak in without being noticed. Elise looks up from the kitchen counter, giving me a knowing smile. “He’s not in the pantry.” I can tell she’s fighting a laugh.
“Sorry.” I start to move toward the pantry, knowing we left a mess in there. I don’t want her to clean up after me and I work here too. “I’ll clean it up.” I’m not sure what we knocked over but I recall quite a few spills.
“He cleaned it,” she says and I stop.
“Oh.” I look around.
“He headed that way.” She points down the hallway and I guess he must have gone home. “Can I make you something to eat?”
“No thank you.” My hunger has disappeared and in its place is a gigantic knot. Am I upset that he hasn't chased me?
Elise nods and goes back to wiping down the counter. I make my way to the stairs thinking it’s too early to turn in. I could put my pajamas on and read for a bit. Maybe my hunger will come back and I’ll sneak into the kitchen later for a snack.
I stop when I reach the top of the stairs and I see Xander sitting in front of my door. He looks up when he hears me and his eyes lock on mine.
“What are you doing?” I take a step back down the stairs as my pulse spikes.
“Come away from the stairs before you give me a heart attack. It's not as though you can run this time.” He stands up and his big frame fills up all the space. “I’ll catch you.”
“I wasn't going to run,” I blurt out. Actually I have no idea what I was going to do. I’m trying to put distance between us, but there’s no room. He bends down and picks something up.
“I made you something to eat.” When I see a tray in his hands I take a step back up the stairs.
“You cooked?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“It’s getting cold.” He balances the tray on his hand as he opens my bedroom door. I bite my lip, debating if this is such a great idea, but my feet start moving without my permission.
“Is it edible?” I look down at the pancakes that actually look pretty good. In fact they look perfect. The bacon doesn't look as though it fared as well. I bite my lip to keep from laughing because he did try. It’s sweet and also very unlike him. “Did you poison it?”
“I think we both know I’m not trying to kill you.”
I peek up at him feeling a touch shy. My eyes
go straight to his mouth and I wonder if he can still taste me there. I rode his face just a little bit ago and the thought makes my heart start to race. My nipples tighten and I want more but we can’t. Or we shouldn't.
“In.” He nods toward my room, and for once I do as he tells me. He follows me in, kicking the door shut behind us.
“I’m not sure this is a great idea.”
“Eating? I thought you always want to eat.” He smirks at me, actually smirks.
Someone could knock me over with a feather as I watch him set the tray down on my bed. He sits down next to it and pats the spot on the other side of tray.
“Come eat and make fun of my cooking. I know you want to.” My stomach lets out a loud growl and his smirk turns into a full-on grin. I sit down and he cuts off a piece of pancake as he brings it to my mouth. It’s warm and buttery and so damn sweet.
“I think you can cook,” I admit as he brings another bite to my mouth, then another.
I let him feed me, which is something that I shouldn't be doing, but it feels good being taken care of. I can’t remember the last time someone cared for me. I clear the plate as he feeds me bite by bite and he doesn't say a word as he does it.
When the plate is clear he picks up the tray and leaves me on the bed. He carries it over to the small table I have in here and sets it down. He turns around and leans up against it to stare at me for a long moment. Now I understand the look in his eyes. He’s not so much angry as he is hungry for something more. Part of it might still be frustration at his desire for me, but the way he’s looking at my body has me heating up.
“I’m not sure this is a great idea.” I repeat the same words from before. Every part of me is screaming this is a great idea and quite possibly the best one I’ve ever had.
He clears the space between us in two long strides. “Tell me to leave then.”
My mouth opens but no words of protest come out.
