by Abby Gale
“I think, we can go to the table you chose,” I murmured. We were standing in the middle of the area and because of Alex’s too damn good look, everyone was watching us. I wanted to sit at our table so we could get rid of these stares.
“Good choice. I think, you’ll like the view,” he said and walked me back to the lobby. Fake Antonio was following us. I thought we could walk without him.
“Where are we going?” I asked confused when we reached to the elevators.
“Is everything ready, Clark?” Alex asked to the fake-Antonio. Hmm, his name was Clark. Okay.
“Yes, Mr. Vincent. Your table is ready, the way you wanted it.” Clark answered.
“Thank you. You can leave now.” Alex dismissed him.
“Alex? Where are we going? I thought it would be a breakfast meeting,” I said nervously.
“To the roof,” he smirked at me.
“You won’t push me down from it, right?” I laughed.
“The only thing I’ll push you down will be my bed, Violet,” he winked at me.
Before I could reply him, the elevator doors opened and we walked in. Five more people came in after us. I didn’t like closed spaces but I hated it when it was crowded. I couldn’t help but step back to get away from the crowd.
I felt an arm wrapped around my waist from behind.
“Claustrophobic?” Alex whispered to my ear.
“No. Just…I don’t like closed and crowded spaces much.” Before the doors closed, more people were added to the crowd. I tried not to count how many people were inside of the cabin. It would make it worse for me.
“Shh…don’t mind them.” Alex whispered. I wasn’t about to have a panic attack but I wasn’t comfortable, at all.
“You smell so good.” Alex whispered, nuzzling into my neck.
“Alex. Will you behave?” I whispered back but I loved his arms around me. His breath on my neck calmed me.
“I don’t want to. Do you want me to?” he teased and pushed his hips gently into me.
“Maybe…Not” I said and couldn’t help the smile on my face.
It was only the two of us again when we reached the roof. The elevator doors opened to the luxurious foyer. Alex guided me to the glass door with a hand at my back. His fingers were slightly digging into my hip. He held me close to his body.
The glass doors opened to a terrace. The ocean air surrounded me when I stepped outside.
The terrace was like a garden. It reminded me of Rosie’s garden but this one was more exotic. With flowers I’d never seen before and trees that were molded in different shapes, garden looked so good—exotic and peaceful at the same time. But the real perfection about the terrace was the view.
Seattle shoreline was in front of me in all its glory. I always loved watching the ocean but at this height, on this terrace, everything seemed magical.
After two years…I felt like everything could be great again.
“Won’t you say anything?” Alex asked as he played with the end of my hair.
“I love it here. The garden and the view…Awesome.”
“Good. Let’s have breakfast, then. I’m starving,” he chuckled.
At first, because of the good view of the ocean and the garden, I didn’t see the table at the corner. The table was fancy with a silver breakfast set.
What was it with all this luxury?
“Are you trying to impress me with your wealth? I would be okay with IHOP,” I laughed but my question had a little fact behind it.
“No. I just wanted today to be so special for you. I wanted you to feel cherished.” Alex said slowly. His face was unsure. He looked like a little kid with that expression on his face.
I felt the urge to hug and make him smile again.
“Alex…Thank you. I’m just…I’m not used to being cherished,” I said lamely.
“Then, get used to this. I’m planning to do that every time you’re with me,” he said and opened his arms.
I walked into his arms and let him hug me.
“Why are you treating me like this? I mean…you and Xander are the men of every girl’s dream. Why me?” I murmured to his chest.
“Let’s have breakfast and we can talk while we’re eating,” he said and we sat at the table.
After a few minutes of breakfast, Alex started to talk.
“Why you, you asked? Because there is something about you that captivates us. Do you know why Xander calls you Flame?”
I placed my fork and knife as I considered my answer.
“He said because of my hair. It looked like flames while I was dancing.” I remembered that moment with Xander.
“No, Violet. It’s not the real reason. He calls you Flame because he feels like he is drawn to you and he cannot help it. He feels like a moth to your flame. But he is too arrogant to admit it and too cool to become a cliché,” he chuckled.
“We’ve been watching you since your first night at the club. I know it sounds like some stalking but no. We just…cannot stay away, I think,” he continued.
“What about your job offer? Was it just a way to bring me to you?” I asked.
“Yes and no.”
“Oh, I’m enlightened,” I mocked at him.
“We both want you, Violet. It’s an official fact. I get instantly hard when I’m with you. So yes, I wanted to find a way to have you near us. But also, you are sensual. I cannot help but see everything behind the camera lenses and when I look at you I see something I want to photograph. Your sensuality is something that has to be immortalized,” he answered and winked at me.
I was watching him talk like a rabbit on the highway. I liked what he said.
“Eat, please. It will get cold,” he said.
“Will Xander be here?” I asked as I ate my pancake.
“That bastard was supposed to be here over an hour ago. But as always he is working.” Alex huffed in annoyance.
“Is he a workaholic?”
“Did you miss me already, Flame? Alex couldn’t keep you entertained enough?”
I heard Xander’s husky yet amused voice behind me.
“Welcome bro. But we were getting along well while you were away. And yes Violet, he is workaholic.” Alex said while leaning back in his chair.
“Stand up, Flame.” Xander said to my ear. His breath on my neck formed on my skin and his demanding tone was maddening.
I looked at Alex for some kind of approval but he was watching the scene with a smirk. I stood up and with a deep breath I turned to face Xander.
His eyes roamed over me lazily.
His gaze didn't caress my body. It was so much more intense and raw than a caress. He was eye fucking my every curve.
He didn’t say anything but he didn’t need to.
He kept scanning my body and I watched him mesmerized as his tongue licked his bottom lip.
“Hello, Flame.” His voice was raspy, his speech was slow.
“Hi, Xander,” I breathed out.
“Your sexual tension is making me horny.” Alex groaned behind me. But I was too hypnotized by Xander to look back at Alex.
“How are you, Flame?” Xander asked. He asked a casual question but he sounded like he was having phone sex with me. With the mention of phone sex, I remembered his message from last night.
“I’m good. I slept so well last night,” I said casually.
“Hmm…I wonder why because I could ‘hardly’ sleep.” His eyebrow rose as he was emphasizing “hard”.
“It’s so bad that there wasn’t anyone to take care of you, then,” I said cockily but as soon as the words went out from my mouth I knew I shouldn’t have said that.
Xander immediately pulled me to his body with a swift move. I was flushed to his hard body, my curves molded into his hard lines. It was an amazing feeling but his look sent a chill through me. He was furious yet controlled and that scared me more.
“I don’t want anyone else in your life. I will not accept it. Since the first second I’ve laid eyes on you, you
are mine.” Xander said in a controlled but chilly tone.
“Said the man who wants to share a woman with his brother,” I murmured as rolling my eyes. My voice was full of sarcasm. I was glad that I could find some balls despite his obvious anger. It was kind of hot to be honest.
He moved his head back a little to look at me more carefully and his face changed slowly with each second. His lips quirked a little to create a ghost of a smile, I wanted to jump in victory.
“Who took care of you last night?” he asked in a husky voice.
“My battery-operated-boyfriend, nine inches length with six functions,” I giggled.
“Hello? Does anyone hear me?” Alex asked behind us.
“Shut up, Alex.” Xander said but he was smiling...Almost.
“Are you both done with the breakfast?” Xander asked Alex and me.
“I’m done but she didn’t eat much.” Alex answered and walked to us with a grin on his face.
“Flame? Are you hungry?” Xander asked to me. His eyes were so eager for me to say no.
I was hungry but not for food…I couldn’t erase the R-rated images that played behind my eyes.
“I’m not hungry,” I whispered.
“Let’s go to the office. I cannot wait to take your photos.” Alex said and clapped his hands like a kid on Christmas.
“We didn’t talk about anything. What office?” I protested in panic.
“Don’t worry. It is a home office. I’m taking photos in our home so you’ll be comfortable. Please, don’t panic gorgeous.” Alex answered.
“We’ll take photos today? I thought we would just talk about details and I’ll start the job later.” I didn’t know why I was so tense.
“Why don’t you just relax, Violet?” Alex chuckled.
“Uggh…You’re right. I don’t know why I’m this nervous.”
“It is all Xander’s fault. I told you he is a bastard.” Alex winked at me.
“That bastard is right here and can beat your ass in any second, Alex.” Xander answered sternly.
“I’m just stating the fact, bro. You’re making her nervous.” Alex smirked at him. I had a feeling that Alex was the only person Xander couldn’t scare.
I felt Xander’s eyes on me. I knew I shouldn’t look at him if I wanted to keep myself in control but I did anyway. He was irresistible.
“I want her nervous…and aroused…and finally satisfied.” Xander told to Alex slowly while looking at me.
Well…He succeeded. I was nervous…aroused…and I hoped I would be satisfied soon.
I sat in the backseat of a Bentley between Xander and Alex. I didn’t know so much about cars but I knew Bentley was luxurious. At least, it seemed like that.
Xander had been on his phone since we got in the car. He was mostly silent on the phone call, when he talked it was just to give orders. As Alex told me random stories or hummed the song that played in the background, my eyes focused on Xander. Not because I wasn’t interested in talking with Alex but Xander put his hand on me from time to time. He touched my leg or my arm with innocent touches all the while his focus was on his phone. No matter how small his touches were they ignited a fire in me.
“Well, Violet…What do you do when you’re not dancing in the club?” Alex asked, getting my attention to himself.
“Vincent.” Xander answered his phone for the tenth time with the same controlled voice.
I turned a little in my seat to face Alex and gave up on Xander. He was far too busy with his phone traffic. Unexpectedly, I felt his hand on my neck and stiffened. I waited in anticipation for his next move. His fingers wrapped around my neck and caressed the both side slowly.
I opened my eyes wide as a question to Alex but he only shook his head, amused.
“Vance. Stop talking. Tell me what the estimated profit is.” Xander said sharply.
I tried not to listen to his business call and did my best to not be distracted by his fingers around my neck. But this strange situation made it hard to focus on Alex’s question.
“Umm…Nothing really. I go to the gym, at least three times a week,” I said, finally.
“Holy…Fuck! I forgot,” I slapped my forehead with the base of my hand and Xander dropped his hand from my neck.
“Whoa. Stop there champion. What’s wrong?” Alex asked me.
“My trainer put an extra class today and I forgot. I need to make a phone call. He’s gonna kill me,” I groaned and took out my phone from my purse.
I dialed Gary’s number. He answered the phone on the second ring.
“What the fuck Dawn?” he snapped at me.
“Gary…I-” I murmured. He was so pissed.
“You what? You haven’t come to practices for almost a week and now, you don’t even show up for the extra practice time? Do you think we are playing a game, here? I don’t have time to waste,” he shouted at me.
It was the first time he raised his voice at me.
“Gary…Look, I’m sorry I’ve missed the class but I’m busy right now. Some…umm…business meeting. Can I call you later?” I said. Gary was so important to me. He did everything to help me and disappointing him…I suddenly felt so sad I thought I might cry.
“Are you with the twins you mentioned?” Gary asked. He was still angry but his tone was softer now. I knew he was worried about me. He saw me at my lowest and helped me to get my bone back.
“Yes.”
I heard him exhale slowly.
“Okay…Call me whenever you’re free and don’t think I’ll forget your stupid behavior. This class is for your safety Dawn, not mine. Do not ever forget it,” he said sternly.
“I know Gary, I know. I’ll call you later. Bye,” I said and he ended the call without saying anything.
“Is he your trainer or your boyfriend?” Alex asked teasingly but he was frowning.
“My trainer.”
“What kind of trainer he is?” Xander asked behind me.
I swallowed and turned my back to face him this time.
“Personal trainer in the gym. He is like an older brother to me,” I answered anxiously.
I hated myself for not being tougher around him. I lived with Angel after my parents died and I was always proud that I could be enough for myself but around him…I was weak, searching for approval.
“What do you do in the gym?” Xander asked again. His face didn’t show anything.
I thought to lie but didn’t find a good reason for it. So I went with the truth.
“I do Krav Maga.”
“Wow. You’re a badass.” Alex chuckled and pumped his shoulder to mine.
“He is your Krav Maga trainer, hmm? He cares for you a little too much for a trainer.” Xander said coldly.
“Like I said, he is like a brother. You know I’m working in a club at nights. He just wants me to be safe.” I murmured. His eyes searched my face, for what, I didn’t know.
Finally, the car stopped and they couldn’t interrogate me more.
“Welcome home, Violet.” Alex said and jumped out from the car.
Xander gave me one last stern look and got out of the car but he kept the door open for me. His hold was tight and secure as he helped me out of the car.
I don’t know what I expected but that wasn’t the house I pictured for them. I imagined a penthouse when they said home, but the house in front of me was so different. It was exactly what they called it, it was “home”.
It was a huge three stories building with a great garden similar to the terrace of the restaurant. Shaped trees, lots of flowers -most of them was dead because of the winter, though…the house had a historical touch but it also looked like it was renovated recently.
The inside was modern yet comfortable. It wasn’t all glass and steel but it was black, white and grey around the living room. There were lots of pillows everywhere that made the room look like a comfy sanctuary. I liked the vibe in the house. It was a living thing.
“Wow…I wasn’t expecting for you to live in a place li
ke this.”
“What kind of place were you thinking about? ” Alex asked.
“Umm…Colder I think. This place looks homey. I love it,” I smiled them.
“This house was our parents’ when they came here from England.” Xander said.
“Oh…I thought you were Americans.”
“We are. We were born and raised here. But mom and dad ran away together from their parents. They came here and got married. This is the house we grew up in.” Xander explained. His voice was the softest I’d ever heard. I liked him more in that second.
“What about your parents?” I asked nervously. I was afraid of being nosy.
“They moved to Italy. My mom never loved America. So when we were eighteen and started college they moved.” Xander answered my question. I was glad their parents were alive.
“What about you Violet?” Alex asked and motioned for me to sit beside him on the couch.
“My parents…they died in an accident when I was sixteen. I moved here to start college,” I answered.
“Sorry Violet. I…I didn’t mean to upset you.” Alex said and hugged me with one arm but his affection made things worse. I’d gotten used to feel the pain of losing my parents. The pain never decreased but I’d learned to live with it. Alex’s pity gave me the luxury of being weak and it made the pain worse.
“Alex! Do not get touchy. You’ll make a bad impression on her. Why don’t you start with work?” Xander said.
I glanced at Xander when Alex freed me. Xander was leaning against the doorway, his arms were crossed. I smiled at him with gratitude. His eyes told me he understood my uneasiness because of Alex’s attention.
During the eye contact with him I felt a warm feeling inside my heart but didn’t have the time to describe it because Xander’s phone rang and it destroyed the intense connection between us.
“Call me in fifteen minutes.” Xander snapped to whomever was on the phone and ended the call. I wouldn’t want to be the one he snapped at.
“Okay. Let’s show you my studio.” Alex said and grabbed my hand.
Alex spread joy around him as we climbed the stairs together. His enthusiasm about the photo shoot made me happy and excited, too.
