Whiskey and Regret

by Danielle James

  “Have fun, sweetheart. Call me or Xari if you need us.”

  “No thanks. I’m good.” She looked at me for a few lingering seconds before climbing in the passenger side of her mother’s car.

  “By the time she comes back, I’m sure she won’t even need a nanny. You might as well tell your dick warmer she’s dismissed.”

  “Watch your mouth in front of Frankie,” I seethed. My fingers curled into my palm.

  “Why? It’s not like you or Xari cared what I saw or heard last night.” I’d never heard so much venom dripping from my daughter’s mouth. I was stunned silent. All I could do was blink at her like a stranger.

  Alexis’s overly arched brows lifted high on her smooth forehead as her head swiveled around to Frankie. “Excuse me, what did you say, Francesca?” A laugh dripped from her red lips before she continued. “Did you say your father and your nanny didn’t care what you saw or heard last night? Pray tell, what did you see and or hear last night, baby?” Now that Frankie was divulging information Alexis thought could help her, she was being sweet as pie.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” Frankie clicked her seatbelt into place and slouched down in the seat.

  “If you saw something inappropriate, I need to know, Francesca.”

  “We’re not doing this right now, Alexis. You can take Frankie home with you and have this talk.”

  “You know what, Van?” She pushed the ignition button and killed the car’s engine. “I think we all need to sit down and talk about this.”

  “Not like this, we don’t. You have an agenda. If you want to talk, we’ll do it after everyone has cooled off.” I aimed a stare at my child who cast her gaze down.

  “Oh, you need time to coach the whore? Right. Why don’t we have a talk with our lawyers present, Van?”

  “That’s not necessary and you know it. I’m done entertaining this shit. Frankie, enjoy your week.” I walked off with a steel rod for a spine and cinderblocks for muscles.

  Xari was in the kitchen wiping down the whiteboard, clearing Frankie’s schedule for the week. I noticed the colorful markers off to the side which meant she was preparing to load up Frankie’s new schedule for the week.

  “Don’t even bother.” I went straight for the whiskey and ice. “Frankie is going with her mother for the week.”

  “You actually let her go?”

  “I’m never going to stop her from spending time with her mother no matter how much it pisses me off. Frankie needed to play a trump card to feel in control of her life and her situation. That’s fine. She can have that. When she comes back in this house, we’re all going to sit the fuck down and have a real discussion.” I felt the vein in my neck twitching but I couldn’t calm myself down no matter how much I tried.

  Xari sauntered over to me and rubbed my back. Her touch was Novocain, numbing all the bullshit and pain. She looked just as worn out by everything as I was.

  “If you want to put things between us on hold until you sort this out with Frankie and Alexis…”

  “What?” I didn’t bother letting her finish her statement. “Xari, I love you. If anything, this just solidifies it because I’m not willing to let a misunderstanding drive us apart. I know that’s not what Frankie wants either. She’s just hurting right now and there’s a lot she doesn’t understand.”

  “But…” I put my finger over her soft lips and shut her up again. She looked up at me with big espresso eyes and my heart squeezed. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

  “No buts, Miss Lucas. We’re in this together.”

  “So, we’re basically the twenty-twenty version of Method Man and Mary J. Blige.”

  I cracked a smile and said, “You’re all that I need. I’ll be there for you. If you keep it real with me, I’ll keep it real with you.”

  “See? This works,” she pointed to me then to herself. “You already look like Method Man and I’m obsessed with Mary J. Blige’s style from that era.”

  “Let me guess, you have an outfit that works with this entire theme, right?” Her brown eyes lit up. Stars danced in rich pools of coffee.

  “You know me so well.”

  “I do.” I tugged her petite frame closer, needing the smell of her skin and the taste of her lips. “I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy your first performing job, Xari.”

  “It’s okay,” she said with a shrug. “I’m more concerned about talking to Frankie at this point. She can’t just run off to her mom’s place when shit gets real. I mean…she can but she needs to address it.”

  “Exactly,” I nodded, kissing a trail from her knuckles to the crook of her arm. Her warm jasmine scent was stronger there. “She pretty much told Alexis what happened last night. I know when they get to her house, she’s going to pull out more details.”

  “Are you fucking serious? Frankie told Alexis?”

  “In a very passive-aggressive way, but yeah. She did.”

  “I can’t believe her. She’s pissed at me, I get it but…”

  “She’s pissed at both of us. She made me promise I wouldn’t get involved with you too.”

  “Wow. She saw this coming before we did.” Xari ran her fingers through her straightened hair and it fell over her shoulder like an ebony wave. I couldn’t resist touching it. Strands fell through my fingers like water.

  “We have to fix this, Evander.”

  “And we will. This isn’t the first time Frankie has been pissed off at me. She didn’t speak to me for nearly a month when she found out I was the one asking for a divorce from her mother. We got over that and we’ll get over this because…” I caught my bottom lip between my teeth and took my time combing over each line and curve on Xari’s perfect body. “Not being with you isn’t an option. Who else is going to push me to be a published author and be my bad girl in the bedroom?”

  “Nasty slut to be exact,” she corrected with a finger in the air. I smiled at her and leaned in for a kiss. “Mmm, you taste like whiskey.” She moaned after sucking and nibbling on my tongue and lips. “It’s too early in the morning to taste like whiskey.”

  “Never.” I picked her up and sat her on the island, nudging her legs apart. The tight black dress she wore rolled up around her waist, baring toned golden thighs and a flash of hot pink see-through panties.

  “Is it time to be nasty already?” She asked, tipping her head to the side. A wash of dark hair fell over her shoulder and I slipped my fingers through it, catching some of the lighter honey highlights.

  “It’s always time to be nasty. Besides, if I don’t let out some of this frustration, I’m going to pop.” I swiped my tongue across her collarbones and she shut her eyes.

  “And I’d much rather have you pop inside of me,” she purred.

  “Speaking of which, unless you want us to have a kid, you better make sure you’re up to date on your birth control. I can always wear condoms if…”

  “Please don’t. My birth control is fine. I couldn’t care less about having a kid right now.”

  “Meaning?” I cocked up an eyebrow and looked down at her.

  “Meaning that’s the furthest thing from my mind. Although, I have proof that you make gorgeous babies.”

  “Sounds like you’re torn. I slid her to the very edge of the counter and kissed her forehead. I had no idea when things between us became so intense. I had no idea when I started needing her presence instead of wanting it. I didn’t know when we went from fuck buddies to being in a relationship either. I was glad it happened though because one of the brightest spots in my life was sitting on the counter in my kitchen with her legs spread, staring at me like I hung the moon. It made my chest swell.

  “Maybe. We have time to think about it though.”

  “Plenty of time, Xari,” I muttered against her neck. “Now open those legs and put your feet on the counter like a good girl. I want to look at these cute little panties you’re wearing.”

  She did as I instructed and anchored the heels of her feet to the edge of the
counter, opening her up wide for my eyes only. I wet my lips with my tongue and knelt in front of her. “I’m going to play with your pussy and make you come in your panties.”

  “You’re teasing,” she whined. I patted her pussy through her underwear and she flinched before melting into a soft moan.

  “You’re being bad, Miss Lucas. Now, keep your mouth shut while I eat my breakfast.”

  “I can’t even moan?” She asked.

  “No. Listen to how wet your cunt is on my tongue. Listen to the way I suck on your clit. Listen to the way I groan when I taste how sweet you are. That’s enough sound for you to absorb.”

  “It’s not. I need to moan,” she said, begging with her tone. I pressed my mouth to the thin scrap of lace between her thighs and hummed against her piercing. “Fuck!” She squeaked.

  “Bad girl.” I found her clit and pressed my teeth gently against it making her gasp.

  “Okay, okay…no moaning.”

  “Much better.” As much as I wanted to hear her moans, I loved pushing her to the edge of control before she took over and pushed back with the natural bossiness running through her veins. She was sexy when she tried to subdue herself. She was even sexier when she failed and I got the full-bodied Xari experience.

  I lapped at her pussy for a while before sucking her clit and pressing my thumb against her entrance, not wanting to penetrate her just yet.

  “Mmm,” she whimpered, squirming against my face. The hot pink see-through panties were no match for Xari’s soaking wet pussy. I teased her clit faster, flicking it back and forth while she fucked my face like a madwoman. “Evander, I can’t hold it in. Oh my god…” She moaned, finally breaking the rules like I wanted her to.

  “Tell me how it feels, baby.”

  “So fucking good. I’m going to come hard.”

  “Good. I need to feel you come all over my tongue, Xari.” I wanted her flavor to roll down the back of my throat and sustain me. I turned into a wolf. Hungry and determined to finish my meal.

  I was frustrated and Xari was the perfect way to unwind.

  I groaned against her slick pussy.

  I licked. Sucked. Growled. Owned.

  Then…she came. I watched from my knees at how gorgeous she was in the moment. Hair fell around her face, sticking to her glossy lips, creating a veil. It felt like I was watching something too private for anyone else to see. Like seeing an angel get its wings. I was kneeling at her feet, honored to be the one feeding her pleasure like grapes fresh from the vine.

  “Evander,” she cried out my name at the precipice. I stood and wrapped my arm around her waist before tilting my head down and sucking on her lips. My name became muffled syllables while out mouths collided.

  “Fuck me, please.” I heard that loud and clear. I pulled her off the island, spun her around, and pushed her over. She lifted one leg, stretching it along the lip of the counter and granting me deep access to her tight pussy.

  “You know I like it when you use your manners.” I slapped her ass before unleashing my hard dick and pulling her soaked panties aside. I pushed into her cunt and we both made noises of relief.

  Xari was home for me in any form. It didn’t matter if I was fucking her until she couldn’t walk or we were lying beside each other talking. The result was the same…relief. She was my peace and my headache all in one bombshell package.

  Even the way we fucked brought me peace. I’d been with plenty of women before her. All of them were beautiful and accomplished but Xari took the fucking cake. She took it and smashed that shit on the floor making sure no other woman got close to it. Nobody compared to her. She was the ultimate.

  I felt her tight stomach muscles contract when she got close to coming. I kept my pace up and before I knew it, the one leg she was balancing on started to wobble. Soft breathy moans filled the kitchen while I pounded her harder. My own climax was unavoidable when I felt her pussy squeeze my cock. I shot into her hard as fuck.

  Usually, we ended the night with sex but since I was holed up in my room last night trying to talk sense into my child, I didn’t get to fuck Xari like I wanted to. I was making up for it.

  “Oh my god,” she exhaled, dropping her head. “I’m pretty sure I have Bambi legs now. Thanks, Evander.”

  “Anytime.” I pulled out and missed her tight slick heat already. I didn’t have time to miss it too much because the doorbell rang. I let out a string of curse words and rushed to the bathroom with my dick out so I could wash up.

  “I’ll get it,” Xari called.

  “Thanks, baby.” While I wiped her juices from my dick, she poked her head in the bathroom and smiled.

  “You called me baby. We sound so fucking domesticated.”

  “Pretty sure you can’t sound domesticated and say so fucking domesticated.”

  “I can and I did.” With that, she bounced out of the bathroom and I shook my head.

  My headache and my peace.

  “Oh, hey guys…” I heard Xari’s voice and figured Navy must be at the door. I did ask her to stop by so I could play catch up at home instead of having to go into the office. I didn’t know who was with her though. Navy never brought anyone along.

  I hurried into the foyer and saw Apollo. I rubbed the back of my neck and forced a smile. “What’s up, guys?”

  “What’s up?” Apollo’s ever-present scowl deepened as he regarded me. “I didn’t know what the hell was going on with you until I called Navy. We talked about schedule changes and out of town trips, man.”

  “Yeah, we did. I’m safe though. No guard needed.” I held my hands up and hoped my charm was enough to win him over. I knew better though.

  Xari smiled and said, “Wait, you called Navy?” Her starry-eyed gaze was directed toward Apollo. I was amused as hell watching the way Xari dismantled him. That’s what she did. She worked her way under your skin and created a soft spot for her and only her. Or at least that’s what happened to me.

  “Not the point, Xari,” Apollo grunted.

  “Oh, absolutely the point, Apollo.” She walked up to him with her hands on her hips. My eyes went straight to her ass. All I could think about was how she was full of my cum. How my hands and mouth were all over her body minutes before she opened the door.

  When I finally moved my gaze from the most perfect ass I’d ever seen in my life, I looked right into Navy’s incredulous eyes. The way she pursed her full lips together reminded me so much of Xari that I had to laugh. I’d been caught red-handed.

  “Come on in here and sit down. I’ll make coffee.” I turned and headed toward the kitchen while Apollo and Xari fussed back and forth.

  “You want some coffee with your sugar and cream, Navy?” I smirked over my shoulder. The woman would suck down a bottle of creamer all by itself if it were socially acceptable.

  “I’ll take mine however Xari takes hers.” She waved her hand casually.

  “Three splashes of French vanilla, seven sugars?”

  “Wow, Senator Freeman…you sure do know Xari.”

  “He better. I’ve lived here over a month now.” Xari’s sass gripped my heart and my dick at the same time.

  “Pretty sure he knows you for completely different reasons,” Apollo snorted. I looked at Xari and she crinkled her button nose then stuck her tongue out at me. I wanted to lean down and kiss her. I cleared my throat and focused on making coffee.

  “What the fuck are you implying, Apollo?” Xari glared playfully. I watched the way she anchored her hand to her hip and smiled a little. I was so in love it was bordering on cliché.

  “I don’t know. Take it how you want it, Xari.” Apollo’s massive shoulders rose and fell.

  “Say what you’re trying to say,” Xari prodded.

  “You sure you want that?”

  “I’m always sure about what I want.”

  I had to physically remove myself from being beside her or else I’d reach out and grab her sexy ass in my arms.

  “Okay, I’ll bite. I think you and Van a
re seeing each other. I think it started out as casual and recently elevated to something more.” He shrugged and held Xari’s gaze. I fixed Navy’s coffee, refusing to entertain any of that shit. I slid the mug over to her and she grinned at me like there was a halo over her head.

  “Unfortunately, I can’t confirm or deny your accusations, Apollo. I’ve signed an NDA.”

  “She’s right.” I smiled and handed Xari a mug of coffee.

  “Yeah, okay,” Apollo muttered, shaking his head.

  “We know you guys are together,” Navy said, crossing her legs. Apollo’s eyes slid over to her and lingered for a while before returning to his phone. “Let’s put that to the side and get to work, Senator Freeman.”

  “I guess I’ll go practice while you guys work.” Xari wiggled her fingers and stared at me. I was on her heels before she left the kitchen. I couldn’t let her walk out without touching her or kissing her some kind of way.

  I grabbed her hand and pulled her against my body. Her arms went around my neck and her eyes closed. I met her with a kiss when she popped up on her tiptoes. Navy let out a slow noise that sounded like a little kid catching her parents making out.

  “I guess we just came out to everyone,” Xari laughed.

  “We can still deny it if we want to,” I told her before winking. I didn’t care who knew anymore. I’d tell the world I was with Xari. She was phenomenal.

  She was always going to be a part of my life and I didn’t care who knew it or accepted it.

  …

  TWENTY-TWO

  The entire week with Evander was filled with mornings waking up in his bed. He liked to sleep with his arms wrapped around me like he couldn’t let me go or I’d float away. I liked to rest on his chest and then roll over to what quickly became my side of the bed. Whenever I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d find a solid steel log trapping me against a hard chest and usually a hard dick.

  We had breakfast and coffee in the kitchen while I blasted TLC through the speakers and danced around like an ass. He usually liked to stare at me and tell me I was like the flames on the candles I loved so much.

  At night, we’d watch old Nick at Night reruns and sit in comfortable silence with each other before we both spent time nurturing our respective passions. I hit the strings and he hit the laptop, clicking and tapping out word after word like a machine. I got used to hearing the sound his fingers made on the keyboard while I practiced.