I’m on my own.
I stroll across S&J snapping my fingers to the live music. I check my purse before reaching the door. My cellphone has a full charge, I have cash, and my heat is resting securely in my handbag.
I push the door open, and I’m startled. Xavier is leaning back against an SUV outside the door.
“Counselor.” He’s dressed in all black with Giuseppe’s on his feet. I see the contour of his chiseled body through the shirt stretched beneath a black dress jacket. His smile holds a boyish charm, but his eyes are balls of flames. “I think you’re looking for trouble tonight.”
His list of attributes increases. I’ll add that he is the epitome of laid back—his vibe, his presence, his energy.
I stop in front of him. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
“I stepped in, and you were entangled in a group hug.” He shrugged. “I thought I’d give you a minute.”
“We were having a little celebratory drink. Thank you very much.”
“Oh…that’s exactly what I thought.” He chuckles.
“Hush.” I shake my head laughing with him. “So, what do we have planned for this evening?”
“Trying to change the subject?”
“Absolutely.”
He laughs, reaching for the door, extending a hand to help me inside. “Are you ready?”
“I hope so," I mumble under my breath. I take his hand and the chemistry between us is stronger than before. I hurry to get inside to break his hold on me, but I’m frozen, staring in his eyes. “Can I keep it one hundred?”
“Always.”
“I don’t have time for a relationship.” My heart is vying for a slot at the Kentucky Derby. Running fast and hard.
“Okay.” The corner of his mouth turns up, and I notice his full lips.
“I’m serious Xavier.”
“I got you.” He closes the door. He stands outside for a moment before circling the SUV.
Xavier climbs inside, closing the door. The only sound I hear is my heart. I inhale, hoping to get control of my senses, and the scent of his cologne fills my nose.
“People call me X.”
“I like Xavier.” He turns draping a hand over the steering wheel. I get to examine him up close as lights from oncoming cars, come and go. We’re both content with assessing each other. His skin appears baby soft without a blemish. “How old are you?”
“Does it matter?”
“Are you legal?”
“I see we’re going to have an entertaining night.” He turns over the engine.
“That’s not an answer.”
“Fasten your seatbelt.”
I do. But I’m still waiting. “Twenty four?”
“How old are you?”
My mouth snaps closed.
“I’ll tell when you tell.” He pulls out into traffic. Then glances over at me. I’m starting to dislike that little sly smile. “How was your first week as a partner?”
“Good, I guess.”
“You guess?”
I shrug. Sitting in this fancy box feels intimate and comfortable. It could be the vehicle or the man or both. I look at him as the SUV rolls to a stop.
“Have you ever wanted something for so long that the real thing doesn’t compare?”
“No, I can’t say that I have.”
“Never?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, because the real thing is what you make it.”
The SUV rolls forward, and his words turn over in my mind. It’s an interesting spin. This promotion is what I make it. I store the thought for later review.
We park. I glance outside the window at a building that resembles a night club. I haven’t been to a real club since college. It’s probably best if I keep that thought to myself since he looks even younger up close.
He comes around to open my door. He helps me out, and now we’re standing face to face.
“Just tell me you’re legal.”
“I’m legal.”
“This is funny to you?” That little smile is stuck on his face.
“No. What will it take for you to relax?” He drops his hands in front of him. The intensity in his eyes is more intimate than sitting alone in the SUV.
“X?” Someone calls from over his shoulder.
“I’ll be there.” He responds without breaking eye contact.
I glance over his shoulder at the people gathering at the door. “Are they waiting for us?”
“Focus on me. What do you need?”
I think for a second, and the speed dating questions come to mind. “What’s your full name?”
“Xavier Evans. And you?” I clam up. “You have to give to get.”
“Ryann Gibson.” His discreet nod prompts my next question. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m CEO of Brand X Entertainment. And you?”
“I’m a lawyer. Wait…you’re a waiter and a CEO?”
“I wasn’t a waiter, I was the brand manager. And yes, I held both positions at the same time. Next.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“It’s moot at this point.”
We stare at each other as I digest this information.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty three. And you?”
“Twenty three?” I step back, and he steps forward. I’m inches from the SUV, and his body is inches from mine.
“Answer the question, Ryann.” His sinful eyes set my body ablaze, and he’s only twenty-three years old.
“I’ll be thirty in a couple of weeks. Are you married?”
“No. When?”
I tell him the date. “Have a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Play both sides of the field?”
“Hell, no.” I roll my neck, but the dude doesn’t blink. “To each his own, but that’s not how I roll. Now, are we ready?”
I look back over his shoulder. There’s a woman who looks exactly like him. She’s striking. “Your sister?”
Xavier glances back, and his face softens. “My twin.”
He’s a twin, and Xavier Evans is intense. I glance over his shoulder, and he obviously loves his family.
I have a million more questions. What is Brand X? Why are we here? Why did he ask me out? But I assume they’ll all be moot once the night is over because tomorrow it’s back to normal.
“I’m ready.”
Xavier turns around, and I look up at him. “You didn’t ask me if I’m dating someone.”
His eyes caress my face before lingering over my mouth. “I didn’t have to. Let’s go.”
A hand rests on my lower back, and he guides me forward. “Ryann, this is my big sister, by less than a minute, Tia.”
“Nice to me you.” I shake her hand.
“This is my father…” My head snaps in his direction. “I work with my family.”
I glance back at the older version of Xavier. This man is not what I expected.
“I apologize.” I extend a hand. “Ryann Gibson.”
“Malcolm Evans and my wife, Kathryn Evans.”
This started out as a casual, hope-to-get-laid date, and now I’m meeting the man’s parents. I don’t know if I’m ready for any of this.
“X, we need to get moving. The acts are waiting for you.” Tia’s eyes pass between us before settling on him.
Xavier nods turning in my direction. The question waiting for my response is the same as before, Are you ready?
He leans forward, “Breathe ma. I got you.” The feel of his breath against my neck sends chills up my spine.
“Mr. Evans lead the way.”
Chapter 4
“You ain’t said nothing but a thang!” Xavier takes my hand, leading me inside.
I laugh, and his sexy smile returns as we enter the unmarked building. The dark entryway makes it hard to see. I lean in closer to his body, walking just over his shoulder. The base from the music is pulsing through my body.
Xavier is stopped every few s
teps.
“What’s up X?”
“Yo X.”
“What’s good with you, X?”
This is a constant chorus as we make our way forward. He speaks to all of them. They part like the Red Sea, letting us pass through without issue. I glance up, and he’s in his zone. Clearly. We clear a wide entryway and stop at a guardrail. It’s a dead end. The crowd behind us merges back into a massive blob. I glance up at him.
“Where are we?” I yell. But he obviously couldn’t hear me because he tilts his ear closer to my mouth. “Where are we?”
“The Dungeon.”
Xavier scans the area around us. The floor bottoms out to a large dance floor beneath us. What in the world?
“It gets better.” He says in my ear, and he kisses the tender space between my ear and my neck.
My moan is swallowed in the sounds of The Dungeon. He pulls me in front of him and cages me between his arms. He holds on to the rail, protecting me from the flow of traffic.
“I have a VIP lounge up there.” He tilts his head up. I see a landing above. “We can stay or go.”
“Let’s stay," I yell, rolling my body to the music.
I turn around to the club safe between the barriers, he calls arms. I take it all in as he talks with Tia. His arms keep the traffic from bumping into me. The original floor plan must have been two stories with a basement. The first floor is ground level, and someone gutted out the middle. Then I notice the stage below us and a band.
I circle in his arms until my chest is against his, tipping forward until my mouth is inches from his ear. His scent is all things male—strong, potent, sexy. “I love live music.”
He pulls back glancing into my eyes. “Really? What else do you love?”
“Dancing," I say, but I know he can’t hear me. These are things I love but never have time for, unless I count dancing alone in the mirror.
The music slows to a sensual slow song, and he steps closer. “Dance with me.”
My hot pocket is baking, and if this man’s mouth brushes against my ear again, I might explode. It’s been that long. “Is that a question or a command?”
“Which will it take to get a yes?” His breath is a hot caress inches from my mouth.
“Just ask.”
“Will you dance with me, Ryann?” His large hands grip my hips, curling around until his fingertips rest on my butt.
“Yes. But where?” I glance over my shoulder to the dance floor beneath us.
“Here baby.” He whispers, his lips brushing my ear as he brings my body to his.
The music flows to a hot sultry joint, and I let the music take me away. Xavier wraps my arms around his neck.
Chest to chest. Hips to hips. Heat to heat. Protected in his strong arms.
He rolls catching each move and grind of my hips. I turn in his arms until my ass is against him. I throw it back and feel the thickness of his manhood pressed against me. I glance back, and his heated pools of coffee brown eyes make me moist.
The songs flow from slow too fast. He doesn’t miss a beat, and neither do I. I can’t remember the last time I felt free to dance. The beat drops, and it got us moving like he’s sexing me with my clothes on. Hands roaming up and down my thighs. Fire racing from his body to mine. Then out of need, I capture his mouth.
Xavier the patient man, the laid-back man, becomes like liquid latex covering my body. I nibble on his lips, hungry for more. His tongue sweeps from side to side.
“Ryann.”
I open for him. Our kiss churns my desire. His lips work mine, and I can’t get close enough, and he can’t get deep enough. His fingertips dig into my skin through the thin fabric, his hardness rubbing me, awakening my need for more, in a room with hundreds of people.
Our heavy panting blends with the thick 808 beat bumping through the club, his body branding mine, his lips sealing any doubts of where I’ll be later tonight.
I pull back, powerless to the inevitable. His gaze is mad with lust, and I’m ready to find a private place, to have him all to myself. Because I want Xavier now.
“Counselor.” He whispers across my lips before his tongue thrusts inside my mouth again. I suck, letting him know I give as good as I get. His moan passes between us.
“Yes, X.”
His smile reflects his pleasure in hearing me call him X. He curls a finger in my direction. I move closer as if that’s even humanly possible. “Having you will be an absolute treat.”
I’m done.
Done. Done.
“X, it’s time.” His size is like a massive wall. He rolls back his shoulder, and I see Tia.
“Time for what?” I ask him.
“You’ll see.”
Chapter 5
My stress level is off the chart. I thought leaving my job would lessen the burden, but it was only the beginning while preparing for this listening party slash celebration. Flying from New York to Los Angeles to meet with record labels and the whole Jermaine and Tyson situation.
Had I not invited Ryann tonight I would have passed and missed my own party and missed kissing her. I tighten my grip on her hand as we climb the stairs to the VIP Lounge.
“The Dungeon is our most impressive piece of commercial real estate.” I glance back at her.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I wanted to own a place to scout talent and test new music. So, many of the tracks you hear can’t be heard anywhere else. Our DJs mix them in with the current hits to get a gauge on the marketability of a song.”
“That’s smart. So, this is Brand X?”
“Yes and no.” I step back opening the door for her. We enter, and I remove my jacket, hanging it on a hook by the door. She stands near the glass looking out over the club. “You can get comfortable. We’ll be alone up here.”
She spins around, and the heat in her eyes makes my shit hard as a rock. She’s loosening up, and I feel like I’m meeting a different version of Ryann. The short dress, high heels, her hair pulled away from her face, falling into a chic bob. Her skin is a tasty shade of Hersey brown, and I’m down for all of it.
This woman is classy and sexy at the same time. Most would probably say she’s out of my league. But in my world, it’s about heart and grind. And I got plenty of both.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Cold water would be amazing.” She turns back to the view. “So, the building was two stories, and you gutted the first floor to expose the basement.”
“Yes. It had to be different. I added this as a VIP lounge. We have a couple of dressing rooms down the hall and an elevator with access to all three levels.”
She nods, taking the bottle of water. “Do you rent the space out?”
“We haven’t, but we’d consider it. Why? What do you have in mind?” I sit on the couch and pat the space beside me. I reach for the remote.
“Have you heard of Platinum Prestige?” She sits back, turning her body towards me.
“Yes. My boy Marques mentioned it in passing.”
“He’s actually one of our clients and my favorite R&B singer.”
“You represent him?”
“No, I’m a partner. We’re an upscale concierge service, anything from chartering a private flight to delivering a box of chocolates.”
“Word? You practice law and do that?”
“Yes. They really are one and the same since I handle the legal matters—contracts, negotiations, securing services, and such.”
I sit back, surprised. This woman has layers. I open my mouth to ask another question when I hear a knock at the door. I walk over, and it’s Tia.
I let her inside. “Ready?”
“Yes. Are the folks are heading up?”
“Yes, they’re right behind me.” She leans in closer, “I wanted to make sure you two were decent before they come in.”
“Good looking out.”
Tia laughs and opens the door for our folks. I grab the microphone from her and walk over to the sitting are
a. I sit on the loveseat near the open window towards the club.
I lean forward, “Will you join me, Ryann?” I smile pleased to have her beside me.
I take the earpiece from Tia. I call down to the DJ booth to ensure he’s ready. After getting the green light, I use the remote to open the window. Then I take the mic.
“Are y’all having a good time tonight?” The crowd goes wild. “I like the sound of that. Tonight, is a very special night.” I glance over at Ryann. “We’re celebrating Brand X with this surprise concert featuring all of our artists. Ready for the first act?”
I wait for the roar to flood the VIP Lounge. “Then give it up for Austin’s own, Cash.”
Chapter 6
I dance and party until I can’t stand. X is carrying my shoes, and he offered to carry me, but I feel embarrassed enough about walking around in his socks.
“Babe, the sidewalks are filthy out there. How about I carry you from the door to my ride?”
“X, I don’t care if you throw that sly-ass smile my way.” I try to raise my voice, but my head is already throbbing. I drink wine, not hard liquor. Tonight, I did both.
“Sly ass?” He’s fighting to hold back his laughter.
“And don’t laugh at me.” I rock a little trying to hold it together. I’m so glad it’s Friday. Or is it Saturday morning? I’m going home and sleeping all day.
“How many shots did you have?”
“I can’t remember.” I stopped counting after five. I was having a good ass time with Malcolm, Kathryn, Tia, and his staff. Everything was perfect. And the concert… “X, this was the best date of my life.”
“Is it the alcohol talking?” He leans forward and kisses me.
“Maybe, but not really.” We laugh.
“How about you ride my back?”
“I can’t my dress is too short.” I whine.
“Hold that thought.” He runs off.
We’re back on the main floor. It’s four in the morning, and The Dungeon is closed. The staff is cleaning up and restocking. Then X returns with a gym bag. He digs around and pulls out some blue basketball shorts.
“You’re just trying to get me out of my dress.” I tease.
“Duh.”
I playfully smack his chest. “Do you have a shirt too? And they better not be dirty.” I smell the shorts.
Absolute Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 6) Page 3
