Chapter 1

"So this is the spot for the single people ''? she turned around to see a man standing behind her, holding out a tumbler of whiskey. He was wearing a crisp armani suit. navy blue slacks perfectly hugging his muscled thighs. The white shirt opens at the collar exposing just a little, sufficient amount of skin at his smooth throat under his beard. Well not a shaggy beard at least, but enough hair to make a girl wish to thread her fingers. 

Her eyes lifted up from his smooth jaw and she could see how sharp those cuts were. Those full lips, lifted at the corner as if he was enjoying her gaze. She met his eyes and gasped slightly. How many times she got a chance to see Emerald green orbs staring at her in New York, indeed she felt enchanted. 

"Xavier Russell". He bit his lower lip, stretching his strong hand out. She felt herself smiling too as she shifted the flute from right to her left hand and held his hand in her delicate one. He wrapped his fingers and her hand was practically covered. 

"Caroline Heard". 

"And what are the chances that i had not heard about the most competitive Attorney at Law, attending this evening". He shook her hand gently and lifted her hand to kiss the back of her palm like a true gentleman.

"And how i would have wished to meet the most eligible, Self made Architect in the Country who happens to be a multi billionaire at the tender age of thirty seven years' '. She tipped her chin and he laughed out loud.  

"There goes my chance to introduce myself to the lady of the evening". He joked in pure delight. Caroline was famous for her sarcastic tone, no malice involved. And ofcourse it comes in hand with the post she was working. Who wouldn't recognise her face. The most qualified bachelor, an attorney to guide and lead many people and now companies her wings. Her fifteen years career was as clean as a slate. Glittering with stars and titles of the clients she had won.  

"I assume the lady of the evening is on the stage with her husband who happens to be your best friend since when"? She said with a tinkle of amusement in her dark blue eyes. 

"Yeah yeah. The butt sneaking days''. He replied dryly , making her chuckle at his sulking tone. Marcus Alferd was Xavier's brother from another mother. They both held the power together in the industry, not to mess up. While Xav was running his construction empire all across the country, flying from one place to another, Marcus was leading a mafia. He was dealing in everything you could name it, and it was Xav to clean his money, And it wasn't a secret. 

Caroline was more like a sister to Marcus being best friends with his now wife Angelina. She was literally their cupid for two years and she was the happiest woman on the earth when Marcus proposed to Angelina in a close ceremony. 

She was never into parties and all, she was an introvert even if her profession expected her to meet new people almost everyday. So here she was standing in a far corner of the luxurious ballroom in the city, after delivering her bride's friend speech.

She knew she could not leave the wedding till the bride and groom fly off for their honeymoon, same night, but how she wanted to hide herself in her apartment. 

"So a little blue bird told me someone had approached Heard Association to sue us". Xavier said, moving his finger along his jaw, resting on his lower lip. 

Caroline smirked at him, taking a tip of the expensive wine from her glass. "Well, do i have any chance to deny the statement your Birdie told you". She looked at him with her wide eyes, feigning surprise and how it made his frozen heart thaw. 

"Do i have a chance to take you as my lawyer"? He said in a calm tone but his gaze said otherwise. Caroline could hear the underlying meaning behind his words.

"Do you think you can afford me"? She replied with an equally calm tone.

"Carl"!!!

"Mr Russell, i appreciate the offer, but currently i am here to attend the wedding ceremony of my best friend, and i don't mix business with personal. I assume you have my card to call my PA and book an appointment, though i am afraid i am booked for the whole two weeks. That put you in the third week slot, after the hearing yeah? So please excuse me now, have a lovely evening". She tipped her glass towards him, with a sharp gaze and brushed passed him to say goodbye to Angelina. 

"Fuck"!!! Xavier muttered under his breath. He was never the one to take a no. Neither to fuck, nor to business. And yet he was here, burning in agony to see the 5 feet 10 inches lawyer, sashaying her way among people, walking to the main table in the front. 

He tipped his head and gulped the last of his whiskey and stormed out of the ballroom, he could say a word later to his friend.

*********

No matter what, he couldn't get a chance to meet Caroline in the upcoming weeks. Not that he was a stalker, but he knew her schedule. And secondly, he knew she wouldn't take her offer to change clients. So he didn't try to contact her. He didn't want to embarass himself by forcing himself on her. And that led him to the day of hearing in the court. He was sitting with his lawyer, waiting for her to appear with her client. 

His brows furrowed for a while to see his business rival entering the court but it wasn't the reason for his frowning. It was his lawyer. Wasn't it the same case led by Caroline? Where was she? Did something happen? He wanted to call her right away but just then the honorable judge entered the courtroom to begin the proceeding. 

His lawyer was relaxed, laid back, and so was Xavier. He knew the case was lame. And the opposite team had no proof of it, so it was a clear win for them. Xavier whispered something to his lawyer and they smirked at their rivals. For sure they had come up with some back up plan. 

"Your honor, since my friend has failed to prove his accusations in this court, against my client, so i demand a compensation amount to settle in respect of wasting my client's time and of course money". Xavier smiled in satisfaction and he knew he would be compensated nonetheless. 

*********

"Ms Heard, you have a visitor". Caroline was working on a file when she heard her PA on the intercom. 

"I am busy. Take a message". She replied in a busy tone. 

"I… I told them but they are not listening". Her PA said in a nervous tone. Caroline sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

"Okay. Send them in". She pressed the intercom and closed the file she was busy reading. 

"Hi". Xavier came inside in an expensive tailored suit, as if stitched just for him. Light gray suit and yellow shirt with a blue tie. He was the walking talking definition of handsome. His dark curly hair was slightly ruffled but that only added to his charm. 

"Hey". Caroline smiled back at him. Standing from her chair, she came to greet him. Xavier gulped internally. She never failed to make his heart skip. She was wearing an off white business suit with a red silk blouse. The knot on her neckline was urging him to open it and see how deep it exposes her milky skin. Her four inches high red heels were adding to her height making her equal to his eye level. 

Xavier slightly bent down and kissed her cheeks just the way he would always greet her, professionally. 

"Have a seat. What would you like to have? Whiskey? Wine? Coffee"? She held the intercom but he shook his head. 

"Let's go for lunch".  He said. Caroline looked at him as if gauging his expressions. "My treat". He bit his lower lip to suppress his smile but failed to see Caroline chuckling softly. 

Without saying anything she shut down her laptop and picked up her purse and mobile. Xavier stood up too, following her out to her PA's desk. She informed her PA and proceeded to the elevator at the 13th floor of the building. Xavier placed a hand at her lower back, just letting her lead. 

"So what's the occasion"? She turned to him as soon as the elevator doors closed. 

"I just want to treat you. Do I need a reason"? He fisted his hand at his side to stop himself from tucking her hair behind her ear. She would always put him under so much pressure whenever he would meet her. How he wanted to hold her, hug her, kiss her senseless. But he knew he couldn't. And he didn't want to mess up the friendship they had. 

She was Marcus's wife's bestie. And Marcus was hell protective about her. Xavier didn't want to jeopardize his friendship with Marcus. So he would keep himself contented at whatever she would give him. Even if it was a smile. 

**********

"Why did you let down the case"? Xavier twirled his fork on the pasta. 

"I am surprised you had to ask this, Xav". She looked at him with a sarcastic glance. "You know I don't lie and don't appreciate a lie". She sipped her wine. 

Xavier chuckled, threading his fingers in his mid throat beard. His mustaches twitched with his plump lips.  

"So how did it go? I am sure you would have sued him". She said with a little smile. Xavier shook his head in amusement. How accurate she would always be. 

"Yeah. We did. It was a lame case anway. But why didn't you tell Me"? 

"What to say Xav? I couldn't pick you as my client because it would be stated as a biased review. Everyone knows about us being friends and even if you were on the right, everyone would have said that I favored you. So I declined the offer. Though it cost me a good fortune". She winked at him, making him laugh out loud. 

"Tell me how to compensate. A weekend trip to Greece or Rome? Or a Europe tour"? Xavier smiled warmly. Caroline scrunched her nose as if thinking. 

"As much as I want to take this offer, I am fully packed". She said in a dejected tone. 

"You are free this weekend. Let's get away hmmm". Xavier held her hand on the table. "Let's leave on Thursday night and back on Sunday hmmm". 

"Sounds good but…".

"Come on Caroline. Don't make me beg now". Xavier laced their fingers together. Caroline saw their hands together and then looked into his warm eyes. The green orbs were captivating her. She bit her lower lip and then nodded her head. 

Xavier grinned. It wasn't often that Caroline would agree on such a short notice. 

"Great. I will pick you at seven in the evening". He was excited just like a little kid. 

"Seven will do. But where are we going"? Caroline asked to get an idea to pack clothes. 

"Nothing formal to wear suits. Pack anything casual. We can always get more dresses if needed". He finished the food. 

"Get ready to empty your bank account Xavier Russell". She laughed and Xavier bowed down his head in mock defeat. He could buy the whole world for her, only if she knew. Or may be she did. 

**************

She sighed sipping the cold beer from the cold box they brought with them. The beach was extra crowded as the weather was pleasant. Men were laughing, girls chattering, children shrieking running around. She loved it. And actually thinking about how long it was when she last went out on vacation. 

It felt calm here. No work, no phone. No appointments. And especially no business clothes. And how much she fussed over the fact that Xavier didn't tell her they were going on a beach in Miami. She didn't have any bikini or swimsuit with her and while she kept on grumbling, Xavier had put over a dozen on the counter to pay, though she didn't ask why she would need a dozen for a 3 day trip.

They swam and played around in the water and got tired. The sun was up but not blazing hot. It felt good to lay down on the sand mat under the umbrella after 30 minutes of spot searching. Xavier emerged from the water, closer to their rest point, and Caroline had to adjust her bare legs together not to get wet. 

He was so freaking and inhumanly sexy. A whole wall of 6 feet 2 inches, muscles. Wearing nothing but those swimming shorts, his body was a treat for eyes. He had a wide chest, with protruding pectorals. He had contoured 6 packs, a clear proof of his work out. She managed to skip her eyes down past his shorts to his thick thighs, and she was sure he could crush anything between them. 

He came to stand close to her and smirked. He was clearly enjoying her shamelessly enjoying his body. 

"Having fun hmmm"? He plopped down on the mat beside her. She opened the cooler and handed him beer. A chilled beer after a warm swim in the water was all he needed to calm himself, and he was failing. 

He laid down properly on his elbow, facing her. She was looking so beautiful in this relaxed mode. The whole business demeanor was laid back. It was his wet dream to see her in a string bikini set, quite failing to hide her sexy body. He had really enjoyed swimming and playing with her in the water. Listening to her giggles and playful banter as he lifted her and threw in the water. 

She laughed out loud sitting behind him on the water bike. Xavier did everything to listen to her carefree laughter echoing around him. 

"What are you thinking Russel"? She flipped her sunglasses over her straw hat looking at him. 

"You are different here". He replied with a warm smile. His fingers danced on her arm, raising goosebumps on the sun kissed skin. "More free. More happy". 

"Because it's relaxing. What do you expect me to wear here? Business suit on this beach hmmm"? She laughed, making him chuckle too. She was aware of those fingers moving on her curves. Slightly close to her waist, on her ribs. Playing subtly with the strings of her bikini top and bottoms. But she didn't stop him. She knew this was the only intimacy she could have.

Xavier Russel was everything a girl could ask for. He was funny, intelligent, and witty. He was rich, the most eligible bachelor. He wasn't a player but yes he never refused a good company. She knew she wasn't his usual type. She wasn't a party butterfly. She wasn't blonde. She had curves on the best places and wasn't skinny as she had seen going out with Xavier. And not to mention she was a workaholic. 

Xavier sighed, laying on his back, he stretched his arm towards her. She saw, and scooted close, just to snuggle close to him. They were silent, just watching around. 

"Can I come to your room tonight"? Xavier asked in a low voice. She turned to face him with a little surprised expression. 

"My room"? 

"Yeah. I…".  He fell silent. What to say? That he wanted her? That he missed her? That he wanted to hold her, kiss her. To worship every inch of her beautiful body. 

"Xav.. It's... It won't lead us anywhere". She said with a sigh. She sat up, stretching her arms in the air. He sat up behind her too, holding her in his arms, he let his chin rest on her shoulder. 

"There is a bar around. Let's go and rock hmmmm". He nipped her skin on the neck and stood up. Caroline placed her fingers on the spot, tingling from the tender kiss and held his hand to go. 

***********

They had a great evening together. Xavier took her to a local food point. She loved it. It was far more different than city life. No one bothered to see them wearing casual wear. He was wearing a blue shirt opened on top three buttons paired with shorts and sandals. 

She was wearing a summer dress over a bikini, with strapped sandals. They were walking hand in hand laughing and enjoying themselves. She loved how Xavier was all touchy. He kept his arm around her shoulder to keep her close or around her waist. Even when she was in the queue to order food for them, he kept his arms snaked around her body, keeping her as close as he could. 

The food was good and so was the ambiance. People chattering around, no one disturbing them with knowing hello hi's. There was nobody here and that was the beauty. They hit a bar after dinner and tried hard not to get tipsy. Caroline was having the best night, dancing and goofing with Xavier. And he was happy to get to hold her, not to mention those flirty kisses here and there. 

They walked to their hotel room across from each other. Xavier waited until she unlocked her room before holding her hand. She turned to him with a smile and those glittering eyes. Xavier cupped her face in his big hands. Staring in those blue eyes, little glassy with all the laughter and those cocktails. 

"You are so pretty Carl". Xavier bent down close to her so that she could feel his breath on her lips. Yes she was drunk but not out of her control. She could feel the electric current buzzing between them. The air was thick with sexual needs. 

Xavier placed his plump lips on her cheeks, stopping for a while before he moved to kiss her soft jaw and her earlobe. She smells so good. He dragged his nose on her smooth neck, nipping a little on her shoulder. Caroline sighed. She fisted her hands on her sides, resisting the urge to touch him because she knew once she let herself lose, there would be no coming back. She didn't want to give away her body when she couldn't give her heart to him. 

Xavier pulled back. His eyes were screaming. So were hers. He brushed his lips on hers, and stayed for a while. He pulled back and then dived in again. Nibbling and sucking on her lower lip and then upper. His tongue swept on her lower lip making her sigh. 

"Let me in Please". He whispered on her lips, a semi pleading order. 

"Xav..". 

"Ssshhhh. Let me in Carl". He pushed her to the wall, holding her around her waist. He tucked his leg between her, parting them a bit. Caroline gasped, feeling him all hard at her thigh. "I won't push your limits. I just want to kiss you. Please". Xavier cupped her cheek in one hand. 

Caroline looked into his eyes and surrendered. She was tired and maybe this was the only way to get him through her system.

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Tabby