XANDRY
So fucking awful!
My head was pounding, my muscles were aching, my limbs-- and holy fuck my back. How did I get into this goddamn awful couch? Who made this kind of thing? It was made of fucking rock.
I bolted upright, making my head to throb when the realization hit me. I had to squeeze my eyes shut as my vision started to blur and spin. My lips were dry as a desert.
After rubbing my temples a few times, I opened my eyes slowly and looked down. I’m wearing the same clothes yesterday, my shoes were taken off and perfectly aligned atop the chocolate and cream shaggy rug. What the fuck did I do last night? I was sure as hell what I had right now was a hangover.
I looked around in the small living room. It still looked brand new with wood wall paneling, but I wasn’t sure what kind of wood it was. It looked so cozy and homie. A set of colorful sofa with drapes and square cushions to complete the country-style looked.
The floral curtains were draped to both sides of the floor to ceiling window, giving me the full view of the trees and iron wrought chairs outside. A few baskets of plants hanging from the porch with blooming small, delicate, and colorful flowers.
I stood up and walked to the wall where the photo gallery displayed. The black and white baby photos in black frames caught my attention. Those photographs must be taken a few days after birth.
“That’s Ben on his five days old.” The voice from my back startled me from snooping around.
“You could’ve given me a heart attack.” I turned to see the gorgeous woman I’ve seen in the morning.
Blaine was only wearing a baggy baby blue shirt with baggy sweatpants, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
“Good morning! You can take a shower there.” She pointed at the door to her left. “Kyland dropped by to bring you some clothes.”
“Good morning, Blaine! How did I get in here? This must be your house.” I felt a heat crept across my face. I’ve never been this reckless, but Kyland pissed me off.
“How did you get into the bar alone?” She stared at me intently, propping her hands on her hips.
“Um, a guy name.” My brows knitted, trying to remember that guy. “Toby? Tanner, T —”
“Troy? How did you meet Troy?” she inquired with a quizzical looked.
“I was walking to the stable then a truck passed by and stopped, so he asked me where I was going and the rest is history.”
“That’s our caretaker. You can’t just wander around like that, Xandry. You don’t know anyone in this town.”
“It’s not that there is a psycho lurking around, is it? Unless there is a woman who wants to kidnap me and uses me as a sex slave.” A smile curled my lips, strolling my eyes from her head to toe. I wondered how did it feel like to feel her skin beneath those baggy clothes.
“It’s not funny. Who threatened you by the way?”
My brows furrowed. “Threatened?”
“Yeah, you’re bubbly when you’re drunk, you mentioned something like someone threatened —”
“What else did I say?”
A flush crept across her cheeks and shrugged dismissively.
“Blaine, did I say something inappropriate?” I walked closer to her.
Fuck! She really looked gorgeous when she was blushing.
“Did I say you’re beautiful?” I smirked and arched my brow.
“Go and hit the shower, Xandry, and you stink.” She walked toward the hallway and yelled. “I’ll prepare breakfast.”
“Thank, Blaine!” I kinda liked it here. This place was so different from the noise and pollution of the city, but sad to say I was going back home tomorrow, which made my stomach knot in dismay.
I quickly went into the small shower room after stripping my clothes off. My head was still pounding, and I badly needed a painkiller. That man named Max offered me the strongest bourbon he had that caused me to doze off in two shots. I used to drink at Night Stalker, but I never had that strong and I was known to be a light drinker.
Kyland got on my nerves that forced me to go out in the middle of the night.
I wrapped the towel around my waist and walked out of the shower room. I found a small medicine cabinet but it was empty, just a new toothbrush and a toothpaste Blaine must have ready for me.
After brushing my teeth, I glanced myself at the mirror and rubbed my two days old scruff that needed a shave. I quickly rinsed my face then opened the door.
A gasp escaped from Blaine’s mouth made me grin. “How long have you been watching me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be full of yourself, Xandry. I just wanna give you your clothes. We are not used to seeing someone walking half-naked in our house.” She pushed my clothes into my chest.
“Does it bother you, Blaine? If I walk half-naked in your house.”
“Well, let me tell you, Xandry, this is my house, my rules!” She glared at me.
“That doesn’t answer my question, sweetheart,” I teased her and I found it amusing to see her angry. The angrier she looked the hotter she became.
“Wear those clothes, or you will go home with just a towel.”
I just raised my brow to her threat. “You wouldn’t mind if women in this town ogle at my nakedness?”
“Why would I care?” She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled.
“Okay, I’ll walk to the town with just a skimpy towel that barely covers my ass and asks where is the police station because I’m lost to find my way back home.” I gave her back my clothes and walked past her.
“Xandry!”
“Yes, sweetheart?” I paused and turned, smirking.
“Wear these and my son is waiting in the kitchen.” She pushed it back to me and stomped away.
I chuckled and wore my clean clothes quickly. My mind went back to the reason why I was here, yet here I was, flirting with Blaine. I was sure they were cursing me for making another trouble, instead of behaving like a well-mannered person.
“Morning, Sandry!” Ben was sitting on the chair in front of his breakfast with a glass of milk.
“Hey, buddy. Good morning!” I gave him a grin and ruffled his blond hair.
“How would you like your coffee?” Blaine asked with a coffee pot on her hand and two red mugs on the counter.
“Black, sweetheart.” I took a seat beside Ben, wearing a smile on my face.
“Would you mind if I sit beside you?”
“You already seated.” He giggled causing his small dimples to appear on his round face, then he scooped his cereals.
“Oh, sorry. Promise I’ll behave next time.” I shifted my gaze back to Blaine. “You two only live here, Blaine?”
“Yep.” She placed a mug of steaming coffee in front of me, a plateful of pancakes, and a bottle of syrup. She placed another plate full of scrambled eggs and strips of bacon.
“Thank you.” I sipped my coffee.
“Do you need painkillers?” Blaine asked, taking a seat across the table.
“Yes, if you have.”
“I’ll take it for you.” She started to stand up but I stopped her.
“Eat your breakfast first, sweetheart. That can wait.” I smiled genuinely.
Ben giggled beside me. “Mommy said we can’t see Queen because we will have a barbecue today.”
“That’s sad, but maybe we can see Queen after,” I said, looking at Ben.
“It’s okay if we won’t. Anyway, we will have a barbecue later,” Ben replied and shrugged his tiny shoulders.
“My family invited some family friends for the barbecue in the afternoon,” said Blaine.
“Then we should go right after our breakfast,” I agreed.
I just joined Ben in the living room while Blaine was cleaning in the kitchen. Moments later, she excused herself to go upstairs.
I wandered around the living room, but I didn’t find any family picture. What happened to Ben’s dad? Or was he just a sperm donor? Blaine looked so young to have a four or five-year-old kid, but I had no doubt Ben was her own. He got her face nose and lips, but Ben had whiskey-colored eyes and hair was darker than Blaine’s.
“Stay right here, buddy,” I told Ben who was playing a game on his iPad, and I left when he nodded.
I climbed up the wooden stairs and knocked softly at the probably Blaine’s room. “Blaine?”
“Just a sec,” she called from the inside.
I leaned on the wall and waited for her. A minute later there was no sign of Blaine and I was a kind of guy who easily ran out of patience. I squeezed the doorknob and unlocked open.
“Blaine?”
Her eyes widened to see my head popping on her door. I knew I was an ass for invading her privacy, but I couldn’t keep the question inside my brain any longer.
Her hair was curled messily. She put light makeup on her face like I used to see on Saph’s. Her lips were painted with light shimmery pink, and I’m so tempted to lick it off. I had to clench my jaw to avoid from doing things that complicated my situation. My muscles ached and vibrated more for trying not to lose control as I watched her rubbing her hands over her knee-length white sundress in a nervous way.
“You look gorgeous.” My lips spread into a smile.
“Can’t you wait down?” Instead of saying thank you, she snapped.
“Where is Ben’s dad?”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “I don’t think it’s any of your business, Xandry. You invaded me enough, but I was doing this because my family asked me to be nice to their visitors. So please, act like a visitor and stay out of my business.”
“I don’t mean it that way. I’m sorry If I asked you out of nowhere. I just don’t want to find someone pointing a shotgun at me or worse blowing my head off from afar.”
“No one can harm you while you’re here with my family.”
“So, no one will get jealous if someone will see us together?” I raised my brow, demanding an answer.
“No one gets jealous, Xandry, and don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m not sleeping with you.” Her glare could slit my head in two.
I barked into laughter. “Now, look who get ahead of herself? What I mean is, if you are mine I don’t agree with you on letting a stranger sleep in her home and I don’t share, Blaine. You’re gorgeous and every man will give a fucking second look at you, and just as of now, I want to kiss your lips until it draws blood, rip your tiny dress out of your body, and taste every inch of you. And that’s not it, I want to fuck you hard enough until I’m drained, satisfied, and collapsed breathlessly on top of you.”
BLAINEJesus, why did he have to be so damn sexy in the morning? His sexy hair looked in need of a haircut, but it did work on him, in fact, my fingers itched to run through it and wipe away from his forehead. I’d never known that even my soap smelled good on him that it never did on me.Crap! What in the ever-loving heck happened to me?I’m a single mom for god’s sake.I needed to focus on my son and not to some hot— jerk. A huge jerk who wanted to bury his manhood to anyone had a hole.I was taken aback by what he said before he left me alone. My room was my little sanctuary, but I couldn’t just push him out even the tension already thickened in the room that made my heartbeat quickened in my chest. Blame it on my dry spell.Jeez, calm down!His bright and warm cerulean blue eyes never missed meeting mine. He was playing catch with Ben. Why
XANDRYBlaine was frowning when I met her gaze. I wondered why her friends were laughing while she was displeased. Excusing myself from Finley and Riley who were busy grilling the marinated ribeyes, I wiped the sweat off of my face.Speaking of the gorgeous woman who fogged my brain with lust and made me hard too painful to bear was ogling at my abs. Most girls loved abs than a man’s brain, and I loved their mouth all over me.Nice.“Hey, girls.” I waved, and they were already smiling back. The brunette girl from Blaine’s left was also beautiful and the strawberry blonde as well, but Blaine was very attractive with her huge eyes. “Mind if I join?”“Aren’t you—”“Of course, take a seat, Xandry.” The brunette quickly butted in, making my brow cock.“Thanks, you know my name. Got a name beautiful?” I smiled genuinely, and the last thing I wanted was for
BLAINEThat was the most humiliating thing I ever did in my life, but one of the audacious moves I’ve made. What the heck came into me knocking on his door? Was it taking my best friends’ advice or was it because that was what I wanted to do?After running for thirty minutes around my parents’ property, I quickly hit the shower, then tiptoed to the kitchen, and planned to prepare breakfast for our guests since I woke up earlier than my usual routine.I thought everyone was asleep, but to my surprise, someone was already up. I jolted to stop when I saw a familiar figure sitting on the stool with a steaming mug on his grip.I glued to my own feet even though my mind screamed of running back. My body had a brain on its own and was gaily humming for him again. Tingles spread fast on my skin when I met his mesmerizing cerulean blue eyes, widened in surprise. Instantly, I was on fir
XANDRYThese were the shitty fifth days of my life since I got back to work. I kept on scribbling something on the white sheet but nothing came right. The trash bin was already half full of crumpled papers.My mind always went to the sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted every time I had something in mind. I gave my number despite her protest, but I guessed she intended not to call me since I promised not to call her first. I was still hoping and impatiently waiting for two days to see her again at her sister’s wedding.I always wondered what she was doing every day. I even imagined her riding Queen. Did Ben give her a hard time? I talked to Finley over the phone but I chickened out every time I wanted to ask him about Blaine.And since when I can’t pull my shit together?I tapped the pen on the new empty sheet. Hopelessly, I put the pen down and leaned my back on my ch
BLAINECamila hired a team to make the bride-to-be looked stunning. It led by Antoine who was humming in the enormous bridal suite to Bianca’s favorite song. The entire room smelled roses—her favorite flower plus there were roses everywhere in different colors and sizes— I could see Cam pampered her so much.She raised the Champagne flute in her reflection through the mirror with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen from her, then gushed, “I’m getting married, sissy!”Normally, when talking about marriage it made my stomach twist and shoot a searing pain in my heart, but today it was my sister’s day and I couldn’t be any happier for her than anyone in this world.Unlike me, it was like bringing disgrace to my family for having a kid out of wedlock, but my family was supportive, accepted Ben, and loved him unconditionally.I took the Champagne flute from her hand, smiling back. “You’re getting married, future Mrs
XANDRYMy sister walked to Cam and Blaine with a huge smile on her face. I prayed inwardly and hoped she was not going to spill embarrassing stories about me.Focusing back to the woman in front of me, Megan giggled when I mentioned about Finley, though she stole glances more to Riley than him.“I’m not sleeping with a country guy,” she protested.“And why is that?”“It would be hard for us even for a booty call, duh.” She rolled her eyes, sipping her drinks.I smiled broadly. “But you like him.”Her brow raised in disbelief. “You’re serious about it? Since when you’re doing a matchmaking thingy?”“I am not. Look, Meg, give him a chance. He’s a good guy.”“And he looks like have a huge dick.”I barked into laughter, shaking my head in amusement. Seriously, this woman never filtered her mouth. “There is only one way to find out.” I stood up. “See you later, Meg.”“Go, get your gir
BLAINE Oh God, this was a total disaster!My head was pounding and my throat was dry. I opened my eyes and wandered around. I’m definitely not in my room. This was way bigger than mine, but I saw my suitcase beside the door. I was about to drag my feet out of the bed when I noticed I was wearing the same dress. How the hell did I get in here? I was pretty sure I was dancing with my cousin and drinking at the bar, then I just fell in love with that drink and I couldn’t just stop drinking until I felt the effect of the alcohol on my system and it was too late to stop. I lied back down and stiffened when I smelled the pillow.Damn! How can I forget this smell?The same smell when I knocked on his door and the same smell when I danced with him last night. Sitting straight on the bed, I felt suddenly dizzy. I massaged my temple when I noticed a shadow hovering over me. I slowly
XANDRYWhat the fuck was I thinking back there? And she just shrugged, asking me back the same question with sarcasm. I like her, that was for sure, otherwise, I’m not doing all this shit that I’ve never done before. And whatever this tension between us I knew this was just sexual frustrations and nothing couldn’t do with jacking off or a woman to scratch my itch when my deal with Saph was over. But every time I thought of another woman made my stomach twist and my cock didn’t show interest.Blaine was devastatingly sexy, but why am I not jumping on her yet? Ridiculous, wasn’t it? She was like a forbidden fruit on my reach but protected with an unbreakable shield. And her focus was on raising her child and not some sick relationship with someone like me. So, I’m a goner.The fact that I’m not breaking a deal with Saph made me believe that I had actually self-control over temptations
XANDRYThe sun shone through the scattered clouds as I sat down on the fine sand beside my wife. Yes, my wife. I literally kidnapped her when she was with my sister stressing out about planning our wedding. When I figured out she had not traveled outside the country, I pulled out some of my connections. Well, one of the perks of being a VP.And here we were on the beach of Harbour Island in the Bahamas and got married not longer than five hours ago. And we just broke the bedposts of the hotel bed earlier. But still, I couldn’t help but turned my head on my wife, lying peacefully on the sand with only a skimpy yellow two-piece swimsuit, sunglasses that covered her eyes, but I knew she was staring back at me. So, I strolled down my gaze to her neck where she still had a hickey on its right side and at the swell of her left breast. The light stretch marks on her flat stomach made her sexier
BLAINEI was in the shower when I heard a soft knock. I knew who was in there without looking through the misty glass wall. So, instead, I pressed my naked and wet body against the glass door. I wiped it to see Xandry’s reaction.“You want me to join and take you there again?” he asked, smiling mischievously.“What do you want, pretty boy?” I asked then bit my lip.He groaned. “Don’t give me a hard-on when I’m about to meet your cousins, sweetheart. And I’m sure as hell I’ll think a lot about that wet body while I’m with them.”I opened the door. “You always go out after sex—”“Lovemaking, Blaine.”“Okay, lovemaking, since we’re back to town three days ago. What are you all up to?”“Wait, were you jealous that I spent some time with your cousins and Troy?” His brows furrowed. His face expressed sadness.“No, baby. I was just wondering what were you doing with them. And I’m not
XANDRYDad looked at me with pride. “Xandry deserves something better. As a Vice president of the Williams holdings, I turned over my position to you, as of yesterday, so, Congratulations, son! And I’d like also to welcome my son’s fiancee’s family—”“What!” Blaine exclaimed beside me.“Harrises, welcome and enjoy the party. And son?”“Go ahead, Xandry,” Mom whispered, and I couldn’t remember how she got beside me. Everything just happened in a blur.I was thrilled, scared, and overwhelmed as I walked down the aisle to the stage, and everyone moved back, giving me the way like I was about to be crowned as their prince. Funny, I was in a second of ditching the party and yet here I am, walking toward Dad.“You didn’t propose?” the first thing he asked.“Seriously? Did I just hear you said my fiancee’s family?”“Your sister told me you bought a ring, so I thought you already proposed, a
XANDRYOur birthdays had always been a bash. Mom chose our grandma’s mansion as the venue, and instead of the usual party we did at Night Stalker since we turned twenty-one, it was different this time. Dad’s business partners, family friends, and relatives were invited and of course, Rexwell, Hugheses, and Kings. On my part, I invited Blaine’s family and friends.Unfortunately, I and Dad barely talked these past few weeks other than he said he was glad that Sammer had finally discharged from the hospital. So, as I tried to be a good son, I respected his silence and stayed away from trouble as much as possible.I had been talking to Rexwell if he could offer me a job after this party and he was willing to help. Dad was supposed to announce my position tonight, or maybe he had another plan on humiliating me in front of our guests, or finally, he decided to give me a seat in his compan
BLAINEMy heart accelerated and I was worried I might pass out. I just stared at him with wide eyes. His eyes glowed when he said the five words earlier.“Y-you l-love me?” I asked in disbelief.“You heard it right.” He loosened his grip on my waist, completely releasing me from his arms. He stepped backward and ran his fingers through his hair, then propped his hands on his hips.“I-I just wanna hear it again, you know.” I shrugged and looked down, licking my swollen lips that his taste was still on them.The tension suddenly thickened when he didn’t talk. I lifted my gaze and that was when I saw him grinning with eyes filled with humor and love.He stepped closer, cupping my face. “I love you, Blaine Noelle Harris. So much. I’ll make sure to tell you this every day until you believe me, and I’m going to make you feel it too. I love you since I rushed to see you and press you against the wall of the barn.” H
XANDRYDays went by uneventful. I submitted the first half-year report a week earlier than I used to, but Dad, well, he wasn’t impressed. During our family dinner, I was like an invisible person to him, until after dinner when I walked to his office. Dad was in the red lounge chair with an empty glass, where he usually sat when not behind his desk.My stomach rolled. “What’s the deal with your silence, Dad? Did I happen to develop some kind of invisibility?”He didn’t reply or move. He kept staring at the old painting owned by his late father, Henry Archibald Williams.“Are you going to ignore me throughout our lives? Until one of us is eventually dead? Because I have no plan on leaving Blaine if that’s the reason why you’re doing this to me. You talked to her but it didn’t scare her away, in fact, I’m asking her to move in with me. With her son. Just do me a favor not to be harsh on her. Treat her civilly at least.”
BLAINEMom placed some potatoes to the preheated oven, and for the first time in like forever she allowed me to help in her kitchen. I was back home for almost a week now, but we hadn’t gotten a chance to spend time together. She invited me or rather forced me to stay for dinner, and I knew there was something she wanted to talk about so urgently.I sliced some red radish and tossed them into the bowl. I left Ben with Daddy in the living room as they tried to solve some puzzles on his iPad app.Mom sighed deeply as if she wanted to say something but holding it back.“Just say it, Mom.” I watched her moves closely as she wiped her hands with the flowery kitchen towel Bianca had slipped into my luggage for her.She finally moved beside me, tapping her short fingernails against the wooden countertop. “So, what is your plan, sweetie?”I slowed down slicing and met her gaze. “What plan? For Ben?”“For you an
XANDRYMy stomach churned as I walked out of Dad’s, determined to prove to him that I deserved to be happy and the position he had for me at the Williams was mine. I did everything I could and it wasn’t my goddamn problem if he wasn’t satisfied with the effort I did. Hell, I didn’t fucking care anymore.Gasping for some air, I walked outside of the employees’ exit of the club. It smelled cigarettes, pees, vomit, and alleys, but I couldn’t care less. All I wanted right now was to scream all my frustrations out of my fucking life, then made love to Blaine in my bed all night.Fuck!“Hey.”I turned to face the voice calling me from my back, and to my surprise, Blaine looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulder. Closing the space between us, I cupped her face and searched for the answer in her eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”She shook her head, pressing he
BLAINEXandry helped me out of the crowded dance floor to the bar, then talked to the broody tattooed bartender. He wore all black just like all the bartenders with him. If Kyland was scary, this man screamed danger—dangerously handsome in mysterious ways, but there was something in him that seemed warm—his eyes? The way he sided-glance at me. He was quite a good looking guy if he happened to smile just a little bit. He nodded at Xandry, then turned to me as I slid to sit on the dark bar stool.“Can I get you something to drink? It’s in the house, ma’am.” His voice was friendly and warm, but he kept his stoic looked the same.The whole bar was opposite of Max’s. This one flashed with modern designs with a dim-lit interior that was perfect for New Yorkers’ vibe.I smiled shyly. “Yes, a Phoenix’s princess, please,” I swore his lips curled into a smile, then nodded and mixed my d