Chapter Fifty: I Want You For The Rest Of My Life

Xavier’s Point of View

As Rei slept in my embrace, I held her tightly. It felt surreal, like a dream. Yet, this was reality. The woman I had loved since I was 17 lay in my bed, not just in my heart. She was my everything, and I wanted to spend the rest of my days with her by my side.

I was terrified to tell her about my past. I prayed Rei would understand. I knew that once I revealed everything, I could very well lose everything—not my job because Ethan Steele had assured me that if things didn’t work out as I hoped, he would help me start over safely. I trusted that he would. I just hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

I knew that accepting Rei and her children would make me a part of the mafia family, diving into a world of darkness. I also understood that they would always be my top priority, and I would have to fulfill any requests made by Don Brzezinski. But I was willing to do whatever it took for Rei. I even hoped that one day we would have children together, but if not, I was more than happy to be a father figure to her kids. She was my forever, my end goal. I knew this as surely as I knew the need for air in my lungs.

I just had to be completely honest with her first.

Rei stirred almost as if she could sense my unease, and I watched as her eyes slowly fluttered open. She was stunning. Every time I gazed upon her, Rei took my breath away. Rei gazed up at me through her long lashes, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she realized she had fallen asleep on me. I was rather pleased with myself that I’d exhausted her with our earlier lovemaking.

“What time is it?” Rei asked, covering her mouth as she did.

I leaned over to pick up my phone and check.

“It’s early, just after 6 a.m. You can go back to sleep if you want,” I offered.

She shook her head and slowly sat up in my bed shyly.

“Are you okay?” I asked, worried that something was wrong.

“Yeah… I just haven’t shared a bed with anyone in a long time,” Rei mumbled.

“Is it okay if I use your bathroom to freshen up?” she asked nervously.

“Of course,” I smiled and watched as she started to leave the bed and froze.

“Rei, seriously, what’s wrong? Please talk to me,” I asked, trying to figure out what was going on in that beautiful head of hers.

“I’m naked,” she whispered in absolute terror.

“Yes, if I remember correctly, I helped you get that way,” I chuckled.

Then I realized what was wrong. In the moment of passion, Rei wasn’t worried about what she looked like, the stretch marks on her body, and making an impression on me. Last night, Rei had been brave and let me in without hesitation. In the morning light, she was having doubts.

I reached out, gently pulled Rei into my arms, and kissed her head. She seemed to calm down and stop spiralling with that one small gesture. I sighed. It was a good thing that Greg Ravenscroft would never be able to get into Rei’s head and make her doubt herself ever again. I would spend a lifetime building her back up if she let me.

“You were gorgeous last night and are even more so right now. No one else is here but the two of us. If you are nervous about walking around my apartment naked, you can wear one of my T-shirts. Would that help?” I asked.

Rei looked at me with tears in her eyes and quickly nodded her head. It was a whole other level of hot being able to see her in one of my shirts and nothing but, but I wasn’t about to tell Rei that right now.

I slid out of the bed and grabbed a nearby t-shirt. With gentle hands, I helped her slip her arms through the sleeves as I pulled it over her head. She stared at me with wide eyes, biting her lip while her gaze trailed up and down my bare body. I couldn't help but smirk at her reaction, causing her to cover her face with her hands. However, she left enough space between her fingers to peek at me.

“You are naughty,” I chuckled as her cheeks turned an even darker shade of red.

I observed as Rei hurried away, my hand unconsciously caressing the insistent bulge beneath the sheets. I wanted her again, but I wanted Rei to leave the T-shirt on. I had quite a few fantasies I wanted to fulfill with the woman of my dreams.

Rei’s Point of View

I had morning breath, and I knew my morning breath was epic. There was no way I was going to let Xavier kiss me with my swamp mouth. Then, as soon as I was about to get out of bed, I looked down at my body and froze. My body was not firm or toned, and I had stretch marks on my stomach from when I carried my three children. How could he even think for a moment that I was beautiful?

Despite my best efforts, I couldn't stop thinking about the kindness and comfort he had shown me. Xavier didn’t judge, brush aside my feelings or mock me. As he helped me into one of his t-shirts, I couldn't help but admire his toned physique and the intricate tattoos on his arms. His eyes were filled with desire, and his large member was already hard and glistening with excitement. He wanted me again. My mind couldn’t make sense of this, but my heart was soaring at how this man made me feel.

I silently said a prayer of thanks that I had the foresight to leave my bag in the bathroom last night. I dug out the toothbrush I’d brought and used the toothpaste I found on the counter to ensure my breath was fresh and my teeth were clean. I used the water and soap to wash myself in the key areas quickly, then put on some deodorant and perfume. I would still need to shower, but that would come later. I wanted to get back into bed with Xavier and finish what he had started before I left to use the washroom. He did call me a naughty girl, after all.