“Did you see him out there? He’s so hot!” A woman’s voice shrieked from the sinks. Lana Reign was still in the stall when she caught the tail end of the conversation.“You know he donated everything, right? He’s like a billionaire!” Another woman chimed in as Lana readied herself to leave the stall.“He’s with some model in a purple gown,” the first woman answered, as they both turned to see Lana stumbling out of the stall as she realized they were talking about her.“I’m sorry. We didn’t know you were in there,” the woman rushed to explain, but she wasn’t offended at all.“It’s okay. I’m not a model though,” she corrected the girl as she washed her hands.“You sure do look like it,” the other added, and they all three laughed together.She had never found it difficult to make friends, and there in the bathroom of a charity event she had created what she thought could become a friendship, after meeting two women gossiping about her date.The interaction made her wonder what Xy was to
Hearing her name belted out in such an elegant setting stopped Lana in her tracks. Danny's voice bellowed so loudly that everyone turned around, curious as to who could be so absurd. Dressed in the world’s most expensive designer labels, the who’s who of Taguig City were not used to the behavior they were being forced to witness. Humiliated, Lana stopped, feeling as though everyone in the conference hall knew it was her the crazy man was after. She could feel herself shrinking as Dan stormed across the room. He seemed larger than she remembered, his broad shoulders pushed back with the arrogant confidence that comes with power. After leaving Xyrus to go to the bathroom, she was almost certain she had made up the sighting, thinking her paranoia was getting the best of her again. It wasn’t uncommon for her to think she saw Danny when she was out, but it had rarely actually been him. Mostly, he sent his security staff to do his dirty work, and Lana would run before the
“What the hell was that?” Wind asked, turning towards the exit of the gala. His charity event was going perfectly until that man had barged into the party screaming from across the room. Thankfully, Wind's awesome staff had quickly diverted the guests from the outburst by kicking up the bass from the band. The party had moved so swiftly, hardly anyone in the conference room was thinking about the brief chaotic moment by now. “I don’t know—” Xyrus answered, his words fading as he watched the front doors, waiting for some sort of explanation.“She knew who he was,” Akira noted, her face twisted quizzically, like she was trying to figure out a puzzle. Xyrus paused, watching the wheels turn in the minds of his two oldest friend, as they tried to help him make sense of the night. Akira had been as excited as he was when he’d decided to bring Lana to the charity event. And after Xyrus had played the matchmaker, getting Akira and Wind together after years of harmless flirting,
With the left side of her body pressed against the car door, Lana fought for as much space as she could find in the backseat of the taxi. Thankfully, Danny had been able to hail a driver pretty quickly, adding a quick ending to the worst night of her life.It was surreal, watching the city she had grown to love fading by as Danny hurled profanities in her direction. In the darkness, B.G.C looked gloomier than usual, and Lana wondered to herself if it was a sign. Could she have been wrong in thinking this city was for her?Just when she began to doubt herself, the concern in Xyrus's green eyes burned into the forefront of her memory. When Danny led her out of the charity event, squeezing her arm in a way that was sure to leave a bruise, she glanced back to see Xy standing like a statue, watching with a fiery gaze.It was a new emotion she hadn’t seen him wear, but it was enough to help her remember that something strong was growing between them. Leaving with Dan was the best way f
Still in shock, Xyrus stood on the stairs of the hotel for much longer than he anticipated. When an older man disrupted his thoughts by asking for the time, he decided to return to the event.As Xy walked through the front doors, Wind excitedly walked towards him with the look of a man who needed a favor. Knowing it was time to put on a brave face, Xyrus straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath just before Wind arrived with a graying woman beside him.“Mr. Ashington, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she introduced herself, stepping in front of Wind to extend her hand to Xyrus.“The pleasure is all mine,” Xyrus took her hand into both of his.“Samantha Hughes,” she said, before Xyrus could ask her name. She was a sassy gal, and the men shared a smile thinking of how hot she must have been in her day.“I’m very glad we got to meet,” he added.“I asked Wind here if you would be at the event tonight and he promised to introduce us,” she explained, turning the spotlight on
Awakened by a painful ache in her back, Lana blinked slowly, trying to place the contemporary crown molding on the ceiling. It surely wasn’t her bedroom, and the memories came rushing back when her eyes landed on Danny's scowl. Even in his sleep he was intimidating.After a long night of fighting, Lana found it difficult to sit up, her abdomen sore from a collision with a wall. After berating her while finishing off a bottle of brandy, Dan began shoving Lana between threats. He couldn’t believe she had actually moved on and started a new life without him, and vowed to take her to pack up her apartment first thing in the morning. He wanted Lana to pack everything up and move back to California, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she was that giving up her life as she knew now it wasn’t an option.It had taken too long and too much effort for Lana to build up to the safe space she now depended on. Her life wasn’t perfect, but she had the freedom to be herself and
Awakened by a painful ache in her back, Lana blinked slowly, trying to place the contemporary crown molding on the ceiling. It surely wasn’t her bedroom, and the memories came rushing back when her eyes landed on Danny's scowl. Even in his sleep he was intimidating.After a long night of fighting, Lana found it difficult to sit up, her abdomen sore from a collision with a wall. After berating her while finishing off a bottle of brandy, Dan began shoving Lana between threats. He couldn’t believe she had actually moved on and started a new life without him, and vowed to take her to pack up her apartment first thing in the morning. He wanted Lana to pack everything up and move back to California, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she was that giving up her life as she knew now it wasn’t an option.It had taken too long and too much effort for Lana to build up to the safe space she now depended on. Her life wasn’t perfect, but she had the freedom to be herself and
Sitting in his living room, Xyrus stretched out on the sectional sofa. He’d finished the last of his third glass of whiskey, which he had decided must be his last. It was unlike him to drink that much, but his mind had been racing since he left the charity event. The night was passing slower than usual, his thoughts forcing him to replay one of the craziest nights of his life. It still didn’t feel real, learning that Lana was married. Xyrus had so many questions, but without a way to find the truth, he tried to convince himself to let it go.Helplessness wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Running a billion-dollar empire left Xyrus feeling powerful. There was rarely a time he couldn’t bring his visions to life or find a way to achieve anything he set his mind to. In some ways he appreciated being able to feel emotions that he hadn’t felt in years. Without sharing his life with a woman for so long, Xy wasn’t used to thinking of someone else or considering their safety above his
Lana felt his warm body next to her and smiled. His heavy leg was draped across hers as he softly breathed in and out, his long eyelashes resting against his face as he slept. She stared at him for a while, admiring his handsomeness. The jaw stubble was already making an appearance on his face, giving him the rough, sexy look that she adored. He had made it a habit not to shave on the weekends, which she thoroughly appreciated. Living with him had taken a little getting used to, but now she could never imagine her life any other way. When Xyrus had asked her to move in, she had been hesitant at first. She was worried they were rushing into things. It seemed like it was too soon, but then after thinking about it and talking it over with Tina, she realized there was no hard and fast rule about when it was the right time. She felt it and he felt it and that was all that mattered. They’d been living together for a month and every day when she woke up, she got to see him. That was the bes
They were able getting to double date with Wind and Akira. His friends were supposed to be going to some charity event, but Wind had bailed at the last minute, more interested in a night out as a foursome than sitting in some stuffy ballroom wearing a tux. Since they’d had so much fun at the bar the last time they all went out, they had all voted to go back again.Akira and Xyrus returned from their bathroom visit and sat down at the table. Xyrus loved that they were becoming friends. They were very different in many ways, but they were part of his circle. They helped balance him, each of his close-knit group of friends bringing a little something different to the table.“Ahhh!” Lana screamed, throwing her hands into the air when the first few twangs on the guitar filled the bar.“What’s wrong?” Xyrus asked, looking around the crowded room.“I love this song!” she screamed, acting like a teenager at a rock concert, swaying her arms back and forth, her loose hair hanging down her back
Danny was walking straight for her, a murderous look in his eyes. If she was smart, she would run. She didn’t run. Instead, she threw her shoulders back and defiantly stared back at him. She wasn’t going to back down, not when she had made so much progress to shut him down. Xyrus was beside her in a flash, his arm around her shoulders, facing off against Danny right alongside her.Laura and a few of the other attorneys were standing nearby. The tension in the room was palpable. Danny’s anger was practically radiating off of him as they faced off in the hall. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized she might get hurt. Danny might get a punch in before Xyrus could stop him. She had accepted the risk and was willing to take a hit if it meant there would be witnesses that could finally back up her story. Danny would be held accountable for his actions—finally.“If you ever call me, call my job, show up at my place or show your face in my presence ever again, I will destroy you,” s
She looked happy. That was a good sign. He waited, not moving as she threw open the glass door and strolled towards him. She was looking at him, that sexy gleam in her eyes. It had gone well. She walked right up to him and kissed him.“Hey sweetheart,” he whispered.“Hi,” she said, turning to stand beside him, his arm snaked around her and held her close to him as he watched Danny stomp out of the conference room.“Why don’t we all move back into the conference room,” Laura suggested, looking at Danny and the other lawyers.Xyrus made a move to head into the conference room. “Are you going back in?” he whispered into Lana’s ear.“Actually, I don’t think we need you,” Laura said, looking at Lana and smiling.Lana shook her head. “Nope, I don’t think you do.”“I thought this was a settlement meeting. I’m in no mood for games. We did not fly up here for another wasted meeting. Your client will be paying for all of this,” Danny’s attorney started to say.“I’ll be in, give me a minute
Her palms were sweaty, and her stomach felt like it was filled with a million butterflies as she did her best to control her nerves. She couldn’t let Danny know he had her on edge. Her plan hinged on her being the one in control. It was important to turn the tables on him, let him know she was not afraid and would not run anymore. She glanced behind her, looking out the windows of the conference room to see Xyrus and Laura talking. They were conspiring to separate Danny from his lawyers. She couldn’t present her evidence if there were attorneys in the room. That would ruin the upper hand she wanted to hold onto for as long as possible. Her plan hinged on only her knowing about Danny’s illegal activities. Lana closed her eyes, inhaled and tried to relax. When she moved her hands away from the smooth table, she noticed palm prints left behind. She wiped her hands on the pantsuit she was wearing and prayed Danny showed up soon before she lost her nerve. She heard voices and turned t
He closed the laptop and powered down his office computer before standing up, righting his suit and grabbing his wallet from his desk drawer. It was a good day. The week was off to a great start and he had finally caught up on all the work that had been piling up since the day Lana had disappeared. It had been a little embarrassing to realize how badly he had let things slide as he focused all his time and energy on finding Lana. Now that she was back and determined to stay, he was able to focus on his company. He was already planning on extravagant gifts to be delivered to his management team that had picked up the slack. He had a whole new lease on life and had a little extra spunk as he looked forward to what he hoped was a very promising future with Lana.“I’m headed out,” he said, stopping at Akira’s desk.“Tell Wind I said hi,” she said with a smile.Xyrus chuckled. “I will. Thank you for letting me borrow him.”She giggled. “I can share him. Just don’t forget he’s mine after f
It felt good to wake up in her own bed, in her own place. Although it was nice to wake up with Xyrus, she had been longing for her bedroom and all the little things she had left behind. When she had been on the run, she had nothing special with her. She had picked up nothing and taken nothing. That had all changed in Taguig. She had enjoyed little shopping sprees at the secondhand stores picking up cool little things that helped her personalize her home. When she’d left, everything had stayed behind. She opened her eyes and rolled to her side, grabbing her phone off her bedside table and finding a text from Xyrus. He was always so thoughtful, wishing her a good morning and a good night every day when they weren’t together. She had missed him when she was gone; far more than she had even thought she would. Her next order of business was to grovel at Tina’s feet and beg for forgiveness. She’d been completely horrible as a friend and she wanted to make it up to one of the only friends
Somewhere deep inside, he was holding his breath. It wasn’t a literal holding of his breath, but more of his brain waiting to hear what she had to say. He knew what he wanted her to say and was sure after their warm welcome it was the most obvious thing to say, but he didn’t know for sure.She was looking at him, but not talking.“What is it sweetheart?” he asked, gently swiping her mussed hair from her face.She looked hot and sexy and better than any magazine centerfold he had ever seen. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips red and swollen from the intense kissing and her hair looked as if she had been standing inside a tornado. She took sexy seductress to an entirely new level.“I’m sorry I left without saying a word. I should have told you,” she started, and he felt his heart sink. It wasn’t what he thought it would be and definitely not what he wanted to hear.“It’s okay, I understand you were doing what you thought you had to. I need you to know I am here for you. Please don’t run
Her body was sliding down the wall, she couldn’t stand up another second after the orgasm had rocked her to her very core. He stood, wrapping his arms around her and holding her against him while her legs slowly became a little steadier.She looked up at him and felt so much for this man who had a way of stripping her down to her rawest self in every way, while handling her so tenderly. She knew he would never hurt her and she wanted him to know how much she cared for him. Leaving him had been a horrible thing to do. Making it up to him was her new mission. She wanted to show him how much she wanted him in her life.“My turn,” she said, her voice thick with desire.“Let’s go in my room,” he said, kissing the side of her neck.She shook her head. “Not yet.”In a flash, she dropped to her knees on the cold marble floor, yanking his sweats down his body. His thick erection was directly in her face, sending spirals of heat through her body. She thought about how good it felt when he put h