With his nerve inknots, Xyrus watched Lana take a deep breath, preparing to tell him her story. He had wanted answers, but now that they were staring him in the face, he wasn’t sure he was ready.
Things had been so perfect, right up until they weren’t, and he wanted to know what had ruined them. But he didn’t want to ruin the good times they had shared together. It was a tricky place to be, but when Lana's eyes connected with his, he knew he was out of time.
“The man that came to the event last night was Danny Asunta Buenaford. His mother is Filipina like me, and his Dad is American. Of course, he is technically speaking, he is my husband.”Lana's admission was made with shame in her eyes and Xyrus instantly felt guilty for the anger he had felt.
When Lana used the word husband, he felt defensive and territorial, ready to tear this maIt was dark and cold in the home that resembled a castle. Hiding in a back room they rarely used for anything other than guests, Lana could hear Danny marching through the house as he searched for her. His steps were heavy and from the slurring of his words, she knew he had been drinking. It seemed that more and more frequently he was coming home from his Hollywood parties with an axe to grind. She had barely recovered from his last late night of closed fists and hurtful insults. She didn’t want to be his punching bag tonight, so she hid in silence, listening closely for his every move.“Where the fuck are you, you stupid bitch?!” Dan yelled so loudly Lana thought the walls shook. She gasped from the shock of his tone, and instantly regretted it.“Oh, I hear you now.” His voice grew closer with every word until the bedroom door swung open.With reddened eyes and a tired look on his
“Mr. Ashington, I think, we should at least try to refurbish last year’s designs if we’re not going to use them,” Eros pleaded. He was in charge of the inventory of pet accessories and Xyrus's latest decision to get rid of the older designs sent him in a frenzy. “Eros, I’ll give you forty-eight hours to come up with a profitable alternative, but it just seems to me that we’re carrying over a loss.” Xy doubled down on his point. It was the third meeting of the morning for Xyrus, and he could feel himself getting more uptight as the minutes passed. He couldn’t focus the way he used to, blocking out everything around him. Leaving Lana alone had left him feeling anxious, hoping nothing happened while he was away. Meanwhile, he’d also been trying to work through all Lana had told him about her past relationship with her husband, which was still a strange concept for Xyrus to accept. He just couldn’t wrap his mind around Lana running from one city to the next, trying to escape the c
An ambulance driving by woke Lana after an unexpected slumber. When Xyrus left her alone in the apartment, it suddenly felt cold and lonely. She had run from one room to the next, looking in every closet and under her bed, fearful that Danny had found her.Once she was satisfied that she was alone, she did what she always did when Dan found her—she pulled her suitcase from the closet and began to throw her things in, ready to hit the road and run again. It had never been difficult, but this time was different. When she thought of leaving the friends she had made, and job she was growing to love, Lana decided she wasn’t ready to go.It was an emotional battle, one she lost to her bout of tears and frantic screams. When she finally threw the suitcase from the bed, she collapsed with exhaustion. It wasn’t until she finally woke up that she realized how tired she was.After Dan showed up at the charity event, Lana stayed up through the night—first arguing with him, and then finding a
"Do you see what I mean? You just need to find a way to alter the design for less than your inventory cost,” Xyrus explained, as he pointed to the statistical report in front of him.Glancing at the sheet, Eros nodded in agreement. “Yeah, but Xyrus, these aren’t the same type of costumes as the new designs.”“That’s why I suggested just scrapping them altogether. Donate them to a charity or find a better use for them, but the cost of storing them has made them too expensive to continue to carry over,” Xyrys said.Eros nodded again before telling Xy he would draw up some solutions and send them over to his office. It was another meeting that Xy insisted on scheduling. After his morning reign of terror, he wanted to correct the relationships he might have damaged, or at least altered. Eros was one of his oldest employees, joining the company when they first bought commercial space, so he didn’t want to offend or ostracize such an integral part of his organization. When his mind was f
“Hello, I have reservation for two under Xyrus Ashinton," Xyrus announced.“Mr. Ashington?” The young male host repeated his name, like he couldn’t believe it was him.“That’s me,” Xyrus offered a half a smile.“Yes, sir! Of course. Please, this way,” the young man said, before grabbing two menus and leading Lana and Xyrus through the dining area.As they walked through the restaurant, Lana was wondering what the host’s reaction was all about. She knew Xy was a big deal and respected in his professional world, but from the way the host reacted she would have thought Xy was a movie star.“The best table in the restaurant, sir,” the host began, as they arrived at a table for four.“Is that so?” Xy asked.“Yes, sir. You have the best view of the water, and you get more privacy than anywhere else. Will this be okay for you, sir?” “Of course. Thanks a lot,” Xy smiled, before pulling Lana’s chair out so she could be seated.After placing the menus on the table, the host informed Lana and X
Lana couldn't believe those words had just come out of her mouth. Why had she invited him up? But Xyrus was everything a real man should be. He made her feel safe, which was a welcome feeling after being afraid for so long. And the way he looked at her made her feel like the only woman in the room. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder if Xy was too good to be true. He seemed the exact opposite of Dan in so many ways. Would the fantasy end soon? She hoped it didn’t, but the cold reality of her life was always weighing on her. When he opened the passenger door, she got out, her ribs still sore when she moved. “How are you feeling?” he asked. “What do you mean?” she asked. He glanced her way. “I noticed you winced when you got out of the car.”She looked at him and smiled. “I’m okay. Just a little stiff.”He was shaking his head, muttering something under his breath. “I am so sorry, sweetheart. I will never forgive myself for letting you out of my sigh
Xyrus woke up with a smile on his face. It was a smile of complete satisfaction and contentment. A beautiful woman was curled up next to him, her soft curves pressed against his much harder and hairier body. The bruises on her arms were evident in the bright light of the morning sun streaming through the white curtains. He hated to see the evidence of the attack she had endured. It was like a vice being squeezed around his heart. She mumbled something in her sleep, rolling to her back, and nearly hitting him in the nose with the back of her hand. He turned his head, narrowly missing the accidental attack. She settled back into sleep, her face now resting against his bare chest. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Her chin tilted up, her eyes opened and looked into his. “Good morning,” he said, with a warm smile. “It’s certainly starting off on the right foot,” she smiled in return. “It definitely is. How are you feeling?”“I’m fine, truly I am.”His fingertips rubbed up
It was a good day.No, it was a great day. Lana felt peppy. She had more energy than usual—a trend she was beginning to appreciate. She caught herself humming as she restocked the small refrigerator in the front area. “You are positively giddy,” Tina said, almost accusingly. “I am, aren’t I?” Lana replied. She shrugged a shoulder as she looked at the screen highlighting the drink orders and set to work.The bakery was always busy, which she liked. It made the time fly by and she loved chatting with the customers. They rarely got any cranky customers and the regulars had welcomed her and made her feel right at home. She listened to Tina laughing and joking with the steady stream of customers. Lana heard a male voice behind her as she stood at the machine, making one of what felt like a hundred specialty drinks. She turned around, hoping it would be Xyrus, but found a stranger at the counter instead.The voices were similar, but the men couldn’t be more different. Xyrus was tall, h
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