Xavier (Men of Forbidden Temptation Book 5)

Chapter 1

The wind is howling,and the sun is hiding behind thick black clouds. It’s a normal summer day in the South during hurricane season.

All two hundred and thirty-six full-time residents of Scarlett Island are scrambling to board up their businesses and houses before the storm hits in a couple of days.

I grab my phone and redial the same number I’ve been calling for the past two and a half hours.

“Damn it, Austin, where are you? You should have been here hours ago. I can’t deal with this shit right now. I have to help board up the house.”

Sure, he’s been late to our dates before and even skipped a couple all together, but he’s never missed my family’s dinner, especially right before a category three hurricane.

I find his best friend’s number in my contact list and call him. He answers before I can even get the phone to my ear.

“Brianna? Is everything alright?”

His question is more high pitched than his usual tone. I’m not sure if he’s more surprised I’m calling him at all or that I’m calling on a Saturday afternoon after he and my boyfriend were at the bar all night.

“Andy? Hey, I’m sorry to bother you with the storm prep going on, but I was wondering if you knew where Austin was? He’s not returning my phone calls or texts.”

“I haven’t heard from him since we left the bar early this morning. He might be helping his family board up their shop. Is there something you need?”

I shake my head even though he can’t see me through the phone.

“I helped his family board up the shop last night after they closed, and he’s supposed to be here for dinner with my family.”

“Oh, shit.” Andy blows out a breath. “I can call him and tell him to get to your house.”

“Don’t bother. Between him missing our date nights and never showing up on time, it’s clear I’m not worth his time. If you do speak to him before I do, tell him we’re over. I’m done.”

I hang up my phone and toss it onto the patio table that we still have to move inside.

Three years down the drain. Three years of my life wasted on someone I thought I would spend the rest of my life with.

Dad wants me to marry someone else, anyone else, someone with greater social status, but I want to marry for love, not social status or family connections.

My mom’s voice drifts over to me from the yard below. “Bri, are you okay?”

I clear the emotion from my throat and say, “Yeah. I will be.”

“So, no Austin today?” She looks at the time on her watch.

“Nope. He won’t be coming around anymore.” I try to keep my voice strong, but it cracks with emotion.

Mom climbs the steps at lightning speed and pulls me into one of her patented mom comfort hugs.

As soon as her arms wrap around me, the tears fall.

“Oh, honey, it will all be alright.”

I shake my head as my tears soak her shirt. “I thought he was the one.”

“Bri, there will be several guys that you think are the ones. You’re beautiful, smart, and still young. You have plenty of time.”

I blow out a shaky breath and take a couple of steps back.

“Mom, I look exactly like you.”

She props her perfectly manicured hand on her hip.

“Exactly, so I know how beautiful you are.” She grins and winks, causing a small smile to form on my face.

“You’re awfully conceited.” I tease.

“I’m not conceited. I’m confident and loved.” She gazes down at Dad, who is stacking our lawn chairs to move them into the storage down below.

I want to find a love like theirs.

A love so pure and strong that it can overcome anything. A love that ages like fine wine, only getting better the longer they are together.

“Mom, I’m twenty-six, almost twenty-seven. Everyone my age is married with kids or close to being married with kids.”

“So? Women my age are grandmas. One is even a great-grandma, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for me. Stop comparing yourself to others. Believe me, the right person will come into your life when you least expect it.”

I chuckle. “You make it sound like love is an approaching storm, like it’s going to sweep me off my feet and leave me spiraling.”

Mom shrugs. Her long blonde hair blows in the wind as she spins around to face Dad.

“That’s how it was when I met your father. He turned my world upside down. It didn’t matter that I was already engaged. He wanted me, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Dad yells up to us. “You’re going to fill her head with the wrong idea of me, Elizabeth.”

Mom yells back with laughter in her voice. “I’m not lying, John, and you know it.”

Dad puts up the lawn chairs before joining us on the back deck. “I thought Austin was supposed to come over today for dinner?”

Mom glares at him.

Dad’s gaze moves from me to Mom, back to me. “Am I missing something?”

“I broke up with Austin.” My voice is low so Dad can’t hear the emotion in it.

His eyes widen. “You did? When?”

I glance up at the darkened sky. “Well, I kind of broke up with him. I did it through Andy since Austin’s not returning my calls or texts.”

“Hmm, well, I’m glad you broke up with him.”

Mom’s mouth falls open, and she slaps Dad’s arm so hard the outline of her handprint immediately shows up.

“John!”

“What?” He looks confused at her shocked expression.

“Say something comforting, would you?”

“Well, uh, let’s see.” He thinks for a moment. “I’m sorry you are hurting, but I’m glad you figured it out before you married him. He’s not good enough for you.”

“John! That is not what I meant.” Mom stares at him, bewildered.

Dad looks at me and pulls me into a hug. I laugh and say, “Thanks, Dad. I know you only want what’s best for me.”

“Of course, I do. And because I want what’s best for you, I’m sending you to the bonfire early.”

I glance around at the rest of the furniture that needs to be brought in. “We still have a lot to do.”

“Your mom and I can handle the rest. Go, and have fun. We will try to join you a little later. I heard there’s going to be a crowd tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

Mom chimes in. “Yes, honey, we’re sure. Go have fun with Candace. Be safe. Call if you need a ride home.”

“Thanks, Mom, but I’m only having one drink.” With one last glance around, I run inside to grab my phone, keys, and wallet before hopping in my convertible and driving toward the south end of the island.

By the time I park in Zach’s Seafood Shack’s parking lot, the bonfire party is in full swing. The sun is setting, but the last of the sun’s rays still cannot peek through the clouds.

I follow the crowd across the street to the beach and down the steps before heading straight to the beer cooler.

“Hey, Sheriff.” I greet before grabbing an ice cold beer from his cooler.

He takes a swig of his beer and nods his head toward me. “Evening, Bri. Did your family get all secured?”

“Almost. Mom and Dad are just finishing up. They might join us a little later.” I open my beer and toss the cap into the recycling bin.

The sheriff glances around as partygoers laugh and dance around the fire. “Be safe tonight. The storm has brought in a lot of out-of-towners.”

“Will do, sheriff. Enjoy your night, too.”

I head towards the enormous bonfire, stepping over one of the empty logs that were placed for sitting. No one ever sits at the bonfire. They always huddle in their cliques.

The sheriff was right, though. There’s more people here than ever before.

Why would they come to the island when the hurricane is expected to hit in a couple of days?

The town has been throwing a bonfire before the first hurricane of the season for five years now, but this one feels different.

Could it be because I’m newly single?

Austin always came to these with me in the past. It was always a romantic date night for us.

I shake my head. No, that’s stupid. I can enjoy the bonfire if I’m single or in a relationship.

Wanting to be away from the large crowd, I head toward the water’s edge. I sit down in the sand and take a large sip of my beer.

I get lost in the ebb and flow of the waves until loud cheering grabs my attention.

Turning around, I see Andy walking toward me with a sympathetic look on his face. Glancing behind him, my gaze locks onto Austin and Candace wrapped all around each other in a passionate embrace.

My mouth falls open as I let out a loud gasp.

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m on my feet and stomping my way past Andy.

“Brianna, wait.” Andy calls after me, but I set my eyes on the target.

Candace and Austin don’t even break apart when I get to them. “What the fuck?”

Austin pulls away from Candace, and without looking at me, he says, “You broke up with me, Brianna.”

Is he fucking for real right now?

“Yeah, less than an hour ago!” I yell, grabbing the attention of everyone nearby.

He turns his head slightly to look at me. “You still did it. I’m single, so I can kiss and fuck whoever I want.”

Ignoring him, I turn my attention to my best friend. “So, this just happened?”

Neither one of them answers me, and I know this thing between them didn’t just start. They’ve been together, and from the look of things, they’ve been together for a while.

Probably the entire time I was with him.

I need to schedule an appointment to make sure he didn’t give me anything.

“Candace, you’re supposed to be my best friend. What the hell?”

“I was only your friend because your dad is the Mayor, and my mom works for him. It was a way for our families to get closer and mine to gain social status.”

My mouth opens, but no words come out. I’m so pissed, I can’t speak.

She pretended to be my friend to jump the social ladder? Who the fuck does that?

I down the rest of my beer and head down the beach. I need to get as far away from them as I can.

My breathing quickens, my heart pounds with rage, and my hands ball into tight fists. I want to scream and punch something.

Or someone. Make that two someones.

I concentrate on my breathing. In through my nose. Out of my mouth.

After several minutes, my fast steps slow to a stroll, and my racing heart returns to normal.

How could I not see this? For fuck’s sake, I work for the police department as a profiler. I should have been able to tell that Austin was being unfaithful.

All those unanswered calls and texts, the random late nights, and the lame excuses for the missed dates.

All red flags.

All ignored by yours truly.

Not wanting to rejoin the party, I turn towards the road, stopping when my gaze locks onto a dark, serious pair of eyes.

The stranger is sitting on the last step. His feet are resting on the sand. His gaze pierces through my invisible wall, causing my breath to hitch in my throat.

This impromptu staring contest makes me feel uncomfortable. I tear my gaze away and let it wander over the stranger.

He’s wearing a black hoodie, black cargo pants, and black combat boots. Not really the correct attire for a summer evening at the beach, but it doesn’t scream threatening to me.

It’s hard to gauge his height from the way he’s hunched over and resting his elbows on his knees, but I’d wager to say that he’s at least six feet tall.

Possibly even six-foot-two.

I’ve never seen him before. He must be an out-of-towner. My gaze makes its way back to his.

He downs the rest of his beer and stands, taking a few steps toward me. “It’s not safe for you to be wandering alone, Princess. Especially this far from the party.”

My heart races at the childish nickname. It comes out of his mouth sounding like acid. However, by the time it reaches my ear, it’s as smooth as silk.

I should hate it, but I don’t, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hear him say it again.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“I’m not a fucking princess.” I say through clenched teeth as I step closer to this stranger like he’s a magnet.

He’s taller than I imagined, pushing closer to six foot four. He towers over my above average height of five foot seven.

He shrugs and glances toward the bonfire. “If you say so, but your family is like royalty in this town.”

How does he know so much about the town and my family?

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

His dark and heated gaze locks back onto mine. “I’m no one.”

I cross my arms and glare at him. “Bullshit.”

The hint of a smile forms on his face, like he’s amused by my profanity. “Then how about you tell me who I am since you know so much?”

I stare at him before letting my gaze wander over his entire length.

He’s fit, but more than the average gym guy. His strength comes from years and years of manual labor and not from lifting weights.

He’s older than me, probably in his mid to late thirties, and his hair is cut short. As is his beard and mustache.

The wind blows his masculine scent toward me, assaulting my senses. It’s musky and woodsy, like bourbon and pine trees, filling me in ways I’ve never felt before.

How can I be turned on from cologne?

He clears his throat. “Well? Who am I?”

I stand up straighter, square my shoulders, and rattle off my thoughts.

“Male. Mid to late thirties. Out-of-towner. Fit, like you’re used to hard work. Mechanic maybe, but not likely with your haircut. Possible military, law enforcement, or government agency.”

My gaze moves to his left hand before returning to his. “And not married, possibly single. New to town and maybe ready to settle down.”

His chuckle is lighthearted and the complete opposite of his expression.

Needing to know how close I was to nailing his details, I ask, “So, was I correct?”

He smirks but doesn’t answer. “Have a good night, Princess.”

He turns around and walks away, leaving me with my thoughts.

Who was that man? And why does it feel like he lit a fire inside me? A deep, panty-melting, soul-consuming fire.

I might not have gotten his name, but I’ll find out who he is. This is a small town, and like he said, my family is practically royalty.

With a stupid grin on my face, I head to my car.

I dig my keys out of my pocket and unlock my car door. Just as I reach out to grip the handle, someone wraps one gloved hand around my mouth and the other around my waist.

Shit. I’m being kidnapped.

I try to scream, but it’s a lost cause. The only thing I can do is say a silent prayer and fight for my life.