Chapter 24
The phone rang early the next morning. Justine couldn’t get it because Xavier was taking her from behind, her hands braced against the dresser while he plowed in and out of her.
“More, yes,” she hissed as he shoved faster. She touched herself, her orgasm looming like a storm cloud that suddenly released.
She cried out as she came, and he followed soon after, shuddering as he jetted into the condom.
He sighed her name and hugged her to him, his hands roaming from her belly to cup her breasts.
A surge of heat made her shiver, the feel of his large hands as he caressed her one more point of intimate contact between them.
She felt his kisses along her neck. He pushed her hair aside and kissed the shell of her ear then whispered, “You make me lose all sense.”
She smiled and clenched him tightly inside her, stifling a laugh as he gave another groan.
“Damn. If this keeps up, I might die of sheer exhaustion. Or dehydration.”
He withdrew and turned her around to hug her. “Not to be gross, but I don’t think I have anything left inside me to fill any more condoms.”
She flushed and kissed his chest. “Not to be gross.”
He snickered and left her for the bathroom.
Tingly and happy to her core, Justine fell back into bed. They’d been like rabid bunnies for hours last night, using up a lot more condoms than she’d needed the last six months. Fortunately, she had the day off as a flex day, giving her a three day weekend she hoped to continue with Xavier.
Last night had been spectacular. They hadn’t been able to get enough of each other, and the sex had been both intense and fun. Xavier made her laugh, made her moan, made her come.
Every. Time.
That never happened. Or at least, it hadn’t with her past lovers.
Maybe because she was too inside her own head while with those men.
Unable to turn off her thoughts that she might in some way be disappointing them.
That she wasn’t smart enough. Or that she wore that extra ten pounds in a bad way.
But with Xavier, nothing but sensation took over her mind.
Feeling his large, hot hands stroking her, listening to his moans and demands she take her pleasure first. Xavier refused to come until she’d been pleasured, and that unselfishness was both shocking and refreshing.
She stretched and smiled, feeling more than satisfied.
Truth to tell, she felt a little anxious. Last night, she’d almost asked him to date her for real, using labels like boyfriend and girlfriend. Only a faint sense of self-preservation had stopped her from blurting out how much she’d grown to care for him.
A man who saw himself as her friend, her lover, and her fake boyfriend.
Thus far, the sex they shared hadn’t soured the relationship. She’d be an idiot to seek more when he was already giving her so much.
Right?
He returned, still naked, and she watched him crawl under the sheets to join her. She loved looking at him. For a man with a sedentary job sitting behind a desk talking to patients, he sure had an athlete’s build.
“How are you so muscular?”
He turned on his side and flexed his free arm. “You think I’m big, you should see my sister.”
She laughed. “I have seen her. But I haven’t seen her flexing.”
“We’ll have to change that.” He leaned in for a kiss. “Have I told you yet how glad I am that you have the day off? Got any plans?” He moved to her neck and took a big sniff. “Ah. You smell so good.”
“Eu de Sex?”
He pulled back and tugged her on top of him, then forced her to sit up and stared at her breasts now bared by the sheets pooled around her waist. “Yeah.” He wiggled his brows.
She laughed. “Lech.”
“That’s me. Hannibal Lecher.”
“Very funny.”
“I aim to please.” He ran his thumb over her left nipple. “I’ve gotta say it. I love your breasts. They’re the perfect handful.”
“Oh stop.” Yet she leaned into his touch.
He smirked. “Perhaps I’m not the only one who’s putty in your hands.”
“Huh?” She deliberately misunderstood, teasing him. “How am I putty in my own hands?”
“Smartass. I meant you’re kind of melting in my hands.” He shifted under her. “Melting on my stomach, actually. You get so wet for me. It’s so sexy.”
“You love making me blush, don’t you?”
“I do.” He chuckled. “So you didn’t answer. What are your plans for the day?”
“I—” The phone rang, reminding her she’d missed a call earlier.
“Crap. Hold that thought.” She reached over him to grab for her cell and froze when his lips closed around her nipple.
He sucked and kissed, nibbling.
She clutched his head.
When he pulled back, she couldn’t help being disappointed. Every time they touched she felt closer to him. Despite the danger to her heart, she couldn’t help wanting more with Xavier.
“We’ll get back to that later.” He winked. “I hope. Since you have some time off, I was thinking we could spend the day together.” He paused. “I mean, unless you have stuff to do.”
“I think that would be nice.” A day spent with Xavier, just hanging out together. No terrible boss, no pushy family, just a sexy man at her disposal. “Although, I was hoping to go get myself a massage today as a reward for surviving the family dinner.”
His eyes sparkled, his grin wide. “A massage, eh? I can give you a massage.” He looked her over and stroked her ribs and belly. “In fact, I can’t wait to oil you up.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“But maybe after some breakfast? I’m starving. It takes a lot of energy to keep up with you.”
“Me? You’re the one with the stamina.” Was he ever.
“I am, aren’t I?” He sounded smug, and she laughed.
Before she could respond, the phone rang again. As did his.
They reached on opposite nightstands.
“Hello?” They said at the same time to their respective callers.
“Well it’s about damn time,” Justine’s aunt said in a raspy voice. “Where the hell have you been, girl?”
“Me? You’re the one not returning my calls.” Warmth unfurled, her aunt’s familiar voice a soothing balm where her family had rubbed her raw.
“Sorry, Mom. I meant to call you last night,” Xavier was saying.
“Hmm. Is that Xavier I hear?” Aunt Rosie asked. “Exactly what time is it there?”
Justine glanced at her phone. Seven a.m. “Er, what time is it there?”
“It’s four o’clock in the afternoon, and I’m sharing wine and antipasti with a handsome Italian count.” A man’s deep laughter, followed by words in Italian, followed.
“Oh, nice. How’s Tuscany, Aunt Rosie?”
Xavier tiptoed out of bed and grabbed his underwear before darting out of the room.
“I know that was Xavier,” Rosie muttered.
“Fine. Don’t tell your aunt about the man in your room at—” more low Italian rumbling “seven in the morning. And I know you, Ms. Not a Morning Person. So if there’s a man there, it’s because he was sleeping in your bed.
” Trust Aunt Rosie to sound both smug and happy about that fact. “It’s about time.”
“What?”
“Wait. Oh no. It’s not Mitch, is it?”
“No, we broke up. That’s why I moved in here, remember?”
Rosie sighed with relief. “Good. Just making sure you didn’t backslide into boring-ville. So. That was Xavier, wasn’t it?”
Justine sat up and pulled the sheet over her chest, as if her aunt could see and know all from abroad. “Uh, maybe.”
Rosie burst into laughter. “I knew it.”
“I told you so.”
Justine paused, that voice she’d overheard not her aunt’s. “Hey, that sounded like Kai.”
“You mean, amazing, must-read, bestselling children’s book author, Kai Strand? Why yes, yes it was.” Rosie added in a lower voice, “She’s currently teasing Guillermo’s cousin and brother. Kai’s quite the hussy.”
Kai laughed, and more male voices joined her in the background.
Then Rosie said, “I’m pleased for you, kid. So tell me what’s been going on. I miss you.”
Justine smiled. Aunt Rosie had always been on her side whenever Justine needed a friend. Someone not intimidated by her parents or ruled by a need to earn millions, despite being savvier than Lyle Ferrara when it came to investing, though on a much smaller scale.
Justine cleared her throat. “Well, I’ve made a great friend in Xavier. I convinced him to be my plus-one for Mallory’s wedding, which saved me from having to go to the wedding with one of dad’s cronies.”
“Oh boy. Lay it on me.”
Conscious that Xavier was in the other room, Justine didn’t want to talk too long.
But she did miss her aunt and ended up telling the woman a bit of everything.
What Katie was up to, about the terrible boss and unfulfilling job, her new neighbors, and her “fake” boyfriend, Xavier—minus the sex parts.
“I knew you two would hit it off.”
“Really? You never mentioned him before I moved in. And then you only said he was a decent enough neighbor who didn’t make too much noise below you.”
“All true.” Her aunt chuckled. “Didn’t hurt that he’s handsome, intelligent, and well-off financially.”
“Oh? He’s on a break from work, from what I know.” She lowered her voice. “But he’s an LMFT. He can’t be a bazillionaire.” Not working as a therapist.
“Still on a break? I figured he’d be back to work by now. Talk about slacking.”
“What?”
Rosie laughed but didn’t answer. “I’m glad you’re doing well, socially. But honey, that boss and the extra job you’re not getting paid for need to go.”
“I know.”
“Speaking of needing to go… Your mother. Is she still being a pushy bitch?”
“Aunt Rosie,” Justine said, sputtering with laughter.
“That’s a yes, then.”
“Kind of. I just… I wish Mallory wasn’t marrying Ted. She’s too good for him.”
“But it’s her choice. Just like it was Angela’s to follow your dad into business and marry the man he approved of. Good old Scott. What a gem,” Rosie said dryly. “And now they’re trying to procreate, you say?”
“Yep. And Mallory will be soon enough. She’s getting married next week, you know. Eight more days.”
“I wish I could be there.” Pause. “No, I really don’t. But I’ll get her a nice wedding gift and celebrate it when I get back. But enough about your idiot sister.”