Chapter 33
Xavier didn’t mean to, but it had been a few days. And after their marathon sex-capades at the wedding, he felt bereft, not having Justine in his arms whenever he wanted.
He tried to go slowly, but she wasn’t having it. Justine stripped naked and bent over the back of his couch, taunting him with that fine ass.
“Come on, sexy. In me.”
He took the time to drop his shorts and underwear and that was it. Stepping between her spread ankles, he positioned himself at her sex and slid inside her in one big push.
She moaned and reached between her legs, turning him on even more because she was so wet and ready for him. Nothing better than having his girlfriend want him so badly she dropped her clothes and bent over without him having to ask.
His girlfriend.
The notion made him wild, knowing she belonged to him. His. Possessive and raw, he took her with a ferocity she encouraged. Her hand moved between her legs, and as she touched herself, he surged deeper.
She cried out as she came, and her body tightened around him.
Gripping her hips and never wanting to let go, he thrust once more and lost it, jetting so hard he saw black, the ecstasy overpowering.
It took him a few moments to stop coming, his orgasm savage yet so much sweeter with Justine in his arms. Or in this case, bent over the couch. He’d never been so compatible with anyone. Sexually, mentally, emotionally. She was perfect for him.
“Damn, Xavier. You always feel so good in me.”
He leaned over her to kiss her shoulder and continued his kisses up to her ear. “Yeah, so good inside you.” He swiveled his hips, felt one final jolt as he spurted once more, then eased. “I feel like a walking hard-on around you. And yes, that’s a compliment.”
She laughed. “Such a way with words.”
Usually, but around her he started to feel tongue-tied, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. He always screwed up his relationships, found fault with one thing or another. But this time, he could find no fault with Justine, and that freaked him the hell out.
He winced as he withdrew. “Come on. Let’s get cleaned up.”
After some quality time between Justine’s legs in the shower, they managed to get clean. He leant her a shirt and pair of his shorts, which she had to cinch with a drawstring. The shirt lovingly cupped her breasts, teasing the points of her nipples when she shifted.
“I love you in my clothes.” Hell, I love you out of them too.
She gave him a shy grin, and he was overwhelmed with feeling for her. “I like wearing them. They’re so soft.” She smirked at his crotch. “Unlike you.”
“Ha ha.” He was thickening, though he should have been too tired to go again. Wanting to look like a man capable of thinking past his dick, he sat her down with him on the couch and turned to watch her. “I’m going back to work next week.”
“So you said.” She toyed with her hair.
He loved the dark color, so rich that when the sun hit it, her hair shone like umber silk. “My time will be a little more constrained, but I hope nothing changes between us.”
“Changes how?” She frowned.
“I still want to see you when you have time. But I won’t be available for a daytime quickie.” He gave a mock sigh. “Not that you’ve taken advantage of any nooners.”
She flushed. “I would if I could, but I’m stuck at work.”
He had been waiting forever to comment, but he had to say something. “Are you sure you want to keep working there?”
“No. I don’t. But I have to have a job to earn money. See, I have this pesky thing called rent.”
“Very funny.” He pulled her hair from her fingers and played with the satiny strands.
“I did finally take a call from my friend’s client. I told you she recommended me for some outside contract work. I really liked it, feeling as if I’m making my own hours.”
“Nice. Yeah, I don’t exactly miss needing to be in the office to see people. Though I like it much better than online meetings. You can’t get a great feel from them. I can’t explain it.”
“No, I understand. Much of what I do is online or through phone calls. But I’m not delving into mental health. I’m all about ads and PR and marketability.”
“Which actually does tie into mental health. You want people to buy into what your client is selling, so you tap into their wants and needs.”
“Huh. I guess you’re right.” She gave him a bright grin. “What are your wants and needs, Xavier?”
He tugged her hair and let the strands fall from his fingers. “I’m pretty sure we already took care of those.”
She laughed.
“Just being with you makes me happy,” he admitted, her blush enchanting him. “You’re so pretty.”
“Xavier.” She turned even pinker. “So, um, can I ask about Christine’s visit?”
He sighed. “If you must. But you’re ruining the moment.” He was glad to see that she didn’t blame him for the woman being here. She didn’t seem jealous either. Hmm. That kind of bothered him.
“Is she dangerous?”
He blinked. “Ah, no. At least, I don’t think so. She’s just trying to hold onto someone who’s moved on.”
“She was really pretty. Gorgeous, actually.”
“Yes, and she’s very aware of that fact. Look, Christine is a good person, but we didn’t mesh. She got too needy, which made me pull away even more.” Something he’d already told her.
After a pause, Justine asked, “Am I too needy?”
“Hell, no.” He hurried to reassure her. “You have a terrific sense of self-worth. Although…”
“Go ahead. Say it.”
“Although you don’t always act like it. Stand up for yourself with your boss. Demand they pay you what you’re worth or leave.”
She frowned. “I left on time today.”
“That’s great. Keep doing that while demanding to be compensated for your work.”
“I will. But baby steps work better for me than just ripping into my boss.”
“I didn’t say rip into him. I just worry they’ll keep taking advantage of you if you let them.”
She looked annoyed. “You sound like my father.”
“Ouch.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
“You asked.” He shrugged, a little hurt she didn’t seem to be listening to him. “This is why I have trouble with relationships. Sometimes I should just listen, but you did ask.”
“I know.” She leaned forward to kiss him. “I’m just frazzled because I made a big leap forward. Leaving on time when my boss wanted me to stay. It might not seem like a lot, but I hate confrontation.”
“Most people do.” He stroked her hair and kissed her. “You’re so smart and talented.”
“You’ve never seen my work.” She smiled.
“But I know who you are, and your intelligence shines through.”
“That’s one of the nicest things anyone’s said to me.”
“It shouldn’t be, though I can see men commenting on your looks before your smarts, only because you’re gorgeous.”
“Keep it up and my head will swell.”
“You mean, more than it already is? You’re pretty and all, but yeah, what a big head.”
She laughed and knocked him back. “Take it back.”
“Make me.”
Their wrestling match turned into a tickle fight. Except he got the better of her.
“Stop tickling me, you monster,” she said between giggles.
“Nope. I want to hear the words.”
“Your beard makes you look like a red panda?”
“My—what?”
She laughed harder. “My aunt’s dog used to tilt its head like that when you called its name. I’m gonna start calling you Sparky.”
He tickled her some more. “Not the right words.”
“Okay! Okay!” She writhed under him until he gave her a reprieve by kissing her.
Their kisses turned passionate, and he lost himself in her until a glimmer of self reared its head. Too much feeling, too soon. It scared him, the depth of his need. He pulled back and studied her. What was it about her that called to him?
“Xavier?”
“The words,” he said, his voice deep.
“I love you.”
Oh my God. Justine hadn’t meant to admit that. Not yet, when she wasn’t sure of it herself. What was love, really? Because she thought she’d been in love before. But the feeling had never been so all-consuming.
Staring up into his fathomless eyes, she couldn’t help herself.
He didn’t respond at all, which started to feel awkward. But then he kissed her, and she felt so much unsaid in that kiss that she released any sense of tension and indulged in the passion between them.
He kissed her until they were left breathless. And then their clothes were gone, and Xavier stared into her eyes as he made love to her. The intensity of their joining stole any need to keep herself apart from him, and she gave all of herself, letting Xavier have everything.
That love pushed her orgasm into a different realm, the pleasure so intense, made even more so when he stiffened and released, their bodies joined as one.
The ecstasy seemed to last forever, but when he finally pulled back, he stared at her with love in his eyes. “Justine…”
“You don’t have to say it, Xavier.” But she wanted him to. “I know it’s soon, but it just popped out.” And she’d allow herself this moment to revel in feeling so much for someone again.
“I feel the same way,” he admitted in a rush.
She wanted to cry out with joy but saw his hesitation and waited.
He blew out a breath. “You scare the crap out of me.”
“Me?” She’d never made anyone afraid. “Why?”
“Because you matter so much. Look, when I eventually get stupid, just remember I’m a guy and I overthink everything. Promise you’ll give me a little leeway when I upset you.”
She laughed. “You’re overthinking things right now. You’re buried inside me, we both love each other, and you’re warning me of your downsides. Relax, baby. And feel what you do to me.”
She distracted him with her body, her heart so full she couldn’t handle much more. But after they spent the evening playing, she went back to her apartment with promises to talk the next day.
She needed a little space after all that sharing, and she could tell he did to.
Because when she said she would be heading back to her place for the night, he didn’t try to stop her.