16
Xavier
I run my hands through Lina’s wavy hair. The morning sun creeps through the curtains. Last night was exhilarating. I flashback to her on top of me, gliding her naked body back and forth. She was perfection. Pure perfection. I’ve got to say she’s pretty damn good at it.
We didn’t talk about anything else that happened last night. We’re both dealing with our own emotions from the disasters of yesterday; the betrayal and loss of one of her best friends and the possibility of Nora being alive. Two completely life-changing events.
It surprised me though, her telling me that she did not want to go back home. I smile as I run my hands down her bare shoulders. Her eyes flicker as she still sleeps peacefully next to me.
I walk towards the balcony and lean against the railing as I stare out at the beautiful sunrise rising over the water then flashback to Nora and I when we were younger. Her laughter was contagious, no matter what mood I was in, her laugh was always the one thing that could change my mood completely. It always brought me back. I haven’t heard that laugh in a very long time. Before last night I didn’t think there was a possibility of ever hearing that laugh again, but now there’s hope.
“Hey, you.” Lina startles me as she comes outside. She leans right next to me on the railing and within seconds I'm behind her as I wrap my arms around her waist. We stand there as the sun slowly rises from the horizon. The waves continue crashing below us. How did it come to this? Holding her in my arms and it feeling so natural? So soon. From the outside looking in, it’s bizarre.
Lina has chosen to stay with me and not go back to her family. She’s decided to help me find Nora. I close my eyes as I hold her close. And, I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
“Do you have any leads?” She asks sleepily.
“No, but I have my men working on it,” I say, opening my eyes.
“Men? I thought you just had Carl here. Do you have more men here in Mexico?” She turns to me surprised. I pull her close and kiss her forehead.
“If you haven’t noticed them, then they are well worth the hefty amount I pay them to stay hidden.” I laugh softly.
“What else do I not know about you?” She raises her eyebrow.
“Lots of things,” I raise my eyebrow to match hers. “What do you want to know?” I ask, brushing my lips against her ear softly. I see her cheeks move as a smile forms across her face.
“Favorite color?” She quickly asks.
“Red,” I snap back. “Yours?” I add as I make my way over to the couch that’s nestled in the corner of the balcony.
“All of them,” she says smiling, making her way over towards me. She sits next to me as she drapes her legs over my lap. I run my hands up and down her cleanly shaved legs, trying to fight back a smirk that’s beginning to slowly make its way onto my face. “Of course you would like all of them.” I laugh as I return my attention back to the waves in front of us.
“What are you going to do once this is all over?” She asks and the vibe between us instantly changes. The question fumbles around in my head for a while before I let out a soft sigh. “I don’t know.” I look past her and out towards the ocean.
Truth is, I have no idea what’s going to happen. I have no idea if Nora is alive. I have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring. My stomach turns at the uncertainty that hovers over me. Lina is finally able to go back home, everyone involved besides Emerson has been killed. But, a new mess has just begun. The hunt and search for someone that I thought was dead. Tears fill my eyes because I can’t mourn her again. However, if she’s out there I have no choice but to spend every single waking moment searching for her.
“What about you? What are you going to do once you’re back home?” I ask and her face remains expressionless. I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but the silence that falls after that question has me a little concerned.
“Besides seeing my parents and brother, I honestly have no desire to go back home.” She says staring off towards the water. “I know that probably makes me—weak, but there’s nothing there for me anymore.” She bites the side of her cheek.
“That doesn’t make you weak,” I say. She shoots me over a quick grin before the two of us continue to stare off at the water. We sit there in silence as we listen to the peaceful sounds of waves crashing below us.
Even with all of the uncertainty that is around the corner—I’ve never felt more calm and more ready to take it on because I know that Lina Harrington is going to be with me every step of the way, and with that maybe it will finally be my turn to rise from the murky yet uncertain waters.
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Our limo pulls up to the bronze gate. I smile as I see Farrah waiting for us on the steps of the house. The moment the limo comes to a halt I open the door quickly. “Oh, Miss. Lina.” Farrah smiles and greets me with open arms. Her hug means everything . After so much happening in Mexico I haven’t spoken with Xavier about my feelings on Alex’s death. I brushed them under the rug. Along with a lot of other things that happened on that trip. Maybe I’ll tell him in time, but first I think I have to sort them out myself.
“I’m so happy you're back.” Farrah holds out my arms and looks me up and down.
“I’m happy to be back.” I look back at Xavier as he gets out of the limo. He’s different. Ever since Emerson mentioned Nora he’s been quiet. More reserved. He dips his head to Farrah and she kisses the top of his head. The three of us make our way inside. The smell of chocolate-chip cookies fills the air the farther we make our way in. Farrah turns her head back to me and smiles.
When we finally make our way into the kitchen I see a plate of freshly-baked cookies on the counter. I smile broadly as I make my way towards them. “Here’s to our last night together,” Farrah says as she picks up a cookie and hands it to me. My eyes quickly bounce to Xavier’s who then holds Farrah’s stare.
“About that, I think you should sit down Farrah,” Xavier says as he makes his way behind the counter.
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“What?” Farrah’s color drains from her face as she stares off. Xavier has just filled her in on everything that happened in Mexico. Everything . “Oh…” She says as her voice gives away. I watch her walk over to Xavier and take him in her arms. The moment she does, he breaks down and sobs quietly as he leans his head on her shoulder. She cradles him as if he’s her son. My heart breaks hearing those cries from him. I can’t imagine what’s going through his mind. What’s going through his heart? If roles were switched and it were Logan—I couldn’t even imagine how I’d feel. Xavier needs me right now. Truth is, I need him just as much.
“Oh, my honey.” She cries as she continues to hold him. I don’t know their past or background together, but from the looks of it, they were pretty damn close.
“And Miss Lina.” She turns to me and takes me in her arms. She holds the two of us as tears slowly stream down both of our faces. Farrah’s motherly-instinct makes me miss mine—immensely.
“Go freshen up and I will make you two dinners.” She ushers us off upstairs. Xavier walks beside me, neither of us saying a word as we climb up the stairs.
“I’m sorry this is happening.” I reach my hand out and he takes it in his. Our fingers entwine as we continue to climb the stairs. “I’m not.” He says as he brings my hand to his lips. He kisses it gently as we continue to make our way to my room. “Can I shower in your room?” He asks and I try to hold back my smile. “Of course,” I say as we make our way into the room. I forgot just how extravagant this room was. I look around as the golden tones from the sunset fill the walls.
I walk to the shower and turn it on. Steam quickly fills the bathroom and before I know it Xavier is behind me staring off. He’s not here, his mind is somewhere else. Perhaps thinking of his sister and her whereabouts. Melancholy fills me as I stare at him. Such a broken man; his life torn apart and just as he tries to pick up the pieces and make the most of his situation, he instead cuts himself again on the shards of glass.
I bring his hand to my lips, knowing good and well there are no cuts. However, I kiss his hand gently as I stare up into his eyes which now are filled with emotion. I lift the shirt over his head and he doesn’t say a word. I unfasten his pants and they quickly drop to the floor. I throw my clothes next to his and we both make our way into the shower. The steam rises to the high-ceiling as the warm water falls on our bare bodies. I take him in my arms and hold him as the water falls on us.
“You’re an answered prayer, Lina.” He says softly in the quiet bathroom. I rest my head on his broad chest and close my eyes. If he only knew that he was the answer to the prayer that I prayed while lying on that cold warehouse floor… It’s at this precise moment that I realize we were sent to each other. I flashback to myself on that cold-wet concrete floor and remember vividly the prayer that I said to myself that day; Lord please save me from this, save me from them. Do everything in Your power to help me get out of here, please. If Your real, I need you to show me.
Tears fill my eyes because I was shown plain as day.
“Kiss me,” I say as I look up to Xavier through the steam of the shower. I feel him take my face gently before our lips are pressed together. Our kiss deepens as our bodies fall into each other.
Sometimes people come into your life and you're not meant to fully understand the meaning of why they were put there to begin with. I won’t ever fully understand the meaning of why it was Xavier who saved me that day, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t wholeheartedly enjoy this moment with him. I have no idea what our future holds, but right now—we hold onto each other during some of our darkest days.