Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LONDON
M y pussy clenches as pleasure flows through my body, making my toes curl, and I gasp out a moan, my eyes fluttering open.
“Morning, baby,” Xander murmurs from between my legs.
“Good morning, stud.”
Relaxing into my pillow, my legs spread wider, allowing Xan’s broad shoulders more room to let him go to work.
His tongue licks a wide stripe up my pussy, before he growls, “I can still taste last night all over you. You’re full of me, baby. I’m still dripping from this perfect little hole.”
I groan. “Fuck. Your dirty mouth.”
He offers me another long deep lick that has my back bowing off the bed.
“You like my mouth?” he whispers, sliding his soft lips back and forth over my sensitive skin.
I bite my lip, nodding slowly. “I do. I love what you do with it and all the ridiculously dirty things that come out of it.”
“I want to do so many dirty things to this body and I like telling you about it, just to get you all wet and excited.”
I want to laugh, because he’s right. That mouth of his should come with a warning, Bring Extra Panties, but before it can escape, he spreads me wider with his fingers, and sucks my clit.
Writhing, I press closer to the unbelievable sensation he’s sending through me. “Yes, right there.”
“I know how you like it.”
“Yeah, you do. Now stop talking. You promised me a good morning and I’m ready for you to deliver.”
Smoldering eyes meet mine, that gorgeous smirk on his wet, swollen lips, then he winks, and dives back in.
Should I have known better than to challenge this man?
Probably.
Do I regret it?
That would be a hell no.
Coming on his tongue with a shout, I’m flipped over and on my knees in a blink of an eye, before he’s plunging in so deeply, I scream into a pillow, my hands grappling with the sheets as I hold on for dear life. My body is still sensitive after the festivities from last night and I quiver and pulse around his thick dick.
“Look what you do to me. I just want to fuck and breed you all damn day.”
His growly voice sends tremors through my body. “Oh, god,” I gasp, and his fingers tighten on my hips.
“I know, baby.”
Whimpers tumble from me as his big hand gets the perfect grip of my hair, and he holds me where he wants me.
“Here I was, trying to have a nice romantic morning with you, but you sidetracked me.”
I bite my lip and push back for more, his words stirring a whirlwind of emotions in my chest.
“But you’re so damn pretty. Fucking perfect in my bed. All this beautiful skin, soft and silky, stretched out, tempting me to steal a taste.”
The slapping of our skin as our bodies come together again and again fills the room as we grunt and moan moving closer to our release. A sharp bite to my back pulls a cry from me.
“Look how pretty you are taking my cock. My needy little slut,” falls from his lips as his fingers find my clit, and with just a few swipes, I clench and come hard, fighting for my next breath.
“You’re so good to my dick,” he growls, his hand still working my clit. “You were made to take me.”
His words, in that rough fucking voice. If I hadn’t just come my brains out, I’d explode, but I can’t let him have the upper hand this time.
Reaching between my legs, my hand finds his thick dick as it slides in and out of me. His hips stutter as he groans.
“Fuck, baby. You’re trying to make me come?” His voice wavers as he tries to hold off.
“Yes, I want it, Xan. Every last drop. Breed me.”
My hand moves to his balls then, and he cries out as I gently scrape my nails across the warm skin.
My smile is victorious as he comes, holding himself deep inside me, and I push back, leaving no space between us as he twitches and pulses.
Collapsing on top of me, I beam into the pillow. I did that. I brought this incredible man to his knees, and he was more than willing to do it.
“What are you smiling at?” Warm breath tickles my ear as goose bumps prickle across my skin as he peppers me with kisses.
Shifting beside me, we share a pillow, and one of those big hands I love strokes my back before cradling my face. His eyes roam my face in the way that I love, and I lay my heart at his feet.
“Are we really doing this?” I hold my breath as my gaze clings to his.
Heat flares in his eyes as he yanks me in, our lips a whisper apart, and he growls, “You’re damn right. You’re mine and I’m never letting you go again.”
With a kiss that steals my breath, and my heart all over again, I drift off to sleep, a goofy grin firmly in place.
The sunlight streaming through the curtains wakes me from a sleep filled with forgotten sweet dreams, leaving me with a deep sense of contentment and tenderness. Turning over, I pull the duvet into my body, giving it a squeeze, and I search the room.
Disappointment unfurls in my stomach that I didn’t wake up in Xander’s arms. We’ll have to talk about that. But at least I have a little time to think about all the things that have gone down in the span of fifteen hours. Maybe even the last seventy-two hours. From the wonderful high of our date, to the low of thinking I’d pushed him away, and the skyward trajectory we were currently on, I send my gratitude up into the universe. These feelings I’d tried so hard to bury deep inside had finally burst free and nothing had ever tasted sweeter.
Scanning the room, I can’t help but smile. I’m no longer surprised that he was thoughtful enough to have his bed once again covered in silk sheets and pillowcases for me. But this is not what I expected of Xander’s bedroom. Although, I had the same thought about his place in general and was pleasantly surprised, and this was no different.
The cement floors extend throughout the home, but a pristine cream-colored rug, perfectly matching the headboard, covers most of the space around the bed. An exposed brick feature wall frames the headboard, while dark wood floating shelves flank the platform bed on either side. The enormous windows and two standing mirrors open the room up, but besides the bed, tables, and small seating area opposite the bed, the room is sparse.
Tossing the duvet aside, I groan, my body sore and stiff and my bladder is ready to burst as I shuffle to the bathroom. I need a long hot shower and a supersized coffee.
More exposed brick, a large cement vanity similar to the island in the kitchen, matte black fixtures, a soaking tub, and massive walk-in shower. Is that a sauna? This bathroom is a dream. The heated floor is a comfort as I take care of business and make my way to the double vanity and run a hand through my tangled hair.
Hello, little panda. I look like I had every bit of naughty fun last night. Smudged eyeliner and mascara. Dry, swollen lips. Hickeys and bite marks covering my body. Yep, a time was had last night.
“Babycakes?” My man’s sexy voice startles me, and I turn just as he walks through the door.
“I was hoping I’d find you still in bed, but naked and ready to get all wet isn’t bad either. Here, let me help you.”
He gives me a lingering kiss before walking over to the glass enclosed shower, he taps a button turning on the water.
“Does this thing have six shower heads? Do you have orgies in here?”
He scoffs. “No, never. I just love a really good shower. This bathroom is probably my favorite thing about this apartment.”
Nodding, I can see why. “Is this a sauna?”
“Oh yeah, I love to have a good steam after a swim.”
“I forgot you’re my little water baby.” As the shower starts to fill with steam, I pat my hair again.
“Wait, I need a shower cap or something for my hair. Even though it’s a mess right now, it’ll be worse if I get in that shower right now.”
“I got you, baby.” Reaching in a drawer underneath the vanity, he pulls out a pink toiletry bag.
My pink toiletry bag.
My eyes bulge. “Where did this come from?”
“From Ty’s. I had everything brought over last night while we were at the party.”
He’s so nonchalant, as if this is normal. “You went through my stuff?”
“No, I didn't. The girls helped me out and packed some things for you to have here while you stay with me.”
My brows are somewhere near my hairline. “What?”
He steps closer, his face as serious as I’ve ever seen it.
“What part of you’re mine don’t you get? You’re here and I’ve already told you, you aren’t leaving. Catch up, future wife.”
My mouth opens and closes like a fish as I try to think of rebuttal, but my mind and heart are mush.
“Nothing to say? Good, now get this shower cap on and get your pretty ass in the shower. Let’s get you wet.”
Don't threaten me with a good time.
Standing in Xander’s closet, he wasn’t kidding when he said he brought over some of my things. This is more than half my closet and at least one of the suitcases I never unpacked. Throwing on one of his tee shirts and my favorite fuzzy socks, I follow my nose, and I hope it leads to my man.
The fantastical scent of flowers hits me as soon as I leave the sanctuary of the bedroom. Red rose petals line the floor leading to the living room and my hands come to my mouth to cover the soft sob that leaves me.
Soft music plays as I step into the open room, my eyes darting to every corner, soaking in the scene. A burst of vibrant bouquets surrounds me, and at the center of it all stands Alexander Grant.
Xander
My heart is ready to pound right out of my chest. I swear, one of my ribs is already cracked. But it's all worth it for the look on her face.
My love, the beautiful London Cameron.
As London looks around, her hands cover her nose and mouth, but it’s the glow in her eyes that tells me I’ve done something right—that I’m not the only one feeling this gravitational pull drawing us together. She's right here with me.
“Xander, what’s going on?” she whispers.
I hold out my hand. “Come here, cakes.”
She makes her way to me slowly, her eyes flitting away and back to me as she scans the different bouquets of flowers and petals around the room.
Stopping a few feet away, my body aches to have her in my arms, but her gaze is riveted on the pink peonies covering the coffee table, the cherry blossoms in the chair, then her eyes flit to purple chrysanthemums behind the couch, before she zeroes in on the yellow Japanese roses running the length of the glass wall. Red Poppy. Orange Tulips. White Dahlias. They’re all here.
“These are the flowers that were at Ty and Sasha’s.”
I chuckle softly. “So, you did notice the flowers I sent you each week?”
She gapes, spinning to look around again. “You sent these? I thought Sasha just had a thing for flowers and she would change them out weekly. Oh my god! I loved every arrangement.”
Her words make me smile. “I sent them each week in hopes I would figure out what your favorite flower was.”
She tilts her hands, watching me. “Why didn't you just ask?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
A soft smile spreads across those luscious lips as she shakes her head, and my heart expands as I expel a breath.
“Let me tell you a little story. There once was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold encased in a block of ice.”
She throws her head back with a laugh and finally takes the last few steps and accepts my outstretched hand.
“Go on, tell me about this beautiful woman.” Those eyes sparkle in delight.
I smirk. “Did I say she was beautiful? I meant gorgeous. Stunning. Breathtaking. Someone I could never take my eyes off when she graced me with her presence. And I search for her constantly when she’s not around. She commands my attention without having to say a word. I thought it was her eyes at first. They enchant me. And then it was her lips. I would have the dirtiest dreams about them wrapped around me. But what really attracted me was her heart and soul. Both so pure. But, unfortunately, she’d been hurt in the past. Never loved and cherished like she should have been. How she always deserved.”
Those enchanting eyes shimmer, and the first tear falls, and I kiss it away before clearing my throat and continuing.
“The fated night we met, the beautiful woman, my shining star, ran away, disappearing at the stroke of midnight, even after a fantastic fuck in the private quarters. I discreetly hunted high and low for that striking woman and in the end when I couldn't locate her, I decided to stalk her online.”
Another laugh bursts from her, and I feel like I can breathe a little easier as her eyes lock with mine.
“But my babycakes rarely posted pictures of herself. She posted pictures of her work. Of the places she’d been. But she rarely posted pictures of things she liked. Like her favorite flower. Her favorite book. Movie. Candy. Even color. But I knew I wanted to know those things. I wanted to know her. And when she sauntered back into my life, I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do to answer every question I had about her. So, with the help of The Council—”
“The Council?”
“Yeah, I'll get to that later. I’d already started my recon to get my questions answered. First up were the flowers. I sent her flowers every week in hopes that she'd love at least one enough to post a picture of it or at the very least mention it to the girls, and then I’d have one thing I could offer her that I knew she loved. But in all those weeks, she never posted a picture or even talked about them. But I knew I couldn't give up, because…”
I take a deep breath and cup her lovely face in my hands and my chest constricts with what I see shining back.
“London Cameron, I love you. I am in love with you. And I—”
London’s tears spill over before she pulls away and a peal of laughter bursts from her. Not just laughter, she fucking guffaws , bent over and everything as she struggles to catch her breath, while I stand there like an asshole.
I wait and wait and wait, and as she laughs, I almost want to join in because her laugh is so contagious, but I'm confused as fuck and my heart has fallen to my knees.
“London.” My voice cracks on the word. “I'm sorry. I didn't think me being in love with you would be funny, I was hoping you felt the same, and you know, you'd say it back.”
She finally pulls it together, sucking in a deep breath before a smile splits her face. “Seriously? You tell me you love me now?!”
“What do you mean, now ?”
“Look at how I'm dressed?” She gestures down her body.
She’s perfect in my old gray Notre Dame T-shirt and her pink woolly socks. Her face is free of makeup and her hair hangs loose around her shoulders.
“I see you , London, and you're beautiful.”
“No, last night I was beautiful. In a fabulous gown, slayed hair and makeup and you wait until now.”
“I love you, and I always love how you look. You could be wearing a potato sack. But you laughed…”
“Alexander Grant. I wasn’t laughing at you, well not really. But I already knew you loved me.”
It’s his turn for his brows to fly off his face. “What? How?”
“Because you told me, stud. Has anyone ever mentioned that you talk in your sleep?” She covers my mouth with her hand before I can ask another question.
“The night of our movie date, after we got all tucked in and were drifting off to sleep, you pulled me in close and whispered in my ear, I love you, London Cameron , right before you fell asleep. And all night, every time I moved or turned over, you’d find me, wrap your arms around me, and tell me you loved me. You did the same thing last night. I fell asleep with your sexy voice in my ear, telling me you loved me, and I felt whole. It’s not just your words. I’ve never felt so loved. You make me feel safe and loved for who I am and who I’m still growing to be. I don’t feel stifled or afraid to be me, you give me room to spread my wings, soar high, and shine bright. I love you so much for that.”
“Say it again,” I growl, as elation like I’ve never known flows through me.
“I love you, Xander.”
Kiss.
“I’m so in love with you, Xan.”
Kiss.
“I love you so much, stud.”
I scan her face, finding my new favorite feature today, and kiss her nose. “This is only the beginning. I swear to you. This is just the beginning of our love story. I’m so in love with you.”
Our lips meet with a tender urgency, sealing my promise with a kiss that spreads not only relief that she feels the same as I do, but a burning desire to fill her life with nothing but happiness, to take care of her until my dying breath and into the next lifetime. And I’ll do it proudly knowing she’ll be all of that for me as well.
She squeals as I sweep her up into my arms and carry her to the couch where she straddles my lap. Running my hands up and down her naked thighs, I bask in the love I can now clearly see in those hazel eyes.
“Share your dreams with me.” Her breath hitches as I brush the back of my fingers along her cheek. “Tell me what you want. How I fit in. What I can give you. I have so many thoughts, but I really want to know what you want.”
Her face softens into a dreamy smile as her body melts into me. “This, I just want this and to know you’ll always be there. I want a family, I always have. I want a simple life that is led by love, honesty, and respect. I want a home that is filled with so much love and joy people gravitate to it. I want to spend time with my parents after all those years across the country. A tribe. That’s what I want. My career is important because photography is one of the few passions I have left, but I’d love to explore and find the next big thing, besides you, that makes me happy.”
“Aww, baby.” Pulling her closer, I kiss her chin, as she continues.
“The relationship with my ex, I hate to say it, but it shaped who I was. All sharp edges, always tense, ready for a verbal attack or jab disguised as a joke.” She makes air quotes and snorts. “I didn’t realize I carried that with me, a defensiveness that made me ready to pop off at the first sign of derision or even genuinely playful teasing. Or the opposite, sometimes I was timid because I was tired, too tired to fake a smile, and I’d rather just avoid any tension if I could. Then I met you, who laughed at my attempts to put you in your place. Who challenged me, but always with a smile or flirty wink. You’ve never raised your voice to me, do you know that?”
My heart falls out of my chest and into her waiting hands at her words. I knew she was a secret softie, and I never want her to lose that. I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect that. Wrapping my arms around her waist, she brushes a soft kiss to my lips before sighing softly.
“You tease and joke, but I’m never the butt of it. I know I’ve told you this before, and I’m sure I’ll tell you again. You make me feel safe. Protected. Not just physically, how I feel right now wrapped in your strong arms, this powerful body beneath me reminding me of your strength. But it’s the way you love me, patiently and wholly. I can be me with no fear of anger or retaliation for some perceived slight. You’ve slowly and carefully smoothed away my rough edges until I became the perfect fit for you, for us to begin this next step in what I can only imagine is the journey of a lifetime.”
Needing a moment, I swallow hard and lace our hands together. If I hadn’t already known she was the love of my life, her soft words confirm it. This is forever.
As we spent the rest of the day snuggled on the couch, sharing everything and nothing, I stole kisses, running my nose up her neck, inhaling her scent into my lungs. Knowing this woman inside out was my only goal for the foreseeable future.
As I stared into her smiling face, I silently vowed to show her unconditional love existed here in my arms and I would do anything to give her the life she wanted.