XANDRY
These were the shitty fifth days of my life since I got back to work. I kept on scribbling something on the white sheet but nothing came right. The trash bin was already half full of crumpled papers.
My mind always went to the sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted every time I had something in mind. I gave my number despite her protest, but I guessed she intended not to call me since I promised not to call her first. I was still hoping and impatiently waiting for two days to see her again at her sister’s wedding.
I always wondered what she was doing every day. I even imagined her riding Queen. Did Ben give her a hard time? I talked to Finley over the phone but I chickened out every time I wanted to ask him about Blaine. And since when I can’t pull my shit together?
I tapped the pen on the new empty sheet. Hopelessly, I put the pen down and leaned my back on my chair, clasped my hands behind my head, and squeezed my tired eyes shut.
“Hello, twinnie!” Saph’s voice jolted me to sit straight. Her dashing smile brightened my mood right away.
“’sup, Lady Gaga?” I teased, grinning at her sudden glare. It annoyed her when I called her by that name, and she was aware I was mocking her. Saph loved every Lady Gaga’s song and memorized every lyric in all albums. It pissed me off because I couldn’t fully understand why she loved her music when there was some music worth listening for.
“You didn’t go to dinner, brother.” She took a seat on my desk after throwing her bag on the empty chair.
“Hmm.”
“That’s all?”
“I called mom that I was tired, and I stayed at my room all night if you doubted I broke our deal.”
She grinned sheepishly. “Another week won’t kill you. So, tell me what was that frown all about?”
“Frown?” I looked up at her with brows drawn together.
“Yep, when I came in, and don’t lie to me, Xandry, I’m your twin remember? I can sense when something is troubling you.” She met my gaze with a concerned look.
“I’m good, Saph.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“That’s not gonna work. Pyke and Cam mentioned a blonde during your trip and you didn’t tell me something about it.”
I rolled my eyes and snorted. “Of course, they did.”
“So, are you gonna share it with me? And you promised not to keep secrets from me again, brother.”
I inwardly groaned when she used the word promise between us. “I was thinking to open a new restaurant in that town. Dad might agree with the plan since they have only two restaurants with over two hundred thousand pop. What do you think about my idea?” Changing the subject might help her stop asking about this issue. I glanced at Saph who just gave me a blank looked.
“Come on, sis. Help me with this idea. I want Dad’s approval.”
“You want to open another five-star restaurant with only two hundred thousand heads, are you insane?” she asked, looking at me as if I was out of my goddamn mind.
“It doesn’t have to be a five star, Saph, and I don’t need to use our restaurant’s name.”
“And what name will you give?” Her brow arched. “Bumblebee? Bubble Guppy? Blue moon? Bloody hell? Blue balls? Beautiful Blaine?” Her lips curved into a smile—a widened mischief smile, and that made my eyes narrow at her.
“What else did you know about her?”
“That you can’t keep your eyes off of her and she happened to be Kyland’s future sister-in-law?”
“What else, Saphoera?” My face tightened. I didn’t like the idea that she had to find it out from someone else. I was planning on telling her if I had already a chance to win over Blaine.
“That’s all. We just talked about her when Mom informed that you couldn’t come for dinner.”
I stared at her intently, but I knew Saph was not a type to lie at me. “It was nothing, Saph. She didn’t like me but I still found her interesting.” I lied. Because the more she pushed me away the more I wanted to pull her closer to me.
I knew she felt our connection. That infuriated me. I’ve never been confused in my entire life on why she had to fight against it. We were both single and consenting adult so what was wrong to have some fun? And it might lead to something more--something special. I knew it would feel amazing once we shared something together.
“Tell me about her.” Saph walked to the chair and sat so that she could face me.
I shrugged and shook my head. I didn’t know how I was going to tell her because she might laugh her ass out of my stupidity. “Well, she’s beautiful.”
Saph groaned with annoyance, “Of course, she is, otherwise you won’t give a second look. I want to know what do you like in her, brother, and I know you have something to tell me better than that.”
“Um, she’s nice.”
“Ugh! You’re awful.” Her face reddened, lips curled in irritation.
“Fine, she has the gorgeous teal blue eyes, beautiful face with tiny dimples just beside her pink full lips, shorter than you in two inches, has a gorgeous ass and tits. Um, she flirted back there but never been snarky and bitchy. Interestingly, I felt the tension between us, but she tried to fight it. I was a little pushy, but she never gave in into my charms. I gave her my number, but she never called me or even a hello, and that’s depressing!” I threw my hands in the air and sighed exasperatingly.
“Ouch.”
I shot her a glare. “That’s it? After my long speech, all you have to say is a single word Ouch?”
“So, are you going to be serious about this?”
I leaned back and rubbed my face. “I don’t know, Saph. I had a few rejections but didn’t hurt me the way she did. She’s just... I don’t know, sweet? Stubborn?”
“Sweet? Maybe you’re barking up the wrong tree, Xandry. You’ve never slept with a sweet and innocent girl before.” The problem is she’s not that innocent.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain but I like her and she’s the only tree I want to bark. I don’t know why I expected her to call me. She’s far and I’m sure she already forget about me.” The disappointment coated in my voice was thick. Saph noticed it too.
“Maybe I can help you, brother, but I want to make sure if you really like her and she’s not only your one-night stand girl.”
“I know why she’s guarded, sis.” I sat back straight and stroked my brow. “A jerk hurt her, and she thought I was just like him.”
“Oh, that’s terrible, no wonder she’s guarded, and she thought you will just do the same. But you said she likes you too.”
“Yeah, not verbally but I could see it in her eyes, her gestures, and her… kiss.”
My sister bolted upright. “Wait! You two already kissed.”
Why did she sound surprised by her brother? Didn’t she know my charisma over women?
“Yeah.” I licked my lips and smiled at her. I could still remember the feeling of her sweet supple lips on me, her moan, shudder, whimper, and her touch were just like yesterday. My stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing her again in two days.
“Holy! And?” She sat down and giggled, eyes glowing in eagerness.
“Are you sure you want to know the details?” I cocked my brow.
“I’m not asking you to elaborate on the details. I want to know what happened after that.”
“Nothing. She ran back to her room then when I talked to her in the morning she said that was the problem because she liked it but that’s it.”
“It’s because you’re hundreds of miles away, Xandry.” She curled her lips into a sad smile.
“That’s why I’m asking your help with the restaurant, Saph, please? I might get a chance to talk to her again in two days but that’s all, then what’s next?” I groaned in frustration.
“Silly, sometimes you’re stupid. Get a vacation, idiot.”
“That’s harsh. Silly, stupid, and an idiot? Did you forget we shared an amniotic sac? It means—”
“Stop it and focus on how to plan Project Blaine.”
“Okay, I’m all ears.”
“Okay, first be patient.” Her words made me scratch my head.
“I don’t have that.”
“Then have it, brother.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, what’s next?”
“Be nice to her.”
“I can do that. I mean I was nice to her. Okay, maybe a little pushy but I didn’t do anything inappropriate.”
“Be honest.”
“I was brutally honest, in fact, I told her that I lost in a bet and I’m a man-whore.” I cringed at the last word. I totally admitted that my rep preceded me.
“That’s good. Then you need to take at least a month vacation and stay there.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Yes, prove it that you’re not an ass anymore, Xandry.”
“There is another important thing you have to know, Saph.”
“What is it? Did you knock-up someone?”
“No, I didn’t, silly. Blaine has a boy. And she’s a package deal.”
XANDRYThe sun shone through the scattered clouds as I sat down on the fine sand beside my wife. Yes, my wife. I literally kidnapped her when she was with my sister stressing out about planning our wedding. When I figured out she had not traveled outside the country, I pulled out some of my connections. Well, one of the perks of being a VP.And here we were on the beach of Harbour Island in the Bahamas and got married not longer than five hours ago. And we just broke the bedposts of the hotel bed earlier. But still, I couldn’t help but turned my head on my wife, lying peacefully on the sand with only a skimpy yellow two-piece swimsuit, sunglasses that covered her eyes, but I knew she was staring back at me. So, I strolled down my gaze to her neck where she still had a hickey on its right side and at the swell of her left breast. The light stretch marks on her flat stomach made her sexier
BLAINEI was in the shower when I heard a soft knock. I knew who was in there without looking through the misty glass wall. So, instead, I pressed my naked and wet body against the glass door. I wiped it to see Xandry’s reaction.“You want me to join and take you there again?” he asked, smiling mischievously.“What do you want, pretty boy?” I asked then bit my lip.He groaned. “Don’t give me a hard-on when I’m about to meet your cousins, sweetheart. And I’m sure as hell I’ll think a lot about that wet body while I’m with them.”I opened the door. “You always go out after sex—”“Lovemaking, Blaine.”“Okay, lovemaking, since we’re back to town three days ago. What are you all up to?”“Wait, were you jealous that I spent some time with your cousins and Troy?” His brows furrowed. His face expressed sadness.“No, baby. I was just wondering what were you doing with them. And I’m not
XANDRYDad looked at me with pride. “Xandry deserves something better. As a Vice president of the Williams holdings, I turned over my position to you, as of yesterday, so, Congratulations, son! And I’d like also to welcome my son’s fiancee’s family—”“What!” Blaine exclaimed beside me.“Harrises, welcome and enjoy the party. And son?”“Go ahead, Xandry,” Mom whispered, and I couldn’t remember how she got beside me. Everything just happened in a blur.I was thrilled, scared, and overwhelmed as I walked down the aisle to the stage, and everyone moved back, giving me the way like I was about to be crowned as their prince. Funny, I was in a second of ditching the party and yet here I am, walking toward Dad.“You didn’t propose?” the first thing he asked.“Seriously? Did I just hear you said my fiancee’s family?”“Your sister told me you bought a ring, so I thought you already proposed, a
XANDRYOur birthdays had always been a bash. Mom chose our grandma’s mansion as the venue, and instead of the usual party we did at Night Stalker since we turned twenty-one, it was different this time. Dad’s business partners, family friends, and relatives were invited and of course, Rexwell, Hugheses, and Kings. On my part, I invited Blaine’s family and friends.Unfortunately, I and Dad barely talked these past few weeks other than he said he was glad that Sammer had finally discharged from the hospital. So, as I tried to be a good son, I respected his silence and stayed away from trouble as much as possible.I had been talking to Rexwell if he could offer me a job after this party and he was willing to help. Dad was supposed to announce my position tonight, or maybe he had another plan on humiliating me in front of our guests, or finally, he decided to give me a seat in his compan
BLAINEMy heart accelerated and I was worried I might pass out. I just stared at him with wide eyes. His eyes glowed when he said the five words earlier.“Y-you l-love me?” I asked in disbelief.“You heard it right.” He loosened his grip on my waist, completely releasing me from his arms. He stepped backward and ran his fingers through his hair, then propped his hands on his hips.“I-I just wanna hear it again, you know.” I shrugged and looked down, licking my swollen lips that his taste was still on them.The tension suddenly thickened when he didn’t talk. I lifted my gaze and that was when I saw him grinning with eyes filled with humor and love.He stepped closer, cupping my face. “I love you, Blaine Noelle Harris. So much. I’ll make sure to tell you this every day until you believe me, and I’m going to make you feel it too. I love you since I rushed to see you and press you against the wall of the barn.” H
XANDRYDays went by uneventful. I submitted the first half-year report a week earlier than I used to, but Dad, well, he wasn’t impressed. During our family dinner, I was like an invisible person to him, until after dinner when I walked to his office. Dad was in the red lounge chair with an empty glass, where he usually sat when not behind his desk.My stomach rolled. “What’s the deal with your silence, Dad? Did I happen to develop some kind of invisibility?”He didn’t reply or move. He kept staring at the old painting owned by his late father, Henry Archibald Williams.“Are you going to ignore me throughout our lives? Until one of us is eventually dead? Because I have no plan on leaving Blaine if that’s the reason why you’re doing this to me. You talked to her but it didn’t scare her away, in fact, I’m asking her to move in with me. With her son. Just do me a favor not to be harsh on her. Treat her civilly at least.”
BLAINEMom placed some potatoes to the preheated oven, and for the first time in like forever she allowed me to help in her kitchen. I was back home for almost a week now, but we hadn’t gotten a chance to spend time together. She invited me or rather forced me to stay for dinner, and I knew there was something she wanted to talk about so urgently.I sliced some red radish and tossed them into the bowl. I left Ben with Daddy in the living room as they tried to solve some puzzles on his iPad app.Mom sighed deeply as if she wanted to say something but holding it back.“Just say it, Mom.” I watched her moves closely as she wiped her hands with the flowery kitchen towel Bianca had slipped into my luggage for her.She finally moved beside me, tapping her short fingernails against the wooden countertop. “So, what is your plan, sweetie?”I slowed down slicing and met her gaze. “What plan? For Ben?”“For you an
XANDRYMy stomach churned as I walked out of Dad’s, determined to prove to him that I deserved to be happy and the position he had for me at the Williams was mine. I did everything I could and it wasn’t my goddamn problem if he wasn’t satisfied with the effort I did. Hell, I didn’t fucking care anymore.Gasping for some air, I walked outside of the employees’ exit of the club. It smelled cigarettes, pees, vomit, and alleys, but I couldn’t care less. All I wanted right now was to scream all my frustrations out of my fucking life, then made love to Blaine in my bed all night.Fuck!“Hey.”I turned to face the voice calling me from my back, and to my surprise, Blaine looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulder. Closing the space between us, I cupped her face and searched for the answer in her eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”She shook her head, pressing he
BLAINEXandry helped me out of the crowded dance floor to the bar, then talked to the broody tattooed bartender. He wore all black just like all the bartenders with him. If Kyland was scary, this man screamed danger—dangerously handsome in mysterious ways, but there was something in him that seemed warm—his eyes? The way he sided-glance at me. He was quite a good looking guy if he happened to smile just a little bit. He nodded at Xandry, then turned to me as I slid to sit on the dark bar stool.“Can I get you something to drink? It’s in the house, ma’am.” His voice was friendly and warm, but he kept his stoic looked the same.The whole bar was opposite of Max’s. This one flashed with modern designs with a dim-lit interior that was perfect for New Yorkers’ vibe.I smiled shyly. “Yes, a Phoenix’s princess, please,” I swore his lips curled into a smile, then nodded and mixed my d