17. Mr. X

The night air crackled with nerves as I strode beside him, waves crashing at our feet. His gaze was a physical force—intense, hungry, impossible to ignore. Every step jolted through me.

“Are you nervous?” He asked.

“A little. I don’t know you and can’t be sure you are a good man.”

“That’s fair. We are going to have fun, I promise. I want to get to know you over good-tasting wine and a delicious meal.”

“That sounds promising.” I stole a glance—he was watching me, lips curled into a dangerous, knowing smile. For a heartbeat, the world shrank to just us.

This was no ordinary date.

 Not for him, not for me.

We strolled down the beach together; he shared a little about himself. In his world, Xavier was a king—a man who commanded fear, respect, and a darkness I could sense pulsing beneath the surface. But here, tonight, he was just a man on the edge of something neither of us could control.

He went on to explain that in his previous life, as leader of the largest Cartel in South America, Xavier only went on greeting calls if you wanted to call that a date. But, of course, those female calls were only about one thing: fulfilling his sexual needs. And most of the time, if Xavier saw a girl he physically desired, he would tell his boys to arrange for her to come to his hotel room, and it’s done.

But since he’s been here on the island in hiding and secluded, without female representation. He explains, “I think about women differently now. Here on this island, there is only one female. And I don’t view you as someone to hook up with, or just another girl to ravage and lust behind. Something has shifted in my thinking; it’s very different now. I don’t know what it is, but since I’ve been creating a permanent home of beauty, without crime and violence, and all the chaos the world offers on the outside, I’ve changed, being engulfed in this peace.”

On the moonlit boardwalk, I found myself impressed and drawn to Xavier with an emotional hunger I hadn’t experienced with Blaze and Diamante.

For the first time in years, I could feel he was captivated—and I had the power, and all the possibilities at my fingertips.

My six-inch heels forced me to move slowly, every sway of my hips exaggerated, every step a silent dare. I felt exposed—every inch of me on display and burning under his gaze. If things got out of hand, I knew my shoes weren’t just an accessory; they were a weapon. I could never be too sure of these men.

When we entered the restaurant, I automatically glanced at the black drapes flanking a small table for two, which could be closed for privacy. But then I noticed the prominent place was empty, and it was just him and me.

Colored spotlights painted shadows across the room, flickering over plush chairs and a table set for seduction. Candlelight flickered between us. I tried to remember every rule I’d promised never to break, but his cologne—the hint of spice and danger—wrapped around me, melting every defense.

As we approached the tables, I took an empty chair near the exit at a table for two. Our eyes instantly clashed when I placed my hand on the chair. I immediately looked into those dark eyes, the color of sin.

I was speechless, standing there.

Xavier’s eyes swept over me slowly and deliberately. I felt stripped bare, nerves firing, breath quickening. He was nothing like the men I knew. He radiated danger—and, impossibly, a kind of longing.

“Here, take a seat,” He whispered in my ear as he pulled my chair out for me to sit.

But I looked at him, and the next thought entered my mind.

‘Dog it! Why is he so gorgeous?’ I thought, trying to keep a straight face.

His 66’1 lean frame stood straight and tall. He had no posture issues; his shoulders and back stood out beneath that snug shirt. ‘What a waste that a man this good-looking must be in hiding on this deserted island.’ I silently thought.

“Please, please have a seat. Let me get this for you.” Xavier put his hand on the chair. I immediately stepped back, putting space between us. Despite the small distance, his expensive cologne assaulted my senses. “H, why does he smell so good?”

He pulled out my chair. I noticed he had a hint of nervousness on his face. I could tell he was at least being truthful about his lack of dating experience. I looked at his open-neck shirt and his dark jacket. Masculinity exuded from him. He was clean-shaven, his skin well-cared for. His shiny, wavy black hair was styled very nicely.

Other than the tempting-smelling cologne and this unsure confidence that he wore. Something else caught my attention. Of course, I would sit, as he politely insisted. But there was something else about him. Something that said, “Sexy!”

Lots of sex appeal—far too much for my taste. I couldn’t understand why I was breathing hard just looking at him. I excused it as my disdain for this type of man.

“I want to thank you so much for joining me.”

Xavier’s face shifted, confidence edged with something raw, almost unguarded. I tried to keep my cool, lips pressed in a line, but the truth was a shock: I wanted him. God help me, I wanted him, and that made everything dangerous. His accented voice curled through me, making it impossible not to meet his gaze when he spoke.

“You look uncomfortable. Forgive me, please; I don’t know why I have this effect on people. Everyone says I look mean. But, trust me, I’m not. You can relax. I don’t remember you telling me your name.” He said it calmly, without arrogance. I noticed his eyelids blinked more than usual.

I sat and angled toward the exit, ready to leave at any minute as I responded.

“Charlize Johnson and yours?”

“Hi, I’m Xavier-X. It’s such a pleasure to meet you in person finally.”

I turned my body away from the door, letting a genuine smile break through. His answering smile was electric. In that charged moment, I decided: I’d play along, keep him guessing, and maybe—just maybe—see how close I could get to the fire without getting burned. “I’m so sorry we had to end up meeting this way.”

“Mr. X,”

“Please call me Xavier, please.”

“Your boys, says, you could have any woman you want. So why risk everything to bring me here? Is this some twisted fantasy, or are you chasing something real? Because right now, it feels like you’re about to ruin both our lives. Once I’m finally reported missing…then what are you going to do?”