So engulfed in the new product mock ups his designer had sent him, Xy didn't notice Lana until she was standing directly in front of him. Slowly, he closed his computer, a wide grin spreading across his face as he watched her shift her weight from one foot to the next, looking nervous."All done?" He glanced around the bakery, noticing it was empty for the first time. When he arrived, it was packed with patrons, but now the bakery had cleared out, leaving no one but Lana standing before him. Forcing a breath he didn't realize he was holding, Xy was blown away by her beauty, staring with appreciation as she blushed before him. He loved the effect he had on her. It was obvious she liked him, though she still blushed as if she was holding a secret. Amused, he stood, quickly packing his laptop away before offering his hand."Ready?" he asked. Lana stared at his hand for a long moment before placing her thin fingers in his palm, allowing Xy to lead her out of the bakery afte
With her eyes closed, Lana was left to her dreams as Xy caressed her lips softly with his. He was so gentle, and careful, treating her like a delicate flower as she pressed her thighs close, desire rushing through her quickly. As her mind swirled with thoughts, she tried to convince herself that it was all real because the way Xy made her feel, it felt like a dream. He had been a perfect gentleman the entire night, and now with a sweet kiss, she doubted it could get any better. While secrecy had been a cloak she found comfort in, Lana suddenly felt the desire to strip the layers away and reveal the true self she had shielded from everyone all these years. There was something different about him, and she found it fateful that the two had met with all of the layers of security she had placed throughout her life. While it was only a few seconds, their kiss took Lana's breath away, leaving her wanting more when Xy finally pulled away. Without a word, he sat back into his seat,
"Good morning, Mr. Ashington," an older gentleman greeted Xy as he made his way into the office. He hated the formality of being addressed by his last name, but older employees demanded the formal structure, so he allowed it. Many of the younger employees simply called him Xy, and he was fine with that as well. There weren't many CEOs at his level going by their first names, but he liked to be an anomaly."Morning. What's on the docket for the day, Akira?" He greeted his friend and assistant as he approached his office. As usual, she was moving between two desks, with a headset on her head and a stack of papers in her hand."Good morning! How was your night?" She quizzed him, right on his heels as he moved into his office."Great. What are those?" Glancing over his shoulder, he struggled to get a peek at the paperwork she was holding."The contracts for next spring's line and the designs for this year's Christmas costumes," she smiled, carefully placing the sheets on Xy''s desk."When
She had just unpacked the last of her boxes, standing back to take in her new place. It had all come together in the final hours as she found the perfect nook for every photo frame and knick-knack she had picked up from one place or another. The living area was very cozy and centered around a brick fireplace Lana couldn't wait to use. It was the selling feature when she first saw the apartment, daydreaming of cooler evenings when she could cuddle up on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea. She wanted to make a life in her new place and had all the trappings to make it happen. The small couch was more like a loveseat, evident that she didn't have much plans for hosting others or entertaining. It was a small space, but it was perfect for her. She needed to rebuild her life and it was the perfect setting to do just that. The hardwood floors ran through the entire apartment, including the small kitchen that featured an island with a metal countertop, covered by the cut marks
Lana Reign had been even more excited than Xyrus expected when he invited her out to the charity event. She was beaming as he walked her through the restaurant, and now at their private dining table, she was overflowing with questions about what to expect and how he had gotten involved with the charity. He appreciated her enthusiasm, smiling as he fielded her questions, trying to answer as many as he could."How long have you been involved with this charity?" she asked, glancing up from the leather-bound menu she held with two hands."This one in particular, I'm not sure. My friend keeps me in the loop of all the most influential charities. He's got an eye for spotting potential, and I just like to be a part of helping them help others," he answered honestly. It was his way of balancing out the way he devoted so much of his life to his career. He needed to help others, but sometimes his time was so limited, he could only lend money. Luckily for him, he had a lot of t
"Let's sit down," Xyrus suggested and Lana happily accepted. They had walked so far she wasn't sure which way led back to his car. Having wanted to extend their time together, she would have agreed to walk to the end of the world with him if it meant their hands would be intertwined a little while longer."You look really nice tonight," Xyrus said, as she sat on the black wrought iron bench."Thank you. I'm beginning to notice you have a bit of a uniform," she teased, noting his white button up shirt and blue jeans."It makes my day easier," he explained, shrugging his shoulders with a carefree smile."And you look nice in it," she added, watching his eyes brighten. He was too handsome to not know his impact on women, so she was amused when he appeared shocked by her compliments. He had to know how attractive he was, and being the center of his attention felt a bit overwhelming for her. She was used to getting occasional scraps of attention from Dan, but Xyrus doted on he
"This is it?" the driver asked Xyrus as they arrived at his estate. Turning to face the guard in the small tower in front of his property, he made eye contact and a simple nod before the iron gate opened. He'd been in such a passionate embrace with Lana that he didn't even notice when they got close, let alone when they pulled into his home."Nice place," the driver grunted under his breath as they pulled down the driveway. Watching closely, he could sense Lana's confusion when they finally reached the front door. His home was grand, so over the top in fact that he often took women to hotels, just to manage expectations. He didn't want to display such wealth unless he knew the woman could be trusted. Lana had passed all of those tests, and he wanted to invite her into a different part of his life. Xyrus's home was his sanctuary, where he was able to be himself without judgment or ridicule. Only a handful of women had received an invitation, and now he was going to show his p
[LANA] In what had been the boldest, and most vulnerable move of her life, Lana stood before Xyrus, offering herself as she never had before. She was certain that she wanted to move forward with him, tired of playing games and delaying the pleasure she so desperately wanted. When his eyes fell on her, she knew she had not over-estimated his desire, and she waited on tempered passion as he stormed across the room, taking her mouth with his own. Xyrus was unforgiving in his kiss, roughly controlling her, as he walked forward, forcing her to follow his lead until the back of her legs bumped into his bed. Slowly, he laid her onto the bed with a gentle guidance until her head rested against the plush comforter. His entire bedroom was barely decorated with dark contrasts of color creating a dark and intimate vibe. Xyrus's bedroom felt like a private haven, and she knew it was reserved for him as an exclusive room in his house. She did not take it lightly that he had invited