Chapter 7: Wine Plus Whiskey Equals…

Xavier.

Thirty minutes into the drive and Audrey is asleep. I glance at her every now and then, especially when I hit a bump but she's fast asleep. There's a peaceful expression on her face and I draw in a deep breath when I realize that I've never seen her with that expression before.

She's either guarded, hurt or scared. Oh, I've seen her angry too–that was the expression on her face before she finally managed to fall asleep.

I turn my attention back to the road and my thought strays to the phone call I received earlier, from my father.

He always makes me angry. Even now, my hands clench on the steering wheel as I think of him.

He had gotten his hands on Melrose Apparels—the overseas company I purchase my fabrics from. Custom-made fabrics, if I may add.

God only knows why he still bothers with business when he has clearly retired and left the company to Conrad, my younger brother.

But somehow, he managed to strike a deal with the CEO of Melrose Apparels and he's now calling the shots—it's possible he bought the company but I won't know the details until I get home. Anyway, I need to be physically present for a meeting tomorrow, or else I can consider my contract with them null.

That asshole.

He knows I can't let that happen. My fashion show is coming up in two months’ time and I need the materials finished and shipped to New York in two weeks. How do I start looking for companies that would produce new and quality lingerie fabrics on short notice?

Not to mention the fact that I would have to explain what I need in details; a feat that took me weeks to accomplish with Melrose, even as we've been working together for a long time.

Besides, Melrose is the best in the industry and my father knows how much I hate change, so he orchestrated this meeting to get me to come back earlier than I planned. I can't even get to enjoy a week's getaway in peace.

Sighing heavily, I steel myself. My father has already gotten me where he wanted and I'll deal with him tomorrow. All I need to bother about now is what I'm going to do with Audrey.

***

We finally arrive in Manhattan around midnight. Audrey is wide awake and has been giving me the silent treatment since she woke up. The only time she spoke to me was when she needed to use the restroom on the way.

Even when I wanted to get food at a drive through and I had asked what she wanted, she spoke directly with the attendant instead of replying to me. Yup, definitely petty. I file that information away for later.

She groggily steps out of the car and I direct her to my penthouse.

“You can sleep in the second room by the right. I'm sure it's all cleaned up,” I gesture.

She raises her eyebrows at me and for a second, I think she's just going to ignore me but she doesn't.

“And where are you rushing to?” Her voice comes out hoarse from lack of use. My hand is already on the door and I turn to face her, a smile creeping its way to my lips.

She groans, irritated that she finally spoke to me, and flops down on the couch.

“I'll be back soon.”

I'm still sporting a shitty grin on my face when I enter Ecstasy. The club is just how I remembered it to be: the flashing lights, the music, the strippers, the heavy scent of smoke in the air.

Immediately, I'm escorted to the VIP section and the glass door is shut behind me, reducing the sound of the music. I see Ethan lounging on the armchair, surrounded by women and I flop down beside him.

A waiter approaches me. “The usual, sir?”

I nod and turn my attention to Ethan who's looking at me like I just swallowed a live bug in front of him.

One of the strippers walks seductively towards me and on any other night, I'd allow myself a bit of release but tonight is different.

I'm stressed out from driving without proper rest and I just need a drink. Waving her off, I grab the bottle of whiskey and tumbler the waiter brings back. I pour myself a generous amount and add some ice cubes, downing it in one go. Damn, I needed that.

Pouring myself a second glass, I take a swig and relax against the plush cushion before turning my attention back to Ethan.

“Oh stop looking at me like that!” I reprimand him.

“But you weren't supposed to be back yet,” he retorts.

“Well, you can take it up with my father the next time you see him.”

That shuts him up but I know it's temporary. He'll swing by the office tomorrow and pester me, but for now, I've got a bottle of whiskey to finish.

***

On the contrary, I don't finish my bottle of whiskey but I take enough to get really tipsy.

“Don't forget to return my car,” I yell as I stumble out of my car when Ethan drops me home.

He smirks. He fucking smirks. And before I can give him a piece of my mind, he zooms off. He better return my fucking Porsche.

Shaking my head, I make my way into the elevator, slow and steady. Glancing down at my watch, I realize it's already 4 am. Damn, I hope I make it to the meeting in one piece.

I'm surprised when I enter the penthouse to see the TV on and Audrey sitting in front of it.

“What are you doing?” My speech is slightly slurry. I notice the bottle of wine on the center table and the glass in her hand.

“I'm just watching the news to see if there's any mention of me,” she replies, her face flushed red as she tries to hide the glass from me.

I scoff.

“I doubt Brandon would go to the authorities about you. He'll most likely take matters into his own hand,” I huff as I sit beside her on the couch.

That's when I notice that her hands are trembling slightly.

“Are you okay?”

She hesitates for a while before blowing out a deep breath, dropping the glass of wine on the table.

“I'm scared, Xavier. For the first time in five years, I feel free but Brandon…”

“Shhh…” I press my finger to her lips and it turns out to be a huge mistake because her lips are moist against my finger and I'm reminded of our kiss in the car.

As if that's not enough, I feel myself growing hard in my pants. I snatch my hand back. I'm tipsy, I'm not thinking straight and neither is she.

“Xavier…” she pants and I almost groan from how enticing my name sounds on her lips. Suddenly, I'm thinking of another set of lips and the way she'll sound breathy as she says my name like a prayer when I eat her out.

Before I overthink it, I'm kneeling in front of her as she stares at me, wide-eyed.

I start from her ankle, running my hand up to her legs, subtly lifting the fucking white dress she's wearing that looks like a potato sack.

When it's way over her thighs, I start from her knees, kissing my way to the inside of her thighs—sucking and biting lightly as I go.

“Xavier,” she moans. Yes, this is exactly what I fantasized about. Much better, actually.

Her skin is soft and she smells like sweat but honestly, I don't care. My dick is leading me and I allow it—it’s definitely not my first time.

Too soon, I'm done with the exposed part of her thighs and I grab onto the dress to shift it higher. I look up at her, expecting her to protest but the sight I see takes away all semblance of self-control that I have.

She's looking at me with so much heat in her eyes that my cock jumps inside my jeans. Her hands are caressing her nipples through the dress and she's biting the corner of her lips as she stares down at me.

Fuck! I groan and tug on the offensive dress, just as she lifts her bottom off the couch to help me bunch the dress around her waist.

She's in white lace panties and I almost explode as I breathe in her scent. It's musky and at the same time, it gives me a heady feeling. I spread her legs and run my fingers up and down her pussy through the panties.

It's as damp as I had imagined and even though my brain is yelling at me that this is a bad idea, I look up at her from my kneeling position and ask, “Can I?”