14. Saoirse

14

SAOIRSE

Y ou're kidding," I whisper more to myself as we pull up to the gate of Xavier's Mediterranean style home, or should I say compound .

He certainly downplayed the size of his house. This is damn near a resort.

The driver parks and immediately jumps out to get our bags as we exit the vehicle.

Xavier places a hand on the small of my back. " I'll show you around." Goosebumps rise across my skin at the slight touch. I've never met anyone who's made my body react this way. Just his eyes on me can cause me to overheat.

" This is beautiful," I say as we walk through the arched entryway. The entire place is tiled with wood finishes and exposed beams coming from the roof. It's nothing short of stunning.

" This is the main living space," Xavier tells me when we enter the fully furnished family room, but I'm not paying attention to that at all. My eyes are focused on what lies beyond the glass patio doors.

I turn and look at him. " You made it sound like you had a cute little cottage here. How big is this place?"

" I never said that," he replies, walking up behind me. " And by now, you should know that I do nothing in half-measures."

His arms wrap around me, his large hand spreading across my abdomen.

I lean into his hold; this shouldn't feel so easy. But it does. I've spent the last few weeks trying to deny what my brain already knows to be true. Xavier is becoming more than a mark to me.

This isn't just a simple game, this is more.

And it'll never work.

There is no happily ever after here, and my life is certainly not a fairytale.

How would I explain to him that I've been using him for his money and gifts? Stealing from him when he isn't paying attention and scamming him when all he's been to me is good.

And if by some small chance he could overlook these things, there's Gage . If I were to leave, his life would also change. He can take care of himself with what he makes dealing, but it wouldn't make up for what I bring in.

He's also the same psychopath that I was nervous to be around all those years ago. We're on the same team now, which makes him less scary, but if I were to cross him, I have no doubt he would hunt me down with a vengeance.

This will be over soon, anyway. Three more weeks. That's all we have left. Everything will come out on Halloween night. Gage will sneak in while Xavier and I go to Metu Noctis — the ultimate scare experience. I thought I would have to convince Xavier to go with me, but he had been surprisingly willing. One last ‘fun' moment before he comes back home and finds Gage waiting for him, and learns that Nyx is nothing more than a character.

" Can I get you a drink?" he offers, breaking me out of my musings.

I force a smile onto my face. " Yes , please. Something strong."

He squeezes my hip and then walks away, leaving me to mourn this loss of his body heat.

When he reappears, he's holding two glasses of bourbon, handing one to me. I take a sip and revel in the slightly sweet oak flavor before it warms my chest.

" Thank you," I say, trying to shake off my earlier thoughts.

" I'll finish the tour, then I'll show you the back. I have a feeling you'll love it."

The whole home is spectacular, but when we step outside, I'm awestruck.

" Four hundred acres," Xavier explains, as I take in just how much land there is while I walk down the stone path that leads to the pool area. " The tennis court and fitness center are over there." He points over to the left.

" Good to know, but you work me out just fine, thanks."

" Hurricane ."

" Mr . Atwood ."

" Fuck . If you want me to put you over my knee, you just have to ask."

I laugh, pointing in the opposite direction. " What's over there?"

" Stables and my vineyard."

I have to force my mouth not to open in shock. Xavier truly is on a different level from any man I've been around. " You have your own? For what reason?"

" Privacy , and I wanted it."

I shake my head in amazement. " Essentially , you own everything as far as the eye can see."

" It sounds excessive when you say it like that."

" If it comes off that way, it's because it really is."

He ignores my quip, giving me a small slap on the ass. " Are you ready for dinner now?"

" Yes . Feed me, I'm starving."

" I want to take you to my favorite spots in the area. I've already booked us a table for all of them while we're here."

I find something to change into—a black, ruched mini-dress—and then we're on our way. The restaurant is located on the grounds of a winery. String lights line the ceiling and surrounding trees. The entire place looks like something out of a travel magazine. The food is good, but the wine is incredible. It puts the bottles that I have sitting at home to shame. By the time we're done with our meal and get back to the house, I'm full and slightly tipsy.

" I'm exhausted." I kick off my shoes and flop onto the bed.

" I have something for you," Xavier says, and I hear him opening a suitcase. I lift my head, trying to get a peek at what he might have gotten me. He looks over his shoulder at me. " Close your eyes."

" Yes , daddy." I obey with a smirk, knowing that every time I call him that it turns him on.

His footsteps get closer. " Hold out your hands."

I lay my palms out flat in front of me and he places something smooth in them. I open my eyes and look down at the red Cartier box in my hands.

" What is this for?" Unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

" For being you. For trusting me and opening up about your parents."

It feels hard to swallow; I hadn't expected to do that, but it had felt right in the moment.

" It's a custom piece," he continues, " I had them rush it."

" You rushed Cartier ?" My tone is incredulous. " You know what? Never mind."

I open the box and gasp. " Holy shit!"

Inside the box, lies a diamond collar necklace made to look like a snake winding its way around your throat. " This is beautiful."

I slowly pick up the piece, admiring the emeralds placed for its eyes.

" Just like you."

Oh .

" Thank you." I know my voice is strained, but I can't help it.

" Anytime , hurricane. Now , let me put the necklace on you so I can fuck you in nothing but that." My pussy pulses at his words.

He secures the jewelry around my neck. I look at myself in the mirror, and touch the tail of the snake that trails down my chest.

It's absolutely perfect. Disappointment hits me like a lightning bolt. If Gage sees it, he'll immediately push to sell it. It's worth too much. It's the obvious choice, but I'm not doing it. There's no way that I'm giving this up.

I don't want to do any of it anymore. Xavier doesn't deserve this. He's not some rich, obnoxious guy who needs to be brought down a peg. He worked hard to get to where he is now, and sure, he's living in luxury, but that hasn't always been the case.

The game ends here.

I'll have to be careful with how I approach this with Gage , but I'm done.

The one thing that I never thought could happen has… I'm falling for the target.

" I love it." I look at him through the glass.

" Good , I'm glad."

He walks up behind me, and pushes the top of my dress down as he kisses my shoulder, his eyes still focused on me in the mirror.

My eyes shut and he whispers in my ear, his voice low and commanding, " Eyes open, hurricane. I want you to watch us. You should see just how angelic you look when you're coming for me."

He pulls the rest of my dress down, leaving me completely bare, a stark contrast to him still fully clothed. One of his hands reaches between my legs.

" So wet." He rubs teasing circles over my clit, making me moan. " Is my little storm ready for me?"

It's not even a question. " Yes , please."

" Please , what?" He unzips his pants.

" Fuck me. Please , fuck me." I breathe heavily.

" I like hearing you plead for my cock, like a pathetic little slut. How badly do you want it?"

Fuck . I didn't think it was possible, but his words turn me on even more.

" So badly, please. I need you."

Xavier lines himself up at my entrance. His other hand grasps my jaw. " You look so pretty when you beg."

Then , he thrusts into me. My hands fly forward, slamming on top of the dresser.

He fucks me ruthlessly, each stroke hitting that euphoric spot inside me that makes me see stars. Watching us in the mirror makes everything so much hotter. My cheeks are flushed and my breathing is ragged. " Fuck , yes, I'm coming."

I fall onto the wooden surface as my orgasm overtakes me, Xavier following right after me.

We stare at each other as we catch our breath, and I wish I could tell him exactly how I feel.

But it's not time yet.