Chapter 9 - Victoria

Victoria

S unlight glinted off the windows, forcing me to shield my eyes from the glare. Logan Tower soared above all the other buildings, a majestic structure made of steel and glass rising out of the concrete.

“Kind of obnoxious, isn’t it?” Hannah Pruitt asked with a smile. “I mean, not more obnoxious than our Manhattan building. Nobody can hold a candle to the Caldwells’ obsession with being the biggest, tallest, shiniest, and best, right?”

“Your grandfather does have a flair for the dramatic,” I teased. “It must run in the family.”

Hannah laughed, her brown eyes sparkling as she tossed her flaxen hair over her shoulder. Technically speaking, she was my boss at the Legends, even though we were the same age, give or take a few months. Hannah ran the entire communications department for the team. Some would say there’s a bit of nepotism in the organization, but she’s smart, savvy, and earned her place among the executives .

We walked through the automated revolving doors and checked in at the security desk, where we were instructed to wait by the reception area.

“I feel terrible I wasn’t able to go to the event on Saturday,” Hannah said. “Did I miss anything good?”

“Oh, just the usual bloated corporate flexing and schmoozing.”

“Was Randy there?”

“I don’t think so. I mean, I didn’t see him. Why? I thought you two were done?”

She shrugged. “Just curious.”

“You can do so much better.”

“Yeah, well, better hasn’t texted me yet.”

“Oh hush,” I said. “Have you met Bennet Logan yet? In person? I know you’ve been emailing quite a bit.”

“No. Saturday was supposed to be the big in-person meet up. I can’t believe I got sick on the flight over.” She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t tell anyone that’s why I bailed. Makes me sound lame.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

Professionals young and old scurried through the atrium, some talking on the phone while others deftly avoided collisions as they texted or scrolled through whatever was more important than looking straight ahead.

It was a little after two in the afternoon. Hannah and I were scheduled to see Bennet right around now. Actually, this was Hannah’s meeting to discuss the Legends possibly playing here in the fall. He’d emailed me this morning to see if I was available to join.

“Ladies, there you are.” Bennet’s voice echoed through the atrium. He commanded the space without much effort, nodding hellos to several people. His strides were long and determined. Bennet was the archetypal vision of wealth and power in his double breasted gray suit. “Apologies for my tardiness. I seem to have double booked myself this afternoon. ”

“We’ll let it slide this one time,” I tsk-tsked with a smile.

Bennet grinned at me, then turned to Hannah and extended his hand. “Pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Pruitt.”

Hannah appeared to be a little awestruck by our host. I stifled a laugh, wondering if I should have warned her about being in the presence of the god of thunder. Bennet seemed a bit thrown himself. The extra long stare they shared put me squarely in third wheel territory.

“So, what do you have planned for us today?” I asked, trying my best to cut through the foggy layer encasing the two of them.

“Like I said, I double booked myself so we have one stop to make before we can start our meeting.” Bennet’s amber eyes did this little twinkle thing that instantly made me suspicious.

“I’m sure whatever you have in store for us will be fine.” Hannah’s normally strong, clear voice sounded almost breathy.

“Okay then, lead the way.” I gestured toward Bennet, hoping to spark something other than hormones. He picked up on my cue and led us to the elevators.

I stayed a step or two behind them, observing how they interacted. Bennet seemed unsure about what he wanted to do with his hands. He kept fidgeting. Granted, I’ve only interacted with him once, but I’m smart enough to pick up on nonverbal cues. As for Hannah, she kept talking in a breathy voice, which is so out of character for her.

Once we got into the elevator it became abundantly clear I was now invisible. Grinning to myself, I pulled my phone out. I hadn’t texted Xavier yet like I said I would. No time like the present.

Me: Hey. All recovered from your big press conference? V

I slid my phone back into my bag just as the elevator doors opened. We walked into a lobby. The name Impact XM hung from the wall in black metal letters.

Of course.

OF. COURSE .

Double booked, my ass .

I looked at Bennet and lifted an eyebrow. He just smiled at me and shrugged.

“The innocent act doesn’t really work on you, Bennet,” I muttered, looking around.

The whole space was decorated in shades of black, gray and white. A black and white photo of mustang horses running free covered an entire wall. Captivated by the photo, I walked closer to get a better look.

The animals’ muscular bodies were captured mid-gallop. The lead horse in the photo was dark, most likely chestnut-colored. The image felt powerful and very masculine. Almost like…

“I’m comforted to see you’ve remembered how to use your phone, Ms. Chase.”

I shivered when I turned. Xavier’s stare zeroed right in on me while he waved his phone in my direction. I wet my lips on instinct. The corner of his mouth ticked up in a wicked grin.

“There he is.” Bennet beamed as he approached his friend. “The man of the hour. So proud of you, mate.”

He embraced Xavier before introducing him to Hannah. I did my best to maintain a professional smile but so help me, just being in his orbit makes it nearly impossible.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him if I wanted to. Black jeans hugged his long, muscular legs. A black button down shirt hid his sculpted torso but I knew all too well what waited for me underneath. His left hand was clasped over his right arm at the elbow, giving me a great view of the black and silver rings adorning his thumb, middle, and ring fingers.

Hannah nudged me gently and leaned close. “How do you know him?”

I shook myself out of the daze that has been ruling my life since he pulled off the side of the road. Having my boss standing next to me while every inch of my body screamed to be touched by this man wasn’t the most professional scenario. True, Hannah and I were friendly outside the office but this was a business meeting, not a night out in Vegas. And I’ll be damned if he didn’t know the effect he was having on me right now.

“He was at the event on Saturday.” I managed to vocalize part of the truth.

A harried looking young man rushed over to Xavier. “Mr. Maddox,” he stammered, “we’ll need you down in the media room soon. We start in less than fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks, Craig,” Xavier acknowledged the young man but kept his focus on me. “Would it be alright if I borrowed Ms. Chase for a few minutes? Her media relations skills could really come in handy.”

“I don’t think—“

“Of course,” Hannah interrupted me. “She’s the best in the business as far as I’m concerned. Take all the time you need.”

“Perfect. Cheers.” He motioned to his left. “This way.”

I turned and followed him down the hall. He led me into a room where I fully expected to see a podium with a microphone set up and maybe a handful of people waiting for the presser to start.

I was so wrong. Well, not totally wrong. There was a podium with a microphone. However, there wasn’t a person in sight.

The door clicked shut behind me. I walked to the table positioned near the podium, steeled myself and turned around.

Xavier half-grinned, tilting his head to the side. “I have you alone again.”

“Yes you do.” I clutched onto the table for dear life. “So, what can I help you with?”

He moved closer, like a wolf on the prowl. “How come you waited so long to text me?”

I smirked. “That’s what this is all about?”

He was in front of me now, inches away. “Not really. I knew you’d be here.”

“How?”

Now it was his turn to smirk. “Bennet casually mentioned his meeting with you. Since my press conference was around the same time, I asked him to bring you here.”

“Ah. You’re both in on it. Good to know.”

“There’s no in on it Victoria. Just a pleasant coincidence.” His hands moved to the small of my back. “I like you in business casual. I’d like it better in a pile on the floor.”

“That’s not a very professional thing to say in the workplace,” I half-scolded.

The sound of his low, quiet laugh seared through me.

“I thought we already established the type of gentleman you preferred.”

I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on the table, momentarily regretting wearing this dress instead of something more impenetrable, like pants.

A wicked gleam brightened his eyes. “Do I really make you this nervous?”

“No but someone could walk in at any moment,” I warned.

“And what would they see?” His eyes darkened.

“You know what they’d see.”

“And you’d love every second of it,” he murmured, running his thumb beneath my lip. “Your gloss is rather sexy. Did you wear this color for Bennet?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Just checking.” The dimple appeared.

“You’re hot when you’re jealous for no reason.”

“And you’re mine for the rest of today and all of tomorrow.” He hiked up my dress and felt his way between my legs. The cool metal of his rings on my skin made me shudder.

“I love how fucking wet you are,” he growled softly. “Think we can take care of this before anyone walks in?”

“Is this what you meant by tomorrow ?”

“Not quite. But I enjoy improvising. Especially since I can’t keep my hands off you.”

I should pump the brakes on this. NOW.

But I really don’t want to.

“So what, um, what did you need my help with exactly?”

A small smile curved his lips. “Any advice on what I should do if I get nervous in front of all those reporters?”

“You can’t be serious.”

The smile grew, becoming a bit more crooked. “I could just picture you naked the whole time I’m up there. I mean, I plan to anyway.”

“Not quite the advice I would give.”

His fingers still teased between my legs. It’s hard to maintain my composure with him so close, with his hands on me, and his smile so pretty.

“You’re right. Probably not the best advice. Although,” he circled a finger lightly around my oversensitive clitoris, “I’m quite fond of the way you look right now. I’d love to kiss you and smear this pretty gloss all over your smart mouth.”

He bent his head so our mouths just about touched. I licked my lips on instinct.

“You’ll have it all over yours. The reporters will want to know what you were doing in here.”

“I’ll just tell the truth. A beautiful, American media relations professional was assisting me and had a few tips she wanted to share.”

“Was she helpful?”

“Oh yes.” His fingers slid under my panties and dipped inside me.

My eyelids fluttered. “Did she remind you to be charismatic, articulate, and authoritative? And to focus on your main message?”

Intense pleasure surged through me when he pressed his thumb on my throbbing clit, making small circles. He pulled my dress higher with his other hand, lifting and pushing my leg wider. The feel of his clothes rubbing along my skin when he rocked his hips nearly shattered me.

“She did. I know how important focusing is to her.”

His thumb intensified its delicious movements. Our parted mouths hovered close while our tongues played together, slowly licking and stroking.

“I’m so close.” I gasped, grabbing onto his shoulders. “Don’t stop. Please.”

“I told you I’d never be able to stop.” He shoved his fingers deep inside me. My muscles tensed. Not once did we break eye contact. My God he felt so good.

“Do you want to come for me now, dirty princess?”

“Yes, please.”

The smile that spread across his lips was more than sinful. It was sacrilegious. “Say it again.”

“Yes, please.”

A deep growl rumbled through his chest as his fingers meticulously teased and tantalized me. His warm breath skimmed my cheek when he whispered, “I love that you’re this kind of girl.”

My orgasm hit like lightning. I cried out, clutching his shirt and twisting it, pulling him close until my quivering body relaxed.

He stepped back, removed his hand from between my legs and sucked his fingers into his mouth. I almost came again.

“Xavier,” I whispered, looking up at him. The way his eyes shone as he looked back at me stirred an emotion I didn’t recognize.

“I thought about you last night.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “After I got home. After what we did at my car.” He collared my neck with his hand, caressing it with his thumb. “When I went to bed I laid there picturing you while I stroked myself. Remembering how your hand felt on me. How you sound. How you smell. How you taste. Fuck, I came so hard. So hard. And then I thought about you again this morning when I showered.”

Pretty sure he meant to destroy me in this room. I couldn’t breathe. He was pushing me to the brink again. Only this time, he used his words and not his hands. Those hands that do not miss.

Dangerous.

Addictive.

And so fucking hot.

It wasn’t even like he was making a performance out of telling me all this. He was just telling me. And it was so him. Because it’s Xavier and he’s dirty and artful when he does it. How he chose his words, his inflections. How his eyes glazed over with a hypnotic mix of possession and affection and vulnerability.

“I thought about you, too,” I confessed. “For a while.”

“How many times did you make yourself come?”

“Three.”

He reached behind me and grabbed my ass. “I shouldn’t have asked. Now I want you to show me how you got yourself off and there’s no time.” His voice was gruff and terse.

I wanted to kiss him.

I wanted his mouth on me.

I leaned in close and licked the seam of his lips.

“Not now, love,” he moaned, inhaling slow and closing his eyes.

The way he regained control over his body astounded me.

When he opened his eyes, he studied my face. Another crooked smile appeared.

“I like our prepping sessions.” He pulled away, letting reality and logic pour between us. “I should hire you to be my personal media relations director.”

“You couldn’t afford me.” I managed to say, pushing away from the table with care. “I must look a mess.”

He chuckled, pulling my dress down and smoothing it. “You’re beautiful.”

I nearly melted into the floor.

Seconds later, the door opened and Craig walked in.

“Ready Mr. Maddox?” he inquired.

Xavier stared at me when he answered. “I’m always ready.”

Hannah and I stood off to the side with Bennet while Xavier stood at the podium answering a barrage of questions from the media. He was a natural up there, talking about his vision for Impact XM , along with some of the new endorsements he’d already secured.

I learned quite a bit about his professional career through the back and forth with reporters. They all seemed to enjoy speaking with him and he gave a great interview.

The ease in which he handled this press conference reminded me of several of our players back home. Some pro-athletes had an innate ability to talk to the media. Xavier was definitely one of them.

“Last question, everyone,” Craig called out to the room. “Brian, go ahead.”

“Xavier, now that your suspension is almost over, do you have any regrets about getting red-carded and tossed from that match?”

Rapt silence spread throughout the room. I sensed from the way Bennet stiffened his posture and Xavier gripped the podium this wasn’t a question they expected or wanted.

I could see the muscles working in Xavier’s jaw while he paused to gather his thoughts.

“It’s a passionate sport, Brian,” he finally said. “Emotions were high. There was a lot going on by the goal. Lots of shoving and pushing. Lots of bodies fighting for good position. I don’t really know what happened. All I know is I lost control. Deke, Zach, and I talked after.” He shrugged. “We’re good. No hard feelings or anything.”

The room was silent for a few seconds .

“You’re known to be hot-headed on the pitch. Do you regret any of your,” the reported paused, “other infractions or lack of finesse in certain game situations? Would you have preferred to handle yourself in a better way?”

Xavier glared at the reporter, the tips of his fingers turning white as his grip on the podium intensified.

“Thanks for coming everyone,” Craig jumped in front of the microphone. “We’re really very excited about this new venture. Thanks again.”

Xavier remained rooted in place while the reporters made their way out. Craig spoke to him briefly before exiting the room. Bennet excused himself and walked over to his friend.

“Do you know what that’s all about?” Hannah asked me.

“No idea.”

I’d been so wrapped up screwing around with this guy I didn’t even stop to consider what type of athlete he could be. I’ve worked with many prima donnas in my career. Some with very short fuses. Hearing that Xavier could fall into this category concerned me.

Then again, he’s just a casual fling, right? I don’t have to worry myself about his on-field or off-field antics.

Which is why I don’t fuck the product. At least not more than one time. SHIT. What am I doing?

Whatever happened, it left Xavier in an unsettled mood. His placid expression gave me pause when Bennet called us over.

“Great job, mate.” Bennet remarked, placing a hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “We’ll meet for dinner later, yeah? There’s a new spot downtown Cade’s been rambling on and on about.”

“Is it Noble’s Paradise?” Hannah wondered. “I’ve heard tons about that place and was hoping to get there before I leave.”

“Might be,” Bennet replied. “Would you ladies be interested in joining us? Unless you have other plans, of course.”

I managed to catch Xavier’s eye while the two of them made dinner plans for all of us. He still seemed uneasy but softened his expression when he saw me.

“Right then. Dinner is sorted,” Bennet proclaimed. “Let’s get this meeting underway, shall we?”

The four of us started to walk toward the elevator when a hand gently held my arm.

“Hey,” Xavier said quietly. “Thank you for being here.”

“My pleasure.”

A smile lit up his handsome face, erasing the discomfort dominating it. The sight kicked up a rustling of butterflies in my stomach.

Butterflies? No, no, no .

We stopped at the elevator bank and waited.

The longer he kept his hand on my arm the harder it became for me to maintain an efficient, professional barrier. Those eyes kept making dirty promise after filthy promise after I’m-going-to-do-unspeakable-things-to-you promise. My tongue and lips itched to answer with yes, please … yes, please … Yes. Please .

The audible gasp I heard when he kissed me in front of everyone didn’t come from me. At least I don’t think it did. The only sound that came from me was a whimper when he broke his mouth away.

“Tonight and tomorrow, you’re mine,” he murmured. “And then we’ll figure out the rest.”

He kissed me again. Softer but just as passionate.

I couldn’t look Bennet or Hannah in the eye when I staggered toward the elevator. At least I hope I didn’t stagger. I tried like hell to walk like none of this affected me in the slightest.

Xavier stood in the lobby, his eyes to glued to my every movement.

Bennet hit the button and just before the doors closed said, “Don’t forget your four o’clock, mate. I’ll be calling to check on you later.” His tone was clipped, almost imposing.

Xavier’s pissed off face was the last thing I saw as the doors shut.