Chapter Fourteen

Brooke

After yesterday, something shifts between Xavier and me. While I’m not sure if he feels as deeply for me as I do for him, I know I no longer have to constantly wonder if he’s playing a game or not and that is a massive load off my heart. It’s as if someone has finally taken pity on me and let me off a crazy roller-coaster.

We spend Sunday morning enjoying the beach resort that had been made exclusive to the wedding guests. The plan, as a thank-you gift from Alex and Nora, was for everyone to remain in Cancun to fully enjoy the holiday before returning to their busy lives.

I make a mental note to thank Stella for packing beachwear, which otherwise would have been the last thing I’d have paid attention to. I’m still wearing the sexy dark blue bikini Xavier had taken one look at this morning and fucked me against the bathroom counter. I’m finding the man has such a hair trigger for getting turned on. Earlier, as I got dressed again, finally tying the matching sash around my hip, I heard his relieved sigh and smiled inwardly. Possessive man .

Xavier is all cool sophistication and a perfect gentleman outwardly but under all that lies the heart of a savage. He says and does the rudest and filthiest things in bed, and God help me, I love it. I love it so much.

At the moment, we’re sunbathing on lounge chairs and enjoying the view. I needed a breather after all the swimming and frolicking in the waves.

“So, what if I wanted to go back yesterday evening?” I ask Xavier who’s putting sunscreen on my back.

“I would have taken you back,” he says.

“And you would have missed out on all of this?” I throw an arm out, indicating the incredible view and all the people—his friends and family—surfing, jet skiing, snorkeling, or like us, just lazing around. Even Giovanni’s “security detail” men are playing beach volleyball.

He shrugs. “There will always be holidays. You, on the other hand, were skittish.”

“Skittish. Wow.” I don’t even know if I should be insulted. “The size of your ego is just staggering, Xavier. And I note how very confident you are using past tense.”

Xavier chuckles behind me.

“What?” I rear back, facing him now, wanting to see his stupid gorgeous face when I punch his mouth.

“Well, if you prefer me to use present tense, Brooke, there’s a much better way I could describe you.” His smile disappears and his eyes smolder.

“And what’s that?”

“You’re mine.” My mind serves me the scorching memory of the way he said that last night as he spilled into me. Holy hell .

Okay, I walked into that one , I think, as heat creeps up my neck.

“Which means if you run now,” he continues, “I’ll hunt you.” The mood switches from playful to heated in two seconds flat.

I concentrate on keeping my breathing even. He’s so irritating. And freaking hot. The jerk.

“What, no sassy comeback?” he teases.

“You’re an animal, you know that?” He belly-laughs, collapsing on top of me. The rich sound vibrates pleasantly over me. “You certainly think like one.” He laughs harder and before I know it, I’m laughing too.

I see Ryan coming toward us just as we settle down again.

“Hey, Brooke,” he greets.

“Hi, Ryan.”

“Lazybones, haul ass, race is starting now, we’re dropping toys. Winner takes all,” Ryan says to Xavier.

“Great. One sec, yeah?”

“Sure. Bye, Brooke.” Ryan jogs back.

“Toys?” I ask.

“Mostly cars, yachts, bikes, maybe.” He uncurls from the lounger and I immediately miss his warmth.

I see. Toys indeed . Somehow, I didn’t think they’d be betting on their Xboxes.

“Baby—”

“Of course, I’m good, go have fun, okay.”

He kisses me until I’m breathless, then saunters off. “See you later, gorgeous.”

As if on cue, Zoey scurries onto the chair beside me as soon as her twin leaves. Giddy with excitement, she asks, “What gives?”

“Oh my God, he’s told you!” I look back to where Xavier is joining the other guys on the shore.

“He’s told me nothing. Xavi is like a clam with information. But I have eyes.” She rubs her palms together. “So?”

“We’re seeing each other, I think,” I say. It feels good saying it out loud.

Zoey claps excitedly just as Bonnie drops next to her on the lounge chair, sipping on a cocktail. She caught the end of our conversation.

“Well, that’s certainly a relief!” she begins without preamble. “The sexual energy zapping between them two could power a small city. To think that I’ve been in the middle of that all weekend and still haven’t managed to get laid. Speaking of”—she looks in the direction of Xavier’s retreating back—“I can tell you, as a good, observant friend, that compared to yesterday, Xavier looks extremely relaxed and loose-limbed.” She takes a sip, turns to me, and says solemnly, “Which makes me wonder... can you even walk? Without a bowleg, that is?”

“Bonnie!” I laugh. “You do remember Zoey is Xavier’s twin sister, right?”

“Oopsie, I’m sorry. See, I have no filter between my brain and mouth.”

“It’s alright, Bonnie,” Zoey says, “I just need to find some bleach later to scrub off the mental image.” She shrugs. “Other than that…”

We laugh.

“You know, I came to see if you girls wanted to play,” she asks, motioning to the makeshift volleyball court.

“Well, there’s a game going on,” I say.

“Not for long. The boys are longing for a mixed-side game. James has asked me twice now, so I’m going round the girls to see who wants to play.” It’s mostly James and Giovanni’s men playing. Xavier and the others have gone jet skiing.

“I’ve got Andrea, Sabrina, and Vanessa so far. And there are sports bras and shorts we can change into so we don’t give the boys too exciting a game.” She winks.

I look over at where Vanessa is flirting with one of Giovanni’s men. She’s not even looked at or spoken a word to me since yesterday, something I’m immensely grateful for. I wonder if I have Xavier to thank for that.

I can tell Zoey wants to play. I, on the other hand, can’t abide the thought of running around. I’m so tired after barely getting any sleep with Xavier.

“Oh, you go ahead, girls. Zoey, I’m happy to watch Lisa. And Holly, if Emma wants to play too.”

Bonnie gives a triumphant whoop, then whispers to me, “Lucky bitch, I knew you couldn’t walk.” I laugh as they leave to join the others.

We eventually arrive in New York late Sunday evening. The flight back to New York was exciting, with everyone chatting about the events of the wedding.

Two chauffeured cars meet us at the airport; one takes Dan and Zoey home, and Xavier drives me to my apartment in the other.

“Xavier?”

“Yes, baby.”

Gosh, I love it when he calls me that.

“I had such a wonderful time. Thank you for taking me.”

“My pleasure.” He raises our linked hands to his mouth .

“So, how does this work?” I ask, motioning to us.

“I’ll let you set the pace. Whatever you’re comfortable with. Within reason, of course.”

“What does that mean?”

“I mean, it’s my relationship as much as yours, and I do have needs and preferences.”

“Why does that sound like you’re negotiating a deal with me?”

“Don’t worry, Brooke, I’m just saying I’ll need to see you often.”

“How often?”

“Ideally? Every day.”

“Xavier!”

“Which is why I’ll let you set the pace.”

“Okay, you know before when you said relationship... is that what we’re in?”

“I’m obviously not doing a good job of making things clear. I’m your boyfriend, Brooklyn Lewis. How is that for clarity?”

“Crystal.”

We go through the front door and I have to press the bell because Stella has the keys.

She opens the door. And screams.

“Brooke!” She jumps on me. “I missed you so much.”

Stella finally notices Xavier behind me. Her mouth opens like a fish.

“Hi,” he says, “you must be Stella. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Stella, this is Xavier,” I say as we enter the living room.

“Hi”—she shakes his hand—“nice to meet you, Xavier.”

Xavier asks where to put my suitcases, and I lead him to my room. Stella’s jaw is still hanging open when I offer Xavier a drink.

“I’m good, baby. You okay?” I know he’s asking if he’s alright to leave.

I nod, and he kisses me briefly, stroking his tongue against mine. He kisses my neck, whispering, “I’ll call you.” Then he gives Stella a light squeeze on her shoulder and bids her goodnight.

She’s still standing in the middle of the living room, gaping at me.

“Close your mouth, Stella.”

“What in the holy hell was that?”

“That,” I say, “was my boyfriend dropping me off.”

“No way!” Stella starts to scream again, hopping around like a deranged puppet.

“Weren’t we going to ghost him after this trip? It’s been two days! How did you get from there to here?”

“A lot happened,” I say.

“You have to tell me everything! You cannot leave anything out.”

She follows me around.

“Well, the first thing I should tell you is I found your long-lost twin.”

“Come again?”

“Her name is Bonnie, and, Stella, you’re a match made in heaven. I’ve told her all about you and I think she’s got a small crush on you already. We’re meeting her next week.”

“O-okay. Did you by any chance bring me a hot man too? I know Cancun must have been crawling with them. ”

“It was, to be fair. But what about Luke?”

Stella rolls her eyes. “History! Come on, Brooke, a girl has got to have standards.”

“You know, Stella, I have no idea what your standards are.”

“Not to bore me to death would be a good start.”

“Anyway, so yeah, you brought me a chick. Awesome. Now give me the goods before I die of curiosity.”

“Well, how much time have you got? Not going out tonight?”

“I have no plans whatsoever. Besides sitting at your feet and soaking in every single juicy detail.”

So I tell her about the incident on the plane, about Vanessa, about Taylor, which is how we got here.

“So you’re telling me while you were waiting for him to get his shit sorted, he was waiting for you to get your act together. Interesting,” Stella says, and I shrug.

Then we look at pictures from the trip.

“Who are those sex on sticks?” Stella points to the two guys flanking Xavier in the picture I’d taken of them coming ashore after jet skiing.

“Oh, it’s Xavier’s friends. The blond guy is Ryan, and Ethan is the other. Ryan is quite close with Xavier.” Stella nods.

“So, how does it work?”

“What?” I ask

“You know, being a billionaire’s girlfriend.”

“Don’t be silly. Xavier is just like anyone. He just has nice things.”

“He’s going to want to give you things; there’s a certain status—”

“I distinctly remember you saying Xavier won’t make me change anything.”

Stella laughs. “That was before he became your boyfriend! If you think your life is not going to change, you’ve got another thing coming. Babe, he’s stupendously wealthy. I don’t even think it’s safe for him to be in our neighborhood.”

“Oh, come on, Stella. It won’t be like that.”

“Alright, maybe you’re right. I think he’s smitten, though.” She sighs and suddenly throws her arms around me. “Oh, I’m so excited for you! You so deserve to be happy. And spoiled. And thoroughly fucked by a man who—?”

“Eww, shut up, Stella.” I wrench free of her tight embrace as she collapses on the bed, giggling.

“Oh, come now, sinner, you know I’m right,” Stella manages to say as we both dissolve into fits of laughter.