Chapter 39 - Victoria

Victoria

New Year’s Eve

K illian and Max’s wedding was a madhouse. Totally on brand for them but some of it was thanks to my date for the evening.

Press lined up in front of the venue, hoping to catch a glimpse of Xavier when he arrived. We’d offered for him to come in through the underground entrance. Never one to shy away from attention, he’d declined and spent a decent amount of time chatting with reporters and posing for pictures.

Killian wanted to let some of the media inside for exclusive coverage of the wedding. He was immediately shut down by Maxim.

The venue they’d chosen, Sky Raven, was breathtaking. Normally the boys pooh-pooh anything near Times Square. They don’t like to be too close to touristy areas but this lounge won them over.

It fit their personalities. Floor-to-ceiling windows, magnificent panoramas of the city, including picture-perfect viewing for the ball drop, and a multi-level interior that boasted cozy, private areas along with glamorous open spaces.

Plus, it sat on top of a hotel where we all had rooms to spend the night.

I gazed down into the heart of Times Square from thirty stories high, watching the massive crowd of people waiting to celebrate the new year. Only forty-five minutes remaining.

“See anything you like?” Xavier slipped a hand around my waist.

“Are you referring to the obnoxiously huge billboard with your half naked body on it?”

Xavier’s ad campaign for Apex Jewelers debuted after Halloween, and whipped up a frenzy. He’s become much more recognizable here in the U.S.

He laughed, pulling me closer. “Not a fan of watches?”

“Stop. You know I love it. What’s the next one going to be?” I faced him, lacing my fingers behind his neck. “You in a speedo leaning against a stack of firewood?”

“Only if you’re in it with me wearing that so-called bikini.” A light kiss brushed against my forehead. “On second thought, no. I’m the only one who gets to see you in that.”

“Attention everyone, attention.” The DJ’s voice echoed through the room. “The ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes.”

Guests started filing toward the rows of chairs set up in the center of the venue.

“That’s my cue.” I straightened Xavier’s tie. Maybe I’ll add forcing the hot, British goalkeeper to wear a three-piece suit once a week to my New Year’s resolutions. I’d love nothing more than to take my time peeling it off him. “You clean up pretty good, Maddox.”

The rasp in my voice gave me away. Xavier’s friendly smile turned sultry. He fixed a heated stare on me that burned with sinful intentions.

“So do you. Can’t wait to rip this dress off you later.”

“Promise?”

I felt both his hands cup my backside. He squeezed hard, pulling me sharply into his rock hard body. “I’d tear it off you right now if you’d let me. Show everyone what a dirty princess you really are.”

I swallowed hard. A wicked gleam brightened his eyes.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.”

The dimple appeared when he bit down on his lip and grinned. “Bad girl.” Lowering his mouth to my neck, he left a searing trail of kisses along my skin. Unable to control myself, I slid my leg to hook around his.

Public sex will definitely be added to my list of resolutions.

“ Xavier .” The closest people to us stood at a small table, their attention pinned on whatever was happening in Times Square. “Don’t stop.”

More open-mouthed kisses covered my neck.

Am I really going to do this at my best friend’s wedding?

The change in the atmosphere was tangible when Xavier pulled away.

“Did I give you enough to reflect on during the ceremony, love?”

“Maybe.”

He ran a finger beneath my lips. “Are you wet?”

“What do you think?” I huffed.

“Good girl.”

Xavier sauntered away with a smirk, leaving me flustered and heated and wishing time moved faster so we could tear all of our clothes off. He’d arrived in Manhattan only a few hours ago after flying here following his game.

He’d done the same thing last week to come here for Christmas. In fact, every free moment he’s had the last couple months was spent on a plane to be with me.

“ Tori .” Killian’s aggressive whisper pulled me back to the present. “Get your ass over here.”

“What’s the emergency now?” I half-trotted to him in five-inch heels. “Is there a piece of lint on your jacket?”

“Baby girl, I love you.” He held my arms in a tight grip. “But I will replace you as my best man if the sarcasm continues.”

“I thought I was your maid of honor.”

“Victoria Ava.”

“Killian Rhys.”

His entire face scrunched up like I’d served him a plate of moldy cheese. “I banned you from using my middle name in seventh grade.”

“Anyway.” I wriggled out of his grip. “Where are the rings? You were supposed to give them to me twenty minutes ago.”

“About that. Uh. Max lost his ring.”

“That can’t be possible. I put them both in the boxes myself when I got here and left them on the dresser.”

“Well…yeah.” Chagrin coated my best friend’s face. “We sort of did a role play thing with them and—”

Grabbing his arm, I pulled him toward a quieter area. “Tell me you didn’t have wild sex in the shower and—”

“Jacuzzi.”

“The jacuzzi ?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Did it get sucked down the drain?”

“We don’t know. Can you look?”

I gestured at my dress. “I am not climbing into the jacuzzi wearing this to find your ring.”

“All the water is gone. I just need you to look. Please.”

Storm clouds filled his gray eyes. A calculated frown pulled at his mouth. When his bottom popped out it was game over. Killian knew I could never resist his sad, puppy dog face.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

A few minutes later, we walked into their suite. Max sat on the bed fidgeting with a pillow but looked rather handsome in his tuxedo.

“Without going into too much detail, were you wearing the ring the whole time?”

Max’s shoulders slumped. “No. I put mine in the little soap dish on the edge of the counter.”

Well that’s surprising. Between the two of them, Max was always the more responsible one.

“Okay.” I shot them both a look. “If I don’t find it, I’ll let you use this.” I tugged at the ring hanging from my necklace.

Killian’s eyes bugged out of his head. “Didn’t Xavier give that to you last spring?”

“Yes. But if I can’t find Max’s, you’ll need something to exchange during your vows. Xavier won’t mind.”

Killian opened his mouth to protest but Max clamped his hand over it. “Thanks, Victoria.”

I went inside the bathroom. Towels were strewn all over the floor.

I scanned the area around the jacuzzi.

Candles. A box of chocolate. Nachos?

I laughed to myself, noticing the soap dish Max mentioned. Kicking aside some of the towels, a small object bounced and glittered on the tile.

Jackpot .

I picked up the platinum ring and put it on my finger.

“Found it,” I proclaimed, holding up my hand. Two relieved faces broke into smiles. “But it stays with me. Where’s the other box?”

“Here.” Maxim handed it to me. “You’re a lifesaver.”

I smiled at the boys. They looked so excited and nervous. “Love you guys. If that was the pre-wedding sex romp, I can only imagine what you’re planning for later.”

“Bring Xavier up and we’ll—”

I let the door shut behind me, ending Killian’s proclamation. I did hear them laugh when I walked away.

Now that I had both rings in my possession, I went back to the event space, found Max’s cousin and gave him the ring meant for Killian. Thanks to that unexpected little side adventure, the wedding was running late.

Max worked really hard to plan the timing to a tee. They’d have the ceremony at eleven-thirty, parade around the room to greet everyone, and then have roughly five minutes to spare before the clock struck midnight.

Conversation floated around us as we took our places near the civil officiant.

Guests quieted down when the opening notes of the entrance music played.

Max walked in the room first. Killian followed about thirty seconds later and stood next to Max. The way they stared at each other should be immortalized in sonnets.

They looked so happy. My heart swelled.

As they recited their vows, I scanned the crowd, finding Xavier with little effort. Then again, it’s not hard to pinpoint a tall, athletic god with tousled dark hair, a tattoo on his neck, and his hands adorned with silver rings. He was seated at the end of the row, his face neutral but his eyes alight with emotion.

I couldn’t help but smile. Not too big, just subtle enough so he knew it was only meant for him. Butterflies raced through my stomach when his mouth tipped up in a soft smile of his own.

A stolen moment just for us. Those were harder and harder to come by these days. Not that I minded. I knew being in a relationship with a superstar British soccer player could never be kept in the shadows.

Besides, it made stealing these moments fun.

I wanted to steal millions more.

The ceremony was short, concluding with about eight minutes remaining until midnight. I hugged the boys, congratulating them and kissing them both on the cheek. Before Killian waltzed off to celebrate, he pulled me into a tight hug.

“Love you, baby girl. I wouldn’t want anyone else standing by my side to witness my wedding.”

“Love you more.” I looked up at him. “Of course, if you’d asked anyone else I would have disowned you.”

“Pfft. You’d never.” He reached in his pocket. “I have something for you. A belated Christmas present.”

I took the small, black and gold marbled envelope. “Fancy. What is it?”

“Gee, maybe if you opened it.”

“Oh hush.” I lifted the flap and pulled out what looked like a business card. It, too, was black and gold marble. My eyes widened when I saw the scripted lettering. “The Guild.”

“It’s a trial pass to see if you’d like it there. Max and I secured it for you. You’re allowed to bring one guest. And since you have company for a couple days…” his voice trailed off.

“Nothing says I love you like friends giving friends special access to an exclusive sex club,” I teased.

“Oh my god, just bring him.” Killian yanked me into another tight hug. “Also, if you don’t leave here tonight engaged, I will riot.”

Laughing, I squeezed him. “Manage your expectations.”

He kissed my forehead, linked arms with his new husband, and disappeared in the crowd.

Five minutes until midnight .

“Hi.” Xavier’s low, rich voice invaded my senses.

“Hi.” I felt the blush climbing my neck when he gestured toward the envelope.

“What’s that?”

“A gift from Killian and Max.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be giving them a gift? It is their wedding night.”

“It’s actually for both of us.”

Xavier’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Us? May I see?”

I handed him the small card.

“What’s The Guild?”

I thought back to the night we stood on the sidewalk in London, and he told me about Bennet’s library parties. How had he phrased it?

“It’s a place where people go to enjoy one another’s company.”

Curiosity morphed to something carnal. A hint of darkness glinted in his eyes. “Have you been before?” His voice lowered into a possessive growl.

God, I love this tone.

“No.” I took the card and slipped it into my clutch. “It would be my first time. And I only want to go with you.”

Three minutes until midnight .

“Good answer.” He glanced to his left. “We should get a spot by the window. Come on.”

Weaving our way through the crowd, we ended up at a window directly above the ball. The DJ announced all the lights in the room would dim thirty seconds before midnight, giving us a sharper view.

We stared down at the growing party on the street.

“Maybe next year we can ring in the New Year in London.” Xavier stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Just don’t make me sing Auld Lang Syne .”

“I make no promises.”

“About the singing or coming to London?”

Two minutes until midnight .

The nervous tremble in his voice surprised me. I turned to face him.

“The singing. I would spend the New Year with you in London, Barcelona, Rome, here, wherever.”

“I like that answer, too.”

Stepping closer, he pushed me back a step, then two, until I was pinned between him and the window. It wasn’t lost on me that were we surrounded by wedding guests. Hot desire ripped through me.

“I’m curious,” he whispered in my ear. “Would we enjoy one another’s company like this at The Guild?” The light touch of his hand traced from my collarbone down to the swell of my breasts. “Would there be a crowd watching, like in your fantasy?”

My lips parted on a silent gasp.

One minute until midnight .

“Yes,” I breathed.

A moan rumbled in his chest. The weight of his body cloaked me, leaving no space between us. “I want to bring that fantasy to life for you. Will you let me?”

I reached up, running my fingers through his hair. “Yes.”

The damp warmth of his breath tickled my lips when he hovered his mouth over mine. “Dirty princess. How did I get so lucky to find you? You are my fantasy come true.”

Was it wrong that I regretted wearing panties? They were soaked.

Thirty seconds until midnight .

The lights dimmed. The only awareness of us being in a room surrounded by people was the faint buzz of conversation. I was too locked in with Xavier, too consumed by his heat, his scent, his gorgeous blue stare.

“I want to bring all your fantasies to life for you. Will you let me?” His lips brushed against mine with every spoken word. The silky, smooth tone of his voice flowed through my veins.

I swallowed, barely able to control my racing pulse. “Yes.”

We stood so close I felt every beat of his heart, every shallow breath, every small shudder.

“Victoria. I want to be the last person you kiss this year, the first person you kiss in the next, and the only person you kiss from now on. First. Last. Only. Will you let me?”

Ten seconds until midnight .

A myriad of emotions took hold of my heart. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.

Five…four…three…

“Yes.”

He kissed me on an exhale, soft and sweet. One of his hands cupped the back of my neck, his fingers gently scratching up into my hair.

Two…one.

Xavier sealed our mouths together, deepening our kiss. He possessed me, savored me, claimed me. Some kisses made a person feel a little disoriented. This kiss reached into my soul and reconfigured everything I thought I knew about love.

And yeah, it also made me dizzy.

“Tori,” he whispered on my lips. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you let me?”

I melted into him, choking out a sob. Confetti and balloons fell silently around us. Time slowed to a near standstill.

Framing his face in my hands, I held his steady gaze. I spent so many years denying what I wanted. Denying myself happiness. Denying myself a chance.

Who knew this beautiful man would change my whole life when he pulled off the road in the English countryside to see if I needed help. In that one innocuous moment, he ignited a reality I never thought I deserved.

And then he showed me all the ways I did.

“Yes.”

When Xavier kissed me again, portions of my life flashed before my eyes. The good parts, the terrible parts, the parts I never believed would be real.

Some might describe this as being similar to a near-death experience.

I don’t think that’s the case at all. For me, it’s a rebirth. A transformation.

A vow to myself to never stop rising from the ashes.