Their farewell was bittersweet, but Corinne was holding on to every inch of their time together. She stood next to the microphone onboard Kinship Airlines ready to make her official welcome speech. It had only been thirty minutes since she and Xavier parted. He was very old school, wanting to make sure she was on board safely before sprinting across the airport to catch his flight.

“You’re going to be late,” she argued. “You’ll miss your flight!”

“There will be another,” he responded.

Corinne couldn’t say much after that. Xavier wasn’t budging, and his attention made her long for him all the more.

“Are you going to use that thing?”

Corinne blinked and turned to Monica, the stewardess who had caught she and Xavier’s kiss the day before.

“Oh yeah, but if you want it, go right ahead.” Corinne slid to the side, and Monica took her spot. Monica lifted the intercom and spoke through the mic. As she welcomed the guests aboard flight 132, Corinne drifted off again. She thought of Xavier’s smile and the way he touched her while they were together. It was either with a fierce gripping or a tender brush. It made her body dredge up a strenuous fever, and the heat was impossible to contain.

“Corinne.”

Corinne snapped from her thoughts again. “Hmm?”

“Where are you. It’s time to take our seats before this flight takes off.”

“Oh.” Corinne shook her head. “I’m sorry, was just a little lost in thought.”

“It’s Xavier, isn’t it?”

Corinne and Monica weren’t the best of friends. Their relationship didn’t go further than the necessary tolerance one would have for a coworker. Corinne was reminded of Xavier’s request then. He wanted her to travel with a stewardess on her layovers. Maybe she should get better acquainted with Monica.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware,” Monica began, “but Xavier is a frequent flyer of the mile-high club. You would do good not to take him seriously. Women should only want to be with a man like him for pleasure. Anything past that is putting your heart on the line, and who has time for that, right?”

Just that quick, Corinne was backtracking on her getting to know Monica thoughts.

“And how would you know he’s a frequent flyer of the mile-high club?”

Monica shrugged. “Girl, everybody knows. Xavier doesn’t usually fly commercial. He has his own private jet, and he’s been spotted plenty of times getting on and off with some model on his arm. I’ve even seen pictures of him with that princess, what’s her name?” Monica snapped her fingers. “Nadine Benson! The daughter of—”

“I know whose daughter she is,” Corinne snapped.

Monica shut her lips tight. “I didn’t mean to rub you the wrong way—”

“Oh really?” Corinne said, being sarcastic. “So, you thought telling me that the man I’m dating is a womanizer and enjoys sexing said women on his private jet wouldn’t rub me the wrong way?”

Monica shut her lips even tighter.

“What? I can’t hear you,” Corinne went on.

“I— I was just trying to look out for you.”

“Why, because we’re friends? Because the last time I checked, you haven’t spent a lunch break worth of period conversing with me much less getting to know me well enough to say you’re just looking out for me. You’re trying to be a bitch, and you can save it for someone who cares about your opinion.”

Corinne walked away with her head held high and her attitude just as elevated. She found the stewardess chair and buckled up then turned her attention to the empty seat that sat a few feet in front of her. The one Xavier previously occupied. A headache had taken root, and now her morning had just been stepped all over by Monica and her unwarranted advice. Corinne needed to talk to a real friend. She would be off at the end of the week for a few days, and she planned to take advantage. A little R and R with Camilla should do the trick. If she could pull Camilla away from Hunter for a second.

“Are we still on for the meeting?”

Xavier flipped his wrist and checked the time on his Rolex as he spoke into the phone.

“Yeah, I’m heading there now,” Hunter said.

Slipping into the driver seat of his Jaguar, Xavier attached his cell to the pro clip dashboard mount and the Bluetooth connected automatically.

“How do you expect this conversation will go?” He asked.

Hunter sighed on the other end. “We have something they want, and they have something we want, so I’m hoping we could come to an agreement.”

Xavier nodded and shifted gears as he headed downtown for the private assembly.

“We haven’t had much luck in the past getting them to bite.”

“We hadn’t had anything they wanted either. We’ll see how it goes. How close are you now?”

“Not that far, six minutes give or take.”

“All right, I’ll see you there.”

Their line disconnected, and Xavier pondered on the gathering that would surely turn the heads of the media. He could almost see the headlines now. Switching lanes, he pushed a heavy foot on the pedal and shot down the fast track of the freeway in record time. At the exit, he easily guided the purring engine of the Jag through the downtown streets before coming to a red light. Corinne was never too far away from his thoughts, and it was becoming more recurrent. In fact, everything about his attraction to Corinne was rare specifically because he’d never felt such a strong connection to any woman, except…

There was that one time Xavier thought he’d found someone special. Nadine Benson. She’d been there from the beginning of his career and stuck around during his early bachelor days. At one time he would’ve considered her the one, but Xavier’s eyes had been open after a phone conversation that ended sweet but turned sour.

“Oh yeah, how bad do you miss me,” Xavier had asked Nadine.

“So bad I’m currently tracking the GPS in your car right now.”

Xavier’s smile turned into a frown. “Say what?”

Nadine laughed. “I’m just kidding, I would never do something so childish and insecure.

“That’s good to know.”

The line beeped. “Oh, sweetheart, let me call you back. This is my mother calling, and she’d be a complete damsel if I don’t answer.”

Xavier chuckled. “Take your call. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Smooches,” Nadine said.

Xavier sent a loud smack of a kiss through the phone, and Nadine giggled then clicked over to her mom.

“Yes, Mother, how are you tonight?”

“I’m fine dear, how are you and the benefactor?”

Nadine laughed. “Mom, you are ridiculously funny. My benefactor has a name, he goes by Xavier Valentine. And we’re fine, why do you ask?”

“I always ask.”

“But why do you always ask, Mother? I think it’s becoming an obsession of yours.”

“I’ve always thought you were too good for the likes of Xavier Valentine. Your royalty, sweetheart, and those Valentine men are…” Nadine’s mom let out a scathing sound. “Not worthy. That’s the most pleasant way for me to describe them. For all the time you’ve stood by his side, and I do mean side in every aspect of the word since he let you watch him fool around with other women.”

“Mother, he was single,” Nadine cut in.

Nadine’s mother scoffed. “Single my ass. Anyone with eyes that could see would know you guys were together. But that’s okay, your payday is coming. Once he signs that famous soccer player, I can never remember his name,” her mother mumbled, “you’ll be rolling in dough.”

“True,” Nadine added. “But we’re royalty, we’ve always been rolling in dough.”

“Mmhmm, but more is always better, and I can’t wait for you to become Mrs. Valentine so you can take him to the bank. Make sure to put every asset in your name.”

“I’ve got this covered, Mother, I don’t need your instruction.”

“Of course you do. You are your mother’s daughter, and I’ve taught you well. If your father even thought about leaving me today, he’d walk away with fifty cents because I would hold the power to everything.”

The two women laughed, amused with their antics. There was just one problem; Xavier’s phone hadn’t hung up. It was still connected and had crossed over into their conversation. They couldn’t hear him, but he heard every word they’d spoken through his earpiece. He couldn’t deny he was heartbroken. As long as he’d known Nadine, he was sure if anyone was with him for the right reasons it was her. But he was a fool, and according to her mother, he didn’t even have a name. The benefactor. That’s what he’d been reduced to.

That day changed the dynamic of the way he thought about women. Whenever one would seek him out for pleasure or otherwise, he considered them long enough to be eye candy for the media, then he would drop them off at home on his way to his estate. His heart hadn’t been open for business since then, but the blind date with Corinne shifted his atmosphere completely. The comfort he felt with her he’d never felt with anyone, not even Nadine. He was still trying to figure it out, but while he did so, Xavier couldn’t stop himself from enjoying her company and he wouldn’t.

That unfortunate incident didn’t remove Xavier from Nadine’s radar. Before this morning’s meeting he’d caught a glimpse of her on T.V. As he flipped through the channels, a segment on a daytime talk show caught his eye.

"We were sure there was a romance brewing between you and Xavier Valentine," the host said. "Care to share whatever happened between you two?

Nadine Benson smiled softly as her sharp eyes and fierce shoulder length haircut bounced as she shifted in her seat.

"Xavier was someone special," her voice was low and thoughtful. "The demise of our relationship was my fault and I'll always regret that."

"That’s unfortunate," the host said. "Any possibility of rekindling that lost love."

Nadine smiled softly again. "If so, you'll be the first to know..."

Xavier had stood before the television watching her put on the show of a lifetime. It would be a long day in hell before he decided to give her a second chance. The conversation between Nadine and her mother floated back to him. Disgusting, he thought, shaking off the unpleasant occurrence.

Xavier drove the Jag into an underground garage and exited swiftly. It was Friday afternoon, three days since his paragliding adventure with Corinne. He smiled thinking about how giddy she became while they flew. Her voice tickled his ears as he hit the elevator button and stepped on headed for the top floor. The private crane sailed expeditiously to the top, and he strolled confidently off when the doors dinged then open. The few people in the office turned to stare at him as he made his way through the bank’s branch, and he smiled optimistically as he approached the office at the end of the hall.

Xavier lifted his hand and knocked in rhythm.

“Come in,” a voice boomed from inside.

Xavier opened the door and stepped into the conference room then closed the door behind himself. Nine pairs of eyes connected with his, and a formal smile glittered across his handsome face, as he tilted his head in a nod.

“It appears that I’m late,” Xavier said. “I apologize, I’m running from one meeting to the next.”

“It’s no problem, son,” Leslie Valentine said. The older man’s dark brown eyes zoomed in on Xavier’s spiffy white suit. Xavier had always thought his father’s all black hair with that one fat strand of gray falling down the side made him look like one of the X-Men. It had been a joke of Xavier’s and their brothers for as long as he could remember. However, his father would respond with a snide comment that would make them all want to regurgitate their lunch like “Your mothers never complained once, as a matter of fact, she pulls on this gray—” and they would always scream to stop him.

That always gave Leslie a sense of pleasure to see his sons squirm. “Looks like the jokes on you,” he would say.

Xavier combed an eye over Leslie; he was dapper in a formal tux that Xavier had never seen before. Must have been new. His father’s physique carried just as much strength as his sons and his fingers were linked sitting comfortably on the table top.

“Your brothers and I were just catching up with Christopher Lee Rose and his sons.”

Xavier glanced around the room to the Rose men. Of the ones in attendance, Xavier was well aware of their accolades.

Jonas Alexander Rose was a former undefeated heavyweight champion and Chairman & CEO at Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union.

Jaden Alexander Rose was Jonas’ business partner and most sought-after investment banker. Jaden had been named on Forbes 30 under 30 finance list as one of the youngest traders, bankers, and dealmakers. He currently ran his own $730 million-dollar hedge fund at Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union.

Jonathon Alexander Rose was the head honcho at Rose Security Group, a private company that offered a range of manpower services to government and high-profile clients. It was currently the number one security firm operating across the east coast region.

Jordan Alexander Rose was partner at Rose and Garnet LLC, the highest paid attorneys at law with the most prestigious client list.

Christopher Lee Rose, their father, mentor, the previous owner of Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union, and Gemz, the multimillion dollar chewing gum company sat at the head of the table while Leslie Valentine was parked at the other end.

Next to Leslie was Xavier’s brothers. Hunter Valentine, CEO of VFC Energy, a fortune 500 company. VFC had been named alongside Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union as one of the most respected companies in Chicago.

Lance Valentine was an award-winning film director and one of the best working in Hollywood with a number of commercially successful and critically acclaimed credits.

Kyle Valentine was the youngest top software engineer of his time. He had cofounded Zing the popular search engine in 1996.

Lastly, Leslie Valentine, Xavier’s father, powerhouse and media mogul of four influential television news stations.

There were over a billion dollars in the room and a significant reason security was set up outside of the bank so tightly. While almost everyone was seated, Xavier noticed Hunter wasn’t, choosing to stand next to their father. His posture was perfect, upright with an aerial view of everyone in the room, almost as if he felt threatened. But he wasn’t the only one on his feet. Across the table, Jonas also stood much the same way except his hands were tucked easily inside his pockets. The men were all dressed in suits. Some Armani, Brioni, Tom Ford, and the like. Cufflinks, ties, and gleaming belt buckles accessorized their attire. While loafers, oxfords, and wingtip shoes dressed their feet.

Xavier strolled to the empty chair in the room and paused, then took an eye over to Hunter. Hunter nodded as if to say, everything is good, and Xavier took his seat.

“Now that we’re all here, let’s get right to it,” Leslie Valentine said. Leslie gave Christopher eye contact. “I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but—”

“You call purposefully undermining us to sneak your bids on the Lotus housing development at the last second differences? You knew the sale was a done deal, but like a snake, you slithered over to the associate with your smooth talk, throwing an asinine amount of money on the table to steal it right from underneath our noses.”

It was Jaden who’d spoken.

“It’s the cost of doing business,” Lance intervened. “That’s how you win a bid when the competition is sleeping.”

It was a direct hit, and the Rose men felt it.

“However,” Lance continued. “This development we have decided to come to you with a proposal and not sneak as you put it, and steal it from underneath your noses. But,” he went on, “we could if you’d prefer it.”

Another direct hit, and Jonas was done playing games just that quick.

“Are you willing to fight for it?” Jonas said.

All eyes on the Valentine’s side of the table went to him, each of them wondering if he was speaking in reference to a bidding war or a physical fight.

Hunter responded, “You know Jonas, I know you’re undefeated inside the ring, but do you want to test out that theory outside of it?”

“Time and place, Valentine,” Jonas responded.

“Fellas, calm down,” Christopher said. “There seems to be too much testosterone in this room. We all came here to try and come to an agreement. Let’s continue down that path and not this other one.” He always tried to be the voice of reason. Christopher glanced at Jaden. “There’s nothing we can do about the Lotus Development now, son. Be easy as you young men put it.”

That seemed to tickle Leslie as a chuckle slipped from his throat.

“The Fairburn development belongs to us,” Christopher said matter of factly.

Xavier’s brow arched. “That’s your way of coming to an agreement?” Xavier said.

“That’s what he said.” This time it was Jonathon who’d spoken.

“That’s not how negotiations work,” Xavier continued, “And if I didn’t know any better, I’d suspect you all didn’t come here to work this out at all. So why waste our time? I’m sure we all have more important things to attend to instead of showing off which one of us has bigger balls.”

“We all know who has bigger balls, X,” Jonathon said, causing a round of laughter to roll from the Roses.

Xavier chuckled. “Oh yeah,” Xavier said. “I dare you to place the highest bid on it; we could even let you pick the judge, guarantee you mine are bigger, baby boy.”

“Fellas, this isn’t getting us anywhere,” Jordan said, finally inserting his voice.

Jonathon held daggers on Xavier, and Xavier puckered his lips and blew him a kiss. “Anytime,” Xavier mouthed, tired of the shit show going on in the room. He’d rather be anywhere but here, but especially with Corinne. He flipped his wrist and checked the time. The last time he’d spoken with her she and Camilla were on their way to lunch, and if he could get out of here quick enough, he just might be able to catch her.

There was a knock on the door, and everyone turned their attention to it.

“Expecting company?” Kyle asked.

Christopher also checked the time. “No, any of you?”

Leslie glanced at his sons and they declined. “It doesn’t appear so,” Leslie said.

“Come in,” Jonas barked.

The door opened, and London Jones tiptoed into the room. London was the part-time caregiver for Jaden’s mother-in-law Adeline. She glanced around the modern executive space and was taken back by the fierce-looking gorgeous brothers in the room. She’d been privy to the charm of the Rose men for years now that she worked for them, but seeing them in the room with the Valentines brought all the sexiness in one place to a mind-screeching halt. She could barely remember why she entered. Her eyes traveled over Lance’s braided locks and chocolate brown skin, but it was when her eyes fell on Kyle Valentine that a buzz hit the core of her body so hard she almost jumped out of her skin. Oh, my damn, she thought. I have surely stepped into the Lion’s Den.