Day two…
Friday
By the time Mercedes made her way downstairs the next morning, she had managed to shower, dry her hair, apply her makeup and still hadn’t run into Xander.
She was only a little disappointed.
Waking up in his bed for the second morning in a row had been an experience to say the least. She’d awoken feeling relaxed, despite the dream that had once again taken the liberty of disrupting her sleep.
Although she hadn’t been overwhelmed by the urge to run and hide from the man she’d just spent the night with, she had been a little perturbed that he’d left her alone. Again.
Knowing Xander, he was probably on the phone, never mind the fact that it was still early. The man did little other than work.
Too much.
As she made her way downstairs, she listened for him, trying to pinpoint his location. With coffee the only thing on her mind, Mercedes headed to the kitchen, hoping to find him there.
Nope. No Xander.
But, there was coffee which was all that mattered. After pouring a cup, she padded through the house, making her way to his office. That’s when she heard his voice. He sounded angry, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying.
Since he’d instructed her to be with him every moment that she wasn’t working, Mercedes figured she had a right to violate his workspace even when he was on the phone.
When she walked in, the frustration that was written all over his face immediately morphed into something else entirely as soon as their eyes met.
“Look, I don’t give a shit. I didn’t authorize it, so you figure it out. I’m not willing to sell just yet. Let him know that I’ll consider if the price is right and what he’s proposed is ludicrous. I’ve got to run. Talk to you later. Hey.”
Mercedes smiled as soon as the receiver made its way into the cradle. “Good morning. Looks like you’re having a good day already.”
“I am now. Come here.”
Without thinking, she moved toward him, sipping her coffee as she did. When she was within touching distance, Xander reached for her. Rather than worrying that they’d get a surprise scalding, Mercedes set the cup on the desk and moved into Xander’s arms.
“I was hoping you’d sleep longer,” he told her as she perched on his lap and he pulled her close.
As she got comfortable, she realized that she spent quite a bit of time sitting on his lap. For some reason, the idea didn’t bother her at all. “I would have, but I woke up alone.”
“Sorry about that. I tend to get up early, and I didn’t want to wake you.”
“What time did you get up?”
“Four.”
“Hmm, I think there might be a nap in your future,” she said with a smile.
“I like that idea.”
For the first time since she walked in, Mercedes realized he was dressed. Completely. Like with a tie and everything.
“Going somewhere?”
“I’ve got a meeting this morning.”
“Oh.”
“I figured you had things to do today,” he began.
Mercedes tried to push off of his lap, immediately ashamed at her assumption. His arms tightened slightly, her escape attempt failing.
What was she thinking? That Xander would’ve just changed his entire day because she’d spent another night in his bed? Or possibly because she felt there was a connection between them that wasn’t just related to casual sex? Or that just because her calendar wasn’t crammed full that morning that his wasn’t? Granted, it was Friday, and she knew the man probably had plenty of things to do.
As did she.
“I do. I need to follow up on the Milton building. I’m hoping to hear something back today.” No, actually she wasn’t, but it sounded good. Xander leaned over and kissed her, but Mercedes turned quickly, offering him her cheek. “In fact, I need to go make a call.”
To her surprise, Xander leaned back, releasing his hold on her as she abruptly stood. He simply cocked an eyebrow, pinning her with a look that promised punishment later.
“I’ll talk to you later, then.”
Ok, so he probably knew she was upset. So what. If it meant she could put a little distance between them then it was worth it. Clearly she’d gone and lost her mind, thinking that a couple of nights in his bed had changed things.
Obviously not.
“Mercedes,” Xander said sternly when she turned to walk away.
Knowing she was going to earn some form of punishment and not really giving a shit, she waved him off without turning back. “I’ll catch you when you get back.”
As she made her way down the narrow hall, she heard him say, “You’re damn right you will, pet.”
At four-thirty in the afternoon, Mercedes made her way down the narrow hallway that led to Xander’s office. It was the first time she’d been back since her less than graceful retreat just that morning.
Somehow she’d managed to avoid Xander’s phone calls throughout the day and luckily he hadn’t pressed the issue. Then again, she had conveniently disappeared for the majority of the day, which meant he was likely going to be questioning her relentlessly.
She’d just spent the last two hours with a client, showing him two recently listed condo’s not far from her own building. Needless to say, she wasn’t in the best of moods because, not only had she shown him both condos twice, he’d insisted on nitpicking every last detail until finally he decided he wasn’t interested.
She would never get those two hours back.
But, on the positive side of things, she’d been able to get her mind back in working order. No longer was she reliving the time she’d recently spent in Xander’s arms. And more importantly, she wasn’t thinking any of those crazy thoughts about him.
Things were back to normal.
As normal as they could get anyway.
Only now she had to face Xander once again. Probably because she’d ignored his calls throughout the day, he had left a very lengthy voicemail not long ago, reminding her of the deal that they’d made among other things.
“Hey, it’s me. Call me perceptive, but I’ve figured out that you’re avoiding my calls. It hasn’t stopped me from calling you yet and it won’t stop me in the future, so if you don’t mind, just answer the damn phone. It would be a hell of a lot easier than me having to have a one sided conversation with your voicemail.” Pause. “I can only assume that you’re on your way home and yes, I’m here waiting for you. So, whether you show up in five minutes or five hours, I’ll still be here.
“We have a deal, Mercedes. And I’ve never gone back on my word and I know you haven’t either and now isn’t the time for either of us to start.” Another pause. “Damn it, woman. Either give me a call or I expect to see you within the hour. And if you’re lucky…” Exasperated breath. “No, wait. You’ve long surpassed luck. Like I said, I’ll be here waiting.”
Incorrigible.
Damn him.
Xander had the ability to make anyone feel guilty, and he’d successfully piled a shitload of guilt on her plate although he probably hadn’t meant to.
Or maybe he had.
Mercedes stopped short just outside of Xander’s office door.
After all of the time they’d recently spent together, and the way she’d lost control at each and every turn, getting way too emotionally involved, Mercedes should’ve wanted to stay as far away from him as she possibly could.
But that wasn’t the case.
Surprisingly, at some point during the day, she had started to miss him despite the fact that she was doing her best not to think about him at all.
Shaking her head to clear her brain of the random thoughts, she took a deep breath. She’d gone and lost her mind, that’s all there was too it.
She raised her hand to knock, but was stopped by the sound of Xander’s voice before she had the chance.
“Come in.”
“Hey,” she greeted when she moved into the vast open space. Along with praying that she sounded normal, she hoped like hell she didn’t look like a woman who’d been working herself into a frenzy all day.
Or, more importantly, she hoped he had forgotten all about what happened just that morning in this very office when she’d panicked like a scared child, running away as fast as her legs would carry her.
“You look exhausted.”
Ok that was a good sign. Maybe.
“I am,” she told him, dropping to the leather sofa across from his desk. “I just spent two hours showing Charles Markom two condos that, of course, he thinks are beneath him.”
Xander leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together over his flat belly as he studied her. She could see the amusement in his eyes, but she didn’t rise to the bait.
“He’s still giving you the run around?” Xander asked.
“I think that’s all he wants from me,” she told him. “I’m seriously considering not answering the phone next time he calls.”
The amusement in Xander’s eyes disappeared.
Crap. She’d gone and done it now, putting her foot right in her mouth by mentioning not taking calls.
“You enjoy doing that?” he asked, his tone lacking any jest. He was serious.
Knowing that anything she said at that point would be used against her, she kept talking, pretending not to realize he was upset with her. “I don’t want to even think about him. Right now, I just want to sit here. Right here. The only thing that could make it better would be pizza and beer,” she said, and he laughed, just as she hoped he would.
“Pizza and beer?”
Ok, so it was true, she wasn’t much of a pizza eater, nor was she a beer drinker, but her comment had effectively redirected the conversation.
“How about I get Italian delivered, and we share a bottle of wine?” Xander offered, sitting up in his chair.
“Even better,” she replied, dropping her head back on the cushions and closing her eyes. Maybe if she feigned sleep, she’d be able to avoid any further discussions.
While she dozed slightly, she listened as Xander placed an order to one of their favorite Italian places just down the street. She was tempted to tell him to cancel dinner, and she’d just slide deeper into the cushions and call it a night.
Before she could get too deep into slumber, Xander’s voice brought her back.
“It’s not time for bed yet.”
“And why not?” she asked drowsily, her eyes still closed.
“Because I said so.”
Oh, crap. She knew that tone all too well. Opening one eye, she peered over at him. He was still at his desk, his forearms casually resting on the top. Sitting there with his tie loosened, his jacket gone and sleeves rolled up, his hair not as perfectly styled as it had been that morning, he looked like sex personified. Although the man could rock a suit like no one else, Mercedes liked the disheveled look even more.
Her body instantly came alive, sleep all but forgotten.
“Stand,” he instructed as he got to his feet. Not moving, she watched as he made his way over to the door and closed it, the click as the lock engaged had her body going on full alert.
Slow, measured footsteps carried him across the oversized office until he was standing within a foot of her. She briefly glimpsed the Dallas skyline from the floor to ceiling windows that ran the length of two walls, but then his big body was in front of her, blocking her view of anything but him.
“Are you asking to be punished even more?” he asked, his voice assuredly calm.
Ok, so he hadn’t forgotten about that morning. And he probably hadn’t forgotten the fact that she’d ignored his phone calls all day either.
To her absolute horror, her body began to hum with anticipation. Not only had she believed that she was too tired to get turned on, she was also shocked that she was reacting to his dominance so easily.
“Can I take my shoes off first?” she asked, sitting up straight.
“If you want to add another five swats, sure.”
Mercedes was wide awake then. He wasn’t playing. Pushing to her feet, she didn’t look away, anticipation now making her body sing.
Xander backed up a few steps and perched on the edge of his desk as he stared back at her. “Remove your clothes,” he insisted. “Keep the shoes on.”
Damn Dom.
Her shoes were killing her feet, but he probably knew that. Had she not ignored him or run away, she knew he would’ve gladly given her permission to remove her shoes but he was in full Dom mode, the intensity in his gaze penetrating her through and through.
Mercedes didn’t think to argue further which either said a lot about how tired she was, or it said a lot about the complete three sixty that her life had taken in the last forty-eight hours.
It was still hard to believe it had only been a little more than two days since they had made their deal.
Trying not to rush, and doing her best not to think, Mercedes removed her clothes, piece by piece, leaving her favorite pair of Gucci’s on as Xander had instructed her to.
As she stood before Xander completely naked, the one thing she knew for sure… she was too damned tired to think about anything right now.
~~*~~*~~
Admiring Mercedes’s completely naked form, Xander let his eyes graze every dip and curve of her graceful body. In her heels, her legs were a work of art, and he found he would be content just to stare at her for as long as she would let him.
Although he knew they had to be damned uncomfortable at this point.
Considering the disappearing act she’d pulled on him just that morning, he wasn’t compelled to give in to her requests though. She needed to think about what she’d done. It was only fair, since he’d spent the majority of the day wondering whether she’d back out of their deal. With the way she was looking at him now, he figured it was still a possibility.
Just that morning, she’d run out of his office like the place was on fire. As if that weren’t bad enough, she’d ignored all of his phone calls throughout the day until finally his irritation level had reached an all-time high. He’d left a very lengthy voicemail expressing as much.
So, as far as he was concerned, his need to dominate her was warranted. She deserved punishment for her actions and he fully intended to make sure she thought about what she did before she ever allowed it to happen again.
After making her wait a solid two minutes while he admired her, Xander rose to his feet. “Lay across the desk,” he told her as he walked around his desk and opened one of the drawers.
He’d retrieved one of his paddles earlier in the day and slipped it into his desk drawer, anticipating this moment.
Mercedes glared at him, and he fought the urge to smile. Oh, yes, she was definitely defiant, he had no doubt about that. But he damn sure wasn’t going to let her get away with the little stunt she had pulled. Running away from her feelings, which he truly believed was what had compelled her to hide out throughout the day, was unacceptable.
Mercedes closed the distance between herself and the desk. Her eyes tore free of his when she leaned over, her chest resting on the wooden top.
“Very nice,” he said approvingly as he tapped his hand with the small wooden paddle. “How many licks do you think you’ve earned today, pet?”
Xander walked back around the desk, coming right up behind her and pressing his straining erection against her ass, letting her know just how much the sight of her bent over his desk did to him.
She didn’t answer his question so he took a step to the side and without hesitation, he slapped her ass with the paddle, making her jump.
“Tell me, pet,” he said firmly. “I don’t appreciate being ignored.”
“I don’t know,” she breathed out.
“You want me to pick a number?”
“No,” she said hurriedly.
Xander smacked her ass one more time. “What was that?”
“No, Sir. I don’t want you to choose a number.”
“Then you better come up with one fast.” Xander set the wooden paddle on her back and squeezed her ass with both hands. Kneading the muscle and marveling at the way her ass brightened from the paddle.
“Ten, Sir.”
“Ten?”
“Yes, Sir. Five for leaving this morning and five for not taking your phone calls.”
Well, at least they were on the same page. She knew just what had gotten him so worked up.
“And you think ten is enough for what you did?”
“No, Sir. But I’m not sure I can handle more than that. Not with the paddle.”
He liked her honesty. And because she’d been prepared with a detailed answer, he decided to give her a reprieve.
“Ten it is,” he said as he retrieved the paddle from where it rested on her back. “Count them off.”
Xander didn’t linger, didn’t tease her. He landed ten swats on her ass and the backs of her thighs in rapid succession while she counted them out. And once he landed the last one, he dropped the paddle to the carpeted floor and leaned over her, his cock intimately nestled against her ass.
“Don’t do that to me again,” he whispered, knowing she would hear the torment in his tone. He’d spent the entire day wondering what she would do. Fearful that she would try and back out of their deal because she was feeling too much too fast. He knew Mercedes. She avoided emotion at all costs – at least where intimacy was concerned. She gave all of herself to her friends but little to nothing to her lovers.
Xander wanted all of her.
“Yes, Sir,” she whimpered.
Xander eased off of her, letting his hands slide down her naked back. Gripping her hips, he pulled her so that she would stand. When she was fully upright, he said, “Turn around and look at me.”
When she turned to face him, her eyes were downturned, something he found he did not like one bit. “Look at me.” He wanted to see the emotion in her eyes, to read what she was thinking. The woman would not hide from him anymore.
Their eyes met, and he slid his hand down between her legs, gently teasing her bare pussy lips.
“Kiss me,” he demanded, doing his best to keep his hands to himself. He wanted her to make the first move. If she wanted him as much as he wanted her, she would do as he instructed.
Mercedes didn’t rush forward, and Xander figured she was trying to test him. What he wanted to do was to pull her flush against him and crush his mouth to hers, but ever since that morning, he had realized she was extremely skittish. She just hadn’t told him why.
Yet.
Then again, what happened the last two nights had been monumental, and it’d left him in a state of confusion for the better part of the day. It wasn’t hard to understand that what was going on between them was more than a well-planned strategy to dominate this woman in every way possible. No, this was significantly more.
This perfect woman, this amazing Domme, had, without thinking, handed all control over to him under her own steam. It had been a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.
He knew her. He knew that Mercedes was probably questioning herself, wondering if she was losing her touch. Rather than ask her to embrace this side of herself, he was trying to let her feel her way through it on her own. She’d get there, he knew that much. And it was a damn good thing he was a patient man.
Then again, he fully intended to regain his control of the situation right here, right now.
He sensed what she needed and right now, it wasn’t the aggressive, no holds barred – as she’d put it – sex that they were so good at. As much as he ached to dominate her, he needed Mercedes to give in to this as much as he already had.
Cupping her cheek, Xander locked his gaze with hers as he leaned in close, taking things slower than he might’ve liked. But this was about her. Not him.
When his mouth settled on hers, Mercedes wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing them even closer. As his mouth settled over hers, she surprised him by sliding her fingers into his hair.
He fucking loved when she touched him. When she seemed to need the contact as much as he did.
She teased him with her tongue slowly, and he was cognizant of the way he responded, refraining from pushing her too fast. It was a tremendous effort because, for a large part of the day, he’d replayed the way she had looked leaning over him, riding him for all she was worth right there in the middle of his living room. Then he’d get lost in the memories of the two of them making love in his bed.
She’d certainly thrown him for a loop and Xander was pretty sure he’d gone into this with his eyes wide open.
He knew she could feel the slight vibration of his body as he held himself back, but he didn’t try to press her.
Pulling his lips from hers, he said, “I need to be inside you, pet. Right here. Tell me you need it too.”
“I need to feel you inside me,” she answered, her eyes searching his as though she were trying to look for something deeper.
It was the exact same way she’d been looking at him that morning before she had freaked out and disappeared.
Mercedes’s hands slid around, and she removed his already loose tie, watching his face as she did. Xander made sure she saw everything he was thinking.
Once she was finished, he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, keeping his eyes on Mercedes while he did. Once he had the damn thing undone, he shrugged out of it and allowed it to fall to the floor near his feet. Unable to wait long enough for her to undress him because he wasn’t sure he’d survive her sensual touch without going entirely mad, he didn’t waste any time removing the rest of his clothes.
When he was naked, he pulled her against him again and without breaking eye contact, Xander slid his hands down to her ass, and then hefted her up until she was forced to wrap her legs around his waist. He carried her over to the door and pressed her back against the solid wood surface.
He wanted to praise her for not saying anything about being too heavy for him to carry, but he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Tell me exactly what you want from me.” Xander loved when she told him what she wanted. Because he didn’t hear it very often, just the soothing request from her lips made it all the more exquisite.
“I want to feel your tongue. On my mouth, my breasts, my pussy.”
Xander couldn’t deny the electrical current that charged through him at her words. Mercedes was very vocal about what she wanted, and he assumed that was her dominant side that spoke up so easily. But her submissive side was much more prominent, if only she’d give in to it more.
Unable to resist, Xander crushed her into the solid wood as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, devouring her. She tasted like sweet sin, a temptation unlike anything he’d ever known before. He took his time, plundering her mouth until they both had no choice but to come up for air.
Sucking in as much oxygen as he needed, Xander shifted her higher and then sucked her nipple between his lips, teasing the tip with his tongue before sucking her more fully into his mouth. With her arms wrapped around him, she was gripping his head, while her legs squeezed him tightly. Laving both breasts repeatedly, Xander didn’t stop until she was begging for more.
He had no choice but to let her down so that he could complete her request. As soon as her feet were on the floor, he lowered himself to his knees. “Put your leg over my shoulder.”
Mercedes complied, placing her left leg over his right shoulder, the sharp heel of his shoe digging into his skin and Xander tried to remain in control.
Using his fingers, he separated her slick folds, exposing her so he could admire her beautiful pussy. After teasing her with his thumb briefly, he dove between her legs with his tongue, delving into her pussy without giving her a second to think about it. Her soft moans filled the air as she trembled in his arms, grinding against his mouth as he fucked her with his tongue.
“Xander.”
His name was a plea on her lips, and his chest swelled. She wasn’t holding back, just as he hoped, and a tremendous amount of pride swelled in his chest.
Releasing her clit from between his lips, he only stopped long enough to tell her to come whenever she was ready. Then he was delving back into her sweetness with his lips, teeth and tongue gripping her hips to hold her in place, making sure she knew he had her.
When she began moaning his name in earnest, he thrust two fingers inside of her, and she detonated on impact, flooding his mouth as he lapped at her sweet pussy.
And to think, he was just getting started.