Xavier

Gazing up at the infinite stars blanketed by the night sky with Ally in my arms has to be one of the most peaceful moments of my life. I wasn’t lying when I said I had everything I needed right here. Everything I’ve worked so hard for in my life -my business, my apartment, my truck, it could all be gone tomorrow, but as long as I have Ally in my arms it wouldn’t matter. From the first moment I saw her I knew she was special but never in my life did I ever think I would get to be a part of her life. If Beau or Justin had told me months ago that this is where my life would lead me, I would have laughed in their faces and told them to fuck off. I never wanted to be tied down. I always thought I wasn’t meant to feel this kind of love but now that I have it, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Pushing a hand into my pants pocket I grab my phone and flick through the apps until I find what I’m looking for. With one arm still wrapped tight around my girl, I turn her to face me, click on my music app and hit ‘play’ on the song I want. The silence disappears around us as the first bars of Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur breaks through the tranquility of the moment.

“What are you doing?” she whisper’s, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Dance with me, under the stars.” I shove my phone into the breast pocket of my dress shirt so we can still hear the music.

Wrapping my arms back around her waist, I pull her in tight, her body moulding into mine perfectly. Swaying from side to side, I bury my head into the top of her hair and breathe in her sweet apple scent. Her hands slowly slide up my chest and wrap around my neck. For three minutes and thirty seconds we were lost in each other, just feeling. We let everything go and stayed in the moment with each other. Feeling a wetness against my shirt, I pull back mesmerized as her glistening evergreen eyes gaze into mine. She blows out a choppy breath and it hits my neck as she fights the tears threatening to fall. A few seconds later, she loses the battle and soft tears flow down her heat blushed cheeks. Dropping her chin, she tries to shy away so I don’t see, but I’m not having any of it. Reaching out, I place my fingers softly under her chin tilting her face up to mine.

“Don’t hide your tears from me, Sweetness. They make you human. Each salty tear that trickles down your face makes you who you are and you’re amazing. When you cry, I get to see a little bit more of you and I savor those moments. To me, you could never be anything but divine.”

I tuck a loose tendril of hair behind her ear, her eyes glittering with an emotion so intense it shakes my soul. She rises up on her tiptoes and I lean down to brush my lips over hers before slowly moving her away. A look of confusion crosses her face but quickly vanishes when I twirl her around before bringing her back into my arms. Her chin rests on my chest and she peers up at me through her lashes, the glow from the moon making her gold hue shine like the sun. Sliding her hands around my neck, she gently strokes her nails up and down causing goosebumps to break out. When I plant a soft kiss to her nose, it scrunches under my touch because of my beard. 

“You shine brighter than any star, Baby,” I whisper once the song fades and the silence returns. “The first time I saw you, I had to catch my breath. The minute I touched you, I wanted to savor it - not knowing when the next time would come. You are everything I never knew I wanted and so much more. Now I can’t breathe without you.” I blow out a deep breath and two simple, but powerful, words slip from my lips as my heart echoes in my ears. “Marry me,” I husk out.

This may not be the perfect time, I don’t even have a ring, but something about this moment is so perfect. I don’t think I could have planned anything more romantic than this, right here, right now, under the silver glow of the moon as the waves crash against the rocks below us. Staring into my eyes, I hear the hitch in her breath as she nods her head, but I need to hear the words. Running my hand down the side of her face, I rest my palm against her cheek. Her eyes flutter close at my touch. Seeming to snap her out of her head, she plants a small kiss into the palm of my hand. Her warm palm lays across my hand on her cheek, holding it there as her eyes stare into mine.

“Yes.” Her voice cracks and after clearing her throat, her voice is stronger. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Before she can say anything else, I slam my mouth down on hers, wanting to soak this moment into my body. Pulling back from the kiss, my chest warms as I watch her eyes flutter open and a shy smile curl her lips.

“I don’t have a ring.” Looking up to the sky, I husk out an embarrassed laugh.

I always knew I would ask her, but I’d planned to have it all set up properly when I did. Laughing, she cups my face and draws me down to her again. I’m only inches from her and my eyes lock onto the evergreen eyes which stole my soul.

“I don’t need a ring, I just need you.”

She leans forward, closing the gap between our mouths and kisses me with so much hunger my already hard cock pushes against the zipper of my suit pants. I pull back, needing to get my shit under control.

“We need to stop, before I fuck you into the ground,” I grit out between clenched teeth.

Peeking over each of my shoulders, a mischievous smile takes over her mouth.

“I’m game.” She reaches behind her and unzips her dress. “I always wanted to make love under the stars.” She kicks her shoes off as she struggles to pull down her dress.

Fuck. “I don’t want to hurt you and right now my control is pretty thin,” I warn.

“You won’t,” she cocks a perfect brow, daring me to argue with her.

Fisting my hands at my sides, I open my mouth to object when she cuts me off with that sass I have missed so much in the past week.

“Either fuck me or stand there and watch me pleasure myself.”

“Like fuck,” I grunt, making her laugh. “You’d test the patience of a Saint, Babe.” I pick her up by the waist, my control a thing of the past and I slam my mouth down on hers, not giving her a chance to say anything else. Falling to my knees I lay her out on the grass. Her auburn hair scatters around her, the black dress now hanging down near her waist leaving her spectacular bare tits on display, her fair milky skin glowing under the moonlight.

“Fuck it!” I don’t bother to strip off.

Reaching down, I slide my zipper down, pop the button and push my boxer briefs down just enough that my hard as fuck cock springs free. The metal piercing surrounded by pre cum, glistens and I’m struggling to stay in control when she begins moaning with want and pinching her hard nipples between her fingers. Gripping her stockings, I rip them down her legs, hearing them tear as I go. Once off, I reach under her dress and snap her flimsy panties off in one quick movement, making her hiss at the action.

“Fuck, X, I need you now.” She moans and arches her back, trying to get closer to me.

I run the tips of my fingers over her pussy to make sure she’s ready for me. It’s my turn to groan at how soft and wet she is. Gripping the base of my cock, I lean forward and grip her hair at the top of her head, firmly holding her to the ground. In one heated rush, I slam into her soaking pussy. Holding still for a moment, I soak in the feeling of her wrapped tight around me. My eyes roll back in my head as her moans bounce around me.

“This is going to be hard and fast, Sweetness.”

I pull back before pushing back in on a groan.

“Oh God, yes,” she moans.

She grips my shoulders and through the thin layer of my shirt, I feel her nails bite into the muscles of my back, making me grunt.

“What did I tell you to say when I’m inside you?” I ground out behind clenched teeth while slamming into her again and again.

Leaning down, my teeth latch onto her nipple, applying a little pressure. Her hips pick up speed, meeting me at every thrust.

“Xavier!” she screams before I cover her mouth with mine, not needing anyone to come out here and see my woman losing herself.

I growl into our kiss as her pussy contracts around my cock, coating it in her warm release. It's enough to have me losing my load. Tiny shocks shoot down my back as my balls draw up and I explode. Black dots swim across my vision as our panting breaths break through the otherwise silent night.

“I love you,” I breathe out once I get my bearings back

“I love you, too,” she gasps.

I roll over onto my back, taking her with me and we lie panting in an effort to recapture our breath.

Laying in the crook of my arm, her warm breath slides down my neck as we gaze up to the night sky. “We should go back.” Ally’s whisper disturbs the tranquility of the moment as she snuggles deeper into my side.

Pulling her closer, I lean down and kiss the crown of her head breathing in her sweet apple scent, not taking my eyes from the stars.

“In a minute,” I murmur, not ready to move just yet. I feel content for the first time in what feels like weeks.

Laying her head back against my chest, her fingernails dance up and down my shirt covered abs, causing my muscles to jump and tense at the feather light touch. Angry voices from across the road penetrate the quiet and we sit up to look around. It’s too dark to see anything, the only light is coming from the front of dad’s house. I turn to Ally, making sure her clothes are back in order and chuckle when she holds up her torn panties. Reaching out, I grab them and stuff them into my pocket along with her stockings.

“Lucky it’s not too cool tonight.” She shrugs.

“I’ll warm you up, Babe,” I reassure her.

“I bet,” she murmurs as she pushes to her feet and smooths her hands over her dress in an attempt to shift the dirt and grass. Standing above me, with the moon shining behind her in a halo effect, has my heart doing some funny shit inside my chest, knowing this woman is mine.

“You ready?” Her voice breaks into my thoughts, she stretches her hand out to help me up.

“Yeah, I guess.” Gripping her small hand, in mine I push to my feet without allowing her to wear the brunt of my weight. Before she can walk away, I pull her into my chest. “We’ve got this,” I murmur into her hair.

“We sure do,” she whispers into my neck as the angry voices get louder.

“Shit, that sounds like Beau.”

I take Ally’s hand in mine and we hurry across the road as Erica’s voice echoes off the side of the house. “I can’t do this, Beau!”

“What the fuck is going on?”

Ally squeezes my hand when we come to a stop on the footpath in front of dad’s house. Erica rushes past us with Beau hot on her heels but I reach out to stop him from following. It’s obvious Erica is upset and doesn’t want him near her. Thankfully, he doesn’t fight me and stays by my side.

Letting go of my hand, Ally takes up the space between her and where Erica is standing next to her car which is parked across the road.

“STOP!” Beau shouts.

“There is nothing left to talk about, Beau.” Tears stream over Erica’s face.

“I beg to fucking differ!” Beau runs a frustrated hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry, Beau, but you don’t know the real me. You think you do but you don’t.” Blowing out a deep breath, Erica locks eyes with me. There’s so much sadness in her eyes. “Thank you for the job, X, but I quit”

“I don’t fucking accept!” I’m getting pissed now.

“Ain’t fucking happening,” Beau spits out as his body tenses beside mine.

“Erica,” Ally murmurs.

Erica turns into Ally and wraps her arms around her. They’re too far away for me to hear what she whispers against Ally’s ear but I see her nod into Erica’s shoulder.  

“I’ll call you later,” Erica says to Ally. She gives me a sad smile before turning and getting into her car.

Beau makes a start towards the car then, I hear the squeal of tyres and a set of headlights blind me.

“Fuck!” I shout as the sound of metal hitting metal echoes around the otherwise quiet cul de sac.

High pitched screams ring in my ears and the smell of fuel hits my nose. Erica screams and I can see her trying to get out of the car. I notice the driver’s side door is crushed from the impact of hitting the other car which is now flipped over on its roof - half on the hood of Erica’s car and half on the road. Smoke wafts around us, coating the cool air with petrol fumes. Not only can I smell the fuel, but also the tang of coolant from probably cracked radiators. Steam billows from under the crumpled hoods, curling into the air. The burnt-chemical smell from the deployed airbags, hits my nose causing my nostrils to flare. But, the most unnerving thing now is the strange silence. It’s a piercing sound in my ears, so quiet but yet so loud. The crash was disorienting – loud, so loud. Now, my eyes dart around at all the chaos around me which seems to be happening in slow motion. The impact was severe, extreme and debris is scattered all over this once quite street.

Questions are running through my mind at a million miles an hour as I stand stunned with shock....

Erica?

Beau?

Ally?

Who?

What?

Where?

How?

For the life of me I can't think, is there anyone else? More questions, no answers......

Who was driving the vehicle which was so intent on slamming into us and why?

Is it revenge?

Why is it so dark all of a sudden?

I can't see, buzzing sounds in my ears. My feet are unable to move.

The smell of fuel leaking from the cars doesn't help the situation of me needing to think. I cover my nose in order to breathe properly. Everything is a fucking mess. Erica was screaming in pain, panic and red-hot fear. The blood curdling screams are too much for me to bear, ripping through my skin like a hot poker. With feet feeling like lead, I force myself to take a few steps. Steam mixed with cool air and the bite of chemicals hits me in the face. What causes my heart to thump erratically is the shocking sight of Erica – blood... too much blood. The sheer panic in her eyes. Her skin angry and coated with streaks of fresh blood. So much blood.

I look around for Beau. I know he’s here somewhere. He was standing right beside me. Fuck. Scrubbing my hands over my face and up through my hair, I call out in panic. “Beau, where are you, brother?”

I spin around frantically and, in that moment, I see her. Flashbacks of her deathly still body in the hospital assault my mind and I race to where my woman is sitting on the road – all thoughts of leaden feet forgotten. I drop to my knees, the uneven surface of the asphalt biting into the skin and pain spears through me – I don’t care. I pull Ally onto my lap and run my hands over her face, checking her features.

“Baby, fuck, where are you hurt? Sweetness, please, look at me.”

Her eyes flicker open and I see the pain.

“Arghhhh,” she mouths through dry lips.

“Fuck, where are you hurt?” My heart is pleading for her to be okay. 

“No, um, no, I don't know?” She gazes at me, disorientated. “Beau? X where’s Beau? He saved me, pushed me out of the way. Where is he?” Sheer fucking panic grips her and her eyes shift all around, frantically searching for him. Her fear hits me hard in the chest.

Scanning the area, I finally see him. He’s lying on the cold road, as still as stone. My heartrate picks up speed, the thumping banging in my head. I need to go to him, but an internal battle is raging inside me, needing to know my woman is okay first.

“I’ll go check on him.” I try to hide the panic in my voice.

Sitting up in my lap, she looks around at the chaos around us and a sob tears through her throat.

“I’m okay,” she whimpers before moving out of my arms to sit on the grass beside me. “Go, X, help him.”

At her words, I snap into action and push up from the ground. As I rush towards Beau, I stumble. My palms hit the asphalt, small stones tearing the skin. I ignore it and move to his side, again dropping to my knees. He’s so pale, unmoving. “Oh, fuck no he can't be.....” My throat constricts and my attention is drawn to a fire which flickers to life under the hood of one of the mangled cars. At some point, dad’s fire buddies have left the house and are shouting out rapid instructions.

Through a hazy blur of shock and disbelief, the faint sound of sirens in the distance causes me to look away from my brother. My eyes lock onto the driver of the other car. Anger rips through my body and my mind is hell bent on justice, I rise to my feet but before I can move towards the car, reach in and rip the person apart, I recognise the driver who has caused all the carnage..... Ally’s mother.

“Fuck!” I collapse back to my knees not taking my eyes off her face which is smeared in crimson, her lips a deep shade of purple. A heavy hand hits my shoulder and I know without looking it’s my dad. Erica falls to her knees beside me, tears flooding her blood-soaked face. Utter terror sounds in her words. “No. No. NO! Don’t do this.” She wails and shakes Beau by the shoulders. “Don’t you dare leave me too!” she screams while running a shaky hand through his hair.

Her cries shred me like a knife.

“The ambulance is coming, Beau. Please, please, just hold on, damn it.” She blows out a hard breath, wiping away the blood which is streaking down the side of her face. “Beau, cut this bullshit out. Please don’t give up, Baby. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’m so sorry I pushed you away.”

I look up into my dad's eyes, tears roll from my burning eyes.

“No more death. Please, Pops, no more death,” I choke out on a sob.

“Don’t touch me!” Erica screams.

One of dad’s mates, John, is trying to check the cut on her forehead.

Ally lowers to her knees beside Erica and wraps her arms around her. Erica falls into her embrace and deep wails wrack her body.

“I’m so sorry,” Ally whispers while rocking her slightly.

I see her eyes scan the other car, the colour draining from her face when she recognises her mum slumped over the steering wheel.

“This is all my fault.” Soft tears roll over Ally’s cheeks.

“Fuck, that!” I grunt, pissed she feels the need to take the blame. None of this shit is her fault.

“If it wasn’t for me....” she swallows hard. “....none of this would have happened.”

“She did this, not you,” Erica murmurs.

An ambulance screeches to a stop nearby and a flurry of activity surrounds us as paramedics race to where we are, another checks Ally’s mother.

“She’s dead,” he says, sorrow coating his words.

“Good,” Ally spits out.

My heart lurches, I’m so fucking happy we don’t have to worry about that bitch anymore.

“We have a pulse,” the female paramedic examining Beau says. “What’s his name?”

“His name is, Beau and I’m going with him.” Erica’s tone brooks no argument. Dad helps her to her feet and I push to mine before helping Ally to stand.

“Miss, we need to look at your head,” the male paramedic insists while he helps place Beau onto the stretcher.

“I’m fine,” she murmurs as my father leads her towards the back of the ambulance.

Ally wraps her arms around me, weeping softly into my chest. I hold her tight as my arms begin to shake. Blowing out a rough breath, I savor her touch and close my eyes as the back doors of the ambulance close with a thud. 

I open my eyes when a police car pulls in, one of the officer’s steps out and hurries to the paramedic who is still with Ally’s mum. The other makes his way over to us.

“Can someone fucking look at my girl now,” I call out in anger to the paramedic who seems more worried about the dead bitch in the car than he does about Ally. I know I’m not thinking rationally.

“Sir, can you tell me what happened here?” The cop flips open a notebook as the paramedic finally comes over to us.

I grasp my woman tighter to my side and place a single kiss to her forehead while sending a silent prayer to whoever is listening, thanking them that my girl is okay. Now, I need my brother to wake up. If he dies because he chose to save my girl’s life, that’s a debt I will never be able to repay. Releasing my girl to the care of the paramedic, I turn back to the cop. I’m ready to get this shit done so I can get to the hospital and make sure my brother is alright.