Chapter Twenty-Five
Chanel
As soon as we stepped out of the town car, Xavier became the star of the evening. Even though he was supposed to be a silent partner in this venture, everyone who mattered knew he was the money behind the funding of the club. Despite the people vying for his attention as soon as we got out of the vehicle, he waved the driver off and stood by the door with his hand out, patiently waiting for me to exit.
I noticed his heated gaze sweep over me for the umpteenth time that evening. I wore a Zoe sequin minidress with a plunging neckline. My hair was pinned up with a few spiral curls falling to frame my face. Around my neck was a beautiful Colette chain choker with diamonds hanging from it. That had been gifted to me from Xavier earlier in the evening. My outfit was complete with a pair of black Bianca Louboutins.
“You look good as hell,” he growled in my ear.
My entire body flooded with heat. It wasn’t the first time Xavier had told me as much since I got dressed, but it felt just as good as the first time. I gave him another once-over, admiring him in the navy suit he wore, paired with a white button-up collared shirt. He’d left a few of the top buttons open and didn’t wear a tie, looking very much like the laid-back businessman this nightclub was supposed to cater to.
“I’ma have to make sure my security follows you all around this damn place tonight,” he grumbled.
I snorted. “Ain’t no one in here thinking about me tonight.”
We paused as Xavier greeted a few people at the entrance. I looked out over the line that was already half-a-block long. There were men obviously trying to impress their dates and women dressed to the nines trying to garner the attention of whoever they thought had an in, which meant many were looking directly at my man. All it took was one look to see how people swarmed around Xavier, fighting for his attention, to realize he was the man of the evening.
“I’ve clocked at least three dudes I’ma need to keep an eye on tonight to keep their asses away from you,” he answered in response to my earlier comments.
“They can look, long as they don’t touch,” I stated, looking over at a group of women who were damn near salivating over Xavier.
“I prefer if they didn’t fucking look either.” He pulled my arm to wrap around his as we entered the club.
I took in the scenery. The club had three levels that were visible as soon as we stepped inside. We passed the area that would be used for coat checking; the huge bar was off to the left with beautiful young bartenders busy serving drinks. The music was the typical D.C. go-go music, interspersed with some of the latest hip hop tracks being played on the radio.
“The third level is the lounge area for business meetings. It’ll be quieter up there,” Xavier stated close to my ear. “I need to mingle for a bit before I head up there.”
“Go ahead,” I urged.
He hesitated.
“Go, I want to take in the scenery anyway. I’m sure there are a few people I know here.” The last thing I wanted was to be the clingy girlfriend he felt he needed to babysit all night.
“You sure?”
“Go!” I shooed him away and turned to head to the bar, but Xavier beat me to it. When the bartender noticed it was him who’d tapped her shoulder, her look changed from one of professional courtesy to pure interest.
“She’s with me. Her drinks are on the house tonight,” he pointed at me.
The bartender nodded.
“A’ight, baby girl. I’ll see you in a bit.” Xavier pressed a kiss to my cheek at the same time a male hand grasped his shoulder. It was another one of the owners. Xavier made quick introductions and gave me one last wink before sauntering off. I briefly watched as he walked away, becoming turned on by his slightly pigeon-toed gait.
“What’re you drinking, doll?” the bartender asked.
“Amaretto sour,” I answered, my eyes still on the man of the hour. I enjoyed watching him in his element. Head lowered, talking business with his associates, greeting patrons who vied for his attention before returning to the previous conversation.
“Here you go.”
I finally took my eyes off Xavier to retrieve my drink from the bartender. I paused, savoring the sweet taste. When I looked back up to where Xavier had been standing, he was gone. I took that as my cue to move on and mingle about. I had invited my law school classmate, Genie, who’d permanently relocated to D.C. after we graduated. She was supposed to be coming with her fiancé. I proceeded to stroll around the first level of the club, surprised when one guy gripped my arm for a dance. Before I could even turn down his offer, a security guard came out of nowhere, effectively ending that request.
“You okay?” the burly man asked.
“I’m fine.”
He took a few steps away, checking out the rest of the crowd, but I still felt like I had eyes on me. I chuckled to myself as I took another sip of my drink.
Minutes later, I spotted Genie with her fiancé. We gushed over each other’s outfits for a few moments before she introduced me to her fiancé. I promised I’d introduce her to Xavier whenever we reunited. I had no idea where he was at this point, but it was okay since I was enjoying the music, and Genie was a riot to be around. She and I danced to countless songs together while her fiancé made his rounds with the people he knew in the building. After a while, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see that same security guard from earlier.
“Boss man wants to see you upstairs,” he grunted.
He began moving people aside to let me pass. I grabbed Genie and informed her that we were going up to meet with Xavier. I wanted to introduce her to him. She grabbed her fiancé, and we followed the huge security guard who parted the crowded club with ease. Taking the stairs, we bypassed the second floor, which had a more laid
back feel than the lower-level, but the music was still upbeat.
We followed the security guard toward the elevator that led to the third level. Stepping off, the volume of the music was considerably lower, and a much slower pace. The atmosphere up there was less flirty and more business-casual. Xavier wasn’t difficult to spot, as he stood over the two other men he was speaking with. When he took a scan of the room, his eyes landed directly on me, and my entire body warmed up as those beautiful lips spread into a grin, and that dimple appeared. My heart fluttered and Genie bumped me from behind.
“He’s cute,” she trilled in my ear.
Nah, Xavier Grant was manly, handsome, magnetic. He could never be so basic as to just be cute. But I kept my comments to myself and led Genie and her fiancé toward the man who held my attention.
“I thought I was going to have to send out a search party,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around my waist.
“I didn’t want to disturb you while you were working,” I responded honestly.
His lip turned down into a frown that had me thinking I’d said the wrong thing. Not wanting to ask what that was about, I turned to Genie.
“Xavier, this is my good friend, Genie. We graduated from Georgetown together, and this is her fiancé, Garrett.”
“Pleasure is mine. Chanel’s told me good things about you. You two enjoying yourselves tonight?” he asked, taking a glass of scotch a waiter had just brought up.
I raised my brows when he took the amaretto sour that was sitting on the tray as well and handed it to me.
It was a small gesture of consideration, but made me feel cared for, for he’d considered me when I wasn’t even in the room. “Thank you.”
“You two drinking anything? Just let my guy here know,” he told Genie and Garrett. “Oh shit, I need to catch up with Steve about some things. It’ll be quick.”
“Go.” I gestured with my head for him to handle what he needed. “We’ll be fine.”
“A’ight. Mingle for a little bit but don’t go far. I’ll only be a minute,” he promised.
At that moment, Genie whispered that she needed to use the restroom, but insisted I didn’t need to come with her. Garrett eventually found a few more people to engage in conversation with, so I sipped my drink, gazing out the glass window at the lower levels. Looking at the different people enjoying themselves, I couldn’t help the sense of pride I felt for the man I’d come with. I always knew Xavier would make a success of himself. He was a natural-born leader, and while many took his relaxed, in control demeanor for being overly laid back, I’d always picked up on his underlying intensity. It seemed his mind was always working, trying to figure things out or improve upon something. He worked his ass off and deserved every ounce of success he’d earned.
Smiling, I took another sip of my drink, just thinking about all the ways in which I wanted to congratulate Xavier that night in our hotel room. However, before I could conjure up an image of all the titillating things I wanted to do to Xavier, a chill ran down my spine, causing me to frown. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“If it isn’t the lovely Chanel Combs. It’s been quite a while,” a deep male voice intoned behind me.
A queasy feeling rose in my belly at the underlying lasciviousness mixed with charm in his voice. Slowly, I turned around to find a pair of dark brown eyes staring at me over the brim of a glass of scotch. Not for the first time, I noted how much this man looked like his son.
“Mr. Miller.”
“Now Chanel, we were almost family. No need to be so formal.” He lowered his glass and let his gaze scour over me from head to toe.
The feeling of being completely exposed under his gaze had me on edge. I’d often felt that way about Ethan’s father.
“That was many years ago, sir. How are you doing?” I tried for polite conversation.
His grin grew. “I’m well. The lobbying business continues to be good to me. I see you’re doing well yourself.” That comment was followed up by another visual perusal of my body. “What are you doing here tonight? With anyone I know?”
I shook my head. “Um, I’m with—”
“Me.”
Xavier had reappeared. I was immediately comforted by this hand on the small of my back.
“Xavier Grant, what a pleasure. This is one nice setup you’ve got here,” Walter Miller commented.
Xavier inclined his head. “Walter, it’s been a while. How do you two know each other?”
Walter raised an eyebrow, and the pit in my stomach grew. “Chanel and I were almost family.” He seemed a little too happy to spring that information on Xavier, who I now felt looking down at me. “She was supposed to marry my son.”
“Ethan?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, she’s the one that got away, or so I hear.”
I wondered what that was supposed to mean.
“When’s the last time you spoke with Ethan, anyway? You know, he wasn’t doing so well after you left him.”
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Uh, well, it’s been years since I’ve spoken with Ethan,” I lied. I looked back up at Xavier and gave him a half-hearted smile. There was no need to go into any detail about Ethan’s and my past. Walter’s relationship with his son was of his making, and if he wanted more details on his son, he’d have to ask him. “We haven’t been in contact since we broke up.”
Walter nodded, seemingly convinced. “Well, you know how that boy of mine is.”
I did know. I also knew the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, but again, that was no longer my business.
“Well, Mr. Miller, it was nice catching up with you.” I could barely get that lie out, but it was clear that I was dismissing him.
“Same here. Xavier, I’d love to catch up with you about some business when you have time.”
Xavier’s lips tightened in a contemplative manner. “You know my assistant’s number. Give him a call, and maybe we can set something up. If you’ll excuse us, I need to do some more rounds before I take my lady home.” Without waiting for a response from Walter, Xavier pulled me in close to him and guided me to the other side of the room.
“I’m sorry about that,” I began once we were alone. “I haven’t seen him in years and didn’t know he’d be here.”
Xavier looked back over his shoulder at Walter, who was now engaged in a conversation with someone else. “I should be apologizing to you. I’ve known Walter for years. I know how he can get. I never made the connection that he was your ex’s father, though. He wasn’t at the engagement party those years ago. Are you okay?”
I nodded. “He couldn’t make it back then. I’m okay. I just didn’t want it to be awkward, in case you do business with him in the future.”
“I usually don’t work with him. He was invited by one of the other owners.”
“Okay, I just didn’t want there to be a misconception. That’s all.” I ran my hand up his stomach, feeling the ripples of his muscles underneath my palm.
“I’m not sweating Walter Miller, your ex, or anyone else in here tonight except you. As long as you’re upfront with me, I’m good.” He leaned down, brushing his lips over mine and I shuddered. Staring up into his face the color of chestnut, any thoughts of my ex-fiancé and his father ceased to exist. The way Xavier’s smile grew led me to believe he saw the look of need growing in my own eyes.
“Give me about thirty more minutes, then we’re out of here. Cool?”
I nodded. “I’m going to go find Genie and let her know we’re leaving soon.”
“Don’t keep me waiting,” he teased.
“Never, baby,” I purred.
****
“I’m about to wear that ass out.”
That whispered promise in my ear sent an electric current straight to my pussy. Before I could turn my head to face him, he was sliding out the car door, waving the driver off, and holding out a hand to help me out. Pulling me into his embrace, he pressed his lips to the mine before giving a few parting words to the driver. As we strolled through the hotel lobby to the elevator doors, I could feel Xavier’s eyes on my backside. The thrill of knowing he watched me so intently sent goosebumps rising all over my skin.
As soon as we stepped inside the room, my back was pushed against the closed door. His lips covered mine in a hungry kiss. I moaned into his mouth, savoring the flavor of the scotch he’d drank that night and the taste that was all him. I reached up to grasp his shoulders and pull him in even closer. His mouth trailed down my jawline as he peppered kisses down my neck, letting his teeth scrape the sensitive skin beneath my ear. I felt his hand at my back, lowering the zipper of my dress. Seconds later, it was a pool at my feet, as Xavier pulled my arm for me to step out of it.
He led me through the suite into the bedroom that was, to my surprise, lit with candles. Stunned, I looked up at Xavier, who wore an ardent expression. His greedy eyes continued to survey my body as I was dressed in only a pair of lace panties and matching demi-bra.
“This is beautiful.”
He pulled me into him by the waist. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”
“I was with you. How could I not enjoy myself?” I questioned honestly, stroking the side of his face. I sighed when his head turned, and he kissed my palm. His lips were on mine again as he led us both to the bed.
I stepped back just before he tried to lower me to the bed, wanting to undress him. I reached up and licked his lips, then push off the suit jacket he wore. I let it fall to the floor, followed by his white button-up shirt. I stepped in closer, pressing kisses to his hard chest and licking his nipples, allowing my knees to sink to the floor as I kissed lower and lower on his body. With his crotch at eye level, I worked to undo his belt and pants button, my mouth watering to taste him. I glanced up to see his eyelids halfway lowered, but eyes staring directly at me. I gave him the sauciest grin I could, right before pushing his pants and boxer briefs down to his ankles. His thick erection sprang out, nearly slapping me in the face. I eagerly pulled him into my mouth and began working my jaw to fit as much of him in as I could.
“Ahhh, shit!” The words ripped from his throat. His voice sounded as if he was being tortured in the sweetest way possible. His hand came around to cup the back of my head. I continued to bob my head up and down on his stiffness, getting lost in the scent and taste of him.
This man could become my addiction, and at that moment, I wouldn’t have minded one bit. I pulled back, looking up at him. Once again, his eyes were right on me. Maintaining eye contact, I used my left hand to hold the base of his dick while I swirled my tongue around the tip to spread the precum that began dripping. I watched Xavier’s chest expand as he watched me, his eyes narrowing, mouth tightening in a look that said he was more than enjoying what I was doing to him. He was committing this moment, this view of me, to memory.
Opening my mouth, I swallowed him whole again. I continued to watch him until he busted in my mouth. I swallowed every drop he gave me, not wanting to waste any of it. I moaned with his cock still in my mouth as he emptied himself.
Feeling satisfied when he finished, I finally pulled back, letting him slip out. I barely had time to wipe my mouth. I felt myself being picked up and tossed onto the bed. I giggled as his heavy weight came down on top of me. My poor bra and panties never had a chance as he ripped them from my body with strong chestnut hands.
“Those were my second favorite pair of panties!” I hissed playfully.
“Shouldn’t have worn them tonight then,” he grunted, unbothered as he kissed his way down to my breasts, cupping and squeezing them. “Let me make it up to you,” he told me, using his shoulders to spread my thighs even farther apart and easing down until he was face-to-face with my pussy. I covered his hands that were still on my breasts with my own and threw my head against the pillow, back arching as he began lapping at my clit. This man was so obviously not playing games that night as he licked and sucked at the most sensitive spot on my body.
“Mmm, Xavier!” I moaned and grunted his name over and over until I released a shrill scream as I came. Panting as I came back to myself from my orgasm, I looked up to see a pair of darkened coffee brown eyes observing me. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact look he was giving me. I’d never seen it before. He lowered himself so that his forehead rested against mine. I reached up to cup his face, to bring him down to my lips but I was stopped by his hand.
“I’m falling in love with you.” His confession was hoarse.
I lay there, stunned, at a complete loss for words. His confession was like music to my ears and an ice grip to my emotions, all at the same time. Luckily, I didn’t need to respond when Xavier leaned into me, taking my lips with his own, pouring all his emotion into me at the same time he sank himself in between my thighs.
He was relentless as he pumped into my pussy, peppering kisses to my mouth, neck and face, all while telling me how much he was falling for me. I felt tears form behind my eyes, but refused to let them fall. I grasped his shoulders, needing something to anchor myself to the moment. I could feel my body and emotions soaring to heights I’d never experienced before, and my body began to shake with my impending orgasm…and fear. So many emotions coursed through me all at once, all I could do was scream and moan as my orgasm ripped through my body.
I felt Xavier’s body quake as well as his orgasm shattered as well, and he emptied himself again, sheathed inside of me. We’d come at the same time plenty of times, but this was different. Everything was more profound, more intense, more...real.
Xavier had told me he loved me.
And I hadn’t said it back.