Fifteen Weekends (21 page)

  Ashleigh rolled over in bed and realized she was not alone. She looked at Xavier who was sleeping so peacefully and naked. She giggled to herself as she threw the covers over her head. She had a wicked headache. After sliding quietly out of bed, Ashleigh retrieved some ibuprofen from her purse. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand. It was 6:34 A.M.  Looking around the room you would think a couple of rock stars had a party. Two empty bottles of red wine and a few minis of vodka and whiskey lined the desk. Opening the door to the mini-bar she took out a bottle of Evian and went to the bathroom. She swallowed the ibuprofen, took a few sips of water and decided to brush her teeth. When she was done Ashleigh climbed back into bed and Xavier rolled over.

  “Good Morning, Mademoiselle,” he greeted her with a raspy French accent.

  “Morning,” she said gazing at Xavier with a lazy smile. “It appears we had some fun last night.”

  “Hmm…that we did. I’d like to have some more fun right now,” he said as he began to kiss her shoulder.

  Ashleigh’s body came alive as Xavier brushed his lips against her skin. She felt his hands gently roaming her body, exploring each angle and curve. His lips met hers as she encircled her arms around his neck. He kissed her with such passion, over and over. Xavier was a take charge kind of guy. Ashleigh could see it in his eyes, they were demanding and full of power. He moved his hand along her thigh, underneath her silk slip and found that she was more than ready for him. He gently eased one of his long fingers into her, causing her to let out a soft moan, “Oh Liam.” Ashleigh opened her eyes and realized what she had said. Xavier was staring at her with a perplexed look.

  “Oh my God, Xavier. I’m completely horrified. I’m so…so sorry.” Ashleigh sat up in the bed and thought her heart might explode out of her chest. Then she heard Xavier laughing. Now
she
was looking at
him
with a puzzled look.
  “Ashleigh, this isn’t the first time a woman has cried out another man’s name when they were with me.” Xavier rolled over to his side of the bed where he began laughing again.

  Ashleigh couldn’t help but laugh, “Please tell me this is only the second time it’s happened?” she inquired.

  “Would you believe it’s the
third
time?”

  Shaking her head, she fell back and pulled the covers over her face. “I cannot believe I called you, Liam.” Her voice was muffled by the sheet, but Xavier heard exactly what she said.
  “So this Liam is he an ex-boyfriend, husband, ex-husband or lover?” Xavier asked.

  “No, I’m not married. More like friends with benefits, but much more complicated.”

  Xavier kissed Ashleigh on the cheek. While climbing out of bed he said, “You’ll figure it out gorgeous. Love, relationships, even friendships all come with complications.”

  He pulled his jeans on and lifted his shirt from the back of the office chair slipping it over his head. Ashleigh watched him intently as he dressed. He
was,
without question, dangerously good-looking. His eyes dazzled for being so early in the morning.
No wonder I fell into bed with him so willingly. Those eyes, goddamn they’re hypnotic.

  “Ashleigh, here is my card. If you find you have free time in your schedule while you’re here, call me. I would love to read your article when it’s finished. What publication will it be in again?”

  “
The Business Traveler’s Wife
,” she replied sweetly. Ashleigh climbed out of bed and retrieved one of her business cards from her laptop bag. “Here’s my card, Xavier.”

  Xavier reached out and took her card, “Thank you, Mademoiselle, Ashleigh. Ashleigh
Preston
.” He purred her name, his voice was sultry. “I have to go home and shower and change for work, but this has been fun,
really
fun.”

  The glint in his green eyes was mesmerizing. Ashleigh’s breath hitched as his soft lips gently brushed hers. As they hugged goodbye, Ashleigh lingered a bit, but that could have been a slow reaction due to her immense hangover. He smelled like pine needles and cedarwood.  She inhaled his masculine scent and felt like she was taking a stroll in the woods.

  He walked to the door, warmly nodded and said, “Bye gorgeous.”

  Blushing slightly she raised her left hand, “Bye Xavier.”

  As Ashleigh stood there feeling cold and alone. Despite the circumstances, the reality was that Xavier had given her a huge gift. For the first time in years, Ashleigh realized her feelings for Liam were more than that of friendship and casual sex.
Now, what am I going to do?

 
First things first, shower and get some coffee.

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

Amanda

  Amanda sat quietly sipping champagne at the table. A sigh escaped her mouth as she looked to the empty seat that sat to her left, the seat that was supposed to be occupied by Vince. He had been delayed yet again at a meeting in Manhattan. This was the second weekend in a row that Amanda attended an event alone. She didn’t even know why she bothered attending this dedication for the Graysen College Aviation School. She was hopeful he would make it in time for dessert.

  Amanda finally heard from her sister, Julie, and they set a date to meet for coffee. She was anxious to hear how Conner was doing and tell Jules about Vince. Despite the fact that Amanda was currently miffed at him, she found herself falling hard. Instead of sulking she decided to play the role of the dutiful CEO’s girlfriend and put on a happy face, taking the opportunity to represent Vince instead of resenting his absence. She had a feeling he would be arriving any moment.

  Amanda briefly chatted with Emma Sterling whose husband Grant was Vince’s business partner. The pair exchanged pleasantries regarding the Phillip Cooper Foundation gala, which was coming up near the end of August. Amanda was in charge of securing items from companies for the silent auction. Emma, who had volunteered multiple times for the event, made a few suggestions and gave Amanda some sage advice on how to approach potential donors.

  It was nearly eight in the evening, and dinner was about to be served. Amanda’s phone began to buzz. It was a text from Vince: I
’
M
SORRY
,
AMANDA
I
HAVE
TO
STAY
OVERNIGHT
.
PLEASE
FORGIVE
ME
.
I
’
LL
CALL
YOU
LATER
.

 
Amanda scooped up her clutch and politely excused herself from the table. She retrieved a hundred dollar bill and presented it to the bartender who then popped a bottle of champagne and handed it to Amanda. Lifting the bottle to her lips she took a long sip. She made her way to the back of the room and quietly slipped out through the heavy wood doors. Walking down the long curved hallway she began looking at the bronze and metal sculptures that lined the walls. She noticed a gold and black plaque on the wall outside a rather large room that said: EVERETT
STERLING
LECTURE
HALL
A
GIFT
FROM
VINCENT
L
.
EVERETT
&
GRANT
M
.
STERLING
underneath their names was the date of the dedication. She rolled her eyes and pushed through the glass doors.

  Making her way outside, she turned towards the newly constructed airplane hangars. Her blood was boiling, she was seething with anger. Seeing the plaque with his name only fueled her temper.

   Vince was always gone, and Amanda was left alone most nights and weekends. All of this was familiar territory, though Amanda understood that with money and power sometimes came personal sacrifice. Amanda could handle a lot of things when it came to being involved with men whose time was demanded by so many people. But, loneliness, more specific repeated loneliness was something with which she had difficulty.

  Amanda took a few more sips from the bottle. She was beginning to feel the effects of all the alcohol she consumed. Her body felt slightly heavy as the intoxicating and crisp bubbles warmed her belly.

  “Amanda!” a voice shouted from behind her. She peered around and saw Alex standing there in a black tux. His hair was slicked back, and he was clean-shaven.

  A smile slid across her vibrant red pout, “What…what are you doing here Alex?”

  “Vince called me and told me to join you at this event. He…he didn’t want you to be alone tonight,” he replied softly.

  Alex inched closer to her, closing the space between them. They were now standing face to face. Amanda reached out and ran her hands over the smooth lapels of his jacket. He gripped the bottle from her hands, lifted it to his lips and took a long drink.

  The moonlight bounced off Amanda’s diamond earrings as her blonde hair swirled around her neck from the light breeze. Amanda turned on her heels and walked towards the Jet that sat inside the hangar. The door was open, and she began to climb the stairs. Curiosity got the better of Alex, and he followed. He found Amanda inside making herself a cocktail at the bar.

  “Would
you
like something, Alex?” Amanda inquired, her voice light with laughter.

  His eyebrows arched. He nodded his head, saying, “One drink, and then we need to get back inside for dessert.”

  The cabin was bright and airy, almost the exact same color palette as the jet she and Vince took to New York on their first date. The carpeting in this jet was an indigo blue with soft grey accents in the chevron print. Amanda handed Alex his drink and sat beside him on the white couch. The leather felt cool against her warm flesh.

  “Alex, do you have a girlfriend?” she hummed, her voice hanging on the last word.

  Letting out a soft chuckle, Alex replied, “No, Amanda I don’t. Can you believe it?”

  Amanda shook her head and said, “No, I can’t.” She paused and took a sip of her drink, “Why?”
  “
Why?”
Alex repeated and sighed before taking another sip. “I had a fiancé, but we ended things. We were young and she wanted to stay in Detroit, I did not.”

  Amanda let out a hiccupped giggle, “Who
would
?” she scoffed.

  A grin slid across Alex’s mouth, and he let out another throaty chuckle. “You’re a bit giddy tonight. How much have you had to drink, Amanda?”

  Amanda felt her body sliding down the soft leather cushion. She pulled herself up and turned to face Alex. Amanda noticed the glimmer of blue in Alex’s eyes and the greying hairs around his temples. The lines on his face were deep, and his skin had slight sun damage. Amanda thought it was more than likely from being under the hot desert sun. None of it took away from the fact that he was incredibly handsome.

  “What are you the booze police, Alex?” she teased before pushing to her feet. Walking slowly towards the bar, she stopped and kicked off her heels. She nearly fell over as she tried to steady on one foot, but Alex hopped up and gripped her arm. Stumbling forwards she accidentally crashed into him. Her head fell and bumped his chest, and she almost fell over. Alex managed to cradle her in his strong frame. A shuddering wave of electricity passed through Amanda and went straight to her stomach. She looked up pushing back her thick bangs that fell across her cheek and met Alex’s gaze.

  He was still holding her in his arms, and Amanda molded her body to his. Fire burned through Amanda as she felt Alex’s heart thumping in his chest. His breathing was ragged, and his teeth grazed over his bottom lip.

  Amanda’s breathing escalated. “Alex,” his name came out in a shaky whisper.

  She shifted her head tilting slightly left. Alex leaned down brushing his lips to hers. Amanda parted her lips and Alex’s tongue dipped inside her mouth with soft rolling licks. A whimper escaped.

  “Amanda,” Alex whispered. “I want
you
.”

  Amanda pushed Alex to the couch and straddled his sturdy thighs. His hands hiked the soft silk of her strapless ivory gown over her hips. He dipped his finger inside the waistband of her lace thong and tugged it gently. The barely stitched together delicate fabric withered from her body. Amanda shoved her fingers through Alex’s hair and kissed him. His hands slid over her bare back and she felt his erection against the inside of her thigh. Amanda deepened her kiss as she lowered her arms, running her hands over Alex’s thick shoulders. 

  His hands fell from the firm grip he had on her waist, and Amanda heard the zipper of Alex’s trousers release. Her heart began to thump wildly in her chest as Alex’s finger traced the slickness of her sex. Every muscle in her body convulsed causing her to let out a low moan into his mouth. Sweat began to form at the base of her neck and in between her breasts.

  He pulled back from their kiss and said, “Lift to your knees, Amanda.”

  She gripped the back of the couch for balance and hovered over Alex allowing him to lift his pants to push them down farther. The soft fabric of his pants brushed the swell of her bottom, and Amanda felt the tip of his cock against her clit. Alex’s eyes met hers, she felt exposed sensing he could see how vulnerable and fragile she was. The feeling was frightening yet comforting at the same time. They were face to face in this intimate moment, and merely inches away from a wide open door to the world for anyone to interrupt at any given second. The need she had to desperately wash away the aching loneliness was raw and biting.