Xavier FINAL (Men of Steel #4) (27 page)

“You know I’m hearing nothing you’re saying and picturing you in a cheerleading outfit
with pom poms.” She laughed. “You know I love to hear you laugh?”

“Good because laughing is my second favorite thing to do.”

“Oh yeah, what your first?”

“Anything with you—naked.”

I looked up at the ceiling, “Thank you God.”

~

We busted ass all day and well into the night. The office space looked perfect. I
had asked why we needed the reception area when we didn’t have a receptionist.

“I will act as the receptionist.”

“They know I’m into you Irish.”

“Fine,” she grabbed her phone and called Abe.

She fucking called Abe and asked him to send a receptionist downstairs for the afternoon
on Monday. He must have asked her why and she said, “Because Mr. Steel has requested
one until the position is filled.” I’m pretty sure he laughed at her because she huffed.
“Just do it!” And then she hung up.

I waited until she was in the bathroom to call him and tell him do as she says, she’s
on the rag, and she caught me.

“Tell him you bought me tampons.” I heard her voice snap.

He heard that shit too because he laughed his ass off.

When I got off the phone I tried to argue that what happens between us is ours to
discuss not for him or anyone else to take part in.

She very calmly told me her, “Bleeding vagina isn’t appropriate for office talk either.”

Then I asked her how bad Flo was and she said she was just spotting. Then I reminded
her about this morning’s talk and fuck yes I banged her over the desk. No blood on
my dick either, fucking perfect lunch hour.

~

We made it to watch River James beat the fuck out of the drums. He was hard core.
And I wanted him bad, up until I realized he was tittie fucking Taelyn in his fucking
head. I stood to leave mid-sentence and she excused herself.

“What are you doing you love him?” She grabbed my hand stopping me.

“I’m avoiding jail time.”

She grabbed my face and made me look at her. “What just happened?”

“He was fucking your tits.”

“Wow, and I missed it.”

I pulled my head back and scowled, “He wants to. Let’s get out of here.”

“Wait,” she grabbed my hand. “Xavier. I think you’re wrong. Even if you aren’t what’s
wrong with someone admiring my boobs. I have to see you wink at every one who looks
at you.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, yes you do. If I deal with it you can deal with someone thinking I have a nice
rack. Let’s go.”

“You need a break tonight because you make me go over there I’m gonna fuck him up.”

“You fuck him up you won’t be shoving that thing in me again for a long time.”

“Yeah right, let’s go.” I grabbed her hand and she pulled it away. “You really telling
me
no?”

“Yes I am.” She crossed her arms in front of her and stuck her nose in the air.

“Because you want him looking at your tits?”

“What does it matter? Everyone has them.” She opened up her little cardigan and walked
towards the table and bent over right in front of him. Mother fucker.

She handed him a card and shook his hand. He kissed her fucking hand and winked at
her.

She turned around and smiled as she walked back to me, “Let’s go.”

“Tell me you did not just ask him to come by the office.”

She didn’t answer.

“You stay right the fuck here and don’t you even think about moving.”

I walked over to the table River and the band sat. “I’ll take that card back. I’m
in charge here, not her. I’m not interested.”

“No?” The punk ass laughed in my face. “I wasn’t gonna show anyways.”

“Sure you weren’t.”

“I just said yes to be polite to her. I had a record deal once. Not interested in
bitches like you using women to lure in talent then get fucked over. So again, I wasn’t
fucking interested.”

“I don’t give a fuck. I don’t need some fucking drummer checking out my girl.”

He smiled, “I was pushing your buttons man. Not that she doesn’t have a nice rack
but I don’t need any help getting laid.”

“And I’m supposed to give a fuck.”

“Take it as you want to. I’m just telling you maybe you should stick around awhile.
See those two girls over by the speaker tower. I’m fucking them tonight. They don’t
know it yet. But that’s half the reason I beat the skins. I like the chase, the capture,
and then the release. You had nothing to worry about. She wouldn’t have fucked me
even if you weren’t here. You can tell by the way they look at you. She wasn’t throwing
the vibe.”

“You may wanna watch yourself. I was just like you man, fucking a different girl every
other day. One day you wake up, look at a girl and that’s fucking it. Watch out for
the ones who push your ass away they make you want it even more.”

“I had one of those once. Never again.”

“I hear you man, fucks with your head until you wonder what the fuck happened to you
and your balls. Don’t get caught River. Stay true to who you wanna be. And if you
wanna show up Monday and you don’t stare at her tits I’d love to see what we can do
together.”

“Monday at four?”

“Yeah.”

“You gonna apologize for being a dick?” He laughed.

“Nope.”

We shook hands and I looked around to see where Taelyn was and saw her walking out
the door.

I ran out behind her and grabbed her hand. “He’s coming Monday.”

She jerked her hand away and raised it to hail a cab.

“Come on Taelyn don’t be like this.”

“I am taking a time out.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“I need a break from you, that’s what that means.”

A cab pulled up and she started to open the door. “Get lost pal.”

“I am not riding home with you.”

“Is this because I told you to stay put?”

She walked to the other side of the cab and got in. I opened the door and got in the
other side.

“I’m asking you for a time out and you’re not allowing it. I’m going home. If you
don’t get out.”

“We’re going back together.”

“If you don’t get out I am going home to Boston.”

“Don’t be fucking--.”

“One more word.” Her tone was calm and steady.

I stepped out of the car and held my hands up. “At least tell me what I did.”

“If this thing we’re doing is so awful then I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“Did you hear what I said to River?” She didn’t answer. “It was just shit talk. How
do you think things are gonna be when my brothers are around? They’re gonna pressure
me and I’m gonna tell them the same shit. What we have is ours, no one else’s.”

“Unless you get pissed Xavier. Unless you want someone to not look at my tits. Unless
you feel threatened.”

“Well what do you want a fucking proposal?”

“I want space.”

“It’s because you have your--.”

“You are a complete boner you know that?”

“Boner? How the fuck old are you?”

She reached over and slammed the door. I stood and watched as the cab drove down the
road.

I shoved my hands in my pocket to grab my phone and it was gone. “Fuck!”

I walked in and went back to River’s table.

“This your phone man?”

“Thanks.”

“She take off?”

“Yeah she did. See you Monday?”

“Sure thing.”

I got in the SUV and drove to as fast as I could to try to catch up and I did. I followed.
And parked in front of her place.

I waited until she got out and the cab to pull away before I got out.

“Taelyn wait just a minute.”

“Xavier, it’s been a long day.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I don’t want people looking at your tits okay and I’m sorry
I want this to be just ours.”

“Okay.”

“You sure it’s okay?”

“Yep,” she opened the door and walked in holding the door she turned and looked at
me. “I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Seriously?”

She looked me straight in the eyes. “Goodnight.”

Chapter 24

Spidey Love

I woke in the morning to the phone ringing. It was nine and I was exhausted even though
I never slept that late.

“Hello?”

“Taelyn, its Billy.”

“Hi Billy were we supposed to meet today?”

“No. I have something to tell you and I want you to understand that if I knew it was
going to hurt you I would have never been part of it.”

“Okay.”
What the hell was he talking about
?

“I took the pictures at the bar that night.”

“You what?”

“My movie date was with a girl I have been seeing on and off for a few weeks now.
Her name is--.”

“Angel.”

“Taelyn I am so sorry. She told me about this asshole that used her. He broke her
heart. I had no idea who Xavier was and then when he came after me, well it was the
only thing I could do. She told me he was a user and that he should have to pay for
it. I took the pictures at the bar. The others were her. The ones of him from a few
months ago were traced to the TV station. I assume she was selling them. Her parents
are broke--.”

“Hold on. I just woke up. I need a minute to try to figure it all out.”

“I understand.”

I walked out on the balcony hoping the cold air would wake me up a bit. “Okay so she
sold photos to the television station?”

“The picture of her, you know.”

“Sucking Xavier’s dick.”

“Yeah, that one was traced back to the stations IP address. She doesn’t know I’m telling
you this.”

“You should stay away from her. She told Xavier she’s in love with Daniel. She told
you she’s in love with Xavier. You’ll be the next one she’s bashing. You’re a nice
guy--.”

“You don’t hate me?”

“No, just don’t do it again.”

“Are you gonna tell him?”

“Tell Xavier? No. Not about your involvement. I’m grateful you didn’t press charges
against him.”

“I’m really sorry Taelyn.”

“I understand. Thank you for being honest with me.”

“So are you two together?”

“Xavier Steel doesn’t do normal. He’s incapable. So no, we aren’t together. We’re
fucking until it’s not fun anymore.”

“Uncomfortable.”

“Sorry.”

“Be careful okay. I don’t trust her.”

“Angel?”

“She’s unstable. I saw her do a line right in the theatre the other night.”

“You be careful to. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“You moved?”

“I did. It’s temporary. I’ll be going home in May though. I miss my family.”

“Taelyn, I really am sorry.”

I sat on the chair and tried to figure out how I would tell him, if I would tell him.

“Morning.”

I jumped and looked towards the door.

“Over here.”

I pulled the blanket around my shoulders and peaked over the railing.

“What are you doing over there?”

“It’s my new place. You should come over and check it out.”

“Are you crazy?”

“I am. Stupid too.” He climbed on the railing of his balcony and stepped across to
mine.

“You’re gonna get hurt.”

He hopped down landing on his feet right in front of me.

“Did you sleep okay?”

“I told you I wanted a break.”

“You had nine hours. Who was on the phone?”

Oh dear god, “I was having a private conversation.”

“Billy?”

I wasn’t gonna answer that, fearing I would be considered an accessory to whatever
batshit crazy move he was gonna make.

“Billy gave the pictures from the bar to his movie date Angel who is a freak. He hasn’t
seen her since, am I close?”

“Did you tap this phone?”

“No I got the information two days ago. James followed him. George checked into the
IP crap. I just put two and two together.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’ve been cranky.”

“Okay Spidey, hop back over to your place. I’m going to get ready for work.”

“You won’t let me use the door?”

“Why would I?”

“Cause you like me. Cause I’m gonna go all junior high on you in about two seconds,
you’re gonna turn a pretty shade of pink and you and I are gonna end up in the shower
together, fucking like monkeys.”

“You’re crazy. You can use the door but only because I’m late for work and I don’t
want to have to call an ambulance when you fall off the balcony and break your leg.”

He reached over and pushed my hair out of my face. “See you like me. You don’t wanna
see me hurt.”

“I just forgave a guy for making me look like a whore on the internet. I’m a nice
person. Don’t flatter yourself.”

I walked in the door and he followed.

“Two minutes?”

“One.”

“This thing between us is ours. But something you said last night really resonated
with me. I do want all that with you. I wanna be pissed if someone looks at your tits
because they are mine. I don’t want people to wonder what we are. I want them to know
that you and I are serious and not just when I get pissed. I don’t need a label but
if that will make you feel better I want to call you mine. I want you to call me yours
and I want that for a long time. Taelyn can we date exclusively, can I call you mine,
will you be my very first girlfriend?”

“That’s all nice Xavier but as you said it’s very junior high. And you’re an idiot
because that’s not what I was pissed about. I want respect and I sure as hell don’t
want to hear you tell some guy that he should steer clear of feelings. Like I’m some
ball and chain.”

“That’s not what I meant. Damn Taelyn I just asked you to be mine. I just basically
gave you my balls.”

“I had them before. You get the respect part down and we can talk. Now even though
you think I act like a child doesn’t mean I do. I have responsibilities so you need
to leave so I can get ready for work.”

“Tell me what to say then because I have no clue what more I can say to you.”

“Nothing okay. Just give me space.”

“Fine.” He started walking away and my heart felt like it was breaking. “One more
thing. These feelings I have for you are real. I’ve never felt it before. If I had
there would be no way in hell I would have been able to walk away. So what we have
is ours, it’s the real deal and I’m just waiting for you to be done feeling like shit
because you have the same feelings for me. It was from day one and you know it. So
I need some space too because I know that I want you fully and completely. When you’re
ready let me know.”