Can’t Fight Love

Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning, forgetting where I was. Warm white pillows and blankets billowed around me like giant fluffy clouds. The rushing water and the warm sun shining through the windows, brought my attention to something odd. 

I felt rested. I panicked and grabbed my phone. It was only 7am. So odd. It was well after 2 am when we went to bed, but I felt like I slept for 12 hours. 

I smiled, reliving the night before. Man, he felt good. And now I was in his bed. In the morning. It was warm, homey. 

But where was Xavier? I sat up, my head started pounding. 

Ugh I drank too much. I see Xavier’s white t from last night and I slip it on over my naked body. I catch myself in the mirror and realize my braids are insanely messy. I quickly undo them and shake out my hair. Big, wavy, chestnut brown hair fell to my waist. 

I smile and walk out of the bedroom. 

At the kitchen island, Xavier is reading something on his phone. He’s dressed in a bright green golf shirt and white shorts. He looks delicious. 

His eyes lift from his phone as he grabs his coffee and he spots me. 

“Good morning pretty lady,” his devilish smile sending goosebumps over my body. “You look beautiful,” and he looked back at his phone, taking a sip of his coffee. 

I smiled bashfully, “thanks.”

“There’s coffee in the pot, I tee off in about 30 minutes so I’m leaving,” he says calmly.

Wait he has to leave? I start to panic. f**k I’m not ready, wait. My head is pounding as I’m trying to process everything. I start making a coffee, thankful he leaves out creamer and sugar for me. 

“Are you ok?” He suddenly interrupts my train of thought. 

“I think I drank too much,” I pause touching my head, “I didn’t realize you had somewhere to be so early..” But then things start processing and I freeze.. “You’re playing golf today?”

“Yup” he’s quick, and I can hear his excitement. “At the course I just so happen to be working at today?”“Yup”And my stomach drops. 

“Listen,” I begin, “I had a lot of fun last night,” I sigh and finish making my coffee. “As did I,” he is grabbing his keys and wallet. “But-“ I begin again and he cuts me off. 

“Take a shower,” he walks up to me “get ready for work” he leans in and kisses my forehead sending a wave of electricity down my body, “it’s not a big deal.” He grabs the last of his stuff, “I’ll see you at the course.” And with that he shuts the door behind him. 

And I’m left speechless. At least for the moment, I’m alone. I need to collect myself. 

What. In. The. f**k. Is going on. 

I have my mug of coffee in my hand and I take in my surrounds. 

Looking out the slider, the lake is stunning. I didn’t really notice it last night because it was dark, but his house sits higher up than the lake. I decide to take my coffee outside. I grab shorts from my overnight bag and I calculate; I have 30 minutes until I have to get ready. 

I find the simple furniture that we sat in last night and I smile. I quickly notice a jacuzzi covered in the corner and a little excitement burns inside.  Beautiful lilies, all colors and shapes outline his yard. There’s giant rose bushes, although they look to be past, and a small garden in the center in his yard. There is a path that leads down closer to the lake and I decide to take it.  It leads to a quaint square wooden platform higher than the water and just perfect for sitting on a quiet morning. A beautiful stone fire pit is close by and I immediately imagine Xavier and I just sitting out here. 

Shit. What am I doing? I’ve never spent a morning at a man’s house. All the men before this either didn’t live alone, or I wanted nothing to do with being anywhere near them the next day. 

Xavier was different. He had this house. This view. This peace and quiet. I think about the chaos in my life. Bills, kids, work, life, it’s all crazy. 

I take a deep breath. Last night’s entanglement comes into my mind and I smile as I take a sip of coffee. He was amazing. 

My phone buzzes

X: I’m gonna love knowing you came from my bed this morning when everyone sees you. 

I chuckle. How am I ever going to hide this from everyone? I’m going to walk into that club and everyone will know. 

Me: you better behave yourself if you want any kind of repeat of last night. 

I head back into the house.

X: keep talking like that to me and it will be you who gets punished 

Suddenly I feel the heat rise and a sensation between my legs. 

My head is still throbbing when I pull up to the course but it’s typical. I’ve take total advantage of my daughters being away and have partied hard regularly. Being hungover was normal. 

I’ve got on a cute olive green t-shirt dress that comes to mid thigh and solid white vans. I left my hair big and wavy from the braids, and I kept my makeup more natural today. 

I walk into the cool pro shop and Will looks up from the computer. 

“Morning,” I cheerfully greet him.

“Good morning to you too!” Will looks pleasantly surprised, “Not hung over?”

“Of course I am!” I laugh

“You look..” he pauses, “well rested.” And he’s watching me. “Well I got some rest,” I smirk, my cheeks turned hot thinking about Xavier.

 “Jane or Anna’s” I hear my father’s voice from the back office. 

Shit. I obviously didn’t go home last night. “Why are you here? It’s Sunday!” I yell avoiding his question. “Avoidance. It means neither,” he answers the question himself. Mother fucker. 

Will rolls his eyes, “Another heartbroken man.”

I laugh, “you both are crazy,” and I walk away. Holy f**k. This is going to be hard. I set up the bar and watched the time tick away as members and some guests came and went, getting their drinks. 

Finally, I see Mike and Xavier’s cart coming up the fairway. It’s just shy of 11am and my hangover is finally wearing down. 

I wipe the bar nervously as I hear the bell ring on the door signaling someone walked in. I do everything I can to calm my nerves. 

Why the f**k am I nervous?

I breathe out and look up. Mike and Xavier are laughing about something and I’m incredibly self conscious. 

“Hey guys,” I smile casually. I grab two miller lites.

“Hey pretty lady,” he smiles. He seems so relaxed. I’m dying. He has done something to me. I’m totally screwed.

Get it together, I scold myself. 

“How did you guys play?” A very normal question to ask. 

Mike replies, “Like shit.” And takes a swig. I try not to look, but I can feel Xavier’s eyes on me. “You look good this morning Victoria.”

My stomach tenses and I feel like a deer in headlights. 

“She always looks good,” Xavier leaned against the bar. 

“Of course,” Mike chuckles, “She looks rested.” 

“I said the same thing.” Will cuts in 

Oh. f*****g. Great. 

“Wherever you slept last night,” Xavier started and I slowly turned to face him. My face was aflame. My cheeks must be bright read. My heart is going a thousand miles a minute and lord knows what he’s about to say, “she should do it again tonight.” 

“Hmm,” I smile at him, my heart is fluttering when his light green eyes fix on mine and I hold his gaze, “I don’t think the sleep was thaaat good.” 

“Don’t kid yourself,” Xavier chuckles, “you’re glowing.” And winked at me. I f*****g melted right there. I swear to god that wink made my panties wet. 

Mike cleared his throat. Both Xavier and I snap our attention to him. “Why don’t we get a table, X, let Victoria get back to work.” 

Xavier chuckles and turns to walk away. His clothes fit him perfectly and I wish I could strip him right now. 

Control yourself. 

“You were at Xavier’s house last night, weren’t you?” Will whispers. 

“What?!” I’m flush again. I begin mindlessly cleaning behind the bar.

“Well this will be fun to watch.” 

I look at my phone, two messages. 

Anna: you alive ugly??X: what time are you out of work? 

I reply to Anna first:Yes, hog, I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I’m thinking of going back tonight for seconds. 

Then I reply to x, my heart flutters because he really only 15ft from me:The bar closes at 6 today

I place my phone down and watch. Xavier’s phone buzzes. Xavier smiles as his fingers move quickly over the phone. 

“Who have you been texting all morning?” Mike smiles mischievously. “The girl from last night?”

My heart starts to pound. 

“Maybe.” Xavier replies nonchalantly. 

“Oh come on,” Mike pushes for more, “You’re usually always down for sharing details.” 

My cheeks are hot and my heart is pounding so hard my chest hurts. I can feel my hands start to shake. 

What the f**k is wrong with me. 

“She was a goddess.” Xavier replies, “sexy, confident and wild.” 

“So I know her?” Mike is excited at the thought of this mystery woman. 

“Victoria,” Xavier is staring Mike straight in the eyes. I almost drop the bottle I’m holding, “can I have another miller lite?”

Mike starts laughing. Hard. 

Xavier turns to look at me. I want to slap the s**t eating grin he has off his face. 

“Of course, Mr. Balmacentura,” I am glaring behind a fake smile. 

I deliver the beer and when I’m back behind the bar, I check my phone. 

Anna: yeasss get that (eggplant emoji) r u working tomorrow? 

Xavier: my house, 6:15 

To Anna: only the cigar lounge 7pm-close. Lunch? 

To Xavier: umm what if I have plans? 

Immediately Anna replies Down. See ya tomorrow uggs 

I laugh. Anna and I are way to conceited. Truly. So to keep ourselves grounded, we will call each other ugly, or hogs, but let anyone else call Anna ugly and I’m fighting. That’s my girl. 

Xavier: r u texting someone other than me. 

I shake my head and look up, Xavier is staring at me. I’m not sure if he’s happy, or maybe something else. 

To Xavier: Of course. i have a life. See you at 6:15 and I send a kissy emoji.

 Hurt his ego a little but make him happy. That’s how you get them. Remind them you don’t need them, but that you want them. 

After a couple more beers, the guys close their tabs and head on out. 

“See ya later, pretty lady,” Xavier says walking out, and giving me a wink. 

Fuck. I’m in so much trouble.