Can’t Fight Love

Chapter 20

Saturday came quickly, like it usually does. I was working the morning at Xavier's club, but my shift ended at 1 and NOW time had decided to slow down.

"You seem eager to get out of here today," Will smiled as I wiped down all the bottles behind the bar. It was steady. The course maintained a certain speed, since tee times are always scheduled, you can never truly get bombarded. 

I glanced at the giant wall clock across the room, 1 hour left.

"What do you mean?" I smile playfully, "I wish I could work every minute of every day!" My voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Alright, alright" Will chucked, "But.... rumor has it someone has caught feelings.."

I protested quickly, "I have NOT." And then, quite suddenly, a little pang in my chest happened. I had spent the entire week at Xavier's and it was perfect. So easy. We fell into a glorious routine. It was never awkward, he just made life easy. 

"Well," he laughed, "I wasn't referring to you, but now that I see you.." he eyes me.

Shit. s**t. s**t. Did I really catch feelings after a week? Me? If you ask around, people will tell you I have no feelings. I do not care. The only things that mattered to me was my daughters and myself. 

"Listen," I began, "I don't know what you think..." 

Suddenly, the little bell sounded, and in walked Mike Jones, Xavier's best friend, and John McIntosh. My stomach tightened and I suddenly wanted to throw up.

I have never regretted anything, that's just not my style. But I instantly regretted John.

"Hey Victoria," Mike smiled sweetly as I reached in and grabbed the miller lites for both of them, "Can we get two crowns too?" 

"Sure," I smile just at Mike, totally avoiding John. I knew if I kept up this attitude, people would start to question what happened, but I just can't shake this sick feeling. 

I grab two rocks glasses and measure and pour just enoug liquid in them and slide them over.

I glance up and John has this creepy smile just staring at me leaning on my bar.

"I look forward to bartending your wedding," I smile sweetly and instantly, John stood up right. Mike was not even paying attention.

"Speaking of," Mike looked up at us, "Can you put me down with a plus one," and he took his crown in one gulp, "Xavier said he has plans so I am going to bring a date now," As he finished his words and took a swig of beer, John snapped his gaze at me. 

"He has plans?" John asked raising an eyebrow. I ignored them and put their drinks on their accounts printing their reciepts. 

"What is he doing now?" John asked and my heart sank. I was in the home stretch, ready to head there. I quickly thought about not going there and avoidig the whole situation, but it wouldn't matter. I had things there, not much but it has been a week. What the f**k.

"Let's find out," Mike replied and they turned and headed to a table.

 I could hear the facetime sound and then that breathtaking, "Hello". I was such a loser eavesdropping.

"Heyyyy what are you doing?" Mike smiled.

"Hangning with bogey." I head the reply and my heart was beating out of control. 

"What are you up to later?" Mike questioned."Where are you?" Xavier suddenly asked"Sitting in the bar area, with John," and I swear I catch something in Mike's tone, but maybe it's me. They have all been friends since high school.

"I have plans," Xavier suddenly says. My heart is nearly out of my chest but I suddenly feel so much better.

"Would those same plans be the plans that have to do with my wedding?" John smirked and my skin crawled. 

"How about you just focus on your bride." Xavier chuckled. But I heard something, a tone. My mind raced with the possibility that they all knew about John and I and I felt so uncomfortable.

Well s**t, there goes my relaxing night because we were about to have a talk.

I almost forgot about what happend when I pulled up to his house. It is so small, yet so perfect. The flowers swayed hello, and I could hear Bogey barking. I walk into the house and Bogey barrels at me. "You want a treat?" I say smiling and rubbing his belly. He is used to me and expects treats when I come in the house. I walk into the kitchen and spot Xavier grilling burgers out back. On the island is a drink. a blunt, and a bouquet of lilies and I smile. He is just so damn considerate. 

I remineded myself that we need to talk. I grab a treat, make Bogey sit and wait, then reward him with his treat. He has had certain training and Xavier made sure to tell me exactly what Bogey needs, but I still spoil the s**t out of him anyways. Bogey is a dog who doesn;t need a fence, comes when he is called, only barks when people come over but then settles down adn just wants to get treats. He is literally the best dog.

I grab my drink and blunt and head outside. I walk over to the grill on the deck. Next to it is a small round pub table and two chairs and I put my stuff down. The warm sun is invigorating. I look out at the lake, silent. It’s  actually glittering. Small party boats are scattered along wth some kayaks and canoes. 

"Mmmmm hello," Xavier said in a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes were dark with lust and I felt sexy but awkward as the butterflies were attacking my stomach. I become aware of what I look like. I have a fitted white t on with short shorts and shell top sneakers. My hair is big and my makeup is natural. My native skin is dark, now that we are in late August. His hands rested on my smooth thighs and just as I was about to let his plump lips kiss me I raise my hand blocking him.

"We need to talk," I eye him, then go in for a quick kiss. "What are we doing?" I just spit it out.

"We need to have lunch." he half smiled. His fitted white tee was dirty from yard work. Dirt streaked his face, neck and arms. His skin just a little tanner from the mid day sun. 

“No. I’m serious.” I cross my arms over my chest. 

“You want to talk about John?” His eyes are pouring into mine and there is suddenly a lump in my throat. 

“What about him?” I say with the steadiest voice possible. 

“He seems to be fond of you.” Xavier’s voice turns nonchalant and moves away from me. He walks into the house and I follow him. He begins to pull out condiments. 

“Yeah him and every other person,” I jokingly point out. 

Xavier looks at me, pausing what he was doing, he was about to say something more but I stopped it. 

“Listen, I don’t like feeling uncomfortable. I don’t like having to answer to someone. I just got my life back. What I do is what I do and I like to have fun.” I take a big breath in and continue, “what are we doing? Having fun right? I’m not f*****g with anyone else other than you and that is the most I can commit. But what I won’t tolerate is being questioned about every guy who is fond of me because we’d be here all night and that the f*****g truth.”

He stood there motionless. Emotionless. Just blank. I had no idea what he could possibly be thinking. I just wanted to kiss him. 

After what seemed like forever, he finally spoke, “well that’s what happens when you date a hot woman.” And he chucked walking closer. 

“Dating?” I put my hand on my hip but I’m losing this. He’s so sexy. The idea of dating him dances in my mind and I find that I’m losing myself in this idea and I’m not upset out it.  “That would imply we went on a date.” 

“We did.” He smiled placing his hands on my hips. His crystal green eyes glistened but his smile never reached his eyes. His plump lips with a crooked smile. 

“So you took me to dinner. Now we are dating?” I ask him right as he swoops in and presses his lips to my neck, igniting the fire between my legs and goosebumps on my arms. 

“I want you Victoria,” he gently growled in my neck vibrating my body, “all to myself.” One of his hands slid down to cup my ass while the other hand moved to the middle of my back, his massive hand bringing me closer to him so our bodies were pressed. 

“Ok,” I let out breathlessly and impulsively. f**k. f**k. f**k. 

“Good girl,” he replied quickly before taking my face in both of his hands and kissing me deeply, passionately. His tongue danced in my mouth. Mint and whiskey intoxicated me. Man, he kisses unlike anyone I have ever kissed. 

I guess this wouldn’t be to bad. 

Xavier pulled back slowly and smiled. I c****d an eyebrow at him.

“I guess those rumors are true,” I chuckle. 

“Which ones?” He smiled turning to grab the condiments and I followed him back outside. 

“You caught feelings.” I say sliding into my chair with a slightly pompous attitude. 

“Well what the f**k,” he began, you either suck me off or f**k me, you’re stunning, smart and a hard worker.” He stated, “You’re easy going and you don’t judge.” He finished and took a bite. Man I wish I was that burger. 

“Yeah well I’m bat-s**t crazy so...” I chuckle and we are peacefully. 

I started to get nervous. What was dating? I haven’t dated anyone in 8 years and I was a child then! 

My heart began to race as I started to clean up lunch. 

“So does this mean it’s public?” I nervously washed dishes. 

Xavier laughed, “this can be whatever we need it to be.” 

“I, uh..” I began and Xavier wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. 

“Is the great Victoria nervous?” He chuckled into my neck.

“I literally haven’t dated since I was 17,” I took a breath, “and I just got out of a serious relationship.”

“We don’t have to label anything.” He breathed “But I’m not sure about keeping you a secret for much longer.”

I tensed up. 

“You see,” his hands founded up towards my breasts as he continues to nip and kiss my neck, “you’ve done something to me,” he chucked into my hair, then inhaled, while sliding one hand over my crotch area.

My breath hitched and I turned the water off. My heart beat fast. I pressed my ass against him which now I felt his hard erection. 

“You know,” he began, his hands exploring all of me, “if it wasn’t such a beautiful day out, I'd keep you to myself in the bedroom.

I chuckled at this, “I still wouldn’t mind.” 

Xavier chuckled burying his face in my neck, kissing it one more time, and giving me a pat on the ass. I turned to face him. His boyish grin, the dirt, his glittering green hungry eyes. Oh man, I was in trouble. 

“So,” he began, “let me get cleaned up,” he began to strip himself. “I know we just had lunch, but I have a surprise for dinner.” He stood before me, in just his boxer briefs. His bulge looked delicious and I couldn’t help but eye it. My mouth began to water and my core heated up. “Eyes up here lady,” he interrupted my thoughts. “I need to run to the store to grab a couple things.” 

While Xavier hopped in the shower, I decided to lay down in bed. I didn’t realize how tired I was. I never realize how tired I am. The hours of working and driving, the lack of sleep, as I felt myself sink in to his cloudy bed, exhaustion washed over me. My eyes got heavy and the slumber consumed me.