12 Days Of Forever (8 page)

Harrison walks away, followed by Jimmy who is laughing.

Liam takes a step into the room, his hands shoved deep into this pockets. “Don’t

hurt her,” he says, his voice monotone.

“I won’t,” Xander replies quickly. He’s right, he won’t. There’s nothing to hurt.

We aren’t declaring love for each other; we’re just enjoying each other’s company.

“We’re just friends,” I reply, only to realize how shitty that sounds. Xander is

looking at Liam, but that does nothing to hide the fact that I’ve hurt him. His eyes close and Liam smirks.

As soon as Liam leaves the room, Xander turns to face me. He’s hurt. I can see it in his eyes.

“I’m sorry that was rude of me.”

“It’s fine,” he says. “We are friends, right?”

I nod, but suddenly hate that word. None of my “friends” treat me the way Xander

does. We need a better word for what we are, or what we could be.

“Do you think you can come over tonight?” he asks, much to my surprise. I

could’ve been friend-zoned after my comment.

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter 10–Xander

This is my second Christmas with the guys and their families. The first one was

awkward because I felt like an outsider intruding on what little private time they actually have. This year it feels like family though and tomorrow when I arrive at Liam’s, I’ll be bearing presents for the kids. I actually had fun shopping for them. They’re easy to buy for. The only gift I can give the guys is free membership to the gym, and they refuse to accept that. Honest friendship is all they require, and that’s something I can definitely give them. Besides, what do you buy people who have everything? Nothing. That’s what.

When Katelyn called and asked me to pick up Mrs. James and Mr. Powell, I had

to bite my tongue to keep from telling her no. There was a certain someone that I couldn’t wait to see, and by arriving late I was prolonging what my body was craving. Yvie, in the flesh.

Last night, watching her drive away from my house sent an ache right through my

core. I’m falling for her hard, and I need to find a way to curb what I’m feeling. Except, I can’t. Yvie James is a force to be reckoned with and bit by bit, she’s inching her way into my life. I thought I could put the night in the gym behind me, but I can’t. Having her in my house was killing me. I knew if I made a move, our clothes would’ve been pushed aside until I could be in her again.

The problem is that my heart is guiding me and not

my head.

The thought of asking her to stay in Beaumont has crossed my mind. Her brother and nephew are here. Her mom is here a lot, and she has a sister-in-law and two nieces to get to know. But that’s not enough for someone like Yvie. The way she speaks about her goals and dreams–Beaumont can’t compete with that. Hell, I can’t compete with that, not that I’d even try.

I told myself this morning that my heart is shut off. This thing between Yvie and myself is nothing but a vacation hook-up. She goes back to New York tomorrow night, and I’ll go back to doing what I do best, or find a new hobby. I may even start dating.

There are plenty of eligible women here . . . once I find one who wants me for me and not for my connection to the band.

So why I can’t I stay away? Why can’t I walk into a room and not make eye

contact with her? Until I met Yvie, I thought I had to have what everyone else described: the electricity, the fire that burns when you touch the person you’re meant to be with. No one said anything about the magnetic pull that someone can have on you. That is what I’m feeling. Yvie is the energy source feeding my addiction.

It was never my intention for us to get caught in a compromising situation, and I should’ve known better than to pull her aside in a house full of people, especially her family, but I couldn’t resist. I had to be near her to see if she’s feeling the same way I am.

“We should join them,” I tell her, nodding toward the other room. Yvie smiles and starts to walk way, solidifying my thought that we’re working toward two different goals.

Mine needs to be protecting my heart. I don’t know what hers is, and honestly I’m not willing to find out. If I’m lucky enough to have her again, it’s going to be nothing but sex.

I don’t realize how long I stay in the other room watching her walk out of my life until I enter the dining room. Christmas music is playing and eggnog is flowing.

“Tonight, the night before our kids become more spoiled, is for letting loose and enjoying our family. As parents, we know how stressful and exciting tomorrow is, so we all need a little relaxation,” Liam says, raising his glass. I quickly grab one and follow suit. “Tonight, let’s be adults while our children are making their last minute wish lists.”

“Here, here,” everyone says as our glasses clank together.

Yvie is across the room next to her mom and Katelyn, and she’s focused on them.

This is how it should be. We aren’t a couple and my betraying heart implied that we were when I arrived earlier. I can’t make that mistake again.

“So you and Yvie?”

Jimmy pats me on the shoulder, as if to congratulate me. Only he doesn’t know

that there’s nothing to celebrate.

“Nah,” I say with a shake of my head. “We’re just friends.”

“That’s too bad, mate. She needs a good bloke like you around. That arse she’s

been with is a total loser.”

“So I hear.” I haven’t really because we haven’t talked about him much. I

honestly don’t care about him and if he succeeds in getting her back, he’s one lucky bastard in my book. But if I find out he tells her she has a fat ass again, I may just have to fly to New York and beat his.

I hate that these thoughts are running through my head. I need to be enjoying the moment and not thinking about what it’s going to be like when she goes. She’s leaving, there’s no question about that. Yvie’s been pretty damn clear from the get-go she’s only here visiting.

“You’d treat her better.”

There’s no doubt about that, but it’s never going to happen. “Are you telling me

that I should move to New York?”

“What the bloody hell are you going on about? Yvie needs to move here, and

you’re the one that could make it happen.”

My gaze falls onto Yvie, who happens to look in my direction. Her smile is

infectious, and I find myself returning one.

“JD, even I don’t have the power to make a woman change her mind. Yvie has a

career in New York, a life. Beaumont doesn’t have anything to offer her.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Take a look around you. We’re her family. If she

knows you can give her all this as well as a happy life, what more could she want?”

I down the rest of my eggnog and turn toward him. “Women like Yvie are just like

you. You crave the bright lights, the fans and the stardom that comes with doing

something you love. Unlike you though, where you can set up a studio anywhere, she can’t. Broadway holds all her dreams, so unless I gave up my business and followed her, I’m strictly in the friend zone.”

I have to walk away from Jimmy for two reasons: one, he makes everything seem

so simple and two, because he’s right. She does belong here, but she’ll never be here as long as her dream is there. Sadly, there isn’t anything we can do about our dreams.

Headlights shine into my window, illuminating my dark living room. I bailed on

Harrison’s the first chance I could get. After my conversation with JD, I just couldn’t be there anymore. I never thought I would fall so fast for someone, but I have. When I think about my future, I see Yvie standing next to me. I know it’s all a part of my imagination, and I just need to get over it. Everything will be fine once she goes back home. I’ll be able to move on with my life, and she’ll fulfill her dreams. It’s a win-win for the both of us.

I’m opening the door before she finishes knocking. Yvie steps in, and I slide my

arm around her waist, pulling her to me with a little force. She smiles, biting her lower lip, teasing me. I shut the door and push her coat off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. I should stop now, but I can’t. I want this with her even if my heart breaks in the morning.

“You left me,” she whispers in the darkness. My fingers trail along her cheekbone.

“I didn’t think you’d notice.” I place a tiny kiss on each side of her mouth.

“How could I not?” she whispers, as my teeth tug on her earlobe. Her hands slide

under my shirt and move until she’s tracing my pecs with her fingernails. I step back and pull my shirt over my head because I like the way she’s exploring my chest and don’t want her hands restricted.

“I see you were expecting me?” she says, pulling on my already loose belt.

“I was getting comfortable.” I crouch down and run my hands over her legs. She’s

wearing a red sweater dress with black boots that go to her knees. All night I thought about what lies beneath. I trail my hands up her legs, pushing up her dress as I go. I stand and pull her dress over her head.

“Oh fuck,” I blurt out when I’m rewarded with her perfect breasts covered in

black lace. I suck one into my mouth and her nails dig into my back. My heart is yelling at me to stop while both my heads are telling me to go faster.

I pick her up and her legs squeeze around my hips as I carry her up to my room.

Each step I take is done so blindly since my lips haven’t left her breasts. I pay equal attention to both until we reach my room.

Setting her down on my bed gently, I slip off her boots and she slides down her

tights. Her beautiful porcelain skin looks alabaster against my dark comforter with the moonlight shining through.

“You’re so beautiful,” I say against her skin. I shed my pants before I crawl up

next to her. We’re side by side and we’re at the point of no return. We could stop and pretend the other night didn’t happen, or we could cross into the friends-with-benefits zone. Even though I’m not getting everything I want, I’m still with her. Fuck it!

My hand trails down her side, her skin pebbling from my touch. She hitches her

leg over my hip, telling me what she wants. I’m not one to deny her, so I slip my finger into her panties. Her eyes start to close, but she fights it. She’s watching me watch her as my finger works her over. Her heel pushes into my ass, encouraging me. When her hips start to rock, I know she’s close. I’m a selfish man and want to feel her clench around my cock and not my finger.

I sit up and rip her panties away from her and unclasp her bra. She follows and

pushes my boxers off of me, taking me in her hand. My eyes roll back, and I can’t help but thrust into her hand.

“Do you want me?” she asks, as she lies back down. I inch forward and rub the

head of my cock against her clit.

“Is this what you want?”

She bites her lip and nods. I push in slowly and hiss at the connection. I keep

going, pulling out and starting over. My hands cup her breast as I slide in and out of her.

Her head falls back, her eyes closing. I lean forward and capture her mouth, pressing my body against hers. We move in unison, creating friction and heat.

“You’re so beautiful.” I kiss her again, increasing my tempo. She moans, her nails pressing into my back.

“Fuck, you’re so wet, Yvie.” Her hands trail down my back and push into my ass,

and I move faster. She screams out, asking for more. I flip her over, not giving her time to adjust before I’m slipping into her again. I pull her up, using her flexibility to my advantage. I hold her to my chest, my hand fondling her breast. She rocks into me as my finger finds her clit. I rub her frantically, feeling that she’s close.

“Alexander,” she lets my name fall from her lips in ecstasy. I increase my

ministrations, pushing into her with all that I am.

“Fuck,” I groan when I feel her squeeze my cock. Yvie pants as I reach my

climax. We fall forward, in a heap of sweat and heavy breathing.

I roll over, pulling out of her, but taking her with me. “That was . . .”

“Orgasmic,” she says, with a laugh.

I chuckle and kiss the top of her head before getting up and heading toward the

bathroom. I clean up, and bring back a wet washcloth for her.

Crawling toward her, I let the cloth lead a path up her body. She shivers, but

doesn’t push me away. Yvie takes the washcloth from me and throws it over my face. I pull it down in time to watch her walk out of room, naked.

I close my eyes, and wait for her to return. I want to keep her and not let her go back to New York, but that’s not possible. When she comes back, she crawls over my body, stopping to blow on my semi-hard dick. He starts to spring to life again as she lays her body over mine. I hold her there, relishing in the moment.

“You called me Alexander; I think that made me come.”

Yvie laughs. “I found your name on a piece of paper at my brother’s. I was going

to call you Alexander earlier, but it just slipped out there.”

“I like the way it sounds coming off your lips.” I instantly regret saying those

words, and we both go quiet. “Hey, can I take you to the airport tomorrow?”

“I have a rental car,” she says, sitting up partially so I can see her.

“Harrison and I can take care of it. I’d just feel better if you let me drive you.”

She nods. “Okay, Alexander.”

I growl and roll over the top of her. “Say it again, and you’ll be sorry.” I thrust my hips into hers, showing her that I’m ready and willing for another round.

“Show me what you have, Alexander Knight.” I push into her and that shuts her

up. As I move over the top of her, I realize that this woman, whether she’s a friend or lover, is going to be the death of me.

Chapter 11–Yvie

It’s four in the morning when I open the door to Harrison’s house. The walk of

shame has never felt as good as it does now, but with that I’m fighting back the tears and heartbreak for a friend. It was evident tonight that Xander may want more than what I can offer. I’m not a mind reader, but body language speaks volumes and his was yelling.