Chapter 46: Chapter 46

MELODY

Once I stepped into my hotel room, I rushed to empty my stomach.

Traveling had never been my thing. That was why I’d never traveled, even when Mom and Dad used to go on vacation every year. I’d stayed with Mia while they traveled the world.

When the nausea subsided, I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower.

I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around my body.

“Mel?” Mia knocked on the door and poked her head in, opening the door slightly.

When she saw me, she smiled and walked inside. “You all right?” Mia arched an eyebrow. “I know you don’t like traveling.”

“I’m good,” I whispered and opened my bags.

“Remember how you used to make an excuse when your parents planned a vacation?” She grinned at the memories.

I smiled and nodded. “And we used to sneak out every night after your parents fell asleep,” I said.

She grinned. “God! I miss those days.”

I changed into a pair of jeans and a top and put my hair into a messy bun. “I miss them too,” I replied.

“Are you ready for lunch? Asher and his friends are waiting for us in the lobby,” she announced.

My stomach roiled.

I looked at her without saying anything, hoping she would give me a hint if he was here or not. My pulse pounded. My throat went dry as I waited for her to say something.

Her expression softened. “It’s only Asher and his friend,” she whispered.

I didn’t know if I was disappointed or relieved, but whatever it was, I was at ease for now. I could breathe for now. “You guys go. I’ll take a nap,” I said quickly and turned my back to her.

I didn’t want her to see how much he still affected me. If I had any weakness, it was him. Xavier Clark was my weakness.

“You sure?”

I nodded.

“Okay. Take a nap now, because we’re going shopping and to the spa in the evening. I won’t take no for an answer,” she said and disappeared, leaving me alone in my own misery.

I sat on the edge of the bed, pondering how I would face Xavier if he decided to attend the wedding. Would I be able to see Mila without thinking about Owen?

Again the same feeling settled on my chest, the same feeling I’d felt the day my life had turned upside down, the day I’d lost everything, Xavier, my parents, my brothers, and the sister I used to love.

I stared at my left hand, my bare ring finger. It had been one month since Matt and I had broken up, and we hadn’t talked since then.

I wasn’t worried or nervous to see him in the week, but thinking about Xavier, a weird dread settled every time. What was going to happen? What kind of pain was he going to inflict this time?

In the last seven years, I’d seen Xavier three times, and all those three times, my life had changed drastically.

First, I’d seen Xavier in Carter’s office. That day, I’d made the worst decision of my life. I’d tried to move on, knowing there was no way I could.

In the process of trying to move on, I’d hurt Matt beyond measure.

Every time he’d come into my life, he had given me nothing but pain. It was like the universe was telling us we were not meant to be together. We would only hurt each other.

I stopped my train of thought that only took me back to him and decided to take a nap.

I awoke to the sound of continuous knocking. It vibrated through my ears, and I groaned.

I got out of my bed and answered the door. Mia looked at me and frowned. “Did you come all this way to sleep?”

Without waiting for my response, she let herself in and started tossing my clothes out of the closet.

I sighed and sat on the bed. There was no stopping her now. She would only stop once she got what she wanted.

“This will do,” she said and turned with a dress in her hands. I looked up, and she was holding a formfitting dress with spaghetti straps and a V-neck, my favorite.

“Mia, I wear this dress for parties and clubs, not for shopping,” I sighed.

“Exactly.” She beamed, proud of herself.

“We’re going shopping first, then the spa, and then the club. Wear whatever you want to wear for shopping, and get ready fast,” she said, placing the dress back on the bed.

“I’m going to change.” She fled. I chuckled at her excitement. I freshened up and put on denim shorts, a white shirt, and a light jacket.

I put on a little makeup, and I left my hair down in soft curls. I grabbed my handbag and put on my white sneakers. Once I was all done, I looked at the mirror again.

Pleased with myself, I grinned at the mirror.

I sent a text to Mia and Sandy.

Mel

I’m ready

Sandy

Meet in the lobby

I locked the door and took the elevator.

In the lobby, Mia was wearing ripped jeans with a white shirt, and Sandy was wearing a denim jumpsuit paired with sneakers.

My heart leapt in my throat as I saw a figure standing and talking to the receptionist. His back was to me, and without any conscious thought, his name escaped my lips. “Xavier.”

I wasn’t ready to see him, at least not now, not so soon. I knew I had to face him at their wedding, and I would be able to find an excuse till then.

“Mel, you okay?” Mia shook me.

I swallowed. Mia’s eyes followed mine, and she looked back at me. “It’s Asher. I know they look a lot alike,” she said softly.

“I wasn’t thinking about him.” I jerked her hand off my shoulder, looking away.

“Sure, you weren’t.” She rolled her eyes.

“Where are we going tonight?” I asked as we waited for Dan and Jacob.

“You’ll see,” she smirked in a way that told me she was up to something, and nine times out of ten, I didn’t like what it was.

“Hey,” I jumped up at the sudden interruption and placed my hand on my chest.

Asher grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine.”

“How are you feeling now? Mia told us you weren’t feeling good, due to—”

“I’m good.” God, this was so awkward. I had always avoided him because he looked a lot like Xavier. We rarely talked if we met at any function or he came with Dan to visit me.

“You know, we haven’t gotten time to get to know each other. How about you come with me as my date tonight?” He looked nervous. “I mean a date as friends.”

I didn’t know what to do. Now that they were going to get married, it was time to get comfortable with him for Dan.

I didn’t want the awkwardness to linger between us. “Well, this certainly isn’t the way to ask a lady for a date, is it?” I went back to my flirty mode and gave him my best smile.

He was startled at first, and Mia and Sandy giggled at his reaction.

I stepped closer. “If I say yes, what do you want me to wear on our first date?” I purred, looking up at him with a shy and seductive smile.

“It doesn’t matter what you wear, because at the end of the night, it will be on the floor.” He smirked.

~Damn.~

~

I smirked to give him the proper response, but Dan came and wrapped his arm around me. “Stop flirting with her.”

“Actually, I’m flirting with him,” I told Dan.

“Oh, then go ahead, flirt as much as you want,” Dan said, pulling me closer.

We all laughed and headed to the mall. After shopping and spa time, we were in our rooms, getting ready for a night out.

“You look fabulous, Mel,” Sandy said as I looked at myself from all angles in the mirror.

“Why, thank you. You look superhot too,” I said, putting lip gloss on my lips.

Mia whistled. “Trying to get laid tonight, babe?” She arched her perfectly shaped brows.

Before I could answer, Sandy jumped in. “If you are, I’d say go for that British guy. I bet he’s good at eating pussy.” She winked.

“Oliver?” I asked. He was the only one of Asher’s friends with a British accent.

“Wow, she knows his name.” Mia waggled her eyebrows.

“Of course. I know his name because Asher introduced his friends, didn’t he?” I gave them a bored look.

“He looked interested in you.” Sandy shrugged.

“Well, I’m not interested,” I shrugged and went back to doing my eyeliner.

“I’m not asking you to date him, but a hookup won’t hurt. You know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. I want you to enjoy this trip.”

Ignoring Sandy, I turned to Mia. “Can you please help me with my back?” I asked.

My dress was backless, so I needed a little makeup there too, especially to hide my birthmark with concealer because it tended to attract creeps.

I shuddered, remembering their comments, how good it looked on my sexy back, how they couldn’t wait to find other marks on my body.

“Done,” Mia announced.

“Thank you,” I said and sat on the edge of the bed to put on my heels.

“I wish I was single. I would have a quickie in the washroom with Oliver,” Sandy winked.

“Good thing you’re not anymore,” Mia chuckled, “but yeah, I miss those days when men used to flirt with me, but the rock on my finger scares them away.”

“Exactly my thought. We can leave our rings for one night. A little flirting wouldn’t be bad.” She wiggled her brows.

“You both have lost your minds,” I laughed. “Maybe I should tell your husbands what you’re both planning.”

“You don’t know what it’s like to miss it. You’re single. You saw the boys drooling over you all day,” Mia says.

“Oh, come on, Mia. You’re saying you miss sex and fun even though you’re with Jacob. I don’t believe it,” I scoffed.

“Yeah, why would you believe it? Because when he fucked you, he was a playboy, and now we’re married, and he doesn’t have time for me.” I heard the sadness in her voice.

“Mia—” I said, but Sandy being Sandy, she had to jump in.

“You and Jacob!” Sandy screamed.

I glared at Mia for bringing this up. “It was a long time ago, Sandy. Now leave it, okay?”

It had been long before Mia and Jacob had started dating. Jacob and I used to have the same circle of friends and three of the same classes. We used to party together.

I turned back to Mia. “Why don’t you show him what he’s missing, huh?” I arched a brow. “Tease him like you used to do in college. Let him starve for you until he begs.” I smirked wickedly.

“You are evil. I pray for the one you marry,” Mia chuckled.

***

We stood outside the club, The Carnal Club. As we stepped in, the slow beats of the music filtered through me, and the scent of expensive perfume mixed with equally pricey liquor hit me.

I looked around at people dancing, grinding without any shame.

The waitress was wearing next to nothing and was serving drinks, and customers sipped on fancy drinks, enjoying their time in the city of sin.

Two hours later, I was sitting on a bar stool, sipping my drink and watching Jacob as his jaw ticked and his eyes flared. “You want to dance?” he asked, his eyes on Mia dancing with someone else.

I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

“So, you don’t want to grind your ass with a stranger?” he snapped, looking angry. I remained silent, trying not to add fuel to his fire.

“Why don’t you go and take back your girl from his arms?” I suggested.

He knocked back what must have been his fourth whiskey. “I’m going for my girl; she’s my fucking wife,” he growled.

I watched him with amusement as he stormed over to the dance floor.

“What so funny, baby girl?” I nearly jumped out of my skin and whipped around, my heart in my throat.

“Damn it, Dan! You scared me!” I hissed.

He shrugged and sat on the empty stool beside me. “Are you enjoying it?”

“Honestly, I’m enjoying it more than I anticipated,” I told him.

He grinned. “Good. Tomorrow, we will hit the casino.”

“Hmm, I have too much money in my account. I’m going to spend it all.” I winked.

He glanced at his watch and looked back at me. “Come, I want to show you something.” He grabbed my hands and led me to the private VIP room.

As I stepped inside, I jumped up at the sudden exclamations.

“Happy birthday!!!”

Dan wrapped his arm around me. “Happy birthday, baby,” he whispered in my ears.

I could feel my tears welling up, threatening to spill out. I had to fight them back. “Oh, Dan, thank you,” I whispered and wrapped my arms around him.

“My turn.” Mia pushed Dan away and wrapped her arms around me. “Happy birthday!!” she whispered.

She stepped back. “Now it’s time for cake.” They bought cake with a single candle. “Make a wish.” Mia beamed.

I looked at Dan, Mia, Jacob, Sandy, and Rick. “I have everything I want.” ~They are all I want.~

~

After half an hour, my eyes felt heavy. I’d officially drunk too much too fast. “Happy birthday, gorgeous.” Oliver came into view.

“Thank you,” I whispered, sipping gin and tonic.

A smile spread, nice and slow on his gorgeous face. “Would you like to join me on the dance floor?”

“Sure.”

He took my hand in his, and we walked to the dance floor. His hands were on my waist, and my hands wound around his neck. We swayed from side to side without missing a beat.

I had to say the boy could dance. “You look beautiful,” he whispered. He leaned in closer and brushed a few strands of my dark hair from my shoulder, making me shiver.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

His eyes found mine once more. “Can I ask something? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want. I’m just curious.”

I looked up at him and nodded. “You and Matthew—”

“Broke up,” I said, knowing what most of them wanted to know. I’d seen a few paparazzi following me, clicking my pictures. As always, I’d ignored them.

“You guys were together for five years?”

“On and off.”

His brows furrowed. “We dated for two years first and then broke up. Then we started dating again a year later,” I explained to him.

“But in an interview, he said five years.”

“Even after the breakup, we used to hook up.”

He didn’t say anything. He twirled me around, and for a second, he didn’t touch me, then suddenly, my back was against his chest, and his dick properly nestled between my buttocks.

His hands became bold as he started exploring my body. He grabbed my hips and pushed his cock against me, grinding harder.

His touch was too familiar, his possessiveness, his grip, his lips on the shell of my ear. I closed my eyes and started swaying, resting my head on his shoulder.

I imagined Xavier, his hands groping my sides, his lips traveling the path of my neck. I remembered the feeling of his sensual lips moving across my skin, the jolts of pleasure that shot through me.

I moaned, unable to control myself.

“Is that how you grind your ass against a stranger’s dick?” he growled. Every drop of blood in my veins froze, and my heart nearly stopped.

~Xavier growled that, or am I imagining his voice?~

~

I opened my eyes and saw Oliver standing at the bar. ~If he’s standing there, then with whom am I dancing?~

~

I stopped and drew in a ragged breath as heat surged through my body.

~He isn’t here. Xavier is in New York~, I mentally whispered again and again.

My knees grew weak. I blamed it on the drink. ~Yes, I’m drunk and I’m hallucinating.~

~

~Yes! That’s it! I’m hallucinating!~

~

But looking at the faces of my friends, I knew they could see him. They all stood frozen on the dance floor like me.

I didn’t even have the courage to turn around, to see if it was him. I was too scared that I’d have to face him.

I took a deep breath and turned slowly, my eyes still down on the floor. I could see the expensive Italian shoes he loved.

I dragged my eyes up slowly, and they stopped at his growing bulge, then at his wide shoulders, finally, at his lips.

Warmth spread through me as I remembered how his lips had felt on my skin. Shaking my head mentally, I finally met his eyes.

It was déjà vu. He was standing on the dance floor with his hands still on my hips.

I swallowed because if I had attempted to talk or call out his name, the dam that barely held back my emotions would surely burst.

His eyes locked on mine, but I couldn’t make my feet move. He pulled me closer, his eyes dark, intense. “Happy birthday, my love,” he whispered and leaned in.

I couldn’t breathe, let alone move. I thought he was going to kiss me, but his lips touched my temple.

My eyes closed as his lips lingered, and warmth spread through my whole body, making me complete once again. I inhaled his familiar cologne, and a single tear fell from my eye.