Page 82 of Xavier

How could I forget my own birthday?

How could I hope that this would be over before now?

How could I let Xavier and Daddy keep me hostage for close to eight weeks?

Xavier says bye to the guy and closes the front door before taking the bag from me and carries it into the kitchen. “Happy birthday, Princess. We will celebrate today and enjoy these cupcakes.”

I look through the kitchen doorway at him. “Celebrate how?”

His gaze darkens as he stalks over to me. He pushes me against the wall and presses his body against mine. “I have a few ideas, but how about you decide what we do? You are the birthday princess, after all.”

I know exactly what I want to do, but I promised Xavier I wouldn’t ask to leave the house again until this was over.

I want another night at the hotel. The same one we stayed at last time.

I want to relax in the hot tub on the balcony as we sip champagne after he fucks me against the balcony railing.

I want him to fuck me in the shower before we crawl into bed and snack on room service.

But that can’t happen. I made a promise, and as much as it kills me to stay inside this house, I have to honor my word.

But it’s my birthday today. That should be an exception, right?

I open my mouth to tell him exactly what I want to do to celebrate, but the only thing that comes out is, “How about we eat a cupcake and play some cards?”

His eyes widen, as if that is the last thing he expected to come out of my mouth, but he nods his head. “As you wish.”

Fuck.

There’s so much more I’d rather wish for.

I follow him into the kitchen and watch as he opens the container of cupcakes and puts one on a plate for me and one for him.

He places a plate in front of me and I blurt out, “Have you ever had sex in public? And I’m not referring to the balcony of a hotel.”

Xavier sits in the seat across from me and raises his eyebrow at my blunt question. “No. I admit the balcony was as public as I’ve ever attempted.”

“Why?” I take a bite of the all too familiar cupcake, moaning as the sweet strawberry jelly melts on my tongue.

“Well, first off, the military frowns upon arrests.”

I roll my eyes. Isn’t the risk of being caught part of the thrill? Isn’t that what makes it more exciting?

“Is that the only reason you haven’t tried a more public place?”

“Not necessarily. I guess I haven’t found someone I wanted to take the risk with.”

His face twists into a grimace, like he’s hiding something. Like he has someone in mind. Or had.

Did he fall in love with someone while he was overseas?

Did she die?

I shake that thought away, not wanting to consider that possibility. That would be one of the worst things to have to endure.

“Two things.” I say and wait for him to look up at me from his cupcake.

“One, after my birthday celebration, I want to know what you’re hiding from me. The good. The bad. The ugly. I want to know it all because I can tell something is bothering you, and it’s not good to keep stuff bottled up.”

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