Nicole Edwards - Perception

He crawled back into bed, pulling her as close as he could and practically wrapping himself around her. It was then, as his mind began to drift into sleep that he knew without a doubt that he’d never be able to willingly let her go.

* * *

Mercedes didn’t know what time it was when she came awake suddenly. It didn’t take her long to acclimate to where she was. She heard Xander’s heavy breathing, the heat of his body surrounding her, the safety of his arms immediately bringing her out of her dream.

As she lay there, she tried to ignore the dream, tried to ignore everything except for the man spooning behind her.

For the first time in a very long time, Mercedes didn’t want to flee the bed when a lover was there. Not that she’d taken a lover in a really long time, but even though her memories of all the others were blurry, she knew without a doubt that this was different.

How, she wasn’t sure.

Aside from the fact that she still feared she couldn’t be what Xander needed – a submissive – there was a shameless hope that maybe, just maybe they stood a chance together.

Not that she was thinking about forever.

Definitely not.

Ok, maybe a little.

Wait.

Forcing her eyes open, Mercedes glanced out at the Dallas skyline brilliantly lit against the inky night sky. The view, even from his bed was incredible. She didn’t have exactly the same view as he did, and as she lay there, trying to be quiet and listening to him breathe, she tried not to think about how much she never wanted to leave this place.

She wasn’t talking about his condo or even his bed. No, Mercedes was talking about his arms.

Never in her life had she felt for someone what she was beginning to feel for Xander. Ok, so maybe it was because they were friends. Great friends. Longtime friends. She had never been in a relationship that had such a strong foundation as this one.

Not that this was a relationship.

Hating where her mind was drifting to, but not willing to let go of the security of Xander’s arms around her, Mercedes decided to listen to her body, rather than her heart.

Rolling onto her back and then over to her side so that she was facing Xander, she discreetly – or what she hoped was discreetly – wrapped her leg over his hip, gently urging him to roll over too.

He did.

He didn’t say anything either, but his breathing had quieted, so she figured he must be awake.

Fine, she’d do this his way.

Rather than jump on him immediately, which she had to admit was a damn fine plan, Mercedes began stroking him slowly until his cock was thick and hard, pulsing against her palm. Then and only then did she climb over him, slowly lowering herself onto him until she was completely impaled by his impressive erection.

Before she could move, Xander’s hands slid up to her hips. He didn’t rush her, and he didn’t open his eyes either. Instead, he just pulled her down onto him, her breasts crushed against his chest while he filled her completely.

Their mouths met, their tongues began a lazy slide back and forth, back and forth as he began to pump his hips, driving himself deep inside of her.

And in her mind, that moment would go down as the first time she had truly made love.

Never once did Xander rush, never once did he break the kiss either. The friction intensified, but his pace never did. Slow and steady, until Mercedes could take no more. Her body began to tingle, that gentle pulse that started between her legs and radiated outward, through her core, her arms, her legs, her fingers and toes.

She was fully engulfed by the man and the orgasm that rippled through her wasn’t earth shattering like before, but it was, without a doubt, the most amazing orgasm she’d ever had. It consumed her entire body. And Xander, being the Dom that he was, had controlled every movement, every single satisfying movement.

And only when she settled, did he increase the pace, pumping his hips faster until another orgasm was building, faster, hotter, this one like a tsunami rather than the gentle rolling waves like the first. It was then, as he claimed her body, sent her soaring one more time that he came hard and fast inside of her.

It wasn’t long before Mercedes gave herself over to sleep, knowing that this man had forever changed her.

But in ways he probably hadn’t expected.

Day 1… Officially

Thursday

The following morning, Xander found himself in his office, a cup of coffee in hand as he stared at his computer screen just as the sun was beginning to filter light through the thin layer of clouds overhead. He’d been up for at least two hours, having left Mercedes to sleep in a little longer.

He knew she was usually an early riser, but he hoped she’d stay in bed. And unless she had snuck out of his condo without him knowing – which was damn near impossible – he figured she was still asleep. Considering it was only six, he hoped that was the case.

Right on time, his phone rang and he snatched it up, even though he knew Mercedes couldn’t hear it.

“Morning,” he greeted.

“Why is it you’re always up so early?” his mother asked.

“Me? What about you?”

“It’s not early for me.”

His mother was definitely a morning person. Maybe that’s where he got it from, he didn’t know. But, this was the same way they began pretty much every conversation they’d had for the last few months.

“How’s Dad?” he asked, getting right to the point.

“He’s doing better,” Stella told him.

“Ok, spill it, Mom,” he ordered when she hesitated.

There was a long sigh and then his mother’s voice once again filled his ear. “He’s fine, really. We went to the emergency room, and they x-rayed him thoroughly. No broken bones, but he’ll be sore for a few days.”

“What happened?” Xander asked as he leaned back in his chair, unable to disguise the worry in his voice.

“It was silly, really. I don’t think he’d want me to tell you.”

Xander’s mind immediately went in the wrong direction, and he sat up straight. “Ok, you know what. Never mind. Forget I asked.”

Stella laughed, her soft, elegant tone drifting back. “Not that. Oh, dear.”

Xander could imagine her blushing to the roots of her short, dark hair.

How had she known what he was thinking?

“But, regardless,” she said with another laugh. “He’s fine. Just being a man, soaking up the attention for a little while.”

Xander knew his father and he understood what his mother was saying. So, maybe it was true that they both generally allowed Stella to dote on them more than necessary. Xander knew it made her feel better, which was why both him and his father had never told her that she was a little overbearing, especially when someone was hurt.

“Do I need to come up there?” he asked seriously.

“No, I don’t think it’s necessary. But if it’ll make you feel better, we’ll never tell you not to.”

Xander grinned. That was his mother. That was her way of saying she wouldn’t mind him visiting. It had been at least three months since he’d seen his folks. They were always travelling, and in order to make sure they didn’t have to change their plans, he would make time to fly to wherever they were, allowing his mother the opportunity to give him a guided tour of whatever city they were invading at the moment.

“I think I should come visit,” he told her firmly, knowing ultimately that she wouldn’t put up a fight.

“Fine. If you insist.”

Xander laughed out loud. “I insist, Mother.”

“Good. Then that’s settled. I’ll let you know when we move on and where we’re going. But for the next few days, I’m going to make him stay right where we are. At least until I know for sure he’s not going to hurt himself again.”

“Is he around?”

“Of course.”

“Can I talk to him?”

There was some shuffling on the phone and then his father’s gruff tone sounded in his ear.

“What did she tell you?”

“That the two of you were hanging from the rafters and had just moved on to swinging from the ceiling fan. Something about hot, monkey sex, Dad. It wasn’t a good visual, and I absolutely have no interest in talking about it,” Xander said deadpan.

“Oh, dear Lord,” Stan Boone groaned. “Why in the world would she tell you something like that?”

Xander laughed again. “Please, Dad. Do not go into detail. I really don’t want to know.”

“Good, then I won’t. When are you coming to see us?”

That was his father. Always right to the point and never ashamed to let him know that he preferred him to come visit. That sealed Xander’s plans, so he answered with, “Give me a couple of days. I’ll let you know when I can head out.”

“What are you working on? Buying up the other half of downtown?”

“I’m trying,” he chuckled as he shook his mouse to make the monitor come online.

“Seriously. Did you hear anything more on the Milton building?”

“Not yet. Mercedes is putting in an offer for me. I’m hoping we’ll know something more by the end of the week.”

“That’s a smart move, son.” Stan wasn’t into real estate by trade; however, he was interested in everything that Xander did, so through the years, he’d made a point to know the ins and outs of the real estate market.

“I thought so,” he answered easily.

“Are you going to X-hale tonight?”

Shit. Was it the third Thursday of the month already? Xander pulled up the calendar on his computer. Yep. It was. “Yeah, I’m going over there.”