.9.

A THICK BLANKET of silence engulfed them both and Xaver knew something was wrong. He hadn't seen anything odd from his research but the melancholic tone with which she'd voiced the last few words sparked an unsatisfactory feeling in his gut. It was the kind of feeling you get when you're missing an interlocking piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

Much sooner than later, the lady who had first shown them to their seats walked up to them. As Head waiter (waitress in this case), formally referred to as the Maitre de Hotel, she was to receive complaints from guests and answer them. Behind her, the chef de rang, demi chef de rang, commis de rangs (commonly known as waiters or busboys), the debarasseur and the Sommelier (wine butler/wine waiter) followed.

Chef de rangs and demi chef de rangs don't actually cook. In point of fact, they're station waiters that ensure efficient and speedy service. Working as a team with the Station head waiter who can also be called a section supervisor. The sommelier on the other hand is responsible for the service of all alcoholic drinks during the service of meals. Debarasseur also known as Trainee commis or apprentice was virtually a learner. Being a new staff in the food service, he or she is required to work with the waiters to learn how things are done.

After the Maitre d'hotel was assured Xaver and Sreya had no complaints whatever, the chef de rangs, waiters and trainee commis proceeded to clear the first dish, simultaneously serving the second course.

"Spiced Grapefruit Sphere, Chewy Strawberry, Serrano & Pimiento Saffron cracker and Trout Roe", the station waiter announced with a hint of pride as the commis de rangs placed each dish on the wide round table, reflective tray-bottoms balancing on cool white tablecloth. In less then five seconds, the staff dispersed. They seemed to know when to appear and when to be invisible, Sre thought. The chewy strawberries were small cone shaped strawberry bits propped on sticks, placed in rows and Sreya was already in love just looking at them.

Lifting a stick she pulled a mini strawberry into her mouth and didn't regret it, Xaver on the other hand was yet to take a bite. He'd barely even touched the first. Swallowing the berry she'd taken into her mouth, she spoke, "Someone's not hungry".

Xaver's lip curled upward into a smirk, the intensity of his gaze sharpening as his eyes swept down to her mouth for a moment before lifting to meet her eyes, "I'm eye-fed".

Wet. She shifted again.

Fuck.

Sreya could literally perceive her drenching wetness, desperately praying it wasn't staining her dress already. Giving a nervous laugh, she reached for her glass of wine, mentally cursing when her hand shook, almost spilling the dark fluid.

Almost.

Across the table from a very aroused female, Xaver was in pain. His cock throbbed indolently and the flawless yet omni-flawed deity in front of him wasn't helping matters. He couldn't even bring himself to stop looking at her. He was thirsty. And it wasn't for water.

"What about you, Kirkgarde? Why don't you tell me something I don't already know?"

His eyebrow etched and he leaned forward, his masculine energy radiating towards her, "There's nothing you don't already know".

It was Sreya's turn to raise her brow, "I'd prefer to hear it from you, I appreciate authenticity".

Xaver smiled at her choice of words. Sreya Dronian wasn't the pettiest female he'd ever seen but she made petty attractive. Hell, she made everything fucking attractive.

"Tell me what you know".

"Avoiding the question now, are we?"

"We won't be having this conversation if I was avoiding the question".

Sreya paused.

"Multi zillionaire. Owner and manager of one of the most successful technology companies, K.G Inc. Son of Ximen Kirkgarde, former owner and manager of K.G Inc. First child but not the only one. Friend to the prestigious well known Casanova in Verum City, Alexander. Engaged and soon to be married", she took a small sip of her wine, saving the best for the last, "to Crystal Justice".

Xaver didn't flinch, his expression unchanging.

"You don't wear your engagement ring very often", Sre smiled as she took another sip.

He barely shrugged, "It does me more harm than good".

"Crystal won't appreciate that".

"Who knows? She might just be as ecstatic as I am", Xaver grinned.

Sreya laughed out loud, throwing her head back. Sarcasm didn't suit him one bit but God help her, she was attracted to this man.

And he belonged to someone else.

He belonged to Crystal and she had no right to feel what she felt. She shouldn't want to have him whisper sweet nothings in her ear as his hands skim down her body. She shouldn't want to have him place small kisses on her neck as her toes curl in pleasure. She shouldn't want him to fuck her so hard she'd forget if "r" came before "e" in Sreya. She shouldn't want him. But she did. Sweet Jesus, she did.

Silence reigned and Sreya felt Xaver's intense gaze bore deep wicked holes in her body as her lashes lowered, the soft long strands brushing her upper chin. Her heartbeat raced past normal pace and she felt a slight tingle in her belly. God, she hated it when he stared at her like that. It unnerved her and created imbalance. But she loved it too.

He made her feel naked. He made her want to be naked. She barely knew this man but her body already craved him. All she had to do was look at him and she'd have her panties destroyed, her mind filling with sinful thoughts of hot lustful sex and warm sheets.

He seemed like some sort of demi god. Like he could set you ablaze if he stared at you for a second too long or he could turn you to stone with a whisper of a touch. He was earth. Rock hard stone and soil. And she loved it. But she shouldn't. Secretly, she wished he was a premature ejaculator. Men like this are in and out of your life just as fast as they're in and out of you. The only thing was... Xaver was no premature ejaculator. Maybe. Anyhow, she was bound to find out and she didn't know it yet.

Xaver was okay with the silence. It gave him room to study her. He knew he was staring but he couldn't help it and the nude coloured bandage gown she wore wasn't helping his self control panel one bit.

And on a second thought, Kirkgarde had no idea what he wanted from Sreya. At first, he'd thought of making her his mistress but Sre wasn't the type of woman you make a mistress. She was too perfect yet too flawed. She was the type of woman you'd keep getting attracted to till you fall in love and you drown. She was the type of woman you make your woman. The type of woman he'd make his woman. Her spirit was wild. Too wild to be the woman on the other side. But he wanted her and by God, he'd have her.

Presently, Sre was tracing the rim of her glass cup with a glossy black nail, lashes lowered, full lips damp with wine.

Xaver was done restraining himself.

"Fuck"

Snatching her wrist, Kirkgarde pulled Sreya off her seat as he dragged her towards the back door which, if Sreya wasn't mistaken, led to the male and female restrooms.

Sre's forehead creased into a small curious frown as she tried to keep up with Xaver's fast pace, his hand on her wrist tightening, "Xaver?"

She was confused as shit.

But Xaver wasn't. Hell, he was tired of seeing her look so fucking damn beautiful and not be able to feel the beauty for himself. He wanted to taste wine and strawberries off her lips and not care if it was wrong or right. He wanted to see her destructively aroused and know he was the cause of her discomfort. He wanted her black painted nails cracking his skin in heat as he shows her what it'd feel like to be his. He wanted her hips on his, teaching her how to slow-ride him to perfection. He wanted to rip her clothes off with his teeth and stroke her skin. He wanted to pull her hair and lick on her clit as he makes her bend over for him. He wanted to drive her crazy with his kisses as he stretches her pussy out. He wanted to make her mad then have raw make up sex a minute after. Fuck, he needed to know if she felt some of what he felt dammit.

Everything happened in a daze but Sreya could faintly remember Kirkgarde pulling a door open. Faintly remember the feel of something cold behind her. And clearly remember the moment his lips voraciously attacked hers.

Everything happened in a daze but Sreya could faintly remember Kirkgarde pulling a door open. Faintly remember the feel of something cold behind her. And clearly remember the moment his lips voraciously attacked hers.

You know when you heat black shiny coals till they're blazing red with heat... Sreya felt the exact same way. Scorched.

Charred.

Xaver parted her lips as his tongue snaked in, seeking hers. Needing hers. Taking his time, he stroked the insides of her mouth. His teeth grazing her lower lip during intervals. He was making her yield.

Sweet persuasion.

Sre was on fire. There was some sort of combustion reaction going on in her nether region and she had no idea how she was going to end it but she sure knew the reactant and the end product:

Xaver Oxygen = Cum satisfaction soaked/destroyed panties

For a combustion reaction, you need oxygen right? Sreya couldn't remember but as Clichè as this sounded, if help didn't come soon enough, this fire was going to grow into a full raging inferno.

Heartbeat thumping above normal pace, Sreya curled Xaver's tie in her fist, pulling him closer as she touched her tongue to his and pulled his lower lip between her teeth. The vibration of Xaver's husky groan instantly sending sizzling sparks of electricity to her clit.

His lips immediately turned bruising and suddenly possessive as his arm snaked round Sre's waist pulling her closer to him. Her chest rubbed against his and her nipples tightened forming visible hard knots against her gown. Begging attention. Seeking attention.

Xaver's mouth trailed down, creating little beautiful sinful patterns across the skin on Sreya's neck, teeth marks sitting as shadows. Sre's brain was on a lockdown. She couldn't think. Only feel. And right now, she wanted to feel forever. Eyes closed, She buried her fingers in Xaver's jet black hair and mentally begged him not to stop.

Kirkgarde instinctively pulled skin between his teeth as his thumb rubbed Sre's nipple through her gown, pinching with his thumb and index finger and soothing again with slow but quick massaging motions

"Xaver", his name escaped Sreya's lips and Xaver felt an almost painful twitch in his cock.

"Jesus. Sreya", His lips roughly found hers again as his hands reached beneath her gown, his fingertips stroking the insides of her thighs slowly. And with a touch as light as a feather, his thumb brushed her clit. Her panty, an obvious yet forgotten barrier.

Shit.

A clitoris is the one of the most sensitive parts in the female body (if not the most sensitive) and Xaver knew it. Pulling her lips from his, Sreya's hands on Xaver's shoulders tightened as her legs turned stiff with pleasure, her breathing laboured, "Fuck".

A hand on Sre's cheek lifted her face, making her look into drooping beautiful cyan eyes as the pressure being applied on her nether region sharpened. His thumb was quicker now, rubbing to and fro before pressing down on the ultra sensitive knob.

Dronian couldn't look away from Xaver. There was blue. There was need. There was lust. There was want. And there was desire. A desire so alight with fire it scorched her. Her body was aglow with flames and she didn't want it doused. Not when he was looking at her like that. Not when somehow his buttons had come undone and the rock hard earthy glimpse of his bare hairless torso was driving her out of her mind with lust.

Thumb still working magic, a hand slipped into her black lacy underwear and Xaver's index finger slid into wet waiting folds. A loud groan tore out of Sreya, the action sending Xaver's lips crashing on hers, making her tremble as her loud cries lowered to whimpering. Her hand on his neck tightening as nails sharp enough to leave marks left traces of it's existence on the flesh beneath his hairline, her other palm clutching a fistful of his shirt. Sre felt like a volcano fucking erupted on her.

His second and third finger joined the first without hesitation and curled forward, stroking her walls with expertise. Sre's hip bucked once, crashing into Xaver's and he tried not to curse. His cock was throbbing so hard and the brush of her waist on his was making it harder to ignore the rigid flesh in his pants. But he wanted to see Sreya come. Her coconut scented skin, soft supple flesh, hungry brown eyes and sexy ass groans were clouding his senses and all he wanted to do was see her come. Hell, he needed her to come for them both. It'd get him off in the safety of his million dollar tiled bathroom.

"Fuck, Xaver", Sreya whispered. Tears were beginning to prick the back of eyes as intense pleasure stabbed her belly. His fingers were sliding in and out of her as his thumb rubbed her clit, their eyes locked together. His eyes, fiery. Wanton. He curled his fingers again and Sreya's breath hitched.

His fingers were a tad bit thick and long and it scraped her walls so good she was bound to cry from too much pleasure. But she wanted his cock in her. She wanted his thick length scraping her walls not his fingers. So she took what she wanted. With her imagination.

Throwing her head back, she tugged her lower lip between her teeth, her palm leaving his neck to clutch his arm as her hips began to move. Her eyes never leaving his, she rode his fingers.

Back and forth. Round. Back and forth.

Sreya could feel the pressure building as Xaver's Cyan eyes got hotter, burning holes into her eye sockets. She slowed her pace, moving slowly on his fingers before going in fast again. The sweet searing sensation on her lower abdomen got sharper and a soft gasp left Sre's parted full lips.

Her gaze did not leave Xaver's.

Kirkgarde was about to lose it. The tight wet fold wrapped round his fingers was like a thick blanket of warm pleasure and he was trying so damn hard to not throw caution to the air and plunge into her wet hot heat with vigour. But Dronian wasn't making it easy. Not when she was looking at him like that. And certainly not when she was riding his fingers with the expertise of a porn star. He wanted her riding his cock like that not his fingers, dammit.

The heat was getting too intense and Sreya knew she was about to come. Shit. Her hips were moving too fast now. Their pattern too raw to be calculated. Her breathing was more laboured and her fingers on Xaver's arm tightened.

On cue, Xaver wrapped a hand round Sreya's neck as he took her lower lip between his teeth, his fingers pumping faster. Tears blurred Sreya's eyes and her whimpering got louder.

Fingers curled, pumped and grazed, thumb still rubbing.

Pulling away from the kiss, Sreya buried her head on Xaver's shoulder, her voice shaky, "Fuck fuck fuck fuck". Her hips bucked and her legs began to shake. Her hand tugging on his shirt, pulling him to her.

"Come for me", Xaver's hoarse whisper resonated in Sre's ear, his ragged breath fanning her cheek. Gasping for air, Sreya's hand grabbed Xaver's wrist, urging him deeper as her lips sought his. She was high on pleasure and she was yet to reach cloud nine.

His thumb pressed down on her clit again as his fingers moved one last time.

Freeing Xaver's lips, Sreya let out a loud cry as waves and waves of pleasure crashed over her. A fierce orgasm rocking her body so hard, she felt brain dead for nearly 30 seconds.

It took them a while to recover. Sreya, sated and weak in the knees. Xaver, hard as fuck but still satisfied. Lifting long lashes, chocolate brown met hooded Cyan orbs....

He kissed her again.

And this time, it was different.