“Why don’t you guys go on into the media room and relax while I clear the table? It’ll only take me a few minutes to get it all done,” Xavier remarked.
Janine got to her feet. “Can’t believe you went there. You know how we roll. We always do the cleanup bit together. This evening is no exception.”
Jonathan stood up and then kissed his wife gently on the mouth. “Maybe our boy is putting on airs for Kennedy.” Everyone laughed. “Let’s knock out the cleanup so we can all sit down, relax and listen to some good music,” Jonathan suggested.
“Count me in,” Kennedy remarked. “We can get everything done in a flash.”
Arguing with his friends wouldn’t do a bit of good, Xavier knew. He’d been there and had done that enough times to know better. After getting to his feet, he began to clear the table. “Let’s do this.” He flashed Kennedy a brilliant smile, but all he really wanted to do was lean into her and give her a sweet kiss. He felt like letting go with a low growl, satisfying his desire to act naughty with her.
Smiling back at him sensuously, Kennedy’s gaze locked on to Xavier’s luscious mouth. Keep smiling at me like that, and you’ll get yourself into a heap of trouble. Playfully, she swatted his arm, though she would’ve rather popped him on his sexy backside. Bring it on, big boy, she taunted mentally, gathering up the wineglasses.
Finished with the kitchen duties, the foursome quickly made their way to the lavish media room, furnished with fine Italian leather sofas and several different kinds of chairs designed for comfort. The chocolate-and-gold-veined marble fireplace and beautiful hand-carved mantel were the first items to catch Kennedy’s eye. The plush white rug laid out only inches away from the hearth was exquisite. Instantly, her mind conjured up images of their bodies entwined, watching the flames of a roaring fire.
While Xavier’s guests took seats, he turned on the CD player he kept stacked with the latest in releases. Big on Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, he usually kept at least two discs of each artist on the playlist. He’d learned from Kennedy that she was an Usher and Beyoncé fan. Once she’d accepted his dinner invitation, he had made sure to include a couple of her favorite discs for her listening pleasure.
Jonathan and Janine had a quiet conversation going on between them, one that Kennedy and Xavier weren’t privy to. With the other couple completely into each other, it allowed the host to fully concentrate on entertaining his date.
Xavier extended his arm across the back of the sofa where he and Kennedy were seated. “How was your day?”
“Really busy, but all my days are that way, especially lately. I keep telling myself I’m going to set aside some me-time, but I never seem to do it. You know the type of life we high-fashion models lead. If we’re not into one thing, we’re into something else. There’s always that last-minute call to help someone out because of an unexpected cancelation. I’d love to take a vacation where I can just lie out on the beach and soak up the rays. I love to read, but I don’t seem to have much time for that anymore, either.”
Xavier nodded. “I know exactly what you’re talking about. But only you can make the difference in how you pace your lifestyle.”
She looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”
Xavier went on to explain to her that everything to do with a person’s life was about choices. He kept a list of the things he wanted to accomplish and he had it in order of importance. As jobs came in, he weighed out each one, deciding to do only those he thought he’d really enjoy or benefit from. He did the same with charitable events.
A newcomer to the profession thought they had to do everything they were asked. As models became seasoned veterans, he told Kennedy they could begin to choose only jobs that held their interest. In fact, they had to learn to choose wisely or face burnout.
Xavier wrapped a tendril of her hair around his finger. “Why take on something you might not enjoy? Favors are just that, favors. You don’t have to say yes to everything you’re asked to take on. If it’s something you really don’t want to do, say no.”
She eyed him with open curiosity. “Is it really that simple?”
“It’s only as simple or as complicated as we make it. We’re in a position to make choices. Of course we have to fulfill our contract obligations. But it’s normally the noncontractual stuff that steals our free time away. It’s great to give support to charities, but we have to limit ourselves to how many events we take on in a given period.”
She laid her forefinger against her temple. “Never thought of it that way.”
“Then I suggest you start,” Xavier said matter-of-factly, smiling softly.
She smiled back. “I think you’re right. I often find myself agreeing to do way more things than I have time for. It’s hard to turn down people. Tomorrow I’ll start working on my list. Thanks for the great advice, Xavier. You’ve really opened my eyes.”
More nervous than he’d ever been around any woman, Xavier sucked in a deep breath, just before kissing Kennedy’s forehead. When she didn’t object to that bit of intimacy, he dusted her lips with a soft kiss. She smelled so good, so sweet, and the delicate scent of her nearly drove him wild with desire. As Kennedy laid her head against Xavier’s shoulder, no one was more surprised than him, surprised and definitely pleased.
Kennedy truly felt safe with Xavier. Was it because his friends were in the room? She didn’t think so. She didn’t like fast-moving and fast-talking men. He didn’t seem to be either type. So far, he seemed for real, truly down to earth. Xavier could’ve asked out any woman in the world, but he’d chosen her. Not once, but twice. Perhaps he’d thought about her as much as she’d reflected on him. Desiring a moment to ponder what might be happening between them, she closed her eyes. Tranquillity washed over her.
Kennedy awakened to glowing candlelight in an otherwise darkened room. She was sprawled out on the leather sofa, and a lightweight blanket had been thrown over her. She looked around the room for a wall clock but couldn’t find one. The dial on her watch was too small for her to see without light. Then she spotted the time on the cable box.
3:00 a.m.
Panic rapidly arose within her. What in the world had happened? The obvious couldn’t be overlooked. She’d fallen asleep. Not only had she gone out like a light, she’d done so at the expense of Xavier and his guests. How rude was that? What a first impression she must’ve made on Janine and Jonathan, not to mention her host!
Kennedy had no idea how she was to live down this idiotic act, sure that Xavier was furious with her. The blanket only proved he didn’t want her to catch her death. It also showed how considerate he was to her compared to how inconsiderate she’d shown herself to be. This is awful, she thought, moving aside the cover and sitting up. As she looked down at her feet, she noticed her sandals had been removed. Then she saw the shoes situated next to the coffee table.
How to get out of Xavier’s home without waking him was Kennedy’s next thought. Surely he had an alarm system…and it was probably activated. She racked her brain for a solution to her dilemma, but came up totally empty.
The urgency to use the bathroom hit her suddenly. She knew there was a guest bathroom in the hallway, but she’d have to turn on a light. That was risky since it might wake her host. Since she didn’t have a choice in the matter, she reached for the switch.
Trying her best to be quiet as possible, Kennedy tiptoed from the room and stepped out into the hallway. Halfway to her destination she ran into something solid, which scared the daylights out of her, causing her to scream bloody murder.
Strong arms instantly went about her, steadying her on her feet, making sure she didn’t fall. “It’s okay. It’s just me,” Xavier whispered, his tone gentle and soothing.
Xavier flicked on a switch and soft lighting suddenly flooded the hallway.
Kennedy