Burning Your Lies (King and Queen Duet #2)

21

Xavier

I feel like a winner as all eyes turn to me when I enter with Brynn in my arms. The diamonds in her blue dress sparkle brighter than the pride I feel at knowing she’s mine. I bought her the most expensive dress for the masquerade ball Rowan is hosting at his club. I love how sexy this dress makes her feel. When we stood in front of my bedroom’s mirror, she gasped every time I pulled the strings of her corset tighter. Her contrasting red hair hangs in loose waves down one shoulder. Her matching mask is a perfect fit. Everything about her looks perfect tonight.

I press my palm against her bare back.

“I think you’ve stolen all the attention, Miss Jones.”

She giggles in my ear.

“My heart is hammering so bad right now.”

“Let’s get you a drink to calm those nerves.”

I lead us over to the bar and order the two of us a drink.

A hand comes down on my shoulder.

“Glad to see you could make it, Mr Rivers. Where is your counterpart?”

“He’ll be here,”

I promise.

“I hope so.”

“Why are you throwing a masquerade ball?”

Brynn asks.

He sips his drink and grins.

“There’s something exhilarating about hiding behind a mask, no?”

His knowing smile brings a chill over me.

“You can be whoever you want to be and hide all the ugly parts of you away.”

“I think there’s something beautiful about someone seeing all the worst parts of you,”

Brynn weakly states.

“How can you love someone you don’t truly know?”

It’s like she suddenly realises where she is and shakes her head.

“Ignore me. I’m just being silly.”

I take her hand in mine.

“No. I think you are right.”

Rowan’s eyes widen as he stares in the opposite direction. “Damn.”

I turn in my seat to see what has garnered such a large reaction. At first, I see Ray dressed in a black suit and bow tie, similar to mine. His hair is pulled into his signature bun and his face is concealed by his black mask. Then he steps to the side and my breath is caught in my throat.

Savannah’s maroon lips curl into a smile at all the attention. Where her hair normally sways behind her like a wave, tonight it’s twisted into a bun. Like a painting worthy of millions, her face is framed by a few curled tendrils. Her hands remain clasped against her stomach, with her matching ruby ring and gold band on full display. My eyes travel up her arms at the illusion lace that has patches of the most intricate work. That same work covers the entire corset that is moulded to her perfect figure. The sweetheart neckline is completed by a deep v-plunge that stops at the halfway point of her stomach. She steps forward and the large halo of a skirt twinkles in the light.

Rowan takes her hand in his and kisses her knuckles.

“You are certainly the finest woman in this room.”

“Thank you for inviting us.”

Her mask cannot hide the confidence of knowing she’s the sexiest woman here.

“Now that you are here, my darling, let the party begin. May I have the honour of your first dance?”

She releases her hold on Ray and places her hand in his. “Please.”

I watch as he leads her to the empty dance floor. Her arms wrap around his neck and she moves with the elegance and class fit for a queen.

“What is going on there?”

Ray doesn’t let them out of his sight.

“She’s just having fun.”

“You’re not jealous?”

Brynn sounds appalled.

“I trust her. She knows to come home.”

Rowan grips both mine and Ray’s shoulder.

“Apologies, ladies. I must steal your men away for a coveted game of poker.”

He releases us.

“Gentlemen.”

I look at Ray, but his eyes are too focused on Rowan to feel the burn of my stare.

“A private table?”

“Only the best,”

he gloats. He walks ahead of us through to parts of the club that aren’t visible to its guests.

“It’s lucky you’re wearing black,”

he remarks.

The room exudes an air of elegance with its dark walls and sleek marble flooring. The large round table already seats three other men who are joking amongst themselves. I don’t recognise any of them. Even if I did, their masks obscure most of their faces. They hardly spare us a glance as we take a seat opposite them. I sit between Rowan and one of the other men.

Ray’s poker face is already set in stone as he stares at the wall ahead with a blank expression. His arms stretch out in front of him, with his hands curled into a loose fist.

I study the only person I have ever called my friend. I always knew where I stood with Ray. He was a straight-talker. The hours we spent outside of the office were filled with light drinking and a few words. But it was familiar. It was home. He was practically family. Until Savannah strode between us. Fourteen years of friendship dissipated at the cost of her love and affection. I know he truly loves her. I just question whether she loves him.

I turned the knight into a king.

Does he know the game she is playing with me? Or is he an unwilling player? What would he do if he knew his marriage was just a move in this game I’ve found myself in? Would he still choose her, or would he return to my side of the table?

Rowan leans back in his seat and shuffles the cards at a rapid speed.

“Welcome to the table, gentlemen.”

“Who’s that?”

the man next to Ray asks, looking at me.

“There’s no need for introductions, William. The important thing is I know who you are. All of you.”

He turns to me.

“Rivers. Small blind.”

I stare at the rectangular chips assorted by colour in perfect lines. I carefully stack two blue chips.

“Twenty thousand.”

My neighbour nods in approval and places four blue chips in front of him.

“Forty thousand.”

Rowan smiles. He deals two cards out to each of us.

“Let the game commence.”

I flip my cards over and hold back my smile. Six and seven of hearts.

Everyone seated around the table calls and matches the bet.

Rowan doesn’t move the game along. He stares at the man directly opposite him with a look I can’t decipher.

“It was very kind of you to accept my invite tonight, Kane. You travelled all this way to grace me with your presence.”

There is not one part of him that means it, but his smile could convince someone otherwise.

“It’s been a long time, my friend.”

“How’s my traitorous brother?”

Ray’s face remains devoid of any emotion, a bored expression etched on his features. He checks his watch and sighs.

“Are you done?”

Rowan tosses a card onto the table. “Burn.”

We all wait for him to reveal the three cards. With one person folding and the others calling, I eye the five of hearts.

I toss a grey chip.

“Raise. Fifty thousand.”

Kane eyes the cards once again. “Call.”

Our host whistles.

“Feeling thirsty for some blood? Burn,”

he says as he tosses another card. He places another card next to the three already on the table.

Kane shrugs.

“Raise. Fifty thousand.”

The man next to him folds. Then it’s all eyes on Ray.

But his eyes are glued to Kane, and then, as if there is something pulling him to Rowan, they shift to him. Nothing in his expression gives away why there is a colossal amount of tension in the room. “Fold,”

he says as he stands up.

Rowan stands too.

“Fucking sit your ass back down,”

he snarls.

Finally, Ray shows some emotion. His eyes house a fury I haven’t seen in him before. His low voice is calculating.

“Watch yourself.”

Closing the distance between them, Rowan speaks in a hushed tone, but the threat is heard by everyone present.

“Don’t make me expose your poker face.”

When Ray refuses to follow order, he smirks.

“Let’s bring your wife in to say hello to our guests.”

At the mention of Savannah, he wavers. Reluctantly, he resumes his seat. “Call.”

After Rowan and I call as well, the final card is revealed.

“Raise. One-hundred thousand.”

Ray places the red chip in front of him.

“Call,”

Rowan says, matching the bet.

Knowing I have a flush in my hands, I say, “Call.”

Kane grins at us all. “Call.”

“Reveal your cards, gentlemen.”

We all share a look before turning our cards onto the table face up. Kane and Rowan show a losing hard. And just when I think I’ve won, Ray stares at me.

“A royal flush,”

Rowan says, sounding impressed.

“Claim your victory. And Kane?”

It feels like time moves in slow motion, but in reality, everything happens in the blink of an eye. Kane looks up at Rowan. Rowan grins at him before pulling out a gun. The loud bang of the trigger being pulled makes us flinch. Rowan laughs as the man next to me jumps into action and throws himself at Rowan. Within moments, his body is forcefully pinned against the wall, his throat constricting as his life hangs by a thread.

Ray watches, unfazed. While Rowan strangles a man to death, he stands immobile, resembling a statue.

Kane’s other lackey, William, is on the floor trying to stop the bleeding. But the blood is everywhere except inside him. The blood creates a red valley across the marble floors. When he realises there is no saving his friend, William screams and lunges across the table for Rowan. He puts him into a headlock and tries to pull him off his friend.

Neither Ray nor I move. We stand, bewildered, on opposite sides of the room.

“Huxley,”

Rowan groans.

This time, nothing moves slowly.

The mention of the name makes William flinch, but Ray quickly puts his arm around the man’s neck before he can say anything. In just a split second, a snapping noise is heard, and then his body collides with the floor, creating a loud thud. Ray retreats and observes the inanimate body. He looks at Rowan, who is perspiring after having choked the man.

Surrounded by three corpses, the three of us stand in the room.

“It’s a good thing you wore black,”

he says to Ray before walking out of there.

Ray doesn’t wait for me, leaving the room in a hurry.

It’s just me standing in the room, wondering who the hell these dead men were and why Ray committed murder for a man he barely knows.

I jump when a hand touches my shoulder. I smile at Brynn.

“Is everything okay?”

She strokes my face.

“Yeah. I’m just getting a little tired. And it’s hard to breathe in this dress.”

The devil that haunts my dreams and lives in my fantasies appears behind her.

“Are you leaving before sharing a dance with me, Mr Rivers?”

The temptress knows I can’t say no to her. I nod my head.

“Of course not, Mrs Ray-Hayes.”

I offer her my hand, but look at Brynn.

“Five minutes?”

Her lips barely turn upwards.

“Of course.”

With her hand in mine, I lead us to the dance floor. Like pieces that were made for one another, she fits perfectly against me. I inhale her intoxicating scent and welcome the memories of her in my arms.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

She looks up at me through her lashes.

“How was your poker game?”

I ponder whether to tell her Ray killed a man in cold blood. I wonder whether that would make her run from him as she did from me. Ultimately, I decide to pocket that bombshell for another day.

“Your husband won.”

Savannah glances at him as he drinks in solitude. I feel the tension in her muscles relax the longer she looks at him. And I hate that her undivided attention isn’t on me.

“I trust you were kind and welcoming to Brynn.”

She scoffs at me.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

My hand trails further down her back, stopping just above her ass.

“Perhaps you’re jealous of her. I mean, I am taking her home to my bed tonight.”

Her gentle laugh feels exhilarating.

“She looks undoubtedly beautiful tonight. Sexy, even. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Most certainly.”

“So, explain why you’ll be thinking of me when you undress her?”

The smugness in her eyes should repulse me, but it turns me on.

“She will never be me,”

she whispers.

I press her harder against me.

“What makes you so sure?”

She cups my face.

“Because I know I’m the best you have ever had. There is no one else like me. It’s why you’re addicted to this dangerous game. It’s why you just can’t stop playing with fire.”

“You weave a wonderful tale, Miss Hayes,”

I whisper into her ears.

“A tale it is not, Mr Rivers. Because I know something she doesn’t. I had something even your wife never got.”

“And that would be?”

“The diamond. No woman has ever been worthy of wearing your mother around her neck.”

She lets go of me and bows.

“Sweet dreams.”

I watch as she sways her hips back to Ray. They exchange a few words before he holds her hand and escorts her out of here. She was just toying with me. She asked for that dance to get under my skin and it fucking worked.

My blood hums with vengeance. I am done playing her game. She is going to fold, whether or not she likes it. Asking Brynn to wait a few more minutes, I make my way back to the poker room, hoping to find Rowan.

“Back for another round?”

he asks with a grin.

The entire room has been reset. The dead bodies are gone. The blood cleaned up. The poker chips back in perfect lines. The cards are stacked.

“That was fast.”

He winks.

“Did you need something?”

“How much for your services?”

He lights a cigarette and waves me off.

“I told you I’m not interested in security for my other clubs.”

I step closer.

“Not that business. The one I saw tonight.”

A laugh rips out of him.

“I thought you didn’t run that kind of business?”

“I want her dead. Money is no obstacle.”

A cloud of smoke wafts in the air between us.

“What does she have on you?”

“Your secret is that you kill. And I kill to keep mine. Do we have a deal?”

Just as Savannah predicted, I’m thinking of her as I pull the strings to Brynn’s corset off. I let the dress fall to the floor.

“It’s so expensive! Don’t let it touch the floor!”

she squeaks, trying to stoop to pick it up.

I hold her in place and palm her breasts. I pinch her nipples.

“You looked unbelievably sexy tonight.”

I kiss her neck.

“I’ve been waiting all night to do this.”

The pads of my fingers slowly trail down her body until they’re lost between her folds. I use my other hand to hold her jaw and force her to look at our reflections.

“Look at how perfect you are,” I whisper.

Her cheeks flush.

“This is embarrassing.”

My groan almost slips out. Sex with Brynn has been vanilla and boring. Thinking of Savannah is the only way I can pleasure myself. She would have thrived off this; watching herself get fucked, knowing the view was award-winning.

“Can you try this for me?”

I mumble into her ear.

“Just relax your body and focus on how it feels.”

I add another finger and feel her stretch around it.

“Does it feel good?”

She nods her head.

“Tell me,”

I order.

“Tell me how it feels.”

She stutters.

“Really good.”

“What do you want me to do to you?”

When she struggles to answer, I do it for her.

“Do you want me to bend you over this dresser and eat that sweet pussy? Or do you want me to spread you open and fuck you until you can’t stand straight?”

Her pussy doesn’t even throb at the dirty words. She shrugs.

“I don’t mind.”

She must see the disappointment in my eyes because she says, “I’m sorry. I’ve never … I don’t know how to…”

Pulling my fingers out of her, I turn her around and kiss her.

“Don’t be sorry.”

Just fucking be Savannah.

“I’m going to try something a little different. If it’s too rough, tell me to stop.”

Her coy smile is back. “Okay,”

she breathes.

I lead her to the bed and wait for her to lie on her back. I undress myself, eager to play this fantasy out. I press myself against her opening and revel in the instant warm suctioning of her pussy.

“All I want is to be inside you, where I fucking belong.”

In one thrust, I’m deep inside her.

Brynn lets out a deep gasp and her eyes screw shut.

“You like my cock stretching that tight pussy?”

I hold myself up as I thrust in and out of her, slower than when I entered.

“You feel so good, baby.”

“Fuck me.”

I close my eyes and enjoy the throbbing in my cock at the voice inside my head. It’s like she’s stood right behind me, whispering all the filthy things Brynn can’t.

“This pussy is yours, Mr Rivers. Fuck me like the whore I am.”

“Tell me how good it feels,” I beg.

“Fuck. Your cock feels so nice. I can feel it in my stomach. Suck on my nipples.”

My lips wrap around her nipples and suck hard. When my teeth nibble on them, Brynn yelps in pain.

“Too hard.”

I lick them, hoping it eases her pain and shuts her up so Savannah doesn’t disappear again. I press her into the mattress and pound her harder than before.

“Take it. Fucking take it like the whore I know you can be. You teased me all night in that fucking dress.”

“Let me cream all over your dick, Mr Rivers. Make me come.”

“Was he better than me? Did he make you fucking come like this?”

Suddenly, it’s not me fucking Savannah. It’s him. Memories of her seducing him by getting on her knees for him fill my head. She is riding his face like it’s a fucking cock. He’s got her spread on all fours, with her hair wrapped around his fist. I can hear how wet her pussy is as he shows no mercy to her. She’s begging him for more. She’s begging him to own her. She’s telling him to use her like a dirty, fucking stripper slut. She’s telling him how good it feels when he uses her holes. She’s moaning under him, biting down on his shoulder to muffle her screams of pleasure. She’s convulsing under him as she tells him to come in the pussy that belongs to him.

Pure green jealousy consumes me. I feel the walls around me tighten and the moans coming from under me, but I can’t get her voice out of my head. My hands grab her throat, hoping it will finally shut her up. But her walls grip my shaft tighter than ever.

“Xavier,”

she moans. “Oh god.”

My body presses flush against hers and my head falls onto her shoulder. I close my eyes and grip her neck tighter.

“You like that, huh? You like it when I choke you?”

An incoherent mumble.

“You want me to grab the life out of you while I fuck your pussy?”

Brynn grabs my arms.

“Right there.”

All I see is Savannah next to me. Eyes wide with pleasure as I fuck the pussy that belonged to me first.

“Who do you belong to?”

“Xavier,”

Brynn gasps.

I’m almost there. My balls feel heavy as they prepare for an explosion.

“Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m…”

She claws at my hands. “Xavier.”

I forcefully kiss her.

“You’re mine. You will always be mine.”

I close my eyes again and see Savannah taking my cock like it’s her sole purpose in life. This time her eyes aren’t wide with pleasure. They’re scared as the life slowly leaves them. I fuck her harder. My thrusts are sharper as her hands become limp. Her mouth is open, but she is no longer telling Ray she belongs to him. She isn’t saying anything at all. And when she takes her last breath, I fill her with life.

My hands let go of Brynn’s neck as my body goes into spasm with the most intense orgasm of my life. Sweat trickles down my face and I can barely form a proper word. By the time I collapse on the bed, my heart is racing.

“That was…”

Brynn is catching her breath.

“Too rough?”

She rubs her neck, where an imprint of my hand mars her skin.

“A little, but I kind of … enjoyed it?”

I laugh and wrap my arms around her.

“Me too. I can show you more of that if you want.”

A satisfied sigh passes her lips, and she curls into me, ready to sleep.

I close my eyes and let out a satisfied smile, too. In only a few hours, the image of a lifeless Savannah will no longer be just a fantasy.