Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series Book 2) Read online

  “Stop. Please, I want you to have it. I was picking up groceries last week and I walked past a jewelry store. This necklace was on display at the front window, and all I could think of was you. How amazingly beautiful, fragile, and strong you are all at the same time.”

  I stood still, staring at the delicate piece of jewelry. I glanced up at him. “It’s beautiful,” I said. “Thank you.”

  “Turn around so I can put it on you.”

  I handed him the necklace and turned my back to him. He slipped the chain around my neck and gently moved my hair out of the way. His breath grazed my neck as he fastened the clasp. Goosebumps covered my skin as he ran his finger lightly down the back of my neck.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered in my ear. His soft kiss brushed my neck, and I stepped backward and pushed my body into him. His hand slipped under my pajama top and rested against my stomach. I sighed as I felt his arousal and nestled against him. It had been so long, and I was on the brink of losing myself to him.

  Xander slid the buttons of my top open with his free hand and gently pushed it off my shoulders. My nipples hardened against the air.

  “I just want to look at you,” he whispered. He moved his hand down and slipped it under the waist of my pajama bottoms, stopping at the top of my panties.

  “So beautiful,” he said and kissed my neck. I rubbed my ass against him, and he grabbed my hip with his free hand.

  “No, be still. I want to take this moment and see you for the first time. I’ll never see you like this again, so give me this.”

  I nodded as I relaxed my back into his chest and grabbed his leg to keep my balance.

  His hand moved to my ass cheek, and he ran his palm across my skin. Then he hooked his thumb into the waistband and slid my pajama bottoms down, leaving me in just my pink thong.

  “Turn around,” he said.

  I stepped out of the pants and kicked them to the side, along with the Christmas paper remnants. I turned toward him and glanced up. His eyes were filled with need.

  He reached out and touched me between my breasts, his finger tracing down my stomach to my thong.

  “Take it off,” he said, his voice rough.

  I slipped my fingers underneath the fabric and slowly slid them down my legs to my ankles. I stepped out of them and moved toward him.

  “No, don’t come any closer. I just want to look at you,” he said again and motioned for me to turn around.

  I stopped and did as he said. His eyes took in every part of me as I turned and then stood still in front of him.

  “Sit down,” he said and motioned to the chair next to the Christmas tree.

  I sat down and leaned back.

  “All of you. I want to see all of you. Open your legs.”

  I gasped, not only at his request but at how turned on I was by him taking complete control. I opened my legs and watched as his eyes traveled from my face, to my breasts, to my core.

  “My God,” he whispered. I watched as he removed his shirt, his eyes only leaving me for a split second. He fumbled with the button on his jeans, flicking it open and unzipping his fly. Then he stopped. He took a few steps forward and kneeled down in front of me.

  He grabbed my hips and brought me to the edge of the chair. His breath caressed my skin as he held me a mere inch from his mouth. I grabbed the armrests and dug my nails into them. I waited for his mouth to make contact with my skin, but he glanced up at me with heavy-lidded eyes and smiled.

  My breath came in short gasps. If he didn’t make a move soon, I wasn’t going to be able to take it anymore.

  His hands moved from my hips to the inside of my thighs and his fingers dug into my flesh as he pushed my legs farther apart, giving him complete access. He flicked his tongue across my clit.

  “Oh my God,” I said as I sighed.

  His tongue danced across my clit again, and I whimpered. He slid his hands underneath my ass and lifted me off the chair, bringing his mouth down to me. His tongue massaged me as his thumb entered me slightly. My back arched off the chair as he sucked and licked me.

  He wrapped my legs around his neck, and I moved with him as my hands ran through his hair. His pace quickened and I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer, but it felt so good that I didn’t want him to stop.

  “Xander,” I gasped. “Holy shit. I can’t make it much longer.”

  He quickened his pace and slid his finger into me, pumping it in and out of my wet center.

  My body bucked against him as I released. He pulled away and smiled.

  He stood up and slipped off his jeans. My eyes widened as he stood in front of me. Muscles rippled through his entire body. He took himself in his hand and stroked himself as he watched me.

  “Do you want me, Lacey?”

  I couldn’t answer, so I just nodded as I felt my body react to him taking care of himself in front of me.

  He sighed and closed his eyes as he continued. I was shocked at my reaction; I wanted him more than ever.

  “I want you inside me,” I said, my voice a gruff whisper.

  He stopped, and a playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He bent down and reached into the pocket of his jeans, which were lying crumpled at his feet. He pulled out a condom.

  “I hate these things, so you need to get on the Pill,” he said as he opened the packet and rolled on the condom.

  “Okay,” I whispered as I watched.

  He stood in front of my chair and stared at me. He reached his hand out to me and pulled me out of the seat. He wrapped his arm around me and brought me to him. His fingers wound through the hair at the nape of my neck and he tilted my head back. His kiss was light as he tightened his hold on my hair. He trailed kisses down my neck and cupped my breast with his other hand. I groaned as his fingers teased my nipple. His hardness throbbed against me. He was as ready as I was.

  He released my hair and led me to the couch. I laid down as he situated himself between my legs. I moaned as he entered me.

  “Ahhh, my God, Lacey,” he said as he gently moved in and out of me. I shifted and began lifting my hips with him.

  “Don’t stop. You feel so good.”

  He slid his hand under my ass and lifted me into him. He quickened his pace, and I dug my fingers into his back.

  “That’s it, babe,” he said.

  I moved my hands down his muscular back and continued to bring my hips up to meet him.

  “Mmm, that’s good,” I whispered.

  My heart pounded as our bodies rocked against each other. He slowed and pulled out of me.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked and frowned, disappointed he’d left me.

  “Nothing,” he said as he sat up at the end of the couch. “Come over here.”

  I stood up as he grabbed me and guided me toward him. I straddled him and gasped as he slid inside me again.

  “Oh yeah, that’s what I want. I want to see your face,” he said.

  He lifted my hips and brought me down on him again and again. I whimpered as he gently cupped my breast and took me into his mouth. I threaded my fingers through his hair and held his head in place as his tongue massaged my nipple.

  He pulled away and leaned back into the couch.

  “You ready, babe?”

  “Yes,” I panted.

  Xander continued to bring me down on him as he slipped his hand between us and squeezed my clit.

  “Ahhhh!”

  “That feel good?” he asked as he continued.

  “I can’t, I can’t wait anymore,” I gasped.

  “That’s my girl,” he said as he pumped me and massaged my clit.

  I threw my head back as I lost control.

  “You’re so beautiful when you come. So beautiful.”

  My movement slowed as I gasped for air, but Xander wasn’t finished yet. He continued to slide in and out of me with a slow and steady pace.

  I’d come so hard I was almost dizzy, but him still being inside of me made me want more.

 
“How?” I asked as I tried to catch my breath.

  “How what?” he asked and grinned.

  “How can you make me come twice, harder than I ever have in my life, and I still want more?”

  Xander laughed and lifted me off him. I jutted my lower lip into a pout as our bodies parted.

  “Don’t worry, babe. Just turn around and straddle me again so your back is against my chest.”

  I turned around and lowered myself down slowly as he entered me again. He situated me a bit, lifted his hips off the couch slightly, and then took my breasts in his hands as he kissed my neck and moved in and out of me.

  “See? Feels good, doesn’t it? You’re so damn wet, too,” he said as he slid one hand down my stomach and found my clit again.

  I moaned as he massaged and moved in and out of me. I didn’t make it long before I released again.

  “That’s it,” he said as he grabbed my hips and held me in place. “Now, lean forward and rest your hands on the coffee table.”

  I did as he told me. His hand ran up my back as he quickened his pace.

  “You feel so incredible,” he panted.

  The excitement mounted in my body again as he began pounding me.

  “Oh, you like this, baby. Come with me. Come on me again, Lacey.”

  His fingers dug into my hips as he thrust into me again.

  “There it is,” he said as we both came together.

  Exhausted, I got up and laid on the couch beside him. I peeked at him as he smiled at me.

  “Well, that was a pleasant surprise,” he said.

  “What?” I said, still struggling to catch my breath.

  “I think we’re gonna have a lot of fun,” he said as his eyes sparkled.

  “I don’t think that would break my heart at all,” I said, laughing.

  I reached for my shirt and thong, slipped them both on, and began cleaning the living room of the wrapping paper.

  “Merry Christmas,” I said.

  “You too,” Xander replied.

  “I was wondering if I could call Emma? I’ll pay you for the call.”

  “Yeah, of course. You can call her from my bedroom.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you had another phone. Thanks. I’m gonna call her and then shower if that’s okay.”

  “Of course, you don’t have to ask.”

  I nodded and left him sitting on the couch.

  Chapter 15

  His bedroom door opened quietly as I stepped into his room. This was the one place I hadn’t been in the house yet. His king-size bed was unmade and his closet door was open. I peeked into it and noted his multiple pairs of shoes and built-in shelving. A faint hint of Eternity cologne lingered in the air, and I took a deep breath and smiled.

  His dark wood furniture matched the brown curtains that were pulled to the side of the window. I glanced around for the phone and spotted it on the nightstand. His watch and some loose change sat next to it. I picked up the phone, sat on his bed, and dialed Emma’s number.

  “Merry Christmas, Emma!” I said when she answered.

  “You too! I wish you were here. It’s not the same without you.”

  “I know. I miss you all so much.”

  “Where are you today?”

  “I’m at Xander’s house,” I said and grinned.

  “Oh? Spill,” Emma said.

  I filled her in on the past few weeks, including Xander saving me from Mama trying to kidnap me, getting my stuff back from her, and our morning together.

  “So, you’re dating?”

  “Yeah,” I said and bit my lip.

  “Okay, you know I love you, but I gotta ask. Do you really like him, or do you think you like him?”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. What are you saying?”

  “I’ve known you for a long time, and when you talked about Walker, your voice literally changed. It was obvious to everyone that you loved him. I don’t hear that when you speak about Xander. And with your mom showing up, I’m curious if you’re with him because you’re scared, not because you’re in love with him. At least not as much as you were with Walker.”

  I rubbed my face and tried to control my reaction. I couldn’t believe she would even suggest something like that. I didn’t reply.

  “Well, shoot. I can tell I made you mad because you got quiet, so I’m gonna say something else. His timing sucks. I’m sorry, but what kind of guy gets you into bed when you’re so vulnerable?”

  “That is not what happened.” The tone of my voice was sharp, and if Emma wasn’t sure she’d pissed me off, she was clear now.

  “I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not there and I haven’t met him, but it feels off.”

  “You’re right. You don’t know him. He’s smart, gorgeous, and he gave me a safe place to stay. It’s obvious he cares about me.”

  “Okay. I just want you to think about it, that’s all.”

  I sighed and closed my eyes. This wasn’t the conversation I’d expected.

  “I want you to be happy, and if it’s with Xander that’s fantastic, but I’m not gonna lie and say I’m not concerned. I’m not sure I can ever forgive Walker for hurting you the way he did, but he never took advantage of you when you were going through hell and back.”

  “I don’t care about Walker. He’s not a part of my life anymore. If you were here, you’d understand.”

  “You’re probably right, but I’m not there, and all I can go on is my gut.”

  “Yeah, okay. I have to go,” I said.

  “I don’t want to hang up with you mad at me. I . . . I’m worried about you is all.”

  “I know your heart is in the right place, and I love you, but I need to go.”

  “Okay, love you too. Call me soon.”

  I rolled my eyes as I replaced the phone in the cradle. I definitely wasn’t going to call her back for a while. The last thing I wanted to hear was her chatter on about someone she hadn’t even met. I wasn’t so fragile that I couldn’t take care of myself. And she was wrong. I cared about him. A lot.

  I crawled off Xander’s bed, walked across the hall, and took a shower.

  Xander and I snuggled together in front of the TV, watched movies, and kissed for the rest of the day. It looked like I wasn’t going to be sleeping in the guest room anymore.

  * * *

  The rest of the break flew by as Xander I spent every minute together. I’d forgotten how intense a new relationship could be, and the constant craving you could have for someone.

  Xander and I opened a bottle of champagne and brought in the new year together. It was the first time I’d ever really gotten drunk, and I felt like shit the next day. I winced as I thought about George telling me to drink water. Between the alcohol and the sex that night, I’d forgotten all about it. Thank God I had one more day before we returned to school.

  I climbed out of bed and gasped when I glanced at the clock. It was noon; I’d slept most of the day away. Xander’s side of the bed was empty, so I slipped my feet into my house shoes and made my way to the bathroom.

  Thirty minutes later, I was clean and my head throbbed a little less. I couldn’t believe the break was almost over. I missed school and was excited about going back. I hadn’t talked with George, Adalyn, or Cassidy the entire break and I couldn’t wait to see how they were doing and tell them about Xander and me.

  I bit my lip as I remembered that Mama was also in Eugene. It had been easy to block her out while I was at Xander’s, but I had to return to the dorm tomorrow. I wished my dorm-room door had a peephole in it so I would know who was knocking. Hopefully with everyone back from Christmas break she wouldn’t try that again, but Mama defied logic.

  I opened the guest-room door and grabbed my backpack from the closet. The majority of my belongings were in the corner of the entryway, but I still had a few things here as well. I walked over to the window and stared at all the naked trees. Even with the leaves gone, you couldn’t see another house. I wasn’t sure where the closest neighbor was, bu
t the peace and quiet had been incredible.

  “Are you packing?”

  I turned to see Xander standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

  “Yeah, I’m just getting my stuff ready for tomorrow.”

  Xander entered the bedroom and sat on the end of the bed, frowning.

  “How are you doing with all that?”

  I shrugged, not really wanting to talk about it.

  “Are you worried about your mom?” he asked as he ran his hand through his hair.

  “Of course I am, but I’m hoping with everyone back on campus she’ll stay away.”

  Xander didn’t respond.

  “Are you?” I asked. “I mean, are you worried about me going back? I miss school and my friends, and I’m ready for classes to start, but . . .” I bit my lip as my voice trailed off.

  “I don’t want you to move back to the dorm,” he said softly.

  My eyes widened with surprise as I searched his face.

  “Staying with you was only a temporary situation. I can’t just move in with you.”

  “Why not?”

  I paused and waited for him to say something more. Or maybe I was trying to process what he’d asked me. “Are you asking me to move in?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” he said and stood up. He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “Don’t go,” he whispered. “Move in with me and let’s put your stuff away.”

  “Are you sure? That’s a huge commitment.”

  “It’s what I want, but how do you feel about it?” he asked as he held my gaze.

  Was it too soon? Was I rushing into things? Or was this what I’d hoped for? My body tingled at the thought of waking up next to him every morning. We’d spent so much time together already, and it felt right. He felt right.

  “Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”

  Xander smiled and brushed his lips across mine. “Good, then you’re officially all mine.”

  “I think I like the sound of that,” I replied, my lips only an inch away from his mouth.

  Xander slipped his hand underneath my hair and pulled my head back. His kiss grew more intense as his thumb stroked the front of my neck.