Niyah bypassed the wineglasses and grabbed a rock glass. From the fridge, she grabbed a small plastic container. She collected a lemon wedge from it and dropped it in the glass. From the freezer, Niyah grabbed a frosty, cold fifth of Tito’s. Vodka would get her well on the road to drowning her sorrows. After pouring a bit, she went to return it to the freezer, but she thought better of that.
Niyah grabbed the bottle and the glass and took them into the living room. She placed them on the cocktail table and turned on the fireplace. The flame would be her source of light. She sat, swiped a tear from her cheek, and sipped a generous amount of the clear liquid with the satisfying burn. Another sip and then a gulp freed the tears that had welled in her eyes.
Niyah dropped her head and allowed her childlike sobbing to pierce the silence.
“Niyah?”
Through blurry eyes, Niyah looked up to find Xander standing over her. Since he was barefoot and shirtless, he must've come from the guest bedroom. The fear and concern in his eyes made Niyah cry harder. She dropped her head and wept until she was short of breath.
Xander crossed the room and sat next to her. He pulled her head to his chest and massaged her scalp with his fingers. “Shhhhhh,” he whispered against her forehead.
Niyah pressed her face against the soft hairs of his warm chest and welcomed his embrace. “Xander, I--”
“Shhhh.... Whatever it is, it’ll be okay.”
Niyah closed her eyes and sobbed while Xander held her and rocked her like a child. Without words, he consoled her until the tears faded. Even then, she remained in his arms listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart.
“Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?” His chest vibrated from the deep rumble of his voice.
Niyah sniffed. “I want to, but I can’t.”
Xander gently kissed her forehead. “You can, but you don’t have to. You need to know that you can tell me anything.” He slid his finger under her chin and lifted her face until she was looking directly into his eyes. “I meananything,” he declared.
Niyah nodded. “Okay,” she whispered.
Xander reached over and picked up Niyah’s glass. He sniffed it and grinned. “So, you’re drinking this vodka straight, huh?”
“It’s been a rough day,” Niyah admitted through a sigh.
Xander chuckled. “I’d say so.” He stood and held out his hand for her to join him. Niyah placed her hand in his and stood.He handed her the glass. “Knock that back so I can fix you a real drink.”
Niyah looked at the glass and made a face. Sipping and gulping is one thing, but it was still a lot of vodka in the glass. Knocking it back would burn.
Xander raised a brow. “You poured it, now you gotta drink it.”
Niyah giggled and put the glass to her lips. As instructed, she finished the vodka and handed him the glass.
“Good girl.” Xander took the glass and led her into her bedroom. Judging from the state of disarray her bed linen was in, it wasn’t the guest bed he was lying in. He led her to the chair near her window. “Take your clothes off and sit.”
Niyah grinned. “You’re awful bossy, Mr. Creed.”
“I’m a boss, Doc. It’s in my blood.” He left her in the bedroom and entered the ensuite bath.
Seconds later, Niyah heard the water running, so she took off her clothes, carried them into her walk-in closet, and dropped them in the hamper.
“Come on in,” Xander called from the bathroom.
Niyah closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma of her lavender bath beads. When she went into the bathroom, Xander was lighting a candle. He placed it on the countertop. His expression changed. In his eyes was a flicker of appreciation for her uncovered curves. While under his scrutiny, Niyah resisted the natural urge to cover herself. Instead, she straightened her spine and pushed her shoulders back. The way his darkened gaze met her nakedness instantly heated her skin. Xander looked away as if he had to force himself and rolled up his sleeves.
“Get in. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed Niyah’s glass and left.
Before stepping in, Niyah tested the water with her toe. The temperature was perfect, but the tub wasn’t full. Nevertheless, she stepped in and eased down into the water. Niyah sighed when the warm water enveloped her skin. With the soft light of scented candles, Xander had created quite a relaxing atmosphere.
“I fixed you a proper drink,” Xander announced when he entered the bathroom. “How’s the water?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”
He handed her the glass and lowered to his knees behind her. “Hand me that,” he requested, reaching ed for the sponge.
