Piper Keller

    Xavier is dead set on being difficult. He won't make any decisions or voice his opinions on any of the designs Ian Gregory has presented. I keep my irritation to myself, but Eva is much more vocal.

"Say something! Anything about these designs!" Eva begs, shuffling through the four designs with swatches, paint color and furniture.

"What one do you like?" He asks, Eva. She chooses the soft colors and muted furniture fabric and holds it up. "Pip?" He asks.

"That ones nice." I agree with Eva.

"Which do you like best?" He questions again. Judging by his tone, he knows its not my favorite.

I hesitate briefly, "I like this one." I answer, pointing to the country looking one with rough wood and soft colors with
pops of dramatic color and textiles. "But you can't go wrong. All of-"

"This one." Xavier states, interrupting me and pushing the design I chose to Ian.

"Don't just pick it because I chose it. Choose the one you like." I urge him, just as tired as he is at looking at the different layouts as he is.

Ignoring me and my concerns he asks, "When can you start?"

"As soon as you want." Ian replies, readily. I can tell this is a big deal for Ian, the look of shock and excitement is written on his face.

"Good. That will take care of my mother. Do me a favor and send her pictures of the design plan and if you have any questions regarding furniture ask her for her input. Make her feel involved in the process, but keep her away as much as possible." He says, writing down her email address and phone number.

"I should get going." Eva states, looking at her watch and standing up. "Oh, I wanted to ask you and don't feel obliged. Could you help me with the baby shower? I feel like I'm over my head and I could really use some help."

"Why didn't you hire a party planner?" Xavier asks, somewhat cold.

The look she gives him right back could freeze ice. "Because I thought I could handle it. I wasn't involved at all with Serena's baby shower and I really wanted to have things my way with this one. Its not really a baby shower just an announcement of sorts. No gifts or anything, but I definitely bit off more than I can chew." She explains to me.

"Of course, I'd be happy to help. Liz wouldn't let me do anything at hers. She's such a control freak." I reply, honestly.

"I'll call you. Maybe you can come when you're free sometime this week and we can get started?" She asks, hopeful.

"Absolutely." I answer, standing up as well. "I'm leaving too. I'll walk you."

"I need to talk to you." Xavier states, leaning back in his chair. The look on his face is all business. I watch Ian gather his things as quickly as possible, not wanting to upset his new boss.

"So, call me." I reply, not needing to hear what he has to say. I'm sure its some other demand, like he made earlier.

"You're here, now." He points out.

I look at him, trying to gage his mood. The more he tries to look relaxed the less likely he is to be, relaxed. I sit down not wanting to cause a scene.

Eva waits for Ian and waves at us before she leaves. "Bye." I say, as I watch them go.

When its clear he won't say anything until I look at him, I do. "What?" I ask, tiredly.

"I want you back." He states.

I pause not knowing how to respond. "I'm vaguely aware of that, but thanks for stating it out loud." He's waiting for me
to jump in his arms and its not going to happen. "Is that all?" I ask, standing up.

"You're not going to respond?"

"I just did." I challenged. Moving past him. He stands as well, following closely behind me. As I reach for the front door his arm stops me from opening it, holding the door closed. "Xavier." I warn.

"Look at me." He orders, as I stare at the door. I shake my head, no. Feeling his body get closer to mine. His hand lowers as he moves against me, trapping me between the door and his hard body. His hands brush my hair from my neck gently stroking my sensitive skin. His lips brush against my ear, "I want you."

I can't stop the moan or the feeling his voice has over me. When I feel his mouth on my neck I tilt my head giving him better access. His hands slide under my top caressing my stomach before tracing the top of my pants and unbuttoning them. I cry out when I feel his hand reach inside and touch me. Seconds later I'm arching against him wantonly, wanting release. His hand doesn't stop as he pushes my pants lower until they fall to my ankles.

The knock on the door surprises me and I jump in his arms. He opens the door only wide enough to see who it is. "Eva."
He says, not happy.

"Sorry, I forgot my purse." She explains.

I try to shove back to make room to pull up my pants, he doesn't budge. He shuts the door on Eva and releases me as he walks back to the kitchen. I pull myself together quickly and open the door. "Hi." I say, knowing I look flushed and out of breath.

She smiles, "Piper, you're positively glowing."

I return her smile involuntary, knowing she's teasing me. "Thanks." I reply, embarrassed. I slip out the door as I hear Xavier getting closer. I give her an awkward wave as I walk to my car.

I glance at the door as I drive by seeing a very angry and frustrated Xavier, who is watching me intently as Eva smiles smugly. Okay, I learned I cannot control my libido around him. Luckily, Eva is smart enough to know when I need her help. I'm positive every time I see that front door I'm going to blush. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat I drive to Liz's, I need to catch up on the work I missed this morning. Plus, shes going to want details about everything thats happened. I groan thinking about it, willing my body to turn off. There's no way I would've stopped what was going to happen, I never could. He knows how to make me forget everything, until all I can remember is wanting him.

My phone rings and I answer it over the Bluetooth in the car. "Piper Keller."

"I've always hated your last name." He grumbles. "Why'd you leave?"

"Oh, you know. Almost having sex against a door with my ex, kinda threw me. Thought, maybe it'd be best to take off."

He grunts. "Come back." He demands, sounding exactly how I feel.

"No."

"We both know this is going to happen." He states, frustrated.

I take a deep breath, trying to get my emotions under control. "Yes, but not today." I say, ending the call. Damn that felt good.

Liz corners me as soon as I walk into the house/office. "Where have you been?" She asks, thinking naughty things by the sounds of it. "At Xavier's with Eva, helping pick a design plan."

"Anything interesting happen?" She inquires. Now, I know she knows something.

I narrow my eyes at her, "Eva, called you." I state, knowingly.

"She did. How are you feeling?" She asks, sitting in the family room.

I sit next to her and huff loudly closing my eyes. "Horny!" I answer, loudly. Opening my eyes to see Aaron who was walking into the room turn to leave.

Liz laughs and I turn red. As much as I like Aaron, we're not that close. Not close to were I'm comfortable telling him how horny I am. "Well, take care of yourself. Or even better, have him do it." She suggests.

I shake my head. "I have no self control with him. It would escalate quickly. Trust me."

"So, you're gonna stay horny?"

I nod in response.

"Is he horny?" She asks, interested.

I chuckle. "Oh, yeah."

"Well, that has to make you feel good."

I nod. "It really does."