Perfect
There are not many moments in a person’s life where they can say they feel completely at peace. Nevertheless, even someone like me, the Emperor of the entire world can find a few serene moments to enjoy such as taking a stroll on the beach at night, swimming in a private island cove, sunbathing on a private balcony in the warm tropical sunshine, or even napping in a warm bed with a beautiful woman after enjoying some magnificent sex. Now, I’d be lying if I said these are the only perfect moments I have had with Alexi Waise since I met her over three weeks ago, and I’m nothing if not honest.
The hum of the turbulence and voice of my pilot speaking over the intercom coax me from sleep, reminding me just where I am. I lie in bed in my bedroom on my private jet. Glancing next to me, Alexi sleeps on the other pillow. She’s deliciously naked with her hair messy and lips swollen from our typical explosive sex. And she looks sexy as hell. My jet is taking us back to Paris after a weekend in the Cayman Islands together, the best weekend I have had in a long time. By far. We spent the day, Sunday, lounging around the hotel; eating breakfast in the room, sunbathing on our deck, swimming in the pool, and walking back out onto the beach one last time before we left after lunch. I would have loved to stay longer, but we both have to be back tonight for a good night’s sleep for work tomorrow morning.
After takeoff from the island, we made our way back here to the bedroom. Following a strip tease from Alexi, we killed a few hours between the sheets…something we’ve become quite good at doing. I guess we fell asleep, but our nap is over. My pilot just announced we’ll be landing in less than an hour. Reaching out, I turn on the nightstand lamp beside me. My phone sits there too, but I don’t dare check it. Alexi and I said we would turn off our phones until we got back to Europe, enjoying the time we have left until we return to the real world. Our relationship basically was outed today by some pictures paparazzi snapped of us yesterday on the island. No doubt my phone has almost blown up from messages and emails and phone calls from everyone, including my staff, my PR manager, various reporters, and my friends. Tomorrow I will deal with all of that. I look down at Alexi again who is still asleep and sigh. We have a long road ahead if this relationship between us is going to work, but I think we can make it for a while. As long as I can anyway.
She stirs on the bed, her golden arms stretching and blue eyes fluttering tiredly. When her pupils glance up at me in the semi-darkness, I grin. “Hey.”
Alexi sits up, pushing her hair back from her eyes. “Hey, what time is it?” She asks through a yawn.
“Seven-fifteen. We’re supposed to land around eight. We fell asleep for a few hours…” I trail off, my eyes drifting down to her naked breasts exposed by the fallen bedsheet.
Alexi notices, smiling as she runs a finger down her chest. “Distracted, Devilyn?” She teases.
Licking my lips, I reply “Always in your presence, Alexi.”
She reaches forward, locking her arms around my neck. “We have forty-five minutes?” Alex questions optimistically.
I let her tug me forward. “Ish. Thirty minutes at least.”
Alexi lies back down on the bed, pulling me on top of her. “You’re the Emperor; we have all the time in the world.” I cover her mouth with mine, tasting her unique flavor that is just so fucking good.
It doesn’t matter that we just had sex a couple hours ago or all weekend for that matter. I want her again, I always want her. Because she’s just so perfect, and beautiful, and smart, and…mine. I shove that thought away. No, she’s not mine. We’re a couple, but I have no claim or possession of her. She’s just a woman I’m dating; that’s it.
Alexi kisses me back fervently, thrusting her tongue inside my mouth while her fingers grip my long hair. I suck on her sweet tongue, welcoming her passion as I reach down to stroke a hardened nipple. Her leg goes up to hitch over my hip, clutching my body to hers. I don’t waste any time. With one pump of my hips, I bury myself to the hilt inside her. Alexi moans, my mouth moving to her neck as I slide in and out of her tight passage. “Oh, fuck…Alexi! You’re so wet and tight…so perfect…you feel so good, so fucking good…” I murmur words of praise on each thrust.
“Oh god, Devilyn! Don’t stop! Don’t stop!” She moans louder and louder, her climax building within seconds. I keep pumping my hips against hers, my mouth sucking on her neck as her hands move down my back, caressing my bare skin.
Her tight, wet sex starts contracting around my cock, gripping me tightly as I pump myself inside her. Before I know it, Alexi’s naked body is writhing beneath mine and she cries out my name, her climax taking her. I follow behind her, coming inside her body as my hips frantically thrust a few more times. “Alexi…” I groan her name as my climax seizes me, my body collapsing onto the mattress.
After a few moments of catching our breaths and relaxing, Alexi reaches up and touches my back with one hand and strokes my hair with the other. “Devilyn, we’ll be landing soon.”
“Mmm…” I reply lazily, getting up the last thing I want to do right now.
She laughs. “I know; a perfect end to a perfect weekend…” She sighs happily.
Hearing her contentment makes me smile. “Mmhhmm…” I respond tiredly and yawn.
“Tired? Am I wearing you out?” Alexi teases, her hand brushing back my dark brown waves on my head.
I rest my chin on my bicep as I look up at her. “Oh, yes, Alexi. I don’t remember the last time I was this sexually active, and a man my age…I’m lucky to be keeping up.” I joke back, knowing I’m the only seventy-six-year-old in the world who can get it up so easily.
Alexi rolls her eyes and presses a kiss to my cheek, then gets off the bed. “Oh, please. You’re only twenty-seven and I can verify that your stamina is just fine…” She drawls on her way to the bathroom, snatching up her clothes along the way. While she’s changing, I get up and grab an outfit from my closet as well; a light gray suit jacket and pants with a black dress shirt opened at the collar. No tie, but still professional enough.
As soon as I slide on my coat, Alexi comes out wearing a different outfit from what she wore onto the plane. Gone is her short, white summer dress and sandals. Replacing it is tight skinny jeans, a bronze blouse with a black lace border along her chest, a bronze knit cardigan, and matching bronze heeled shoes. My the woman knows how to accessorize. “Wow, of course I prefer the bikinis and jean shorts all day long but you still tempt, Alexi.”
She smiles at the compliment but frowns at my new outfit. “Back in a suit?” I know she liked having me dressed down and showing lots of skin over the weekend, but alas. We’re back in Europe.
I walk over to her and kiss the top of her head, her long blonde hair brushed to look presentable. “I’m not anticipating any press along the short ride from the airstrip to downtown, but you never know. Just because I was away at the beach all weekend doesn’t mean I have to look like it.” I do agree with Cosima on one thing; it does look bad that I dropped out of the ball to go to the Cayman Islands for some fun at the beach.
Alexi raises an eyebrow at my reply. “You really think that’s what people are going to be thinking about when they see us?” She’s referring to us being public now, and yeah. That will definitely be what people care most about at this point.
Alexi and I have a complicated relationship. I am the Emperor of the Makintire Empire, the government of the whole world. She is a Waise, an orphan of her rebel parents who tried to blow up some government buildings along with their friends back when she was eight years old. Like all rebel children, when their parents are apprehended and then executed, the children are taken into the Empire’s care. They enter the Waise program which is set up to provide care, education, and great opportunities to the children to help promote a more positive support for the Empire. Now, even though Alexi Waise is a grown, beautiful woman, it doesn’t look good that we’re sleeping together. To be fair, I didn’t know she was a Waise at first. I met Alexi at a bar on New Year’s Eve, both of us alone and responsive to the powerful chemistry between us. After what was supposed to be a one-night stand, our relationship developed into something more. By the time I found out about Alexi, it was too late. I was in too deep and would rather burn in the press than cut the girl lose…yet. I am the Emperor and immortal, not a good combination for romance. I can only date a woman for so long, but I have not reached that point with Alexi yet.
I rest my hand on Alexi’s shoulder and smile down at her. “Come on; get your stuff ready so we can prepare for landing.”
We both get in our seats for landing. The ocean that was outside our windows for hours is now the historic, picturesque city I call home at the moment. In the distance I can make out the Eiffel Tower, both arches, and the Louvre. When the jet is on the ground, my security team takes our bags down to the waiting SUV we took here on Friday. As Alexi and I step out the doors, the airstrip is clear except for Linus, Jadyn, and Cosima. Great…work begins. As we climb down the steps, I introduce my girlfriend to my staff. “Alexi, these are some members of my staff. Linus Elks my assistant, Jadyn Quaker my head of security, and Cosima Kinsley my PR manager. Guys, by now you all know about Alexi.” I hit the pavement and eye my staff, challenging any of them to say anything negative. All three of them keep their mouths shut, even Cosima who isn’t her biggest fan.
Cosima does give me an exhausted look, though. “Yes, sir. How was your trip?”
“Good, relaxing, and much needed. Damage report?” I ask as I lead Alexi over to the waiting car. Edwards puts the bags in the trunk while Carter opens the back door for us.
“Have you checked your phone recently?” Cosima inquires.
“Not yet. I was saving it for the ride back to my place.” I respond with a deep exhale, not excited for the affair.
She scoffs. “It might take you a little longer than that…”
Alexi slides into the backseat as I remain outside with my hand on the door. “Give me the highlights.” I command briskly.
She looks down at her tablet in hand. “Well, what we expected. All the reporters are painting this as a scandal, some even going as far as to suggest you are using the Waise payroll to get sex from Miss Alexi and have implied there might be others-.”
Alexi overhears. “-what the hell? Others? Are they joking?” She interjects angrily and flustered.
I look down at her in the car. “Don’t pay them any attention, Alexi. This is the press; it’s their job to try to dirty me up as much as possible for a quick buck. My team will fight this and make it go away as soon as they can.” I turn back to my PR Manager. “What else?”
Cosima glances at Alexi as if the next thing will also upset her. “A few reporters are taking another route, saying you now want younger women. Not a crime, but not flattering how they put it. True, your age difference is only five years but your age isn’t public record, sir.” I catch Alexi rolling her eyes at the report, but I ignore her, letting Cosima continue. “Lastly, um,” she fake coughs to clear the air, “Director Powell would like to meet with you, both of you, actually.”
Oh, shit. The Waise Director. I didn’t think about that. Alexi almost jumps out of the backseat at his name. “Forrester wants to meet with us?” Her voice is appalled and uncomfortable.
Cosima nods regretfully. “Yes, separately. I think he wants both of your statements on this situation, and probably to talk you out of this to be honest.”
Alexi’s face turns five shades paler right in front of me. Jesus. “Cosima, schedule mine sometime this week. I’d like to get it over with. Alexi, do you want her to schedule yours or do you need to figure out your schedule?” I offer, wanting to make this any easier if I can.
She shakes her head, resting her forehead against her hand. “No, no, I’ll figure it out. It’s just…ugh. I’ve known that man since I was eight, Devilyn. It’s going to be like talking to my father…”
I frown and squeeze her shoulder. “I’m sorry.” I don’t say ‘I understand’ because I don’t. If I had to discuss this with my father, it would be a much different conversation with a much different tone. I meet Cosima’s gaze to give her the rest of my orders. “Okay, so take care of Powell ASAP so we can show I still have a good relationship with the program. Handle the age thing however you want except giving away my age. That one doesn’t concern me too much so some positive PR or distractors might do the trick. As for the scandal accusations, go after them. They have no true facts or sources to back up their story so false press which is illegal. Knock them on their asses with the law and then their credibility is shot. They can’t very well get away with accusing me of breaking the law when they’re in court, now can they?”
She shakes her head, writing everything down on her tablet. “No, sir. That’s just what I was thinking, too. Okay, I’ll start working on some of this tonight and I’ll give you an update tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow, sir. Have a good night.” I get in, sitting next to Alexi as I close the door behind me. Carter starts heading down the airstrip towards downtown.
“Wow, you handled that like this happens all the time.” Alexi comments, taking her phone out of her purse.
I shrug, reaching for mine as well. “It happens. Unfortunately, the press is not always on my side.”
I watch as she checks the screen of her phone and then she groans. “Jesus…it’s like I disappeared for a month.”
Mine is not much different. I have one-hundred-twenty-two emails, forty-two missed calls, and twenty-eight texts. I sift through all the notifications; ignoring ones from my staff and press, it’s mostly my friends. I go into our group chat and the last several texts are aimed at me.
Steff: Why aren’t you coming to the ball Devilyn? You always come
Michael: Dev, want to come to Tyler’s match with us on Saturday since no ball?
Steff: What the HELL Devilyn?
Tyler: You are fucking crazy dude! And so fucked!
Michael: A Waise? What the fuck are you thinking Dev? Jesus!
Ren: Why didn’t you tell us?
Tyler: Pick up your phone, dude!
Michael: Just gonna ignore us?
Steff: We NEED to talk
Ren: When are you coming back?
Steff: DEV! Come on!
God, they are going to attack me as soon as they can. Probably not tonight since they don’t know I’m back but definitely tomorrow. They know I wouldn’t ditch work. I look over at Alexi and she seems just as annoyed at whatever she found on her phone. Carter lowers the privacy window from the front and clears his throat. “To Miss Alexi’s residence, sir?” He asks politely.
I open my mouth to reply, but Alexi turns to me on the backseat. “Actually, is it okay if I stay at your place tonight?” She looks down at her phone and sighs wearily. “I just…if I go home now, my friends and some of the other Waises are going to pounce on me. I really don’t want to deal with that right now, you know?”
I eye her with a shocked look, not sure what to say besides “Sure.” I meet my guard’s gaze again and nod. “You heard her, Carter. Back to my place.”
The car remains quiet the rest of the ride, Alexi resting her head on the seat while I look through some of the articles released today about us. They say pretty much what Cosima had said; everyone wants to know how I can date a Waise, how we have kept it a secret, and how long has it been a secret? I catch sight of the pictures the paparazzi snapped of us. One of us stepping off the boat onto the deck at the marina, the other one of us dancing at the cantina. The boat one really is scandalous-looking, I’ll give them that. I might as well have let them catch me zipping up my pants and Alexi snapping on her bra, that’s how obvious that one is. As for the other…it’s actually a good picture of us. Not a good picture for the front of a news article or tabloid, but a good picture of…us. Alexi looks stunning, more beautiful than the other women I have dated recently. And I look…happy and like I’m having a lot of fun. It’s not that I don’t look happy in other photos the press has caught of me out in public, but…it’s definitely different.
I don’t get to think about that for long because in the next moment the car stops in front of my apartment building. There’s no sign of press so Jadyn must have his people securing the area, keeping it clear. Carter gets the bags while Edwards opens my door and I extend a hand to help Alexi out. The four of us share the elevator to the top floor. When we enter my apartment, it feels like I’ve been gone for a week rather than just a few days. As the guys move our bags to the bedroom, I motion towards the kitchen. “Are you hungry or thirsty? It was a long flight.”
She joins me in the doorway, walking into the room she hasn’t been in since our first official date. “Sure, do you have some milk or juice or something?”
I nod, heading to the fridge. “Yes, I have both.”
“Milk is fine.” She replies in an appreciative tone.
As I pour two glasses, I look over my shoulder at her. “Are you hungry for real food or just a snack?”
I hear her pull out a stool on the island and take a seat. “I’m not starving. Um…what do you have?” She asks in a nervous voice. Why is she nervous?
I put the milk away. “Normal stuff; fruit, toast, chips and salsa, cheese and crackers…”
“Cheese and crackers would be lovely.”
I prepare a small plate of crackers and sliced cheese, bringing all of the items to the island. I set them all down in front of her and take a sip of my milk. Her expression is dazed and very odd. “What? Why are you being so weird about this?” I question as I take a seat beside her.
She shakes her head, smiling radiantly. “Nothing, it’s just…you, the Emperor, are drinking milk and eating cheese and crackers. It’s just so normal and…domestic of you. It’s just weird for me.” Alexi runs a hand through her hair anxiously. “I’m sorry. It’s stupid.”
I pop a cracker with cheese in my mouth. “Ah, I see. Well, Alexi, one can’t live off of champagne and caviar alone, now can I?” I joke as she takes a cracker too.
She laughs at my joke. “Do you even have champagne and caviar?”
Shrugging unknowingly, I swallow. “I probably have one bottle of champagne lying around somewhere, waiting for some special occasion. As for the caviar…I’m not a huge fan of seafood.” I admit honestly.
Alexi’s face reacts in astonishment. “Really? Have you had lobster?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Dipped in butter?” She questions further as she chews.
“Enough to cause a heart attack. It’s fine, just not my first choice of cuisine.”
She takes a long drink of her milk, sighing after she swallows. “Well, there’s something wrong with everyone, I suppose.”
“If this is the only flaw you’ve seen in me up until this point, Alexi, then I am quite pleased with myself.” I reply smugly as I snatch another cracker.
Alexi takes the last two playfully, shoving them in her mouth and chewing victoriously. “Well that and your stubbornness, but your body and charm make up for that.”
I down the rest of my milk before taking our plate and cups over to the sink for my maid in the morning. “I’m glad I can accommodate to your needs so successfully.”
She bounces off the stool, her heels hitting the white marble gracefully. “So, what flaws do I have then?”
I laugh nervously and shake my head automatically. “Oh, no. I’m not falling for that. Asking a guy what flaws his girlfriend has is a trap. All smart guys know that.” When she doesn’t respond, I turn to find her standing at the sink next to me, her hand resting on the counter’s edge. She appears to be deep in thought. “Alexi?” I try to break her free.
Her blue eyes glowing like brilliant sapphires meet my gray gaze and she shakes her head. “Sorry, yeah. I just…um…you said ‘girlfriend’ and it’s still weird. You’ve been dancing around using it for weeks and now…well you said it last night too. It’s just different now, you know?”
I smile at her and nod, shifting to face her body completely. “Yes, I know.” I cover her hand on the counter with mine. “Alexi, you’re my girlfriend and I’m not ashamed of that. I don’t care who knows and what other people think.” The words just come out, knowing what she needs to hear and use for reassurance.
“I know.” She smiles and touches her neck where the jewelry I bought for her sits. The silver, pear halo diamond necklace I bought her was very expensive and from an exclusive collection, but definitely worth the purchase. Alexi loves it and every time she thinks I’m not looking, I catch her admiring it just like the second I gave it to her. That’s enough for me. Alexi steers us back to the here and now smoothly. “So, what now? What we’re you planning on doing when you got home?”
Some work would be the smart thing for me to do, but it’ll be there tomorrow for me to do regardless. “I’m pretty tired so I was planning on turning in early, falling asleep while watching some TV. But now that you’re here…” I reach forward and brush a lock of hair behind her ear seductively with a joking edge to it.
Alexi laughs again, pushing my hand away. “Actually I’m exhausted too and do need to sleep tonight, Devilyn. Turning in sounds like a good plan.”
I lead us towards the hallway to head towards the bedroom. “I was just kidding. Some of us do have to work tomorrow.”
Shoving my shoulder into the doorway playfully, Alexi rolls her eyes. “I do have to work tomorrow, oh mighty Emperor.”
I catch up to her as she makes it to the end of the hallway. “Just the lunch shift.”
“Oh, shut up.” She quips back.
We both conduct our nightly routine, Alexi changing into an extra pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt she packed and washing her teeth as I opt for some long pajama bottoms and brush my teeth beside her in the double sink. I shut off the water and join her in the bedroom. She’s already snuggled under my comforter on the side of the bed she slept on last time she was here, her eyes drooping sleepily. By the time I turn off the light and get settled in the big, comfy sleigh bed, Alexi is out and sleeping softly beside me. I smile in the darkness, fascinated by how peaceful the number one problem in my life right now looks when she’s sleeping. Not so threatening now, is she? “Good night, Alexi.” Not wanting to wake her, I leave the TV off and fall asleep almost as quickly as she did when my head hits the pillow.
