CHAPTER 30

Xander’s nights were spent with Kathleen and during the days she occupied his thoughts.

He ran his hand through his hair, leaning back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the villa designs spread out before him. "Good work, Alex," he said, his deep voice low and even.

Alex, the lead architect, smiled with relief, his face creasing with a hint of pride.

“Thank you, sir,” he said.

Xander nodded, his expression unreadable. "What's the status of the marina design?" he asked, his gaze drifting to Jack, the marine engineer, who was scribbling notes on a pad of paper.

Jack looked up. "We're on track, sir. The floating dock system will be state-of-the-art."

Xander flipped through the designs, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It needs to be perfect," he muttered. "This resort has to be a standard for luxury. I expect everyone to bring in their best work and I like what I see so far. Rachel, send a detailed report on the technological innovations to my mail and we'll conclude on that.”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Blackwood.”

Xander gave a few more instructions before ending the meeting. He could see the relief on their faces as he headed out of the meeting room; he was a difficult man to please but the team had surpassed his expectations for the resort.

The private island resort was a project that belonged to one of the company’s wealthiest clients and the family had trusted Xander with the project. He needed to have had this meeting before dinner today because he was meeting with the family that owned the project.

The Wynter family.

Olivia was waiting outside when he stepped out.

“Your mother called to confirm you'll be making it to dinner.”

He stifled a groan. His mother had continuously pestered him about the dinner. He knew the reason he was being asked to make it had nothing to do with the ongoing project but because of the family’s heiress, Julia Wynter, the woman he was supposed to be wooing if he wanted to achieve the goals he'd set out to.

And Xander wasn't a quitter. He was born to be CEO of the company and one day chairman. The Blackwood Properties was a personal project to him, it was more than just a family company, it was his birthright and he'd be damned if he allowed it to go to the hands of his incompetent brother.

He checked his phone and saw Kathleen had sent him a picture of the unfinished art she was working on and his heart soared with pleasure—he knew she was still inexperienced with her art and got very shy about sharing them.

He texted back: “Looks just as stunning as you. Can't wait to see the finished piece, do I get a private unveiling?”

Kathleen: That depends…

Xander’s eyebrow arched in humor as he responded.: “On?”

Kathleen: on if you are ready for the unveiling of more than just one piece of art.

He let out a laugh, his heart racing as his thumbs slid against his keyboard, sending a text.

“If I say I am?”

Her response was in seconds: “I’d rather not be convinced by your words.”

“And what would you prefer?” he texted back.

“You've always been a man of few words, Mr. Blackwood… what other things do you like to do with your tongue?”

His groin responded instantly, fire spreading through his blood, leaving a trail of heat in his skin. The hallway was suddenly hotter and Xander felt his throat suddenly parched.

“Mr. Xander?” Olivia called, snapping his attention away from his phone.

He glanced up at her.

“The car is ready, would you like to freshen up back at the penthouse before you head to your family’s or…” She trailed off.

He glanced at his phone. He'd much rather be at the art studio where Kathleen was now. One look at those brown eyes of hers, that body carved by God himself, and he’d lose his mind.

“Mr. Blackwood?” Olivia asked again at his continued silence.

“I’ll go to my family’s, get this whole dinner business over and done with.” He decided.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he texted Kathleen before getting into the elevator with Olivia.

***

Xander met the head of the Wynter family, Roman Wynter, his gorgeous wife who seemed at least two decades younger than him, Elizabeth, and their daughters, Julia, and Claire.

Julia was a stunning woman, Xander couldn’t deny that. She was every inch of the heiress she had been raised as, her long, dark hair was pulled in a ponytail and swung with every movement she made. She was dressed in an expensive-looking white dress that fell just above her knees. A diamond bracelet adorned her delicate wrist but that was all for jewelry.

She smiled at him as they took their seat at the table and Xander gave her a polite one in response. Prior to the meeting, he’d read all about her and there was very little about her personal life. He knew she was a staunch businesswoman about her family’s company but that was it. She didn’t interest Xander in the least bit even with her beauty and elegance, he spent most of dinner with half his attention on the phone burning a hole in his pocket as he waited for the buzz indicating a text from Kathleen.

“It was unfortunate to hear what happened to you, Xander,” Romano said, his gruff voice resonating in the room the men had settled in to discuss. “I didn’t think Archibald had it in him to remove you as CEO but it’s good to see my friend here can still be strict when it’s required.”

If looks could kill, Romano would be six feet below but Xander said nothing in response and continued to watch the man, his eyes dark with rage.

Michael chuckled. “I mean it’s always been obvious that the CEO position in Blackwood Properties isn’t anyone’s birthright. Xander was voted in because of his hard work in the previous years and when he faltered, he was easily taken down as a reminder to everyone that my grandfather is still the chairman and he is unbiased even with his blood.”

God! Xander wished he could strangle his brother. Slowly tightening his hold on Micheal’s neck as he watched his eyes waiting for the light to die from them, he would take his time, his hands wrapped around his neck, feeling the pulse of it, waiting with sweet patience until there was nothing…

He really wished.