It took her a few minutes to figure out Xander’s television. What was the male obsession with televisions and receivers and countless remote controls? She was a point-and-click kind of girl. After going through a few different streaming services, she was able to find one of her favorite movies.Aliens.
Grabbing a blanket from the back of the recliner, she curled up on the couch. Her eyes were heavy when Xander approached. “You have room for another?” he asked.
She scooted to the front edge of the couch and patted behind her. “You’re in luck.”
He climbed in, and her heart skipped as she settled against him. His arm wrapped around her waist, and he pulled her close.
This. She could get used to this.
After the movie started, she whispered, “Is it weird that this is a comfort movie for me?”
He chuckled. “Same. Pretty sure I can recite every line.”
She smiled. It was the same for her. She even knew all the words to the director’s cut. The movie had been one of her parents’ favorites.
When Ripley and the Marines were shooting up the aliens, Xander’s phone rang.
“Sorry,” he groaned, reaching over her to the coffee table where he’d left his phone. “I have to take this. It’s the boss.”
“Go ahead,” she said, stifling a yawn. She moved to get up, but he wrapped his arm around her waist, halting her. He tucked her close and brought his phone to his ear. As he answered, he pulled them back down to the couch.
“What’s up, Frazier?”
“Sorry to be calling so late,” Freya heard the other man say. “I just got off the phone with Esme. There’s a problem with one of the candidates we declined.”
Tuning their conversation out, Freya shifted so she was better cocooned against him. She tried to focus on the movie, but Xander’s cedar-and-soapy scent filled her nose. As he spoke, his voice was a quiet, soothing rumble. Each blink became a chore, and with her head against his chest, the vibrations of his deep baritone lulled her to sleep.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Xander had been awake for the last couple of hours. He was used to waking up at the crack of dawn to work out, and Sundays were no exception. But this morning, he didn’t move. In fact, he’d lain as still as possible. The last thing he wanted was to disturb the warm weight pressed against him. He took a deep breath, and the soft floral scent of Freya’s shampoo filled his nose.
Thank God he’d listened to Esme years ago and had gone with the oversized and overpriced couch, because he and Freya fit it comfortably. Well,hefit it comfortably, she was tiny enough to lie completely sprawled over him.
The corners of his lips lifted.
Who was he kidding? Even if he’d had the world’s most uncomfortable couch, there was no way he’d move a muscle. Because this? Freya sleeping comfortably on top of him? It was everything.
Over the last couple of hours, as he’d lain there listening to the early morning quiet, he’d had time to think. Or rather, he’d had time to go down the what-the-hell-are-you-doing rabbit hole. However, he’d also had time to crawl back out of said hole.
Freya, the intoxicating woman who’d been a stranger only a handful of days ago—holy shit, had it really been less than a week?—made him want things he’d never thought possible. Sex aside, he wanted this. Having dinner together and talking about their days. Falling asleep together and waking up with her in his arms.
Hell, Xander wanted to meet her brothers. He wanted to see for himself the men who’d banded together to raise their little sister. He wanted her to meet Wilson and Frazier and Bean. Wanted her to get to know Tash and Esme better.
He sure as hell didn’t deserve her—she was so damn good—but if she was willing to give him a chance, he’d take it. For the first time ever, he was thinking of a future. Of sharing his future. With her.
It scared the shit out of him, but what the hell did he have to lose? If she kicked him to the curb, he’d still be where he currently was. Living a quiet life with his chosen family. But if she didn’t...
He could have something he’d never allowed himself to dream of. With a woman who filled something inside him he hadn’t known was missing.
Freya was a kind of peace. A calm. But she was also an excitement he’d never known.
Without thought, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Nerves rumbled in his belly and left him unsteady. He hoped to hell she felt an inkling of what he did.
She shifted, letting out a soft sigh, and his breath caught in his chest. He braced himself, unsure how she’d react when she woke.
When he’d gotten off the phone with Frazier last night, he hadn’t expected to find her asleep. When he’d tried to wake her, she hadn’t budged. The woman had been out cold. Selfishly, hehadn’t woken her. He liked how she fit against him. Then before he knew it, he’d fallen asleep as well.
So this morning was a crapshoot. It took another minute for Freya to fully awaken, but he knew the exact moment she did, the exact moment she realized where she was. Her body tensed, and he ran a hand gently over her lower back.
