Glancing to her right, she spotted her purse on the ground, along with their toy store bags. “Don’t forget Daisy’s gifts,” she said, gingerly stepping toward their things.
Before she could bend down, Xander had her purse slung over his shoulder and all their bags in his hand. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side.
Noise and people surrounded them once again, but as Xander led them through the throng of bodies, not a single person bumped into her. Yeah, being wrapped in the man’s protective bubble wasn’t a hardship. His physical strength steadied her. That cedar-and-soapy scent that was distinctly his calmed her. Those two things, along with his mere presence, all added up to a wonderful feeling of safety. It was new, and while it left her feeling a little uncertain, she could admit to herself that she really liked it. Really likedhim.
Leaning into his side, a smile lifted the corners of her lips as his arm tightened around her. She took in a steadying breath, and her resolve solidified. She was determined to go for it. Tonot self-sabotage. To not let that little bit of uncertainty freeze her. To not push him away.
For once, she was going to go after what she wanted. And that was Xander Bonetti.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Holy crap,” Freya hissed. “This is not what I imagined playing doctor with you would be like.”
“Is that so?” Xander’s eyebrows rose. He chuckled as he tipped the water bottle over her palm. The glare she shot him was fucking adorable. “Trust me, Frey, I’m up for playing doctor later.AfterI get this cleaned up.”
He inspected her wounds. Minor injuries—two scraped-up palms that should heal just fine. Taking the gauze and tape from his vehicle’s first aid kit, he made quick work of dressing her palms.
“I was going to suggest lunch out here,” he said, “but what do you say we head back to Hudson? We can pick up some food, head back to my place to eat, and then hit the hot tub. It’ll help your side and knee.”
Her narrowed gaze shot to his, and her brow furrowed.
Yeah, fucking adorable.
Unable to help himself, he pressed a kiss to said furrowed brow. “Baby, did you think I didn’t notice you limping? Or that you’re favoring your left side?”
She frowned. “I thought I did a good job walking normally.”
“You did, but what can I say?” He shrugged, shooting her a smile. “I’m observant.”
“I’m beginning to see that.” The edges of her lips quirked, and she arched an eyebrow at him. “A hot tub, you say? You wouldn’t happen to be trying to get me into a bathing suit, now would you?”
He gave her his most innocent smile. “Who, me? Sweetheart, bathing suits are completely optional. If au natural is your thing, then by all means, please don’t let me get in your way.”
She chuckled. “How magnanimous of you.”
Shrugging, he packed up the first aid kit and returned it to its spot in the cargo area. After helping her down from the back, he pressed the button to close the liftgate and led her to the passenger side. He pulled the door open, guided her into her seat, and waited until she was situated before shutting her door and rounding the vehicle.
“Seriously, Xander,” she said once he’d started up the Rover, “thank you for helping me. Not only when everything happened, but for also bandaging me up and taking my mind off things.”
“No need to thank me, Frey. I’m happy I was there.” He didn’t even want to think about what might have happened if she’d been by herself when she’d fallen.
“Well, I’m thanking you anyway,” she said with a soft smile. “Do you mind if we stop by my place first? I need to pick up a bathing suit for the hot tub.”
“Bathing suit? Are you saying it’s too early in our relationship for naked hot tub times?” He shot her another wink to let her know he was teasing. Well, sort of.
“I don’t know, Xander. The day is young. I wouldn’t exactly count that out just yet.”
Her wicked grin had his mouth falling open.
Forget fucking adorable. The woman was fucking hot.
She chuckled and gestured at the windshield. “Uh, are you gonna drive us back to Hudson or are we just gonna sit here?”
Drive. Right. Shit.
Quickly checking his blind spot, he peeled out of their parking space. Her laughter filled the SUV as he got them on the road to the ferry terminal. Within seconds, though, he dropped his speed to within the limit.
“Looks like someone’snotin a rush to get home,” she said, humor lacing her words.
