He disconnected the call, and Freya let out a breath.
“Xander?” she asked after a moment. “What if it wasn’t some oblivious dumbass not paying attention?”
As he pulled into the ferry line, he gently retook her hand and brought it to his lips again. “Let’s not borrow trouble, baby.”
She sighed. “Easier said than done.”
“I know, but there’s no need to worry?—”
“Until there’s need to worry.”
“Exactly,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to her bandaged palm. He would do whatever he could to lessen that worry. To mitigate the problem should any arise. Because keeping Freya safe was the top priority. He wasn’t going to fail her again.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Freya was lacking in the skimpy bikini department. During her rebellious early high school years, string bikinis had been her go-to, much to her older brothers’ dismay. However, since the accident, it was only one-piece bathing suits or tankinis. She was self-conscious of her scars. They’d faded over the last decade, but the sight of them still turned her stomach.
She rummaged through her dresser drawer, grabbed a simple teal tankini top and black bikini bottoms, and added them to her tote. Her lips pressed into a tight line as she eyed her closet. Should she pack a change of clothes? Would that be too presumptuous? Or would it be good just-in-case planning?
She heard the key in the front door, and the soft creak as it opened—Xander had double-parked to help her up to her apartment before heading back out to find parking—and she made her way to her bedroom door.
“Hey,” she called out, leaning against the doorframe. She nodded at the brown paper bag he held, which sported the logo of her favorite bakery, and grinned. “What’cha got there?”
He dropped his keys and the bag onto her small dining table. “I had to park a few blocks down, and since I had to walk byComfort Food, I figured I may as well get us some post-lunch desserts.”
She made her way to the dining table and reached for the bag, and he tsked, snatching it away and hiding it behind his back. “Uh-uh. Pack first. Lunch second.Thendessert before the hot tub.”
She pouted. “Not even a hint?”
His eyes narrowed as he playfully contemplated her question. “It’s pie-ish,” he finally said.
Her stomach let out a loud growl, and she grinned, clapping her hands in excitement. “Oh my God, Xander. If you got us any of their mini fruit cobblers, I swear, I’ll love you forever.”
“Duly noted.” He chuckled and nodded toward her room. “Pack.”
“Bossy,” she muttered, but her lips tipped up in a smile. Heading back to her room, she called over her shoulder, “I’ll only be a few more minutes, but the TV remote is on the coffee table. I think there are some magazines too if you’re bored out of your skull waiting for me.”
She heard his soft chuckle from the living room. “I’m good. Take your time, baby.”
Her stomach fluttered. She’d never been one for pet names. But Xander calling her baby? With that deep, sexy voice of his? Yup, she could get used to hearing that.
She opened her closet and grabbed a change of clothes to add to her tote—a casual, comfy post–hot tub outfit. Before she could overthink it, she grabbed another outfit, carefully folded it, and added it to her bag. So what if that second outfit happened to be all black and one of her favorite work outfits?
Chuckling to herself, she filled a small toiletry bag with some makeup and skincare essentials. Not that she was expecting anything to happen between them tonight, but it was better to be prepared, right? Besides, if she accidentally fell asleep on himagain, she didn’t want to be a giant inconvenience. His place was closer to her work, and it would be easier to just go from his place than for him to drive her all the way back to her apartment andthenback to the resort...
Yeah, that’s it. She was simply being courteous. Just in case.
Oh, who was she trying to fool? She definitely wouldn’t be opposed to something more happening between them. As he’d said earlier, she was in charge. Yes, their make-out sessions both last night and earlier this morning had been mind-blowing, however, she wasn’t sure she was brave enough to actually push things forward more.
Shaking her head, she blew out a breath.Relax. Just go with it. One step at a time.
After double-checking she had everything she needed in her tote, she slung it over her shoulder. Entering the living room, she turned toward Xander.
And froze.
The words “I’m ready” locked in her throat. Right beside her breath.
She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
