Xander’s living room has transformed from a simple and empty space to one full of color and light.
Willow spreads across the table, completely unbothered while Rustle stares mournfully at the tinsel she tried to chew. Some lemon juice keeps her at bay, but she continues to stare.
I check my phone. Nothing from Xander.
Nothing from anyone, actually, not even my friends. My only contact comes from marketing and junk emails.
My chest tightens, so I quickly put that out of my mind, grab some leftover tinsel, and head to the bedroom.
After stripping down to my underwear, I wind the tinsel through my bra and panties, shivering as each strand tickles against my skin, and excitement bubbles in my chest.
This’ll be so worth it.
After I’ve thoroughly dressed myself up and added a splash of tinsel to my hair, I wander back into the living room and relax back on the couch to wait for Xander.
He’s going to get the best surprise when he walks through that door and finds me ready and eager for him.
I wait.
And wait.
Sleep comes unexpectedly and time passes me, completely unaware until warmth on my abdomen drags me back away.
Opening my eyes, my heart pounds as I struggle to get my bearings and sit up braced on one arm.
Shit. Is Xander home?
No. He would have woken me.
Tiger tilts his head and kneads gently on my bare abdomen, his warmth alerting me to how cold I’ve grown from falling asleep on the couch in only my underwear.
As I slide my fingers through his fur, the front door clicks suddenly with a key in the lock and my heart lifts, a smile spreading across my face.
Fighting a yawn while waking up fully, I relax back on the couch after rolling Tiger off my body and drape one arm up and behind my head, eyes half-lidded, waiting for Xander.
I’m going to make him regret denying my orgasm so long at our picnic.
A shadow moves across the living room door and my smile widens. “Xander, it’s about time?—”
“Snow? What the hell are you doing?”
I leap up in alarm, clutching the cushion to my chest as if it can protect me from the shocked, angry person filling the doorway.
“Thea?” I gasp, frozen to the spot. “Oh, my God, I didn’t know you were going to be here!”
24
XANDER
Exhaustion pulls heavily at my limbs as I slip my key into the lock and let myself into my apartment.
Being called in for an emergency is one thing, but I can’t fault Fred for calling in the favor I owe him, even if it did take me away from the perfect date with Snow.
The thought of seeing her has been the only thing that kept my tired mind clear on the drive home, and my heart lifts as the noise of dishes bumping together drifts from the kitchen.
Tossing my keys by the door, I head straight there while nearly losing my ankle to Tiger who bursts out of the living room, briefly attacks me, and darts back inside again.
“Hey,” I say, pushing open the door with a gentle laugh. “What did Tiger—” Words dry up as, instead of Snow sitting in my kitchen, it’s Thea.
