No one around us exists. It’s just Xander and me, staring, smiling, and grinding against each other.
My body is humming against his. He wraps his hands and arms around me, holding me tight and claiming me.
“Drink?” he shouts in my ear, and I nod. He clasps my hand and puts his other palm on the small of my back, guiding me to the bar. “What do you want to drink, Charlotte?”
“Water,” I tell him.
He orders two bottles and leads me back to our table. Quinn and Vivian give me a knowing glance as Xander sits down and pulls me onto his lap.
He’s about to say something when his phone vibrates. He looks at his phone then at me. “Is Piper’s purse here?”
I point to her purse.
Xander types something.
“What’s going on?” Quinn asks.
“Noah and Piper left. She forgot her purse. Can one of you take it and give it to her tomorrow?”
Vivian grabs it. “I’ll take it.”
“So Piper is going to Noah’s?”
Xander nods.
“Is that where you are staying?” I say so only he can hear.
His thumb makes a circular motion on my thigh. “That was the plan, but it’s changeable.
I stare in his eyes. “Is that your way of saying you want to stay at my place?”
He grins. “If you ask, I’ll say yes. If you don’t ask, I won’t take offense.”
I’ve never had a one-night stand before, but something about Xander makes me feel like it’s okay. I lean into his ear. “I don’t invite strangers to my house, but I’m going to make an exception for you.”
He pecks me on the lips then texts something, I presume to Noah. “That’s done. Are you ready to go, or do you want to stay and dance more?”
Butterflies take off in my stomach.
He must sense my nerves. “We won’t do anything you don’t want to,” he assures me.
“I’m ready to go if you are.”
He stands up and tells Quinn and Vivian it’s been nice meeting them.
They both smirk at me, and I give them a quick wave before Xander guides me through the crowded club. When we get outside, we quickly jump in a cab. I give the cabbie my address.
“Do you live alone or have roommates?” Xander asks.
“Alone.”
“Good.” He kisses myjawline.
“Good?”
“Mm-hmm,” he murmurs.
“Mm-hmm?”
