Nate laughed. "And now we're back to the nanny. Excellent. Tell me everything."
Thankfully, my daughter chose that moment to get fussy. "I would love to," I lied smoothly. "But Vi is getting grumpy because she hasn't had her breakfast yet. Thanks for handling this for me, Nate."
"Not a problem. See you soon, Xavier."
"Looking forward to it," I grunted into the phone before ending the call. The truth was, I couldn't wait to see my brother. It had been far too long since we'd spent time together in person, but I wasn't looking forward to the merciless teasing I would get about Rosalee. "All right, Vi, let's go get some grub, yeah?"
"Bawb," she replied and laid one tiny hand on my cheek.
"That's right, grub." I still wasn't sure if that was what she was trying to say, but she smiled, and we chatted on the short walk to the kitchen, where Rosalee waited with a hot breakfast and a hotter smile.
Chapter 26
Rosalee
I was happy again, and it felt so incredibly good that I was almost giddy with it. Some might say it was all of the incredible sex I was having, and sure, that was part of it. The orgasms were incredible, so good, in fact, that I was walking around the cabin on unsteady legs. Who knew that body-quaking orgasms were more than a romance novel fantasy? Certainly not me. I never imagined that being with someone, not just physically, could be so incredibly amazing, so all-consuming. I'd never smiled so much that my cheeks hurt.
About halfway through my last relationship, I was sure that I would never smile again, but here I was, smiling bigger than ever. Feeling lighter and freer than ever.
Happier than ever.
Even when Jason called, I ignored him without a single hitch in my breathing. He was squarely in my past, and I didn't have to waste another moment worrying about him or his feelings.
Famous last words, right? Because moments after that thought, I received a text message.
Stop avoiding me. I need your help, and if I don't get it, I will ruin you.
Okay, those words instilled a bone-deep level of fear within me. What in the hell kind of threat was that, anyway? "He'll ruin me. Who talks like that?" A self-important jerk like my ex.He can't ruin you,I reminded myself. There was nothing other than what he'd already done that he could do to me, and that was why he was angry: because he no longer held any sway over me.
Xavier and I were solid. Serenity had done an extensive background check before accepting me into ENS, so no one would ever believe whatever lies he came up with. He couldn't ruin me, but he could become a nuisance that upended the happiness I'd only so recently found.
Yes, he could, but only if I let him, and I wouldn't. Instead, I shoved away thoughts of him and went about my day with Violet, and when she was in bed, I set about making a special dinner for me and Xavier, who would be home tonight after his shift ended.
It was nice, being with a man who was appreciative of the things I did, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. And it was really nice to have a man look at me and see someone worthy, someone attractive and desirable. Someone who deserved love and affection, not that I thought Xavier loved me, because I didn't. I hoped and I wished he would, but he made me feel as if I were, and that was a big step up from my last relationship.
The back door smacked open, and he appeared in the doorway like a big, sexy man of the mountain. His thick coat hugged his broad shoulders, and his jeans were slightly dirty, just like his work boots. He scowled as he scanned the kitchen, and when those gray eyes settled on me, it shifted into a slow smile full of heat and want. "Honey, I'm home."
His words were sweet, but they sounded too gruff and grumpy, so I tossed my head back and laughed. "Welcome," I replied when I had my laughter under control. "Rough day?"
"Fucking tourists," he growled as he removed his boots and then his coat. "Everybody's a pro until they're in a bind." He was in a bad mood, and even though I couldn't stop smiling at how sexy he was when he was grumpy, I went to him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
"Sorry you had a rough shift."
"Better now," he groaned and pulled me back for another, deeper kiss that set my whole body on fire. "Much better."
His kiss stole my breath, and I gripped his steely biceps for a second until my legs were sturdy enough to stand on their own. "Definitely." My voice was shaky and breathy. "Go have a long, hot shower while I finish up dinner."
He hooked an arm around me. "Or you could join me."
It was tempting. So very tempting, but I gathered all of my willpower, which was very little, and pulled back. "I made this dinner just for you. After we eat, I'm all yours."
Heat flared in his gaze. "I can't wait."
"Me neither," I mumbled under my breath and turned my focus back to the potatoes that were boiling on the stove.
"Good to know," Xavier whispered in my ear, startling a gasp out of me.
"Sneaky fucker," I whispered.
