"We'll leave a big tip," Xavier assured her, his eyes hooded and his voice sexy and growly.
"No problem!"
The minute she was gone, he turned to me. "Let's go home?"
"Yes," I sighed. "Let's." My heart was so full it ached, and I couldn't stop smiling as he took my hand and pulled me from the booth before kissing me again.
And again.
Xavier paid the bill and left a hefty tip before he dragged me to his truck. "I have my car."
He shook his head. "We'll come back for it later. I need you at my side right now."
His words were low and possessive and hit me in all the right spots. "Okay."
He flashed a satisfied smile and opened the door for me first. When Xavier slid behind the steering wheel, he grabbed my hand and held it until we were home.
Home. It had a very nice ring to it.
Chapter 33
Xavier
As soon as we arrived at the cabin, I shot out the driver's side door and went to Rosalee, desperate to make sure she was still there and it wasn't some kind of fantasy. I held her hands in mine and then pulled her body flush against mine, devouring her mouth with all the intensity of a man desperate to hang on to the best damn thing that ever happened to him.
And Rosalee? She kissed me back with as much intensity and desperation. Her delicate hands gripped the fabric that covered my chest, pulling me closer to her. She was so damn intoxicating that I couldn't get enough of her, which was fine by me because I planned on having forever with her. "Inside," she murmured against my lips. "Before we attract bears. Or the police."
I laughed and dragged her toward the door, pushing her up against it for another kiss before I carried her straight to my bedroom where we wouldn't emerge until evening. "Rosalee, babe."
"I know," she panted and reached behind her to open the door.
I held her close as we tumbled inside, my hunger for her, my desperation to have her again and claim her completely, growing in intensity.
"Oh good, you're home."
And that voice was like the coldest bucket of ice water dumped right into my jeans. I somehow tore my gaze from Rosalee and instantly found the owner of that voice. "Mom."
"So you do know who I am. I started to wonder," she said and turned to Violet in her arms. "He remembers your granny, and that's something, isn't it, sweetheart?"
For her part, Violet babbled and kicked her chubby legs excitedly.
"You have a baby," she said, the accusation clear in her voice. "And you didn't tell me."
My shoulders fell, and I released Rosalee. "I needed to get a few things settled first. I was going to call you," I lied easily.
Her lips pursed in a clear sign that she didn't believe me either. "When she started high school?"
"Mom."
"Luckily for you, she's absolutely perfect, so you are forgiven. Is this the mother?"
Rosalee stiffened but only momentarily before she plastered on a smile and shook her head. "No, ma'am, my name is Rosalee. And this sweet girl is Violet Ann Holloway."
Those words melted Mom's heart even though she hadn't gotten an answer regarding who Rosalee was to me. "Violet. She's perfect, Xavier. So perfect."
She was perfect, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk about right now, not with Rosalee leaning her weight against me and her sweet scent making it impossible to concentrate on anything else. "She is."
Mom didn't forget anything, though, as her gaze settled once again on Rosalee. "And you are?"
