“I always get rid of unwanted tasks quickly.” He shrugs and pulls out his keys as we approach his car.
“You don’t want to live with me?” I tease.
“I don’t want to leave my comfortable hotel suite.” He opens the door for me and puts his hand above my head, making sure I don’t hit it as I get in.
I’m sure he’d hold an umbrella for me in the rain. The girl in me shimmies inwardly. Maybe this playboy is more than that. Maybe I can trust him with my heart.
“You’ll live, young man.”
I didn’t think he would agree to move out of his hotel suite. When Sissy showed up, I was pissed.
Hurt. But as I cooled down, I couldn’t blameXander. It didn’t take the hurt away. This was a woman who clearly meant nothing to him, but who believed she could have more of him than he was willing to give.
She was wrong. What if I’m wrong about everything too? What if he is the same charming self with her? What if this version of him isn’t just for me, but his usual modus operandi? And I’m falling for it hook, line, and sinker?
This insecurity, right after the day I had, is exhausting.
“Why did Sissy show up like that?” I decide not to hide my feelings. What’s the point? If I’m to scare him away, I should do it sooner rather than later.
“I thought we were past that.” He glances at me, but then focuses on driving.
I roll my eyes. “Xander, I’m just wondering… You make me feel…” Fuck, why is this so hard to say? “I know it’s only been two weeks, but I’m falling for you, and it scares me.”
My body veers to the side as he swerves the car. Loud honking follows his reckless move before we come to a stop in front of a fire hydrant.
It all happens so fast, I don’t even get a chance to yelp. Xander whips around to face me as soon as the car stops. I should turn to him, but a stubborn part of me believes we can pretend I didn’t say anything.
But I can’t pretend I don’t feel anything. That I don’t fantasize about us being real.
“Cora,” he growls, and I finally shift in my seat.
“Forget—”
“My turn,” he interrupts.
“Okay.” I nod. The storm of emotions on his face is confusing. The adoring stillness from before is gone. But I don’t find indifference or annoyance either.
There is something dark and unreadable in his eyes—a determination, maybe, but I’m not sure of what his intent is. Is it to explain what this really is, so I get my feelings under control?
The imaginary clock ticks in my temple as he just stares at me.
“I’m glad you’re scared.” He says the last thing I expected.
He shakes his head and cups the back of my neck, pulling me to him. His lips fuse with mine in a punishing kiss.
I’m so taken aback that I freeze, my lips unyielding. But he doesn’t give up, and takes until I have no choice but to surrender.
Then he cuts the kiss way too soon.
“Not because I want you scared,” he continues, holding my face in his hands. “Far from it. If I could, I would take away all your hurts and fears. That’s how I feel about you. Like I’m no longer myself. Like yoursmile is my only objective. Like your wrath is better than not having you around. Sissy is self-absorbed, and I never gave her a reason to think I have more to offer. And yes, there were others like her, but you, Cora Winslow-Stone, you made me a one-woman man. And I’m grateful for it.”
“But—”
“No buts. I’m yours, if you’ll have me. And you better conquer your fear, because you’re fucking mine.”
He must hear my heart as we stare at each other with so much desperation that the air heats up.
“I’m yours,” I croak.
