Fall.
But this is Xander Stone,I remind myself. And yet I trust this moment more than any preconceived notions I had about this man.
Maybe this ends up being a good day after all.
“I think you’ll survive me with ease, young man,” Itease, but it’s bittersweet because I don’t say the other part.
I know, irrevocably, that I won’t survive him.
“I appreciate your confidence.” He gives me a lingering kiss. “And stop calling me young man.”
“Or?” I bite my lip.
“I’ll take you over my knee.” He growls, grabs my hand, and finally drags me out of the bathroom while I giggle like a schoolgirl.
We don’t make it far. As soon as we stumble a few steps down the corridor, Xander stops and cups my face again.
His lips fuse with mine. This time, the kiss is less desperate, more playful, but still urgent. Not necessarily foreplay. More like he—we—can’t get enough.
It’s as if, after weeks of dancing around, we at last fell into step, and we can’t help but marvel at the newly forged, tender, and probably dangerous bond.
His hands on my face are just a whisper of touch, yet it screams loud throughout me with longing and with joy.
For one night, I can be reckless. And enjoy the hell out of it.
Someone clears his throat, and Xander groans but disconnects the kiss. He leads me out of the restaurant.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your date,” he teases.
“Are you?” I grin.
“Not in the least. I told you, that’s a sentiment for the weak. Why the fuck would you go out with Ed Reynolds?”
I snort. “To find out I don’t want to date him.”
“I could have told you that.”
On the street, the evening breeze is warm on my skin. “How did you even end up here?”
He cocks his head, looking at me through his lashes. “By now, you should know I have my ways.”
“By now, I should have called the police.” I try to sound stern, but my lips quirk with laughter. My sanity is on vacation, apparently.
“And what does it say that you didn’t?” He yanks me to him. “You may fight this, Coraline, on many rational grounds, but this pull between us… it defies logic, gravity, and all our beliefs.”
I reach to touch his cheek, his words scraping my mind blank. His effortless handsomeness is devastating, but it’s his wit and raw honesty that strip me naked in front of him.
He is right. He is also brave. Braver than me. Or maybe he is just less broken. Less tainted by past experiences.
“Well, I guess we better discover what it means.”
“You, Coraline, are a discovery by itself.” He kisses me and then offers me his arm. “Shall we? Good that you’re wearing pants.”
“So you can literally get into my pants.” I laugh.
He pulls me to him, slapping my hip gently. “That, too, but mostly because of our ride.”
I follow his gaze and stop in my tracks. I step to the side to untangle myself from his hold. My heart rate hammers in my temples so loud, the city seems to have drowned under water.
