Xander did that for a little, removing his boxers in the act before turning Rylee over onto her stomach to remove her panties next. He guided himself in once more, this time not as slow as the first time.
Pressed his lips to her ear and filled her listening space with exhales that mirrored his thrusts, making her bury her lips into the pillow so she couldn’t be heard enjoying it all.
The weight of Xander inside and over her. His presence not only in her bed but in her space.
How could something that felt so right make her feel guilty too?
And any other night, she would have let that question haunt her, as her body gradually softened to the point she could hear her heart’s rhythm in her ears. Her body growing statue-still, her inner walls fluttering on their own, and her moans reduced to just heavy breaths.
“Rylee,mmm…” Xander breathed in her ear, shuttering his strokes now. “You feel like peace right now, baby. Just like it.”
When nothing could be heard after that between them besides her body’s natural lubrication and Xander’s deep dives and guttural grunts…
And when all that remained was the ringing in their ears, the pounding of hearts, and the soft clap of skin against skin, Rylee surrendered blissfully to the now—feeling as though she'd been catapulted so high that only the wrap of Xander’s arms around her waist could ground her again.
He held her close and pressed breathless kisses up her shoulders and against her neck, turning her onto her back to kiss her again, making Rylee feel like she would melt into the sheets.
After a moment of catching their breaths together, Xander fell to his pillow, bringing Rylee with him. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the galloping of his heart, holding him tighter against herself.
In that position, her eyes drifted to the photo of Lennox she kept on the night table.
Unlike other times, the sight of Lennox’s photo doesn’t stir panic inside her. It doesn’t make her flinch or feel disloyal or brace for regret.
All she felt was… acceptance.
Warm and steady as Xander’s arms around her.
An acceptance that made her close her eyes and let herself be held.
five
RYLEE
“I got you this,”Rylee said, opening her sparkling silver clutch and pulling out an envelope.
Xander straightened, curiosity narrowing his eyes as she slid it across the table to him.
He lifted the flap of the white envelope and smiled as he retrieved the card inside.
Rylee smiled back.
“Got you this, too,” she added, pinching the silk-like string of a white organza favor bag filled with candy-coated chocolates. Rylee lifted it out of her clutch and placed it in his hand.
The second he recognized his favorite candies, Xander laughed, tossing his head back as the bag crinkled in his palm.
“I had the kids help me single out the blue ones just for you, since we know those are your favorite.”
“Damn, I’m loved.” He tried to suppress the tight pull of his silly grin but couldn’t help but give in. “Thank you, baby.”
She winked. “You’re welcome. You deserve.”
Night had fully settled by the time they boardedThe Hudson Gem, a glass-enclosed dinner yacht departing from Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers. Seated across from each other in their best, they looked like a red carpet couple.
It was Xander’s idea for them to enjoy a date night. His thank-you for the night she held him together.
The kids were home with their nanny, Abeni. Xander had promised them a day at Coney Island come spring, as his thank-you to them.
“I love you, just because…” Xander read aloud, eyes skimming the sweet paragraph handwritten by Rylee. “Just because you deserve to be reminded. Just because your presence brings peace. Just because I love you. No reason needed.” He looked up at her. “Aww, baby.”
