Page 23

But what has my entire body heating is the sight of his sleek, reflective helmet that blocks his eyes and envelops his face. I know the man beneath the mask, but I can't help the thrill that rolls through me as he saunters across the living room, hulking into my space like a welcoming hug.

Flipping his visor up, Xander’s silver eyes meet mine, and my blood rushes south. I feel myself blush as I'm unable to look away from the heat that burns in his gaze. Clearly, my own eagerness is affecting him. I'm sure he can smell me. My lust.

Drawing his hand from behind his back, where I hadn't even noticed he was holding something back there, his grip is tight around the stems of hundreds of vibrant flowers. All unique and colorful. Some look tiny and delicate, where others are large with strong petals.

With my laptop forgotten beside me and the cats purring to themselves, I stand from the sofa, gently taking the bouquet from Xander’s grasp.

“You seemed a little sad this morning. I thought you might have liked these.” His voice is sincere as he stands over me, his height cradling me to his side.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful,” I gasp at the weight of the bundled flowers. Surely there are at least a hundred intricately chosen blossoms. “How did you know I wasn’t feeling good? I didn't see you before you left.”

Pulling his helmet off, I bite my tongue from telling him to put it back on. Clearly, a masked man does things for me.

With a sheepish smile, Xander runs his hand through his mussed hair. “I, uh… could smell your sadness through the bedroom wall.”

A giggle bursts from my throat, and I hide behind the huge bouquet. So that means there is absolutely no hiding myself from Xander. The thought of him knowing my every emotion is a little unnerving, but if it means he comes home with fresh flowers, wearing his sexy motorbike outfit, then maybe it isn't such a bad thing after all.

“Are you embarrassed, Noah?” I can hear the smirk in Xander’s voice, and I slowly lower the flowers to find that exact smirk on his lips. My stomach tumbles and suddenly there’s a whole lot of pressure growing between my legs.

Xander’s nostrils flare and his eyes flash down at me as his smirk widens. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won't tell a soul.”

I squeak. Xander chuckles and takes the flowers from me. His warm fingers brush mine in the process, and I silently gasp at the shocks that run down my arm.

“Do you feel like getting some fresh air?” He asks over his shoulder as he makes his way into the kitchen and finds a vase for the flowers.

I swallow and nod, unable to trust my own voice from saying anything other than yes. All my mind can think of right now is how warm his fingers are. How his veins run across the back of his hands as he deposits the flowers into the water and neatly places the vase on the countertop. I want those hands on me. I want to know what they feel like against my skin. Does he have soft skin, or is he hard? Firm or gentle?

I shiver.

Xander notices. Of course he does. His eyes catch mine from under hooded brows, and his full lips quirk at the edges. Rounding the corner of the kitchen, he reaches where I stand, his height looming over me as I tilt my head back to look up at him.

“I can hear how fast your heart is beating.” He bends down as he swipes away a few stray hairs from my temple. His breath brushes against the shell of my ear and every nerve in my body sings.

“Let me take you for a ride,” he whispers. His voice drips through me, and I nod frantically. A ride? Yes, please.

Taking my hand in his, Xander scoops up his helmet from the table and leads me into the garage.

The flash of yellow immediately captures my attention as I realize my car has been moved undercover. It’s nothing flashy compared to his sleek, black motorbike and equally expensive-looking Mercedes, but I smile at the comparison. Clearly, Xander couldn’t care less what car I drive.

“I bought you something else. I hope you don’t mind.” His voice is like a purr as it echoes around the room.

Sitting atop a cupboard, Xander pulls down a box and hands it to me. I swallow as excitement thrums through me. Pulling the lid away, I'm hit with an overpowering smell of leather and something fresh. Folded neatly within the box, I find a matching jacket and leather pants. They’re black, just like Xander’s, almost as if they were exact replicates, but clearly these are much smaller than his.

“You bought this for me?” I gape at him. “But… this must have cost a fortune?”

I honestly have no clue how expensive riding gear must be, but I know it isn’t cheap. And the thickness of the leather jacket tells me it’s been carefully designed for my safety.

“I want to take you riding with me.” Xander scratches the back of his neck, looking less and less sure of himself by the second. “If it’s not something you’d want to do, then I'll be more than happy to do anything else.”

I snap the lid shut and raise my hand. "Absolutely not. I want this. But I can't accept a gift like this, Xander.”

The flowers were one thing, but an entire riding set is far more than I can take. No one has ever bought me flowers before today, let alone this! I haven't done anything to deserve such a kind gift.

A growl fills the surrounding space, and I look up to find Xander scowling in my direction as if he can hear my thoughts.

“I can smell your emotions, Noah. And I will buy you a new riding set every week if it makes you believe you deserve it.” He takes a step closer, his knuckle finding the underside of my chin. “I’ll even buy you a motorbike just to have it sit here going nowhere because I'd never let you ride without me.”

I shiver, and a tiny groan escapes my lips. God, this man! This vampire! I’m so far head over heels I'm sure my face is halfway up my ass by now.