Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Izzy
For two weeks, Xavier Sweeney has been all mine.
Every moment together, every stolen kiss, every heated touch has been leading to this night.
It’s been two weeks since I gave Xavier a chance.
Since I let him in. In that time, he’s shown me exactly what he meant when he said he was all in.
Every touch, every look, every whispered word between us has been leading to this moment.
My Eighteenth birthday. I didn’t want a party. I didn’t want to spend it with Mia or anyone else. I only want him.
Dinner was hours ago, but I don’t want this night to end. I’ve spent all night teasing him, shivering under his touch, and locking eyes with him as if I could devour him whole. I know he feels it, too. The way his grip tightens on my waist, the way his jaw clenches when I press close.
There’s no going back. Not tonight.
We’re curled up together in our usual booth at The Diner, my body tucked against his as Luke Bryan’s I Don’t Want This Night to End plays softly through the speakers.
Fitting.
Xavier’s arm is draped around my shoulders, holding me close to his pounding heartbeat. My head rests against his shoulder, my blonde hair in a messy bun that tickles his nose. I feel him inhale deeply before pressing a slow, lingering kiss to the top of my head.
A shudder runs through me. I tilt my head up, meeting his intense blue gaze, my lashes heavy as I lick my lips. “Hey, X,” I breathe, my voice soft but full of meaning.
His fingers twitch against my skin. His body reacts before he can even respond. “Hey, B.” His voice is husky, sending another delicious shiver down my spine.
I smile, letting my fingers trace over his thigh under the table. “I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you for taking me.”
His lips curve into that dimpled smile that always makes my stomach flip. “I did too. It’s nice to do something besides racing. Besides, it’s your birthday. I wanted to give you a night to remember.”
I bite my lip. “You already have.”
His arm drops behind me, and his fingers flex against my waist like he’s fighting himself. His jaw clenches, breath unsteady. I don’t want him to hold back. Not tonight.
I take a deep breath. “Xavier?”
His thumb rubs slow circles on my hip. “Yeah?”
I swallow, suddenly nervous. “Did you mean it? When you said you were all in?”
His expression softens, but his grip on me tightens. “Izzy, I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
I nod, but my heart is pounding. “I know. I just…” I hesitate, unsure how to put into words the way I feel. The way he’s changed everything.
He turns slightly, shifting so he can look at me fully. His fingers brush over my cheek, his touch featherlight but sure. “Tell me.”
I exhale. “I just… I don’t want this to be temporary.” My voice is quiet, but the weight of my words hangs between us.
His eyes darken, something fierce flashing in them. “B, I don’t think you realize that I don’t want anyone else. Not now, not ever.” His fingers tilt my chin up. “I don’t just want a night with you. I want every night. Every day. Every second you’ll give me.”
Emotion swells in my chest, thick and overwhelming. “You’re serious?”
His lips twitch. “You’re my girl. Is that serious enough for you?”
I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah. Yeah, it is.”
His gaze drops to my lips, and I feel the heat between us build again, slow and steady.
“You’re mine, Izzy,” he rumbles, voice rough. “And I’m yours.”
My throat tightens, but I manage a teasing smirk. “Even when I drive you insane?”
He groans, resting his forehead against mine.
“You’ve always driven me insane. Do you think I didn’t notice you?
Even when we were kids?” He pulls back enough to meet my eyes again.
“I did. You were always in the back of my mind. But I had to fight it because I wasn’t ready for what you’d mean to me. ”
I blink, my heart racing. “And now?”
His fingers trace my jaw, his lips hovering over mine. “Now, I don’t ever want to fight it again.”
My breath stutters, and when he finally kisses me, it’s slow and deep, full of promises.
Earlier, Xavier took me to my favorite Italian restaurant inside the casino. A five-star place that reminds me of a Gordon Ramsay restaurant from Hell’s Kitchen. I’m a huge Ramsay fan, and for my eighteenth, Xavier made sure it was special.
We gambled a little, with zero luck, and then spent the rest of the night dancing in the club.
Dancing with Xavier is something I’ll never get tired of. His hands on my hips, his body flush against mine, the way he groaned low in my ear when I rolled my hips back into him. Every time I reached behind me, tugging his hair, I felt his breath stutter.
I love driving him crazy. And when he kissed my neck, licking away the sweat from our dancing, my whole body ached for more. But we waited. Because tonight had to be perfect.
Our waitress, the diner’s owner, brings out our food, snapping me out of my daze. She sets my plate down first, with two eggs over easy, white toast, and bacon. The only thing I ever order. Xavier gets his usual farmer’s omelet with cheese and white toast.
I sit up enough to eat, but I refuse to break contact with him. My right hand stays on his thigh, teasing him, tracing soft circles against his jeans.
I know what I’m doing, and so does he. Xavier shifts slightly, adjusting himself, and I bite my lip to keep from smirking. His muscles tense under my touch, and every time my fingers inch higher, his breathing falters.
I finish eating first, but I don’t stop touching him. Not yet.
The waitress returns with the check and smiles knowingly. “It’s good to see you two finally together. I’ve missed you coming in here with your dads every Friday night after a race when you were kids.”
I smile, warmth blooming in my chest. I remember those nights. The way Xavier and I used to sit in this very booth, laughing, shoving each other, back before things got complicated.
Xavier presses a soft kiss to my lips. “I’m gonna pay for this. Be right back.”
I nod, watching him as he walks away, broad shoulders tense. He’s trying to stay in control. I did that to him. Me. As soon as he pays, we drive back to my house. The street is dark, the house even darker, but my pulse kicks up the moment we step inside.
Xavier shuts the door behind us, and I lock it, turning to face him. The air is thick with anticipation. I don’t say a word as I lead him upstairs, his footsteps heavy behind mine. When we reach my room, I close the door and lock it. No interruptions. Not tonight.
Xavier sits on my bed, his blue eyes locked onto me as I cross the room to my dresser.
My hands tremble slightly as I hook up my phone to the speaker, selecting our song, Keeper of the Stars.
The music fills the space between us, and when I turn around, he’s watching me like I’m the only thing that exists.
My heart pounds. I step between his legs, heat rushing through me as his hands slide over my waist, his touch slow and deliberate.
"I’m nervous, X," I whisper, my lips brushing his.
His grip tightens. “So am I.”
I exhale, relief washing over me. He may have more experience, but this is different for both of us.
I reach for his shirt, sliding my hands underneath, feeling his body tense beneath my fingers.
When I lift it over his head, I let my gaze roam over him, his broad chest, the smooth planes of his stomach.
I undo his jeans next, but before I can slide the zipper down, he stops me.
"Not just yet, B," Xavier whispers, his voice thick with restraint.
I furrow my brows. "Why not?"
He looks up at me, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Because I need to hear you say it.”
“Say what?”
“That this is what you want.” His voice is low, serious. “Not because it’s your birthday. Not because you think I expect it. But because it’s really what you want.”
My chest tightens. God, I love him.
I lower myself onto his lap, straddling him, my hands cradling his face.
“This is what I want,” I whisper. “I want you, Xavier. Every piece of you. Every kiss, every touch, every moment. I want to wake up tomorrow knowing I gave my first time to the man I love.”
His breath shudders, and for the first time, I see something raw in his eyes.
“This is my first time loving someone like this,” he admits softly. “Really loving them.”
I stroke my thumb over his jaw. “Then we’ll figure it out together.”
A small smile tugs at his lips. “Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Then he kisses me deep, slow, and unhurried, and this time, there’s no hesitation. A slow burn ignites in my stomach. He wants to savor this.
He lifts my tank top, dragging the fabric over my head. His eyes darken as he takes me in. I stand, and Xavier’s hands slide lower, unbuttoning my jeans and pushing them down my legs. I step out of them, leaving me in nothing but matching lace. Xavier’s breath catches.
I should feel shy, but I don’t. Not with him.
His hands roam over my skin, his lips pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my neck, collarbone, and stomach. When he kneels in front of me, his lips trailing up my thigh, I let out a shaky breath, fingers twisting in his hair.
My body is on fire.
And when he finally lays me down, kissing his way up my body, I know this is exactly where I’m meant to be.