Chapter 16 #2
“Oh, this place is so cute,” Freya said, grinning up at him. “I’m going to pick up a little something for Daisy too.”
Before she could release his hand, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
So what if he also took another peek outside the store’s front window.
Again, nothing was obviously amiss. And again, that meant jack shit.
“I’m going to pick up my order at the register.
Do me a favor and don’t leave the store without me. ”
She met his gaze, curiosity evident on her face. “Everything okay?”
He nodded. “It’s crowded. I don’t want to lose you out there.” Not a lie. Not at all. Especially with that sixth sense screaming at him that something wasn’t right. He gave her his most charming smile. “Humor me?”
He relaxed the tiniest bit when she returned his smile. “Of course. You’re sweet, you know that, Xander Bonetti?”
Sweet? With Freya, perhaps.
He knew with certainty that he wanted her safe. Until he could determine what had triggered that feeling of being watched, he was planning on keeping the woman close. Not that it was a hardship. Not at all.
Freya did a full loop of the store before she returned to the small clothes section.
The store was adorable. She’d passed by it numerous times when she’d visited the cute little town before, but she’d never gone in.
The gifts she’d gotten for her twin nieces tended to come from the big box stores, but she was quickly rethinking that.
After hemming and hawing over a few different designs, Freya finally settled on an adorable pajama set for Daisy’s birthday and a pair of sleep dresses for her nieces for Thanksgiving.
She made sure she had the correct sizes and went to look for Xander and found him with a store employee who was showing him how to operate the elaborate playhouse tent.
As she approached them, Freya’s jaw dropped.
Tent was an understatement. While technically the walls were made of a tent-like material, and one entire side was rolled up, the interior was as far from tent-like as it could get.
Fairy lights twinkled along the ceiling panels, which looked to be high enough for her to stand upright in.
Granted, she wasn’t the tallest person, but still.
On top of that, the interior was decked out with a fully functioning inflatable mini living room set—a couch, two end tables, a recliner, and coffee table.
Yeah. It was fancy fancy.
“Wow,” Freya chuckled. “That is quite the ‘indoor playhouse tent’ thing.”
The saleswoman waved at the inflatable mini couch, which would be the perfect size for Daisy and two friends. “Believe it or not, the couch can hold up to two hundred pounds.”
Freya grinned at Xander and shook her head. “What? No dining room set?”
“I already got her one over the summer.” A soft flush colored his cheeks as he gestured to the opposite end of the tent. “It should fit between the two windows.”
Freya laughed. “Of course you did.”
He cleared his throat and turned to the saleswoman. “Great, I’ll take all of it. I’ll get those small unicorn decorative pillows you showed me too.” He caught Freya’s gaze and shrugged. “Daisy likes pillows.”
Good freaking God, the man was cute.
“Excellent,” the saleswoman said with a smile. “I’ll run to the back and grab you some new ones. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll meet you at the register.”
As the woman hurried off, he turned to Freya, nodding to the items in her hand. “Find something?”
She showed him her loot as they made their way to the register. “I figured Daisy could use some rainbow-sloth-unicorn-narwhal pajamas for her birthday.”
“Nice. Those are just her style.”
She bit back a laugh at Xander’s serious expression. “And since I’m here, I picked up these jammies for my nieces.”
He glanced between the two nightdresses and nodded in approval. “Donuts and bacon. Popcorn and pizza. Looks like your nieces are my kinda people. They’re Daisy’s age, right?”
She nodded. “Only about six months older.”
“Well, I hope to meet them one of these days.” The warm smile he gave her had her belly fluttering.
“I’m sure they’ll adore you.” There was no doubt about it.
She could easily picture him hanging out with her nieces, fitting in with all her loud brothers. And if she allowed herself to get dreamy, she could see the two of them together months down the road in a relationship that was both comfortable and passionate, maybe even—
“I can help the next person,” a voice called out.
Exhaling, Freya tore her gaze from the man beside her—and from her fanciful thoughts—and turned to the lady behind the counter.
“Hi there,” she said, setting her items onto the counter.
Clearing her throat, she glanced at Xander.
“Are the playhouse and furniture the only things you got Daisy for her birthday?”
He shrugged, but the way the edges of his mouth quirked suggested she was onto something.
She chuckled as she paid for her items and then waited for Xander to pay for his gifts—which they’d kindly wrapped for him in a trio of giant bags with tons of pink and lavender tissue paper.
As they made their way out of the shop, she asked, “So what else did you get Daisy?”
Glancing at her, Xander’s innocent who-me expression didn’t fool her. “What makes you think I got her an additional gift?”
“Your face,” she replied, deadpan.
That handsome face broke out into a wide grin. “Touché.”
God, was he seriously this cute? “Well?”
“It’s just a little something—an adventure, if you will—that’ll ensure I stay Daisy’s favorite. But I’m not revealing anything yet since I’m still waiting for a couple details to be finalized. Don’t want to jinx it, you know.” He took her hand, wagging his eyebrows, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Yeah, he was seriously that cute.
As they made their way up the busy sidewalk, Freya spotted a break in the crowd.
Tugging on his hand, she pulled them to the edge of the curb.
A group of school-aged Irish dancers were high-stepping by, followed by a float carrying a Little League team decked out in their uniforms. She and Xander clapped and cheered when the team’s catcher hoisted a shiny gold trophy that was nearly as big as him.
As the float passed, a buzz of excitement zinged through the crowd.
A group of nine dirt bikes were coming down the street.
The kids along the parade route shouted their approval of the tricks and wheelies the riders were performing.
While impressive, it was loud. But from the expressions of those around her—Xander included—she seemed to be the only one who thought so.
Her eyes widened as two of the dirt bikes popped up onto their back wheels and spun in a tight circle while the other bikes whizzed up and down the street in some sort of synchronized chaos. Okay, fine. It was impressive. Had she been on any of those bikes, she would have crashed within—
She gasped as she was shoved forward.
Hitting the ground hard, her breath seized painfully in her chest. Dazed, she glanced to her right, and her insides froze.
Time slowed. A pair of dirt bikes was bearing down on her.
She didn’t have time to curl into a ball, didn’t have time to throw her hands over her head.
She could only slam her eyes shut and brace for impact.
Tires squealed, and a heavy weight landed on her. The smell of burning rubber filled her nose. She heard shouts and screams, but the sounds were muffled, like a hazy noise behind the loud drumming of her heart.
Then Xander’s cedar-and-soapy scent was there, competing with the burning rubber. She peeked her eyes open, and there he was. Lying over her on the ground.
“I’ve got you, baby,” he murmured. He moved to his knees but remained hovering over her.
She started to move, but he placed a hand on her back, stilling her. From the ground, she saw people rushing toward them. Numerous people asked if she was okay.
Unsure of what had happened, she closed her eyes and focused on Xander’s deep voice responding to the questions coming at them, on his familiar scent that soothed her nerves, on his warm hand on her back that kept her grounded.
“Alright, sweetheart, let’s get you sitting, okay?”
She met his gaze and nodded. He helped her to sit, and she tried her hardest not to wince but failed.
As she sat on the pavement, every muscle in her body screamed.
She sucked in a breath when she saw her scraped-up palms. A whimper escaped when she straightened her legs.
Her left knee was throbbing, and her jeans sported a new hole.
Glancing past Xander, a sea of concerned faces stared down at her.
“I don’t know how the hell we didn’t crash into you,” a man said from atop his dirt bike, a disbelieving look in his eyes. “You alright?”
The tires racing toward her flashed in Freya’s mind. She’d been so sure they were going to run her over. She nodded, unable to say anything past the lump in her throat.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.” The second biker turned to Xander. “You need us to send the paramedics over?”
Xander shook his head. “We’re good. If you both hadn’t swerved, it’d be a different story, though. Appreciate the quick reflexes.”
“Me too. Take care.” The men on the dirt bikes gave them nods before continuing down the street to their waiting group.
“Here you go, honey.”
Overwhelmed, Freya startled at the woman crouched beside her holding out a wet wipe.
“You poor thing, you’re all scraped up.” Xander took the wipe from her, and she rummaged through her large diaper bag. “I have more wipes if you need them, and I’m sure I have some Band-Aids somewhere in here.”
“Thank you,” Xander murmured, gently pressing the wipe against Freya’s scraped palm. She bit her bottom lip to keep from hissing. “Don’t worry about the Band-Aids, ma’am. I have a first aid kit in my car.”
“Well, aren’t you just the Boy Scout,” the woman said with a smile as she rose.
She turned to Freya and held out a couple more wet wipes and a small pack of tissues.
“I have four boys under five, so I’m no stranger to scrapes and bruises.
You’ll want to make sure they get cleaned out. That was a nasty fall you took.”
“Thank you,” Freya said, finally finding her voice as she took the offered items. “I appreciate these.”
“Of course. I hope it’s nothing too serious. I mean, that’s quite the tumble you took.” The woman glanced at Xander, who’d subtly repositioned himself between her and the woman. “It appears you’re in good hands though, so that’s a plus. I hope you’re able to enjoy the rest of the parade.”
“Thanks again,” Freya called out as the woman stepped away.
“Let me help you,” Xander said, reaching for her. When his arms wrapped around her, her breath caught. An uncomfortable twinge along her left side flared to life.
“Easy,” he murmured, effortlessly bringing her to her feet, careful of her side. For such a brawny man, it amazed her how he could be so gentle.
“Tell me what hurts.” His arm was still wrapped around her, like he was her own personal protective bubble.
A week ago, she would have smarted. She would have most likely insisted she didn’t need his help. But there was something about Xander. Something that filled her with warmth. Something that had her leaning into him. She’d never felt so safe before, so protected.
“I’m okay.” As much as she wanted to completely lean on him, she really was fine.
Aside from her stinging palms, a minor twinge along her left side where she’d landed, and her sore left knee that had taken the brunt of the fall, she was okay.
A little shaky still, but good. After all, she’d suffered worse.
“Are you sure, Frey?”
“I’m fine. I’m not really sure what happened, but it’s just some minor bumps and bruises. I promise.”
She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile, took one of the baby wipes, and gently patted her left palm. Fire lit her skin, and she winced.
“Still fine, Frey?” Humor laced his words.
Frowning, she blew on her stinging palm. “Okay, fine. It stings a little.” More like a lot.
With a soft chuckle, he kissed her forehead.
“I wasn’t lying when I told that lady I have a first aid kit in the car.
You want to head back so I can properly clean that out?
” His eyes narrowed as he peered down the street where more floats were making their way toward them.
“Unless you want to stay for the rest of the parade. I can’t imagine they have that many more groups lined up. ”
“We can head back. I think I’m all paraded out.” As much as she loved a good small-town parade, her knee was beginning to throb.
“Are you okay to walk?”
She nodded. For now, anyway. The faster she could sit down, the better. She had no doubt that Xander would have no problems carrying her to the car, but she still had her pride.
Glancing to her right, she spotted her purse on the ground, along with their toy store bags. “Don’t forget Daisy’s gifts,” she said, gingerly stepping toward their things.
Before she could bend down, Xander had her purse slung over his shoulder and all their bags in his hand. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side.
Noise and people surrounded them once again, but as Xander led them through the throng of bodies, not a single person bumped into her.
Yeah, being wrapped in the man’s protective bubble wasn’t a hardship.
His physical strength steadied her. That cedar-and-soapy scent that was distinctly his calmed her.
Those two things, along with his mere presence, all added up to a wonderful feeling of safety.
It was new, and while it left her feeling a little uncertain, she could admit to herself that she really liked it. Really liked him.
Leaning into his side, a smile lifted the corners of her lips as his arm tightened around her. She took in a steadying breath, and her resolve solidified. She was determined to go for it. To not self-sabotage. To not let that little bit of uncertainty freeze her. To not push him away.
For once, she was going to go after what she wanted. And that was Xander Bonetti.