Chapter Fifteen
~Summer~
T wenty minutes later, we’re walking into Xander’s apartment, and I heave out a sigh of relief I didn’t know I was holding. I’m safe.
“Come on.” Xander’s friend Gabby wraps a hand around my shoulder and guides me to the couch. “Let’s get you warm.” She covers me with a blanket that was thrown over the back of the couch, pulling it tight to cocoon me. She lifts my chin, her multi-colored eyes examining my face. “Were you hit anywhere else besides your cheek?”
I nod and explain how I was kicked.
“Let me see.” She offers me a kind smile. “I don’t know if Xander told you, but I’m a nurse. I just want to make sure nothing is cracked or bleeding.”
“Okay.” I unfold the blanket and lift my shirt to expose my side. I’m so thankful I went home and changed into leggings and a sweatshirt after class today. If they had seen what I was wearing earlier, they probably would have assumed I deserved to be mugged. She presses against the raised skin, already bruising along my ribs, and I grimace.
“I know.” She soothes, pressing her hand flat against the wound. Her kind eyes meet mine. “Something similar happened to me, so believe me when I say I understand every single thing you’re feeling right now.”
I nod, tears springing to my eyes again, and whisper that I’m okay.
“You aren’t.” She lowers my shirt and gazes into my eyes. “And that’s alright too. Let yourself feel everything you need to. No one here is going to fault you for that.” She pats my hand. “I don’t believe anything is cracked, but we can certainly bring you to the hospital for an X-ray if you’d like?”
“No.” I shake my head forcefully. “I don’t want that.”
“Okay.” Her lips form a tight line. “If you change your mind, or start feeling worse, you tell me.”
I nod again, then direct my attention to Xander, who is a few feet away, speaking in a hushed voice to Cameron. “I should call my aunt, or my cousin. They can come and get me.”
“Absolutely not.” He strides over, his features stern. “You’re not going anywhere. I want you here where I know you’re safe.”
Gabby darts a questioning look Xander’s way, and then towards Cameron, and I know she’s trying to figure out what our relationship must be. I wish I had an answer to that very question. She rises from the couch and walks to the kitchen.
"Xander, I'm sure I’ll be quite safe at my aunt and uncle’s apartment.” I try to assure him.
He sits beside me, brows drawn together as he slides one of my hands into his. “That may be, but I would feel better with you here. In my care and able to see for myself that you’re safe.”
I tilt my head, biting my lower lip as I study him. As usual, his behavior leaves me in a state of confusion. His actions saying one thing, his words usually another, but this time, his feelings seem entirely clear.
“I’m not your responsibility.” I murmur. “You don’t have to take care of me.”
“I want to.” His blue eyes lock onto mine. “Please, let me do this for you.”
I blink several times, then dip my head, breaking the hold he has on me as I murmur my acceptance. “I should at least call them and let them know what’s happened.”
“Let’s do that in the morning.” He stands. “After you’ve had a good night’s rest and a report has been filed.” He turns to Cameron. “What do you need from Summer?”
Before he can reply, Gabby is back and takes charge. “What Summer needs is rest.” She reaches out and places an ice pack in my hand. “He only had one in his freezer, but I’d switch it between your cheek and your side to help reduce the swelling and the bruising.”
She points to Xander. “Do you have some ibuprofen, Xanax, or some wine?”
“I’ve got bourbon.” He scratches his chin. “Definitely some Advil, but no wine or narcotics.” He cocks his head at Gabby. “Are you sure we should be giving her anything? What if she’s bleeding internally?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Xander, she’s not bleeding internally.” She huffs and rolls her eyes. “You’re going to scare the poor girl to death.” She turns to me. “You got a good whack on your cheek and side, but I’m quite sure you aren’t in any danger of bleeding out on us.” She swings her gaze back to Xander. “When did you become so dramatic?” She flings a hand out. “Go get the Advil and whatever you have to drink.”
“You’re so goddamn bossy.” He grumbles, stalking out of the room.
“Try living with her, man.” Cameron jests, flashing a quick smile Gabby’s way, then moves closer to me. “We can talk tomorrow, Summer. Alexander has filled me in on what happened, the fact that you couldn’t see the perpetrator’s face, or anything else that might be helpful in identifying the mugger.”
I bow my head, my shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry I’m not being more helpful.”
He places a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve got nothing at all to apologize for. You’re the victim here and haven’t done anything wrong.” He squeezes gently. “Remember that, okay?” He takes a step back, releasing his hold. “And remember, you are completely safe here. Alexander will take good care of you.”
I tip my head up so I can look him in the eyes. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He gives a firm nod. “Oh, when you can, make sure you call your credit card companies and let them know they’ve been stolen. Also, let the school know, as well as your landlord. I can have Gabby text Alexander the number of a locksmith to get your locks changed as soon as possible. I’m not sure if there’s anything we’ll be able to do about your laptop. Those are usually wiped immediately.” He frowns. “I’m sorry about that.”
Shit, I had temporarily forgotten about my keys. “Do you think they will try and break into my room? I have things there that are valuable. Some money and jewelry.” My voice begins to shake when I think about the possibility of a stranger in my room, going through my belongings, taking my things.
“Why don’t you write down your address for me?” He retrieves a small pad and a pen from his jacket pocket and hands it to me. “I’ll take a ride over to see if anyone’s attempted to enter your room, and I can also speak with the building supervisor to see if we can manage who comes in and out of the building tonight.”
“Okay.” I nod, and write my address, as well as my cell number on his pad then hand it back. “Thank you again for all your help.”
“Please, there’s no need for thanks. I’m glad we were close and able to help.” He reads what I’ve written and then stores the pad back in his pocket, turning as Xander appears. He’s carrying a tumbler filled with ice and brown liquid in one hand, and a couple orange pills in another.
“Do you even like bourbon?” He kneels in front of me, holding out the Advil. “Or should I get you some water?” His shoulders slump. “I’m sorry I don’t have much here to offer you.” He lifts one side of his mouth up in an attempt at a smile as he shrugs. “Wasn’t expecting company.”
“Is it good bourbon?” I scoop the pills out of his hand, toss them in my mouth, and then take the glass from the other and take a large swallow.
His brow kicks up, the other side of his mouth rising to display a broader smile. “It’s a Blanton’s single barrel.”
I hum in appreciation as the liquid travels down my throat and into my stomach, leaving a warm trail of heat in its wake. “Not bad.”
He chuffs. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises?”
“My dad loves a good bourbon.” I explain. “He may have let me sample from his collection from time to time.”
He stares at me, long enough that my heart beat flutters and I feel my body begin to ignite, Gabby speaking, breaking the contact between us.
“We’re going to go to Summer’s place to see if anyone has tried to get in.” She has her hand in Cameron’s, her gaze shifting back and forth between Xander and I, scrutinizing our interaction.
“Thank you for everything.” Xander stretches to his full height and steps over to Cameron to shake his hand, and then kisses Gabby on the cheek. “Call me and let me know what you find?”
“Of course.” Cameron confirms.
Xander walks them to the door, shutting and locking it behind them once they leave. I watch as he makes his way back to me, his hand raking through his hair as he does. “What do you need? A shower? Food? Do you want to climb into bed?”
My brows arch, and I almost choke on the sip of bourbon I’m taking.
“Oh, no!” He stammers. “I didn’t mean like that.” His fingers thread through his locks again, leaving them a disheveled mess. “Are you tired? You can go lie down in my bed. Alone.” He clarifies.
I laugh, because at this point, it’s that or cry, and seeing him nervous for once, completely puts me at ease.
He stops pacing. “You’re laughing?”
“You’re funny.” I declare.
“I’m funny?” He parrots, his eyes creasing as they narrow. “How?”
“You’re always so in control.” I tease, unable to hide my smile. “You’re so jittery right now. So unsure what to do with me.”
“This is uncharted territory for me, Summer.” His tone gruff. “It’s not common practice for me to have an ex-client, current student, now also a damsel in distress in my apartment.”
“Damsel in distress?” I scoff. “I’m no princess, and this certainly is no fairy tale.”
“I’m no fucking prince charming, that’s for sure.” He finally smiles, his fingers brushing against mine as he snags the tumbler from my hand, lifting it to his mouth to take a long swig.
“I’m starving.” I blurt. “If you want to know what I need.” I put my hand on my grumbling stomach. “I need some food. That damn thief threw my salad on the ground.”
“Food I can do.” He takes another drink from the glass, hands it back to me, then holds up a finger. “Be right back.”
A minute later he’s back with a stack of take-out menus. “Pick whatever you want.” He lays them on the table in front of me, fanning them out so I can peruse the choices. And for the first time since we’ve walked through the door, I really look at him.
He’s wearing a white button-down dress shirt over a pair of worn jeans and a pair of loafers. The top of the shirt is unbuttoned, leaving the collar loose revealing a dusting of chest hair. It’s simple, but on him it’s anything but. Although, he could make wearing a paper bag look appealing. I chew on my bottom lip, scanning him from head to toe, remembering just how delicious the view of that torso is without a shirt.
“Don’t look at me like that, Summer.” He growls, my attention shifting to his eyes, dark and dilated as they stare back at me. “A look like that will get you into more trouble than either of us needs right now.”
I let the blanket slide off my shoulders as I arch my back to sit straighter. Suddenly, every thought of what happened earlier tonight is gone, and all I can think about is Xander. His lips, his touch, the heat of him against me, and it’s all I want. I stand and walk to him, his face a mix of emotions.
“Summer, no.” His words express rejection, but his tone, the way he’s leering at me, indicate the opposite.
I stop in front of him, laying my hand against his chest. His heart beats erratically under my palm, his body warm. I snap my eyes to his, and breathe out my request. “Please.”
“No.” He maintains, his tongue darting out to run along his lower lip, his gaze slipping to my mouth. “We can’t. It’s wrong.”
“We can.” I coax, moving so I’m only an inch from him. “I just want to forget for a little while. And no one has to know.”
“I’ll know, Summer. I’ll know.” His breath warm as it mingles with my own, the slightest hint of the bourbon lingering between us.
"Don’t make me beg." I plead, because begging to get what I want doesn’t feel beneath me at this very moment.
“Fuck it.” Words I don’t decipher until his lips are smashed against my own, one hand grasping the back of my neck, the other around my waist as he hauls me flush. I groan, and he takes full advantage, his tongue invading, dueling with mine, our teeth clacking together as we both fight for possession of the other.
“Yoo-hoo!” A female voice suddenly sounds from the doorway. “Alexander, are you home?”
We wrench apart from one another, both of us panting, both of us looking wide-eyed towards the entryway.
I whip my head back to Xander. “Who in the hell is that?”
He never once mentioned he might be seeing anyone. Especially someone who would have a key to his apartment.
“My mother.” He deadpans, a scowl appearing before he storms off in her direction.