Chapter 22 #2
Outside, a security guard nods and enters the store. “Have a good evening, Mr. Stone.”
“I’m going to die,” I murmur.
Xander laughs. “Let’s have a bite, because I’m having things moved to your place. Can they have your neighbor open the door for them?”
He holds my hand and leads us down the street.
“Sure.” We’d just agreed to live there. “You’re fast.”
“I always get rid of unwanted tasks quickly.” He shrugs and pulls out his keys as we approach his car.
“You don’t want to live with me?” I tease.
“I don’t want to leave my comfortable hotel suite.” He opens the door for me and puts his hand above my head, making sure I don’t hit it as I get in.
I’m sure he’d hold an umbrella for me in the rain. The girl in me shimmies inwardly. Maybe this playboy is more than that. Maybe I can trust him with my heart.
“You’ll live, young man.”
I didn’t think he would agree to move out of his hotel suite. When Sissy showed up, I was pissed.
Hurt. But as I cooled down, I couldn’t blame Xander. It didn’t take the hurt away. This was a woman who clearly meant nothing to him, but who believed she could have more of him than he was willing to give.
She was wrong. What if I’m wrong about everything too? What if he is the same charming self with her? What if this version of him isn’t just for me, but his usual modus operandi? And I’m falling for it hook, line, and sinker?
This insecurity, right after the day I had, is exhausting.
“Why did Sissy show up like that?” I decide not to hide my feelings. What’s the point? If I’m to scare him away, I should do it sooner rather than later.
“I thought we were past that.” He glances at me, but then focuses on driving.
I roll my eyes. “Xander, I’m just wondering… You make me feel…” Fuck, why is this so hard to say? “I know it’s only been two weeks, but I’m falling for you, and it scares me.”
My body veers to the side as he swerves the car. Loud honking follows his reckless move before we come to a stop in front of a fire hydrant.
It all happens so fast, I don’t even get a chance to yelp. Xander whips around to face me as soon as the car stops. I should turn to him, but a stubborn part of me believes we can pretend I didn’t say anything.
But I can’t pretend I don’t feel anything. That I don’t fantasize about us being real.
“Cora,” he growls, and I finally shift in my seat.
“Forget—”
“My turn,” he interrupts.
“Okay.” I nod. The storm of emotions on his face is confusing. The adoring stillness from before is gone. But I don’t find indifference or annoyance either.
There is something dark and unreadable in his eyes—a determination, maybe, but I’m not sure of what his intent is. Is it to explain what this really is, so I get my feelings under control?
The imaginary clock ticks in my temple as he just stares at me.
“I’m glad you’re scared.” He says the last thing I expected.
He shakes his head and cups the back of my neck, pulling me to him. His lips fuse with mine in a punishing kiss.
I’m so taken aback that I freeze, my lips unyielding. But he doesn’t give up, and takes until I have no choice but to surrender.
Then he cuts the kiss way too soon.
“Not because I want you scared,” he continues, holding my face in his hands.
“Far from it. If I could, I would take away all your hurts and fears. That’s how I feel about you.
Like I’m no longer myself. Like your smile is my only objective.
Like your wrath is better than not having you around.
Sissy is self-absorbed, and I never gave her a reason to think I have more to offer.
And yes, there were others like her, but you, Cora Winslow-Stone, you made me a one-woman man. And I’m grateful for it.”
“But—”
“No buts. I’m yours, if you’ll have me. And you better conquer your fear, because you’re fucking mine.”
He must hear my heart as we stare at each other with so much desperation that the air heats up.
“I’m yours,” I croak.
He kisses me again. “I need to tell you something.”
“Can I tell you something first?” I toy with the hair on his nape, and he nods. “I’ve just found out my late fiancé had a child with another woman while we’d been planning our wedding. I think I’m going to doubt everything for a moment before I trust again.”
“You found out today? Jesus.” He pulls me closer, stroking my hair.
“Yeah, it’s been the longest day ever. And I was mistaken for a maid.” I bring some levity into the loaded conversation.
“You also got a lot of new clothes and two wonderful orgasms.”
“Yeah, my husband saved the day.” I grin.
“Your husband is a keeper.” He winks.
“What did you want to tell me earlier?” I ask when we drive home after we grabbed a meal in SoHo.
His jaw works for a moment. “I don’t remember. Probably that I really like your tits.”
I snort. It feels more like he changed his mind, but perhaps the day was eventful enough. I’m sure he will tell me when he’s ready. As far as confessions go, we didn’t hold back today. That’s a good start.
You made me a one-woman man.
The smile tugging at my lips must be permanent.
“Well, I really like your ass,” I muse. “And some other parts of you too.”
“Some parts?” He kills the engine in a paid lot near my building. “I will have to fuck you until you like the entire package.”
“That’s a reasonable ambition.” I shrug, and he laughs, drawing a laugh from me. We walk hand-in-hand down the street.
My rich husband, blending slowly into my life. We kiss in the elevator, and while I’m exhausted, I don’t want to go to sleep. I want this day to keep going.
At the door, I twist the knob and push—only to slam into something solid.
“What is this?” I squeeze through the opening and blink several times, taking in the picture in front of me.
Clooney and Pitt mew and rub themselves against my ankles, but I can’t even lean to pet them or pick them up.
My entire living room is full of boxes, suitcases, and two racks of suits.
Xander shrugs, a picture of innocence. “You wanted me to move in.” He leans against stacked boxes.
“You own all of this? What do you even have in those boxes?”
“Condoms mostly. Some sex toys, too.”
I shake my head. “Jesus. How are we going to live here? Where do we even put all of this?”
“I don’t know. And the boutique hasn’t even delivered all your shopping.” He is not even trying to hide the smirk.
“Mine? You forced me to buy it all.”
He yanks me to him and kisses me.
Deeply. Fully. Reverently.
I might have no room left in my home. The room in my heart, on the other hand, swells with joy and affection.
Life is to be enjoyed after all.
And perhaps this thing between us isn’t temporary. I lean into his kiss, blissfully unaware that the end is around the corner.