Page 102 of Xavier

His footsteps get closer to the bed. The edge of the mattress dips as he sits down. “I know you’re mad at me, but I have to do this.”

Oh, you have no idea just how pissed I am right now.

I’m pissed, hurt, sad, and worried. There’s so much I want to say. So much that I want to yell, but I refrain.

Xavier gets up and heads to the door. I take a chance and open my eyes as I sit up, needing to see him one last time.

He turns around to look at me and as soon as his gaze meets mine, the tears fall from my eyes.

Xavier stalks back over to the bed. He leans over the mattress, closing the distance between us and kisses me as if I’m the oxygen he needs to breathe.

His hand snakes around to grip the back of my neck as his lips demand mine to part for him.

This kiss is hurried, like we both have so much we want to say, but won’t because of the situation ahead.

When breathing becomes a necessity and forces us to break the kiss, he pulls back and closes his eyes as he rests his forehead against mine.

“Please try to have a good couple of days. Walk on the beach. Go for a swim. Make Jordan order take out.”

When I still don’t say anything, he sighs and walks toward the bedroom door. “I’ll be thinking about you the entire time I’m gone and wishing I could be back here with you.”

He closes the door, and my emotions explode. Tears stream down my cheeks as my heart feels like it’s shattering in my chest.

I feel stupid that I don’t want him to go. I know if he’s able to put an end to this, then life can go back to normal.

Xavier and I can figure out what we are after the dust settles.

A loud, firm knock sounds on the door.

I swipe my tears away as fast as I can and pretend that I wasn’t just crying. Spinning around so my legs are dangling off the side of the bed, I say, “Come in.”

Jordan opens the door and pokes his head inside. “Hey, I was wondering if you wanted a tour of the place and see some of the cool tech gear I have access to?”

I slip on my sandals and stand. “Sure, that would be great.”

If I’m going to be here for the next couple of days, I might as well know where everything is.

He leads me back out to the living room to show me his television and all the fancy hi tech components he has attached to it.

There’s no way I am touching any remote or device in this house. With my luck, I’d break it just from looking at it.

He shows me the kitchen, and I can’t help but to raise my eyebrow at him. “You have fancy electronics all over the place, but your kitchen is so simple and old school.”

He chuckles. “Hey, what can I say? That stuff I understand. This stuff in the kitchen, not so much. I know the basics of cooking, but if I want an elaborate meal, I have to go out to eat.”

“What is up with you military men and not knowing how to cook?”

That thought brings a smile to my face. Xavier and I spent several sexy moments in the kitchen, cooking and flirting.

“There’s usually no need unless we are trying to impress a lady, and even then, we typically go out to eat. On base, we have the chow hall easily accessible for a quick bite to eat.”

“What if she wanted to stay in?”

He leans against the counter and crosses his arms. “Then we would order take out.”

“So, what other cool tech stuff do you have? Xavier said you had a few cameras around the property.”

“He did, now, did he?”

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