Page 68 of Xavier

I see the conflict in her eyes; it mimics mine. If we get in the shower together, we won’t be leaving the house today, and I know how much she needs it.

I pat the edge of the mattress twice before standing. “As much as I’d love that, we have a date with society. You can have the downstairs shower and I’ll take the one up here.”

I don’t wait to see her reaction because if she looks disappointed, I’ll take her right here, right now.

Digging into my duffle bag, I pull out a clean pair of clothes and quickly head into the bathroom.

Taking matters into my own hand, literally, I rub one out before turning the water to cool. Stepping under the cold stream, I let it cool me down, dousing the desire burning through my veins.

When I am dressed and have my emotions in check. I throw my clothes in the laundry room and grab my phone.

No missed calls or text messages from Hudson or John.

Footsteps on the stairs cause me to turn around.

My heart leaps out of my chest as I take in her outfit.

Her white tank top is barely more than a bathing suit top, stopping a few inches under her breasts. Her jean skirt barely keeps anything to the imagination.

My gaze lowers down her long legs to see a tiny gold anklet wrapped around her leg. She’s wearing her favorite pair of sparkly sandals.

“Wow. You look-” Stunning, gorgeous, breathtaking, sexy as hell. The words get lost on the tip of my tongue as my mouth dries up.

My dick is harder than steel, and I just took care of things a few minutes ago.

Her gaze moves over my attire, a frown forming when she sees I’m wearing my normal black fitted t-shirt, black cargo pants, and black combat boots.

Did she expect anything different?

“You look…” She pauses before saying, “the same as usual.”

I’d take it as an insult, but I see the way her pupils dilate, letting me know she’s turned on by my normal look.

I clear my throat. “Ready?”

She grabs her sunglasses off the small foyer table. “Yeah.”

We get into the car and I roll the windows down before heading down the long gravel road toward St. Augustine.

Brianna takes over the role of DJ, flipping through the radio stations until she lands on an upbeat pop song that’s all the rage these days.

Her hair whips around her face, so she closes her eyes and sings to the song. She looks happier than I’ve ever seen her.

When she catches me staring, she blushes and points at the road. “Pay attention. We could crash.”

I shake my head as my gaze moves back to the road ahead. I’m driving less than ten miles an hour on this gravel road. We won’t crash.

She changes the station to another song and dances in her seat.

I’d do anything to keep her like this. Laughing. Happy. Carefree.

It’s a thirty-minute drive, but Brianna’s dancing and singing make the trip fly by.

I pull into the crowded parking lot to a local bar.

“Do they have food here? I can’t drink on an empty stomach. Well, I can, but things might get a little out of hand.”

“Yep. It’s a bar and a restaurant.”

---