Page 71 of Xavier

Still no reaction, not even a jaw tick.

I hang my head and whisper, “Come tomorrow morning, I won’t fight. I won’t ever ask to leave the safe house. I promise. We will head back to the house, and I’ll stay there until the killers are arrested.”

Xavier sighs next to me, but I don’t look in his direction. I don’t want to see the look of pity I know he will give me when he tells me no.

“Your dad was very clear that my job was to protect you.”

I scoff and lift my gaze at him. “And you can only do that from the safe house?”

He smirks. “I can protect you from anywhere, Princess.”

“Even the beach?” I ask in a challenge.

“It would be harder, but still manageable.”

“Then why are you saying no? Why are you listening to my dad when you are capable of keeping me safe, even on a busy beach?”

“I didn’t say no.”

I have to think back to what he said.

‘Your dad was very clear that my job was to protect you.’

A smile grows on my face. Dad never said to stay in the safe house. Sure, it might have been implied, but it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Xavier glances around before saying, “We can walk on the beach, but I don’t want to be sitting ducks, so no laying out to tan. We can get a hotel, relax, and order room service, but we have to leave right after my morning check in with your dad.”

I grin wide, feeling happier than I have in weeks, possibly even months.

“Deal!” I yell before jumping up.

I try to pay for the lunch tab, but Xavier doesn’t let me. He pushes my wallet away and hands the waitress several bills. I assume it’s because of some antiquated gender role bullshit he feels is still necessary.

After we leave the restaurant and climb back in his car, he says, “No charges to cards. That’s traceable, and we need to stay under the radar.”

My cheeks blush. “That makes sense. I just assumed it was because you were the man and think men should always pay.”

He puts the car in gear and drives away from the restaurant. “Men should always pay.”

I don’t argue with him. There’s no point right now because I don’t have cash on me. Why would I when most places accept credit and debit cards?

But when this is all said and done, I’ll pay.

My heart skips a beat. Will there be another time after this is over?

Will he want another date?

This wasn’t technically a date, but it felt like one. There were all the staples: food, drinks, dancing, and conversation.

Xavier drives down A1A and pulls into a parking lot of a souvenir store.

I look at him, confused. “Are you stopping here to look for a memento to remember this trip?”

“No. we are going to need a change of clothes and a bathing suit if you want to go swimming.”

“Ooh, smart idea. I didn’t even think about that. I guess we would’ve had to go skinny dipping.”

His eyes fill with lust as his gaze moves down my body. “Let’s go. We can’t be long.”

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