Page 122 of The Keeper

A sullen expression washed over him and then he scowled. Whatever memories he held still warred within him. His fingers pressed into my hips. “Something happened with...there was this,” he squeezed his eyes shut and grimaced. “Red.”

My heart dropped. “Xavier, I’m sorry.” I held him tight. “I’m sorry.”

The strength of his embrace revealed so much more than anything he could say. These might not be the types of limits Bennet had in mind when he mentioned them the other night, but they were our limits. These were the things only time and patience would allow.

I leaned back when his grip on me loosened. My fingers skimmed along his neck, down to his collarbone. I scooted back in his lap, leaned forward and kissed his chest.

“How was it playing again last weekend?” I asked, caressing him.

“Fucking brilliant,” he exclaimed, his eyes alight with excitement. “I love it. Being in goal. Competing with my teammates. Hearing the fans. It’s bloody amazing.”

“You sound like the guys on the Legends,” I smiled. “Have you always been this passionate about soccer?”

“Football,” he corrected. “And yes, I have. I focus most of my time on training. Really pushing myself to be a great player. Cade, too. When we were younger he’d have to pull me off the pitch on weekends to go hang out or see a movie or whatever. I just wanted to excel.”

“You wanted to be the best. A crowd pleaser. Attention grabber.”

“Always,” he conceded. “I wanted to be noticed.”

I chuckled. “I think you’ve been noticed.”

“Oh yeah?” He pulled me closer. “By you?”

“Maybe,” I answered, stroking his shoulders.

“Hmm,” he hummed. “Does that mean you’re willing to break your policy for me again?”

“Pretty sure I broke it on the kitchen counter about two hours ago. And then twice on this couch.”

His throaty laugh filled the room. “Yeah, I’d have to agree with you there, love.”

Xavier’s mouth fused to mine, his tongue pushing past my lips. I pressed my hand to his face, tilting it to the side so I could control the kiss and take him how I wanted. He let me but only for a few seconds. The raw, deep groan vibrating in his chest signaled he’d be the one in control soon.

“Victoria.” He speared his fingers through my hair, grabbing and pulling it so I’d look at him. The sapphire in his irises burned bright, almost celestial. “I have to go back to the hotel soon.”

I pouted. “Curfew?”

“Yeah. With the long flight and the time difference, we’re under orders to be back in the rooms by ten since we have training tomorrow morning.”

“You’ll be at the stadium?”

He nodded. “We’re using the practice field.”

“What time?”

I was subjected to a rather intense, lascivious stare. “Do you want to watch?”

Goosebumps crawled up my arms. “Maybe. Will you be wearing your goalkeeper outfit?”

“Goalkeeper outfit,” he mimicked. “I’ll be wearing my training kit. Will that turn you on enough?”

“Smart ass.” I kissed him quick. “And again, maybe.”

A sinful smile pulled at his mouth. “I can see why Bennet wanted to drape you over his knee so much the other night.”

I blanched. “He told you?”

“Mmm.” The light touch of his hand on my backside sent a shock of pleasure through me. “He did. He finds you to be quite feisty. However, he’s not allowed to touch you in that way. But I can always give him a demonstration. With your permission, of course.”

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