Page 150 of The Keeper

“Am I in trouble again, Mr. Maddox?”

“There aren’t enough hours left in the day for all the trouble you’re in.”

“Do you really have to leave tonight?”

“I do.” He squeezed my ass. “I’ve already overstayed my welcome. Plus, I have a match on Thursday.”

“You haven’t overstayed any welcome.”

“Tell Bennet. He got an earful when he told the manager I’d be staying behind an extra day and not flying home with the team.”

“Bad boy,” I grinned, nipping at his lip.

“Would you prefer I stay longer?”

“Yes, please.”

Our lips collided in another intense kiss. Intense and affectionate. I whimpered when he ground his hips against mine, his hands kneading my backside. I swung my legs around his waist the second he lifted me off the floor.

I loved having him with me today. I loved not feeling like an anxious, scattered mess. I want him here. Always.

“Xavier,” I spoke his name on his lips. “Please stay.”

A violent tremor shook his body. He slid his mouth over mine slowly as he carried me to the couch. We sank into the cushions still kissing, still touching one another. I straddled him, sifting my fingers through his hair.

He broke his mouth away, softly collaring my neck. “Let me,” he breathed. “Please.”

“Let you stay? Of course.”

“No.” His eyes burned bright. “Love you. Let me love you, Victoria.”

My breath hitched as a single tear rolled down my cheek. His hand remained at the base of my throat, stroking and comforting my skin. I looked at him. Really looked at him and allowed visions of our future together to play uninterrupted.

We’ve known each for less than a month, and I already wanted him for the rest of my life. An invisible ribbon that bound us together tightened around my heart. If I believed in fate, I’d even venture to say the ribbon was loosely tied there by my sister when she was fifteen and sneaking around with his brother.

Xavier pressed his hand to my damp cheek, wiping away more tears with his thumb. “You don’t have to say anything.”

“Yes, I do.”

Leaning close, I kissed his forehead and his scar, and then kissed his mouth. “I want you to love me,” I admitted. “Please love me, Xavier.”

His jagged exhale vibrated through me when his head rested between my breasts. I held him tight, warding off the one voice dwelling deep inside me. The one accusatory voice berating me for not keeping a simple promise to my sister the night we went to the bonfire. The one voice threatening to cut the invisible ribbon tying me to this man, blaming me for ripping apart my family.

“Did you mean what you said last night?” I asked. “When that blonde was hanging on you and you called me your girlfriend?”

“Yes.” His hooded gaze met mine. “I always mean what I say.” He grinned. “You were quite jealous of her.”

“She kept touching you.”

“Fans tend to do that. Will it be a problem for you?”

“I don’t think so,” I answered honestly. “Will it be a problem for you the next time Noah hugs me?”

A faint scowl marred his sultry mouth. “Suppose not.”

“My first jealous boyfriend,” I teased, running my hand down his chest. “Not as sexy as I thought it would be.”

“No?” He looked up at me with dark eyes. “Stand up.” The command came quiet and gentle, but firm.

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