Page 170 of The Keeper

I cried and hugged him and let him comfort me.

I held him so tight. So goddam tight. He’d never leave again if I held him like this, right?

I cried until I had nothing left. But even after my breathing evened out and I stopped sniffling, he still held me. He still kept me wrapped in his muscular grip so I could inhale his scent and hear his heart beating.

Whispered words floated around me like a solemn prayer.

I love you.

I need you.

I’m sorry.

Please forgive me.

The gentle touch of his fingers sifting through my hair made me shudder. I backed away, finding it difficult to look directly at him. Of course, he could sense it and tipped my chin up.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, wiping what I could only imagine was my smudged mascara off my cheeks.

I swallowed, shaking my head. “I am a hot mess right now.”

“Yeah but you’re my hot mess,” he teased.

“Asshole,” I muttered, shooting him an incredulous look before moving over to the high-top table to grab my clutch. I pulled out my phone, held it up and looked into the camera.

Woof.

Hot mess was too kind.

“Can you hand me the napkin under my glass?” I asked.

Once he did, I wiped the black mascara streaks and dabbed at the dark smudges under my eyes. Fortunately, I was able to blend and salvage my make up so it looked like I either failed miserably at doing a smoky eye or I was mildly drunk. The epitome of sophistication.

Xavier watched me the whole time, fidgeting with his cufflinks.

Cufflinks.

The man wore a tuxedo and cufflinks and a BOW TIE.

And he’s here. This morning he was on my television smiling and looking into cameras and winning championships and now he’s right here.

And he didn’t answer my text.

Or tell me he was coming to New York.

Or tell me he’d be at this bloated fundraiser.

Or, or, or…

UGH.

I should be angry. I should be rip-roaring mad. I should break up with him for real.

But I can’t. I can’t because I’m in-fucking-love with him and I’d be miserable without him.

“Come here,” he ordered quietly.

I went to him because how does a moth not go to a flame or a bee not seek out nectar?

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