Page 22 of The Keeper

League Champions.

Man of the Match.

Player of the Month.

“Obnoxious, isn’t it. All those medals.”

I turned to see him grinning and offering me a glass. I smiled and thanked him.

“Not too obnoxious,” I said, taking a sip. “You should see all the rings I have thanks to my team’s championships.”

“Those big, gaudy things?” He wrinkled his nose in mock disgust. “Wouldn’t even wear them.”

I swallowed the rest of the bourbon, put the glass down, and glanced at his hand. “Yours are nice.”

“Just decoration.” He smiled. “Would you like another?”

Yes.

“I shouldn’t. I had a few too many at the event and I don’t want you to think I can’t hold my liquor. Plus, I should, you know, keep my wits about me while I’m here with you.” My voice trailed off at the end while I studied every inch of him. I noticed the subtle way he positioned his body to fill my entire line of sight. Not that I wanted to look at anything else.

“I am a gentleman, you know.” His low, sexy tone returned.

Something in his expression dared me to fire off a sarcastic response. I had a better idea.

“And what if I’m not a refined lady? What if, underneath my fancy Ivy League education, designer clothes, and successful career is just some horny girl who wants to know if the gentleman you described earlier actually exists.”

The change in his demeanor was immediate, like I’d flipped a forbidden switch in him. His warm, casual smile dissolved into a curve of hungry desire. I put my hands on his chest and looked up into his eyes. A burst of icy sapphire surrounded the dark pools of his pupils.

“I thought you said—“

“I know what I said.”

Screw my policy. Screw the rules. I wanted him. I wanted to stop denying myself something that would bring me pleasure beyond my imagination. And it would make me forget the real reason I had to come to England.

There’s little hesitation when his mouth brushed over mine. His determined lips knew what they wanted. He flicked his tongue along the top of my lower lip, no doubt tasting the bourbon and recalling the quick bite he’d left there. A small, ragged sigh shuddered through him.

Then he fisted his hand into my hair, pulling it almost to the point of pain. He angled my head where he wanted it, his tongue invading my mouth fully. This is what I craved. This is what I needed. Aggressive. Rough. Untamed.

My back hit a wall within seconds. He pulled my skirt up and lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist.

I wanted to drown forever in this kiss. Taking his wild passion, giving him what he needs, losing myself in the sensation of his muscular body pressed to mine.

He broke his mouth away, slipped his hand between us and pulled my panties aside. “I’ve pictured this moment since running into you the other night.”

“Was this the outcome you hoped for?” I arched against the wall, anticipating his touch.

That damn dimple appeared when a salacious grin curled his mouth. “One of them.”

My body shook when he spread my folds open and dipped his fingers inside me, curling them to hit just the right spot. I sighed as he steadily plunged them in and out. My hips moved subtly to match his rhythm. A look of absolute ecstasy washed across his face.

“I can’t wait to taste you.” He withdrew his fingers and painted my lips with my own desire for him. Then he licked across them slowly and deliberately. On a groan, he molded his mouth to mine, kissing me like he’d been waiting for this moment for a long time. Like it was meant for him. Fated.

Returning his hand between my legs, he pulled his mouth away and whispered, “I won’t be able to deny you anything.”

The way he looked at me made my heart pound.

Xavier lowered my legs so I could stand. “Don’t move.” His eyes trailed up and down my body while he unbuttoned his shirt. I let out an audible gasp when he dropped it to the floor.

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