Page 26 of The Keeper

That seemed to satisfy him for the time being. His fingers continued caressing my skin while his mouth left warm kisses along my shoulder.

“You broke your policy for me.”

I rolled over to face him, meeting his blue stare. “Looks like I did.”

“How long are you here for?”

“I told you already. I leave Wednesday.”

He gave me a funny look. “I’d remember that piece of vital information. You didn’t say it to me.”

My post-sex brain went into overdrive. I told someone. I must have. I remembered saying it earlier tonight when…

“Oh. I mentioned it to Bennet.”

“Hmm.” He cupped his hand over my backside. It was still sore from all his grabbing. “Confusing me with my friends? I see how it is.”

“Honest mistake.”

He combed his fingers through my hair, gently scratching against the scalp.

I laughed softly. “This was supposed to be why you invited me here.”

“It still is.”

We remained silent for a long moment. At some point I knew I had to leave but I wanted to savor this just a bit longer.

“Xavier?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad I bumped into you tonight.” My eyelids became quite heavy. All the bourbon and sex finally caught up with me. “But I should probably go before I fall asleep,” I mumbled.

The massaging stopped for a second. But only a second. “You don’t have to go,” he said quietly.

I snuggled closer to him. Five more minutes and then I’ll leave. Just five minutes…

His fingers continued their slow massage through my hair.

“Feels so good.” I think I said that out loud.

I woke up wrapped in Xavier’s arms. The first slivers of daylight brightened the room. I squinted. He didn’t have any curtains or blinds on his windows. Not wanting to wake him, I carefully disentangled myself from his embrace and got out of bed. I took one last long look at him before hunting for my clothes and redressing.

Leaving without telling him felt wrong.

But this was only a one night stand.

One night to distract myself.

It had to be.

Xavier

“Ready to get your ass whipped, Maddox?” Cade spun the ball in his hands before placing it on the penalty marker.

“Not in this lifetime, Gallagher.” I grinned, throwing my hands up, making myself as tall and long as possible.

Cade stilled his body, letting his shoulders relax. He breathed in deep, looking just past my left shoulder. To an untrained eye, it appeared he’d kick in that direction. But I knew better. Cade’s stance, while static, gave away his secrets. The way his hips tilted slightly to his left revealed that he’d kick the ball so it curved to my right.

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