Page 61 of The Grump

Wow, he was generous. I loved that.

“What was that about?” I asked when he returned, but I had my answer the next second when the music changed.

“He’s playing ‘White Christmas’!”

“Your favorite.” To my utter astonishment, he took my hand and asked, “Want to dance?”

I had no words, so I simply nodded. He put an arm around my waist, moving me in a slow, intimate rhythm that matched the music right there on the corner of Decatur and Toulouse for the whole Quarter to see. But I didn’t care, and I had a funny feeling that neither did he. Right now, all that seemed to exist was us, the smell of powdered sugar from Café Beignet, and “White Christmas” filling the air.

Xander pressed his cheek to my forehead, and I was close enough to smell his cologne. It was manly and so very addictive. He didn’t say a word as he swayed me to the rhythm of the carol, and neither did I. I was simply enjoying this magical time and being here with this amazing man. It was probably the most romantic moment of my life.

The sounds of the Quarter started to filter in after the music ended. Xander very reluctantly dropped the hand he had on my waist as he took a very small step back, then tilted my chin up. I’d never seen him smile like this.

“This was the most amazing thing ever.”

“For me too.”

He brushed my hair behind my ear. I licked my lips and caught him looking at my mouth. I wanted nothing more than for him to kiss me. Then he pushed my hair behind my other ear as well. A second later, I realized he’d just been prepping the terrain. He leaned in, sealing his mouth over mine.

The kiss went from tentative to passionate within seconds, and I gave in to all his demands without even thinking. I desperately needed this kiss more than anything else. We were shrouded in the essence of the city, the smell of beignets, the sound of jazz, and I was losing myself to this man a bit more with every breath.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when he pulled back. I looked at him through hooded eyes.

“You’re shivering.”

“I hadn’t even realized.” Even though my inner temperature was close to boiling, I was cold now. “The effects of the wine are starting to wear off.”

He instantly straightened up.Nooo!I wanted him to come back and kiss me some more.

“I’ll take you home.”

My stomach dropped in disappointment, but I didn’t say a word.

On the drive home, it was on the tip of my tongue to ask him why he’d changed his mind. Why weren’t we going to his place? But I needed some more wine to do that.

Once we reached my house, though, Xander asked, “What’s wrong?” We got out of the car and walked side by side. “You’ve been silent the whole way.”

“Um...” I laughed nervously, glancing away. I wasn’t sure what to tell him. “Nothing. I guess the food made me drowsy.”

“Bailey.” His voice had dropped an octave. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” I asked, casting my gaze to him.

“You can tell me anything.”

I simultaneously wanted to hold my cards close to my chest and also put them all on the table and be vulnerable with him. The two instincts warred, and the second one won.Here goes nothing.“I’m just wondering why you changed your mind.”

“About what?”

“Wanting me.”

Leaning in, he growled, “I didn’t. Why would you think I changed my mind?”

“You said you were going to take me back to your place and show me your fireplace, and then you didn’t.”

We were silent for a few seconds, and then a smile inched across Xander’s face. It got bigger and bigger until it was a full-on smug grin.Verysmug. “I see.”

“I don’t,” I whispered.

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