Page 60 of Tempting All The Way

“For everything, for being you.”

He rubs a hand over my back and kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Shardonnay. It fucking hurts my heart to see you hurting, babe.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I just hold on to him tighter. After a few minutes, I look up at him. “Let’s go home.”

I’ve been racking my mind for a way to help Xavier. He’s always doing so much for me. I don’t think I could dream up a more attentive boyfriend if I tried. He really is taking the whole role seriously. I’ve come up with a plan, but I need Lucy’s help, and I need to get Xavier to actually let me out of his sight.

We’re sitting around the dining table. I made Lucy come back to Xavier’s place when we left my apartment. After she spent the morning helping me pack, the least I could do was feed the girl lunch.

“I’ll be back. Gotta pee,” I say, walking into the bathroom. I pull out my phone and text Lucy.

Me:

I need to escape. We need to get out of this apartment without Xavier being suspicious.

I wait for her reply, which doesn’t take long.

LuLu:

Why?

Me:

I have a plan. I’ll fill you in once we’re out of here.

LuLu:

Okay, operation escape X is on.

I smile. Lucy has a fantasy about becoming a secret assassin. The only problem with that plan is she gets squeamish at the sight of blood and the girl couldn’t hurt a fly.

Walking back out to the dining table, I reclaim my seat. “You okay?” Xavier asks.

“Yep, everyone pees, Xavier. It’s very normal.” I roll my eyes. He grabs my hand and pulls it up to his lips, placing kisses on each of my knuckles.

“Okay, ew. Shar, I need you for the afternoon. We’re going shopping,” Lucy says, standing from her chair.

“I need her more,” Xavier grunts.

“What are you shopping for?” I ask, going along with our cover story.

“I need new shoes. Come on,” she says, her bottom lip protruding in the perfect pout. “It’s been too long since we’ve gone shopping.”

“Okay, I’ll come,” I tell her. Turning to Xavier, I lean in and place a quick peck on his mouth, because if I let myself get too lost in his kiss, I won’t be going anywhere. “Will you be okay here by yourself?”

“I’llbe fine. My cock, however, misses you already,” he says into my ear, so only I can hear him.

“Okay, well, I won’t be long.”

I’m about to walk away when Xavier grabs my hand. “Hold up,” he says and stands. He takes his wallet out of his back pocket and removes a black card before presenting it to me. “Take this.”

I look from him to the card. Anger heating my cheeks. I know he means well, but there is no way in hell I’m taking that card. “We’ll talk about this later. When I get home,” I tell him. Andwalk out of the room, to the elevator, and press the call button. Why do these things take so long? It’s nearly impossible to make a quick escape.

“Shardonnay, stop, wait.” Xavier comes chasing after me.

I spin to face him, my hands landing on my hips. “No, you stop. I told you I’m not your freaking charity case, Xavier. I don’t want or need your money. If I want to buy something, I’ll buy it my damn self.”

“You’re right. You’re not my fucking charity case. You’re my girlfriend, my live-in spouse. It’s not my money anymore, Shardonnay. It’sours,” he growls out.

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