Page 68 of Recon Rendezvous

Fucking facts. “Alright. So, what do you say we head back in there? I'm sure your wife misses your ass, and everyone is probably wondering where we are.”

“Yeah, come on, check this place out. It's pretty dope.”

Standing, I throw a few bills on the bar rapping it with my knuckles and shooting a thanks to the bartender before we head back to the private room.

Stepping into the dimly lit space, my eyes find London sitting on the curved couch with Zuri, looking at her phone, and her eyes shoot to mine as soon as I walk through the circular safe door. Beckoning me with the crook of a finger, I go to her as if in a trance. It's crazy how she easily controls me with just a flick of a hand.

Making room for me on the leather sofa, I perch on the seat beside her. “Anything you wanna tell me?” she asks, a hint of a smile shaping her lips.

Shrugging, I say, “Not especially, but if it has something to do with that pencil dick, it sounds like he already told you.”

“Oh yeah.” She and Zuri share a laugh as she turns her phone to me, and I see the barrage of text messages.

“I think you broke him, Xander.” Zuri laughs.

“He has a very fragile ego if he's that easily broken. But when you point out how someone utterly ruined their life and someone else is reaping the benefits…” I say, holding London’s gaze with my own. “Maybe he finally sees himself for the fucking piece of shit he really is.”

London frowns a bit, shaking her head as if she's just not understanding the meaning behind the words I’m sharing and that won’t do. I need to make her trust me and know every word is sincere. Kneeling in front of her with my hands resting on her thighs, I take a breath and gather my thoughts.

“Babycakes, once I pointed out that I was thankful to him for imploding his life and allowing you to strut into mine, to fucking blow it apart and put me back together, that's when he lost his shit.”

“You said that?” she whispers.

“Of course, I did. He didn't like hearing about his failures and my triumphs, and you know me, I had no problem telling him. And I’ll gladly do it again if he continues blowing up your phone.”

“Well,” Zuri interrupts and gestures over her shoulder. “I'm gonna go join the girls over there, wherever there is, and let you guys talk. I mean, I think you should be doing a little bit more of that and maybe toss in some fucking but talking for sure, one hundred percent.”

We’re both silent as she saunters away, those hazel eyes so uncertain as they search mine.

“Xander,” she whispers, “what's going on?”

“I don't know. I honestly don't. I just know when I'm not with you it's… it's not right, something doesn't feel right. But that uneasiness fades away when I look into your eyes, or I feel this soft skin or smell the scent of your hair. I'm not trying to pressure you, but I want to explore this. I want to explore you and every delicious curve of this beautiful body. Are you ready to finally give me a chance to prove to you that I'm not a fuckboy?”

She dips her head and laughs, and I know I’ve got her. “Even though we've proven that you're a fuckgirl and I'm more than okay with that. But can I prove to you that I'm more thanwhatever my reputation is or whatever your initial notion of me was?”

“Yes. I would like that.”

“Good, we’re doing dinner AF.”

She snorts. “Dinner as fuck?”

“No, dinner and fucking. Babycakes, I’m going to date you so good. You’re going to fall in love with me and we’re going to live happily ever after.”

That laugh I love bursts from her, but I’ve never been more serious.

She will be mine.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

XANDER

“Alright, folks, it’s been fun and all, but we'll see you later,” I call out while herding these tipsy fools toward the sprinter van. Glancing at London, she mouths,we,and I shoot her a wink.

“You're really gonna send us off in the van while you guys have that big ass bus to play on?” Eli calls.

“Hell yeah, get out of here. I got this chariot for my baby.” Shooting him a glare, hoping he takes the fucking hint, and repeat, “We'll see you guys later.” Their snickers hit my back as I usher London onto the bus, and I swear I can still smell the faint scent of sex in the air.

“The last time I had you on this bus, you were on your knees for me, ass up.”

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