Page 58 of Wild Promises

Xander's eyes shuttered. "What do you mean?"

My nose wrinkled. "Pretending in front of my parents, your brothers, the town. It's a lot."

He nodded, dropping his hand.

I missed his touch.

"I was hoping we could have an enjoyable night," Xander finally said, vulnerability creeping into his tone.

"I like when we're alone." And I don't have to pretend. The night in the tub was great because I wasn't thinking about the parameters of our new relationship or stressing about what Xander felt. I just acted on instinct.

"I do too," Xander said, and for once, there was no charm or flirty innuendo. It was just raw honesty. "That kiss earlier took me for a ride."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Xander expertly guided me away from a couple that swayed nearby. "I enjoyed it.”

I swallowed hard. "Me too."

Xander gathered me close, pressing me against his hard body. "It made me want things I shouldn't."

Was this happening right now? Just when I thought that I couldn't take this fake relationship anymore because Xander didn't see me as anything more than a friend, he changed the game.

Xander lowered his head, his words ghosting over my lips. "Tell me you want me too."

The demand ricocheted through my chest, and I curled a hand over his neck. "I think I've always wanted you, ever since I knew what that feeling was." If he could be honest, then I would be too.

Xander sighed. "You've put me in a bad position. We're supposed to be putting in our time here, showing that we're the real deal."

A smile curved over my lips. "What better way to do that than to get a room and head upstairs?"

"Like we can't keep our hands off each other?" Xander asked, his voice picking up the pace.

I grinned. "Exactly."

"You aren't afraid of what your parents might think?" Xander asked, his gaze flitting to them.

"Don't we want to make a statement?" Wait. Was I getting caught up in the act again? For once, I wanted to forget about our plan, our arrangement, and just go by feelings.

Xander grinned, and for the first time tonight, he looked relaxed. "I think we do."

"How are we going to do this?" I asked him.

Xander's gaze darted around the room. "We'll go to the front counter and get a room."

"Can you get a room without going to the front counter?" I asked, feeling nervous about being so open about our desires.

"I don't have a master key to the condos we keep for family upstairs. I rarely use them."

I loved that he didn't make it a habit to take women to the hotel rooms. He'd said as much, but this was proof that he hadn't.

"Come on. Let's see about a room." Xander curved his hand around mine and led me through the throng of dancers, out of the ballroom, and down the hall to the main lobby at a quick pace.

Next to him, with my hand tucked against his, my body was light and bubbly, almost as if I'd erupt into giggles at any moment. I'd never felt so young and carefree.

We were going to cross that line from fake to real. I waited at the counter while Xander requested one of the family’s condos for the night. To her credit, the worker didn't say anything about one of her bosses needing a room. Maybe it was a usual occurrence for those who partied and drank too much.

When she slid him the room card, Xander turned toward me, lifted our joined hands, and kissed the back of mine. "Are you ready for this?"

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