Page 59 of Wild Promises

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

He took off for the elevator, and once we were inside, he backed me against the wall, bracing a hand over my shoulder. "I'm gonna need the words to go any farther."

I touched his face, the same one I'd gazed into a million times before and longed for a moment like this. "I want you, Xander.”

"Fuck, yes," Xander practically growled as the door slid open. He grabbed my hand and led me into the hallway. "This is the family's floor. Eli used to have a penthouse up here, and the rest of us use the extra condos when there's an event. This one is mine." He stopped in front of a room at the far end of the hall from where he'd gestured for Eli's condo.

He opened the door and I preceded him inside.

It was large and open. "You have a condo at your disposal whenever you want?"

"I never use it. Oliver uses his frequently with Joey and now Carolina. Obviously, Eli lived in his until his house was built. But I never felt like I should use it, if that makes sense."

I turned to face him; his expression was open. "You don't feel like you're a part of the family?"

He swallowed hard. "Something like that."

"Like you don't contribute enough to your family or the resort to warrant a condo?" I said softly as I considered him. This was a huge door into his psyche. Xander Wilde wasn't the careless, irresponsible man he'd led everyone to believe. He felt things deeply, and I was honored that he felt comfortable enough to share this with me.

He nodded.

My heart thumped. "You are worthy. You deserve everything."

Xander's eyes warmed, then went molten with desire. "Are you the one who's going to give it to me?"

I chuckled lightly. "Yes."

I stepped away from him, lowering the zipper of my dress and letting it sag, then fall to the floor.

Xander's gaze followed the movement. "Fuck. You're gorgeous."

I tilted my head to the side. "You saw me in the bathtub."

"You were covered with bubbles, and when you undressed I averted my gaze." His gaze was a light caress on my skin that sent fire flicking across the surface.

I couldn't remember that night. I just assumed I'd been exposed and that he'd seen everything there was to see. But knowing now that he hadn't, that this was all new, sent tingles through my body. I didn't feel self-conscious in the lace thong and bra. I'd picked my outfit for him, hoping something like this might happen.

Xander stepped closer, brushing his knuckles over my shoulder where the thin strap of my bra was the only barrier between his touch and my skin. "You're absolutely beautiful. More gorgeous than I imagined, and I spent a lot of time thinking about this."

I couldn't believe that Xander had thought about me. "You mean since the bathtub."

Xander shook his head. "Since I was old enough to know I liked girls."

"You liked me back then?" I couldn't help but ask. He was letting me.

He stepped even closer until I was surrounded by his scent. "How could I not?"

I practically whimpered when he lowered his mouth to mine, cupping my head and angling me to exactly where he wanted me. This was different than the kiss in his house. This time, he was in control.

He cradled my head while he explored my mouth. I couldn't resist wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my chest against his.

He reached around and unhooked my bra. I wanted it off, so I pulled back long enough to shrug it off. Then I was pressed against him. This time, my nipples rubbed the stiff material of his shirt.

He growled as he removed his jacket, then unbuttoned his shirt. He was desperate for me. My legs were weak, my core heavy with need, and he'd barely touched me. It was a combination of the reverence in his gaze, his words, and the way he kissed me. He was touching me with intention, as if I meant something to him.

I wasn't one of the women people accused him of picking up in a bar. I was his friend. Taking this step could ruin everything. But this felt too good to stop now.

Besides, I could see my bid for the practice falling apart now that I'd met Lincoln. He was the perfect option for my dad. But I wanted something for myself. Especially if I needed to move in the new year and look for a new job. I'd always have this moment with Xander.

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