Page 77 of Passed Ball

One more picture comes through. He's got one big hand covering Holland's back as he pumps his fist in victory. Seeing him like this, playful and relaxed, has me floating on cloud nine. Pride swells at how well he's adapted over the past two months, and despite having support from friends and Tenley helping him, the change in his confidence is all him.

Xavier:

Meet me at Cherry Creek Park.

You bring the caffeine, I'll grab breakfast for us.

Vivienne:

You know I'm capable of

feeding myself.

Xavier:

Disagree.

Vivienne:

Whatever.

Xavier:

Such a sassy mouth.

Keep it up and I'll find a better use for it.

Vivienne:

It's cute that you think that's a threat.

Xavier:

And now I'm hard.

Vivienne:

Pictures or it didn't happen.

My phone dings again, and I'm disappointed that it's only a notification that Xavier has shared his location with me. Silently chastising myself for being such a needy hussy, I throw the covers off to get ready.

Another ding stops me, steps from the bed, and I dive for my phone. What I see on the screen has me sweating on the spot.

The wordspack an overnight bagare accompanied by a thirst trap worthy of the drool forming at the corner of my mouth. Xavier's standing in front of his bathroom mirror shirtless, red hair a mess, a touch more stubble than normal along his jaw, and his hand disappearing down the front of the obviously tented basketball shorts. Somehow, it's lewd and cozy all at once.

I save it to keep me company when he's back on the road.

I race through packing my bag, my heart pounding with a dangerous mix of excitement and caution because spending time with the hot single dad who's not supposed to make me feel this way suddenly is like the only thing I want.

Chapter 35

Xavier

You know those slow motion montages that happen in chick flicks where the crowd parts and the guy gets a good look at the girl he's into? That's what it's like when I catch sight of Vivienne as she dodges a group of runners on Cherry Creek Trail.

The dark locks that she normally wears loose are braided to the side. Immediately, I know that I'm going to take liberties with the exposed skin she's giving me access to.

Maybe it's the unspoken promise of what's next on her list and the ease with which she agreed to staying overnight with me, or maybe I'm using that as an excuse because losing my mind over neck skin is humbling enough.

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