Page 81 of Passed Ball

"This is Vivienne Cardoza," Xavier says.

"It's nice to meet you, Vivienne Cardoza," Edward says, before looking back at his friend. "You must've sweet-talked her when the lights were low, huh?"

I snort, caught off guard by the way he flipped from grandfatherly love to teasing so naturally.

"Let's call it luck." Xavier pulls me into his side.

I shift under the weight of his arm, glancing up so the full intensity of his stare is on mine and say, "Luck? Sure, let's call it that. Because who doesn't hit the jackpot on theirthirdspin, right?"

Edward coughs out a laugh. "Oh, I like her a lot."

There's a subtle rasp to Xavier's voice, warmth wrapping around each word as he presses his lips to the crown of my head and says, "Yeah, me too."

The reverence in his tone has emotion flooding my chest, rushing up into my throat and making it tighten. Part of me is screaming not to lose myself to him--to this feeling. The other part is begging me to forget all our rules, even if only for a short while.

I whisper over the war waging in my heart. "Guess you've got good taste then."

"Speaking of good taste, your date awaits and someone did a bang-up job of coordinating it, if I do say so myself." Edwards runs his thumb over Holland's cheek.

"Date?" I tilt my head in Xavier's direction. I guess I'm not the only one bucking the rules today.

"His words, but yeah." His fingers reach up, brushing back his tousled red hair, lingering on the back of his neck as if unsure of what to say next. "I guess it is a date . . . if that's okay with you."

Well, that was cute as hell and there's no way I'm saying no to a bashful Xavier.

"Is Little Miss going with you?" Edward asks, sounding a little wistful at the idea of losing his new friend.

"She is." Xavier's smile is so tender, it melts my heart. "But I promise, we'll be back soon and you can come hang with us any day in the off-season."

Xavier steps away from my side, lifting Holland out of Edward's arms and passes her to me. Instead of placing her back in the stroller, I snuggle her close, letting her sweetness distract me from the unexpected turn this day has taken.

Xavier extends a hand to help Edward up, the two of them exchanging a brief but familiar glance. One that tells me the older man hates accepting help like this, but knows better than to refuse it.

Edward leads us to a door that opens up into the planetarium theater. It's dark under the domed roof, but I follow the colored lights illuminating the floor to the center of the room. There's a flutter in my chest as I take in each carefully thought-out detail of the setup. I cling to Holland, letting her ground me.

Xavier stops behind me with the stroller and I cock my brow, gesturing to the blanket, pillows, and snack board laid out in the open space. "This would've been awfully uncomfortable if I hadn't agreed it was a date since that's technically against the rules."

With the confidence that can only come from being an irresistibly handsome, six-foot-four, professional athlete, he smirks. "Screw the rules."

There's a flash of that same cockiness from the first time we met. Only now, knowing his heart, it turns me on, instead of annoying me. He takes care of the people in his life--treats them like gold. That I'm letting him do it for me is what's got him grinning like a fool. Not that he thinks he's entitled to my attention.

He doesn't give me a chance to protest before he launches into the world's hottest lecture. "I told you before, this list isn't just about giving you all the orgasms your body can handle anymore. I'm going to show you how you deserve to be treatedinandoutof the bedroom until you tell me to stop."

"Until I tell you to stop," I repeat a little breathlessly. Aside from the date, it's still within the spirit of what we agreed to, but it feels like . . . more.

"Yeah. I can find endless ways to make you scream my name, so until you tell me you've had enough, you get all the benefits of being with me."

He parks the stroller, stepping up and stroking his hand over his daughter's hair, but his attention is all mine. It's painfully intimate to have him looking at me this way, almost to the point where I need to look away. My stomach flips and I tell him the only thing I know with any conviction. "There's no chance I'll get sick of this"--I motion between us--"anytime soon. And thank you for today. It's beyond thoughtful."

He bends to reach my lips, giving me a too-quick kiss before he lifts Holland out of my arms. With his back turned, I press my fingertips to my lips. I close my eyes and try to suck in a calming breath but it doesn't ease the heavy want that sits in my chest any time he's around lately.

Not sure what to do with my emotions, I slip off my shoes, taking a seat on the plush blanket where Holland is getting cozy next to her dad.

Everything is laid out to perfection, setting a cozy and romantic mood. I don't know who gets credit for the setup but this date could make even the most jaded girl swoon.

Xavier leans back on his forearms, crossing his ankles. "I hope you don't mind the third wheel. I thought Tenley earned her time off."

"For putting up with you, definitely," I joke. "But for the record, I never mind my sweet Estrela joining us. Not having to share her with Tenley is nice."

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