Page 73 of Rear View
“Good luck this weekend, Xavier.”
She took one step away. Two. A hollow pit opened inside me, and my hand shot out, latching on to that hoodie. I snapped her to me and kissed her again. Hard and deep and as goddamn desperate as I was.
She gripped my waist, a soft moan escaping her. Christ. She was gonna kill me making a sound like that. When I pulled back, I jumped into the Jeep, ’cause if I didn’t go then, I never would.
“See you soon, dream girl.”
Her wave was small when I shifted the vehicle into drive and veered away. I didn’t wanna leave her. I wanted to race but I wanted her there with me too. And, shit, if the sight of her in my rear view didn’t fuckin’ hurt.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryah
Xavier’s taillights grew smaller as he drove across the lot, heading for the road. As he left, my heart, and happiness and every ounce of security I’d finally started to feel left with him.
The weight of that fear crept back in. What ifhe’dbeen watching? What if he’d just been waiting for Xavier to go? I was alone. Vulnerable. My heart pulsed in my ears.
Xavier’s brake lights flashed red. The Jeep tires chirped when it skidded to a halt. He reversed with a shot, whipping up to the curb in front of me, then launched out.
Tears pricked my eyes as I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck, gripping tight.
He took my thighs, hooking them over his hips, and held me. Just held me. But it was enough to fill that void. Several seconds later, he pulled back, and those icy eyes were hooded when they locked with mine. “What would you say if I asked you to come?”
My brows lifted. “To Emerald Cove?”
His gaze tracked between mine while he offered a tight nod. “Bring your books. Work on your thesis. I’llget you your own room. Whatever you need. Just come. Watch me race. Be there with me, darlin’.”
Leave. With him.Forhim. Get out of Edgewater. I’d have to cancel my meeting with Barlowe, and miss my afternoon lecture, but I’d already read ahead. I bit my lip, surprised and yet not at the utter lack of fear that idea brought. Because he wanted it, and so did I.
“Okay.”
His mouth twitched at the corner. “Yeah?”
The smile I wore warmed my soul. “Yeah. I just have to pack a few things.”
He charged us toward the building, and I shrieked a laugh.
As he closed in on the door, my gaze lit on the security pad, then back to him. “Four-five-nine-eight,” I said, tipping my head toward it. “The code to get in.”
He punched it and took us across the lobby, then up to my apartment. When we crossed over, he set me down and closed us in.
“I’ve gotta make some calls. Get whatcha need.”
I beamed as I scampered to my room, then stopped dead in the doorway. “Xavier,” I said, turning to face him.
“Yeah, dream girl?”
“I don’t need my own room.”
His smile reached his eyes. “Glad to hear it.”
My face heated as I ducked inside. Pulling out my phone, I typed up a message to Barlowe.
Hi Dr. Barlowe.
I’m just writing to cancel our meeting this evening.Something personal has come up and I won’t be able to make it.
Ryah Nolan
