Page 76 of Rear View
Xavier stilled, the muscles of his neck and arms cording. His expression grew taut, like he was bracing himself.
I followed the lettering on his top with the tip of myfinger. “I wanted to hear those words. For him to say he wanted me again. I’d dreamed of it.” I stared past X and into my closet. “And now, I’m just so…mad.”
His gaze creased. “’Cause he didn’t choose you sooner.”
I shook my head. “No.” I angled forward and cupped his face in my palms, that five-o’clock shadow rough against my skin. “I’m mad that I let myself be treated like an option.” I set my forehead to his and breathed, “Christian did me a favor.”
His tension ebbed, and he angled his face up, his mouth brushing mine. “How’s that?”
“Because without him,” I said, my voice low and husky, even to my own ears, “I’d never have been ready for you.”
Those calloused hands latched on to my ass and dragged me closer. Moving between my thighs, he crushed his body to mine. “Maybe I should chase the fucker down.” His fingers kneaded my flesh. “Thank him.”
I laughed as I draped my arms around his neck and nipped his bottom lip. Warm shivers tracked down my spine when I wiggled in, pressing my breasts against his chest. I tilted my head, my mouth a whisper from his, our breath mingling.
His eyes slid slowly between mine. “You ready, dream girl?”
“I’m ready.” For the weekend. For him. For everything.
“Then hold on.” He lifted and I squealed as he grabbed my suitcase and carried me away.
Chapter Eighteen
Ryah
The drive to Emerald Cove was stunning—seaside with cliff-faced mountains. Snow-peaked caps and waterfalls of ice that hung down the sheer rock along the road. The sky was a spattering of clouds backlit by a waning sun. And when that light had reflected off Xavier’s arctic eyes, it had turned them a piercing shade of blue.
The farther from Edgewater we got, the more my invisible noose loosened. For the first time in two years, I was free.
I was envious of people who lived like that. Did whatever they wanted. Dreamed and made plans. My gaze flicked to Xavier. A kindling of hope sparked in my chest, because with him, it almost felt…possible.
My exhale was soft and long. “What if we never went back?” I said, the words out before I could think or stop them.
His warm hand landed on my thigh. My core clenched and I eyed that touch, wanting it to slide north. “You wanna run away with me, darlin’?”
That answer required a level of vulnerability I was too deprogrammed to give. So, instead, I stretched myarm out and settled my palm over the back of his neck in answer. My nails danced lightly along the skin there until goose flesh rose across his arms.
He cleared his throat. “Where you been hidin’ all my life?”
The truth felt like a mood dampener, not that he didn’t deserve it. But once I told him, things would get real. I’d already lost one relationship because of it, but losing Xavier… I couldn’t even think it.
“You tell anyone you were leaving?” He shifted, his fingers flexing against me.
“Oh, God.” I grabbed my phone. I’d gotten completely sidetracked by him. I glanced his way. Not that it was a bad thing. He was a very sexy package.
Turning away, I cleared my throat, then sent matching texts to Zoya and Miles.
Me: Going out of town with Xavier for a few days.
I was about to click off the conversation, but my brother’s response came fast.
Miles: Video chat. Now!
Frowning, I clicked the app and made the call. He answered immediately, his face filling the screen. His eyes were wide. Concerned.
“You alright,” he demanded.
My frown deepened. “Yes.” I ran a hand up and down, gesturing to myself. “Clearly.”
