Page 78 of Rear View
His brows rose like a follow-up question was imminent.
I desperately didn’t wanna go there. Needed to change the subject, fast. “How’re you feeling about tomorrow?”
His stare lowered to my lips, then back. “Real good.”
Swallowing hard, I trailed a hand over my throat before I reached into my pocket and touched the key chain I’d bought earlier, before tugging it free.
Stand tall, Ryah. Don’t be afraid. Just give it to him.
He closed in, and that gaze narrowed on me when he gripped the back of the couch, then leaned forward, giving his arms his weight. “What’s goin’ on, dream girl?”
I shifted again, sitting straighter. “I got you something.”
His head cocked.
Taking his hand, I dropped it into his palm, my face burning. Again.
He rolled it over, his thumb trailing the edges of the black, souped-up little hatchback there. A silver sticker with the words “Vroom, Vroom” ran along its side, reflecting the lights.
I hid behind the curtain of my hair as I gave a soft shrug. “It made me think of you.”
Hooking the key ring over his finger, he held it up and stared, and stared, and stared. The way he looked at it, I couldn’t place the emotion, but whatever it was, it was deep.
He wrapped his fist around it and cleared his throat. “I love it.”
My heart fluttered in my chest. “It was nothing, Xavier.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “It ain’t nothin’.”
Leaning forward, he set his mouth to mine. I arched back, a breathy moan breaking free when his tongue dived past my lips. Liquid heat pooled between my thighs as I slid my hands into his hair and tugged him down to me. I wanted his body closer, wanted his touch everywhere—
A knock came at the door.
Xavier growled before he clutched the back of my neck and deepened the kiss for several heart-pulsing seconds, then growled again, and pulled away. Grabbing his charcoal hoodie from the back of the chair, he threw it on.
“This interview shouldn’t take long, darlin’,” he said, then under his breath, “I fuckin’ hope.”
I bit back my laugh when he headed for the door and opened it.
A pretty redhead in a body-hugging green wool dressstood there. Her hair was done in an elaborate Dutch braid that fell over her shoulder, her makeup flawless as she beamed up at Xavier.
My lungs seized and I suddenly felt woefully underdressed and woefully under…everything.
“Good evening,” she said, her voice soft as a bitter tang coated my tongue.
He tipped his head. “Hey.”
Her gaze flicked past him to me, and that megawatt smile faltered. Smoothing a hand over the side of her cleavage, she asked him, “Are you ready?”
Pressure built in my chest. A need to make myself seen by her. Well,moreseen. Shoving my computer aside, I scurried across the room.
Xavier grinned down at me. “Ryah, this is Trina, the team’s publicist. Trina, this is my girl, Ryah.”
The way he said “my girl,” like he was proud… My thighs clenched. I inclined my head. “Hi, Trina.”
She lobbed a dismissive smile my way. To him, she said, “We should go.”
Xavier eyed me. “You sure you’re alright alone?”
