Page 104 of Unraveling Rain
“Fuck,Cherry. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”
He pulls me in tight, like he needs to feel I’m real, that I’m here. I melt into him, pressing a kiss to his neck just below the gold chain. That damn chain. I don’t know what it is about it, but it’s like an aphrodisiac. He looks so damn sexy in it.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner,” I say as he eases back just enough to look at me. “Ruin and Gio offered their helicopter last night, so I flew directly in. I didn’t even have to go through regular security.”
His gaze locks with mine, and a trail of goosebumps dances down my back. That electricity between us is like magic.
He leans in, and when our lips meet, I feel it. Everything I’ve been missing. My lips part without hesitation, and when his tongue grazes mine, the tension in his body evaporates. Like this—we—is the relief he’s been holding out for.
We pull apart, breathless.
“I missed you,” he murmurs.
I huff out a laugh, still smiling. “That’s the understatement of the year. I think I’m going to have to buy a warm body pillow to replace you while we’re not together. Do they make those?”
“I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think anything can replace me.”
He flashes a cocky grin.
I sigh, shaking my head. “Sadly, I thinkyou’re right.”
Before I can even sit down, the boarding announcement crackles over the speakers.
Xander booked us first-class seats, thank God. The extra legroom is a blessing—Xander would never fit in coach.
I’m buzzing with nervous energy. The helicopter ride was smooth, but it was my first time. Between that and the adrenaline from seeing Xander again, I’m feeling a little bit off.
I glance out the window as the pilot gives the usual safety rundown. Xander’s hand finds mine, warm and grounding. He gives me a worried look.
“What do you need? Is there anything I can do to help you calm down?” he whispers.
I close my eyes, trying to steady my breath. “I think… the emotions are getting the best of me,” I admit, heat blooming up my neck.
“I got you,” he says simply.
He lifts the armrest between us and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I rest my head in the crook of his arm and breathe him in—pinewood and leather. Comfort. Home.
Within minutes, I’m asleep.
“Babe, we’re here,” Xander says gently as I stir.
I sit up, smooth my hair, and grab my bag.
“Thank you for letting me rest,” I murmur as we exit the plane.
He kisses the top of my head, and I smile.
Now that we’re back on solid ground, I’m starting to feel like myself again.
I’m expecting Xander to rent a car or grab a taxi, but as we step outside, he scans the long line of waiting vehicles. The moment he spots a gray Land Rover with tinted windows, he heads straight for it, tugging me along.
“Mr. González,” the driver greets as he takes our luggage.
Xander opens the back door for me, and I climb in, shooting him a curious look as he slides in right beside me.
The driver gets in, and without a word, Xander closes the privacy curtain.
“You know, sometimes I forget hockey players make good money,” I tease, shifting to straddling him.
