Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
But my body was frozen in time and space, because I couldn’t stop looking at him, at those gray eyes, at that mouth, which spewed self-assured bullshit half the time but the rest of the time, it said funny and heartwarming bullshit that made my stupid little heart skip a beat. And heaven have mercy, I leaned forward. That was all the encouragement Xavier needed because suddenly there was no air left between us and he kissed me, and there was nothing restrained about Xavier in that moment.
And yet, it wasn’t a Xavier kiss, not like the ones I’d witnessed.
Not the let’s-get-this shit-going kind, or the this-should-shut-you-up kind. It wasn’t impatient. He cupped my cheek and kissed me, consumed me, with his lips and tongue. I was lightheaded from his taste, his warmth, his touch. I had never been kissed like this, not anything close to it, hadn’t thought it possible to lose myself in a kiss, in the feel of someone like that.
His other hand touched my back and he pulled us closer until his warmth was everywhere. The fabric of my shirt might as well not have been there at all. My body responded, eager and hungry for his touch. I wanted Xavier. My body did, but so did my heart. What did this mean to him? His palm moved away from my back to my ribs, the touch gentle. I stiffened. I needed to stop this now.
But Xavier did before I could.
When he pulled back, I blinked at him, stunned. Xavier, too, looked almost surprised. For a while neither of us said anything. I cleared my throat and brought a bit more distance between us, but stayed in Xavier’s arm because it was too cold to leave his warmth. My eyes were drawn back up to the stunning night sky, trying to get distracted by the sight, trying to ignore the fireworks in my body and the way Xavier was still watching me.
This kiss could ruin everything.
Xavier’s warm manly scent clung to me, and I could still taste him on my lips, still feel him. I tried to think of something to say, anything, but my mind drew a complete blank.
Xavier finally looked away and up at the night sky as well. He was tense. My gaze was drawn to his hand, which was resting in his lap, and my eyes grew wide. I jerked my head up. There was an unmistakable bulge in his pants.
I had done that to him.
I, Evie, the dumpling. I had to resist the urge to drag him closer and continue the kissing.
Eventually, Xavier sighed. “Will this make things awkward?”
“We don’t need to let it get awkward. We are two adults who can handle the situation in a grown-up way, right?” My voice was strangely rough and breathless.
Xavier glanced my way, and I swallowed. “Yeah,” he rasped, and his eyes darted back down to my lips.
Awkwardness galore it was.
“Maybe we should head back,” I said. I had a feeling neither Xavier nor I were in a state of mind to make responsible decisions at this point.
He nodded and removed his arm from around me. I quickly slid off the truck bed and walked around the car, my pulse still racing in my veins. Xavier and I didn’t talk as we drove back through the darkness.
It only got worse when we entered the dark house. Only Sherlock and Watson greeted us. The rest of the family was probably already in bed. We walked up the stairs together, Xavier close behind me. I could feel his presence and wondered what he saw when he looked at me. A sum of imperfections? Had this kiss been a fluke? Had he been horny and kissed me because there was nobody else around to make a move on? Maybe his family’s meddling had gone to his head after all. Whatever had prompted the kiss, it wasn’t for the same reasons I had enjoyed it.
I stopped in front of my bedroom door. Xavier was closer than I’d thought, towering over me, staring at me with a look I couldn’t read. “Good night,” I said quickly, before I did something stupid like ask him in.
“Good night, Evie,” Xavier said quietly as I slipped in and closed the door in his face.
I leaned against the door and closed my eyes. What had I done?
Regret over the kiss was only a small part of my feelings, but it was the worst—because more than the kiss, I regretted that I hadn’t allowed Xavier to take things further.
I leaned against the wall for several minutes, stunned by what had happened. I’d kissed Evie. I’d kissed so many women, and pretty much every one of my assistants, but for some reason this felt different.
Evie wasn’t a girl I’d ever considered my type. Yet Evie’s personality would have made her attractive even if she were ugly.