Page 38 of The Art of Deception

We all burst out laughing as we break apart, and I take one last glance at my team while Skins strolls off down the pavement. Gigi waves, taking off in the same direction as Skins. Hogtie winks at me then crosses the road.

Jana sighs. “I’m always here for you. Any time you need me. I’m your girl, okay?”

I lean in, hugging her again. I know this won’t be the last time I see Jana. We’re too good of friends to let this be it.

She pulls back, winks at Xander, then heads off, leaving Xander and me in front of my store.

Only it’s not mine anymore.

Xander wraps his arms around my waist. “Hey, I know you’re supposed to be getting back to Levi tonight, but Greta can take care of him. You’ve had a big day. You deserve a night to yourself.”

Raising my eyebrow, I stare at him. “What does that mean?”

He steadies his shoulders. “Stay at my place.” It’s not a question, more of a statement.

I’ve never seen his place. Hell, it’s taken a fair bit for Xander to open up to me, so for him to be showing me his place means he must want to take our relationship further.

I beam.

Today has been all doom and gloom, and now there’s a beacon of light in this shitty darkness.

“I don’t have any nightclothes,” I tease.

He grins. “You won’t need any.”

“Or a toothbrush.”

“Use mine.”

I scrunch up my nose. “That’s poor dental hygiene practice right there, Xander.”

He laughs, pulling me in. I squeal as he gazes into my eyes. “Stay with me?”

I soften at his almost-begging tone. “I gotta check with Greta first.”

He leans in, planting a chaste kiss on my nose. “Check on Levi. If it’s all good, I want you to myself tonight, Tomi.”

Smiling, I pull back and remove my cell from my pocket, sending a quick text to Greta and waiting for her reply. The ding comes back soon after with her answer, and I turn to Xander. “It’s all good. She can stay with Levi tonight. I’m all yours.”

His face alights, and it comes from deep inside of him. It ignites his eyes, spreading a gorgeous glow across every inch of his features. “Follow me home in your car, I’ll lead the way.” He leans in quickly, pecking my lips, and it feels like there’s been a weight lifted from his shoulders. I have no idea what the hell’s running through his mind as he heads toward his ride.

He hops on, pulling his helmet over his head. I stride toward my mini, get in, and follow him. I have to admit seeing him wearing a leather jacket and riding that bike does things to me. How the hell I’m meant to concentrate on the drive to his place with him in front of me like this, I have no idea. He pulls out ontothe street, and I follow.What does tonight have in store for us?Suddenly, this night isn’t so bleak after all.

After a little trip through the city, he pulls into a high-rise apartment complex, one of the more expensive ones in the city. My curiosity piques as I follow him. I had no idea Xander was rich. But I continue to follow as he pulls into a specific parking space. He then signals for me to park next to him. It’s like some sort of premium parking right next to the elevator.

My mind starts to tick over.I guess I don’t know much about Xander. With the clothing he wears, I never pictured he’d live in a place like this. This is expensive. And Xander has always been a jeans and tank top kinda guy. He doesn’t scream gazillionaire to me.

I’m so confused right now.

I hop out of my car and walk over to him with a raised brow as Xander slides off his bike, leaving his helmet on his seat.

“You live here?”

He grimaces. “Yeah, I know it’s not what you were expecting.”

“You can say that again,” I snort.

Xander grabs my hand, and then edges me toward the elevator. He pushes the button and turns to me with a hint of something in his eyes, either hesitation or something else. I can’t quite pinpoint the emotions running through him right now. I go to speak, but the elevator opens, so we walk in. He pushes the unmarked button after using a proximity card. It dings, then the elevator starts moving. Jerking my head back, I glance at him as he wraps his arm around my waist like he’s terrified I might run away.

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