Page 163 of Zero Chance

Realizing what she was saying, she stopped searching the bag and sent Alec a guilty glance.

In my ear, Keene taunted, “Way to jinx her into thinking about her ex.”

I scowled over my shoulder at him while on the couch, Xander said, “Holy shit, what am I doing?I don’t have to save the right bars for him anymore, do I?”

“No, you don’t,” Alec murmured softly.When he held a single Twix out to her, I knew it was a right one.“Go ahead,” he coaxed, tipping up his chin in encouragement.“You know you want to.”

Temptation glittered in her eyes as she stared at the candy bar.Then she reached out and slowly tore the package open.Her gaze lifted questioningly towards Alec as if seeking his moral support, and he nodded, taking her hand to squeeze it.

She sank her teeth into the first bite and chewed without emotion.

Watching her closely, Alec said, “Tastes good, doesn’t it?Way better than those cruddy oldleftbars.”

Xander met his eyes and swallowed before she answered, “No.It tastes exactly the same.”And with that, she burst into tears.“What the hell, Alec?Why would he do this to me?”

I started to move toward her, needing to be there for my hurting friend.

But at the same moment Keene tightened his grip on my waist, halting me, Alec rasped, “Xander,” his voice breaking.“Dammit, come here.”

When he opened his arms, she practically leaped into them, crawling into his lap and resting her face on his shoulder as she wound her arms around his neck.

My throat constricted as Alec turned his face into her hair and stroked the other side of her locks lovingly.

“I don’t get it either,” he assured, kissing her temple in comfort.“I mean, it would’ve made much more sense if he’d claimed the left Twix as his.Because, you know, left…Liam.They both start with L.The alliteration of it alone would’ve made it much more logical.”

Xander blurted out a laugh and nudged his arm in reprimand before lifting her face from his shoulder to wipe the tears off her cheeks.“You’re such a goofball.”

He smiled up at her lovingly.“Yeah,” he agreed softly.“I really am.”

Gazing into his eyes, she set her hand on his cheek.“And I love it,” she claimed.“That was exactly what I needed.Thank you.”

“Anytime,” he choked out when Xander leaned down to press her lips softly to his cheek.

I could tell just how affected he was by the move, and suddenly I felt like a voyeur.

Keene must’ve had similar thoughts because he took my hand and tugged me down the stairs, straight to his room.

“How long do you think it’ll take those two to realize they’re absolutely crazy about each other?”he asked as he led me inside.

But I’d already forgotten all about Xander and Alec.As I gazed about the room, I noticed candles sitting everywhere, on shelves, desks, chairs.He hadn’t lit them yet.But the fact that he’d prepared this much and attempted the romantic ambiance was enough to snag my heartstrings.

Forgetting his question, I grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt when he turned around with a curious lift of his eyebrows.

“I think your only concern right now should be how long it’s going to take to strip me bare,” I told him.

“Jesus.”His eyes sparked with interest just as I jerked him toward me and plastered my mouth to his.

Moaning, he cupped the back of my head and kissed me back just as thoroughly.I kept nudging him backward until we made it to the bed.Then I pushed him onto the mattress.

Grinning up at me, he reached for my waist as I crawled on top of him, straddling his hips.“God, you are so fucking gorgeous,” he said, pulling me down as he arched up his face to kiss me again.

I ran my fingers through his hair and he cupped my ass.He ground me against him while I let my nails scrape gently across his scalp.And he shuddered his approval as he grasped the hem of my dress and pulled it up and over my head.

Left in nothing but the new bra and panty set I’d gotten at a lingerie boutique on Wednesday, I held my breath as I watched him run his gaze over my body.

“God…damn, darlin’.”He shuddered, and his gaze heated with lust.“I know I don’t deserve a treat like you, but I’m glad I got you anyway.”

He heaved up, flipping us around on the mattress, making me squeak in alarm until I was on my back, and he was on top.

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