Page 98 of Chasing Xander
“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
…
Kylie sat at a vibrantly decorated table inside one of the most lavish and expensive hotels she’d ever been in. Mr. Collins had rented the ballroom for his wife’s birthday. It must have cost a small fortune. After several rounds of toasts and speeches, Xander’s parents took to the dance floor. They were cheek to cheek, swaying to the soft, slow music. Everyone clapped. They looked so happy and in love.
Once the song ended, Xander took her hand. “C’mon.” He led her around the massive room, introducing her to one person after another. There was no way she’d ever remember everyone’s names. “Aunt Mel.” He hugged a plump, blond-haired woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties.
“Xander!” She patted his cheek. “You’re looking good. College agrees with you.”
He laughed. “Yes, it does.” He tugged Kylie’s hand. “Aunt Mel, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Kylie.”
“Girlfriend?” Her eyes widened and lit up. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Yes, it is.” Kylie smiled like an idiot. Hearing him call her his girlfriend would never get old. “Xander mentioned you helped plan all of this. It’s beautiful.”
“Aw, thank you, dear.” Someone called for her, and she excused herself.
“Dance with me?” Xander didn’t wait for an answer before he pulled her out onto the dance floor.
“Thank you for inviting me to this.”
He spun her around and then hugged her close to him. “Everyone is staying here tonight, so we’ll have the house to ourselves.”
“Okay.” Her voice cracked. Did this mean something more would happen between them tonight? Nerves filled her belly. “You don’t want to stay here, too?”
“No. I want you all to myself.”
…
Kylie changed out of her dress and put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Then, on shaky legs, she headed to Xander’s room. He greeted her at the door, smiling. She stepped inside and froze. There were lit candles everywhere, the flickering glow giving the room a cozy and romantic atmosphere. Soft music played in the background, and there were actual rose petals scattered about the floor and on the bed. Her heart all but stopped at the sight before her.
Xander led her to the bed, and he sat, but she remained standing, unsure what was going on. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer so she was standing between his parted legs. Then he lifted the hem of her shirt and kissed her belly button. He looked up at her, his eyes dark with desire.
That look in his eyes said it all. Her breath caught. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging enough to tilt his head back before lowering her mouth to his. His lips parted slightly, and then his tongue glided over hers ever so softly. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she savored the taste of him, of his hands on her bare skin, his hot breath mingling with hers. Everything about this kiss, about this moment, was absolutely perfect, and she was terrified it was all a dream. She pulled away and sighed.
“Xander…”
“You’re mine, Ky.” He stood, lifting the hem of her shirt as he did, pulling it off over her head. “Completely.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Xander sucked in a breath at the sight of her bare breasts. He licked his lips and tried to slow his racing heart, but he was afraid nothing he did would calm him. This moment had been a long time coming, and now that they were finally here, he wanted to devour her, but he owed it to her—to both of them—to take things slow.
His hands trembled against her silky-smooth skin as he watched the path they took from her waist up her stomach and over her ribs. Christ, he’d never been this nervous, this aware before. In the past, it was always about getting off, but not now, not with Kylie. He wanted to show her how much she meant to him, show her how committed he was to only her.
He rubbed his thumbs across her nipples, groaning when they hardened beneath his touch. She sucked in a sharp breath, the sound both encouraging him and giving him pause. It wasn’t like he hadn’t touched her breasts before. Hell, he’d had her nipples in his mouth just last night. But knowing what he had planned, knowing he was about to do things to her no other man had, made every touch special. Crucial. He had to make sure tonight was perfect for her. He’d never forgive himself if he fucked this up.
Her hands were hesitant on his biceps as she stared at him, so much desire and wonder in her eyes. Lowering his head, he found her lips and kissed her deeply, his hands snaking around to her back and pulling her closer. He groaned the instant her breasts pressed against his bare chest, teasing him with the promise of what was to come.
“Xander,” she said breathlessly, his name an erotic plea. “Is this really happening?”
“Yes.” He scooped her up into his arms, turned, and laid her on the bed. He brought his body over hers, holding himself above her, his weight in his arms. “I’m going to make love to you, Ky.” He gave her lips a quick, tender kiss. His arms trembled with the effort of holding himself up, or maybe it was anticipation making his muscles weak and shaky. “If you’ll let me.”
She sighed, the barely audible sound shooting through him, branding him to his core. Teasing her mouth with an almost-kiss, brushing his tongue lightly over her lips, he lowered his body. She was all soft curves and warm skin. Pliant. Eager. She was everything he never realized he wanted, the missing piece to the messy puzzle his life had become.
She took his face in her hands. “I swear to God, Xander, if you stop for any reason, I’m likely to kill you.”
He chuckled. “You say that now. Give me an hour or so. You’ll be begging me to stop.” With a wink, he moved his mouth to her neck—her long, slender neck, which he’d watched her rub during their many late-night study sessions, tempting him to kiss the tender flesh so he could listen to her soft sighs of pleasure.
