Page 20 of Bad Boy for Hire
“Thanks.” May toyed with the hummingbird charm on the end of the gold chain around her neck. It had belonged to her mom.
Xavier raised his longneck and tilted it in May’s direction. “What do you say? Will you let me accompany you to your ex-boyfriend’s sister’s wedding in Evergreen Cove?”
She guessed that the word yes was written on her face. Her face, her body, which was leaning toward his, and her palm, which was now wrapped around a beer bottle, damp with condensation.
She tilted her bottle but didn’t tap his yet. “This is borderline bribery, isn’t it?”
“Is that better or worse than offering to pay me to go with you?”
“It might be the same,” she admitted. He was charming. And she was tired of fighting the inevitable.
Xavier lifted his eyebrows and waited.
May tapped the neck of her bottle against his. “Okay.”
“Okay, as in yes?” He looked surprised, which was endearing.
“Yes.” She laughed softly.
“Okay.” He was smiling when he tipped the bottle to his lips.
Chapter Seven
May had always wanted to live on the water. Being able to purchase her own lake house had been a dream come true. Before then she’d lived in a small condo near Endless Avenue. It was a great spot for shopping but lacked the privacy she coveted.
She’d purchased her current, cozy residence with the shared dock shortly after she and Prescott had split. She had fallen in love with the lake view. Those first mornings on the dock had soothed her aching heart. It had been a strange thing to be heartbroken and in love at the same time. If asked then, she would have said it was the most beautiful view she’d ever seen.
But not tonight. Tonight, she’d argue that her beautiful lakeside view paled in comparison to the man standing on her front stoop.
Xavier Dane was wearing cognac-brown pants, a fitted wool blazer over a navy-blue button-down shirt, and tooled-leather shoes. A pair of sunglasses shielded his eyes, his beard was trimmed and neat, and his hair was its usual perfect coiffed masterpiece.
She was holding her breath when she opened her front door. Her date delivered a smile that weakened her knees, and when he removed his sunglasses, she nearly collapsed in a heap at his feet.
“Wow. You look amazing,” he said.
“So do you.” She smoothed a hand down her vegan suede dress. She’d chosen a new style from Zest for the wedding. The maxi-length mauve dress featured a high slit that stopped just above the knee. The neutral floral design was both Victorian and exotic, and the flutter sleeves were lightweight and romantic. She’d opted for brown leather cowboy boots, which Xavier complimented next.
“I like those shit-kickers. A bold choice.”
“Thank you. I’m daring when it comes to my wardrobe.” She glanced down at the dapper pair of wingtips and shook her head. “How did you gain this level of personal style? I’ve never known a man who dressed better than me.”
“Come on. You have incredible style. Did you pair this ensemble with a clutch or a satchel bag?” One of his eyebrows arched like he knew he’d impressed her with his handbag knowledge.
“Neither.” She picked up the red velvet coin purse from her end table and then slipped the short bronze chain onto her wrist. “It’s vintage.”
“It’s perfect.” He offered his arm, and together they walked out to his Range Rover. The vehicle was sleek and refined, its paint a subtle metallic sunset gold. It was moments like these she was reminded that Xavier had the money to buy a vehicle that cost over six figures. He had a quiet wealth vibe about him. He didn’t come off the least bit pretentious, but he liked what he liked.
As she settled in the seat, she inhaled deeply. The interior smelled like leather and something woodsy and expensive. Like him. Xavier had always been easy to like, and now that she knew his financial status, she was more impressed. He wasn’t someone who flaunted his money. He wore it the way he wore everything else—with confidence and zero need to impress. It was maddeningly attractive.
Once they were on the main road, he flipped off the radio and asked, “So, are you ready to reunite with your ex’s entire family? Anything I should know about them beforehand? Will your ex want to kick my ass? Should I be prepared to fight for your honor?”
She laughed, but the sound was weak. Xavier coming with her today hadn’t completely erased her nerves.
“Prescott prides himself in being stalwart. Steady, unwavering, the kind of guy you could set your watch by.”
“Sounds boring.” Xavier took his eyes from the windshield to send her a smug glance. “You two were mismatched.”
“At the time, I was craving stability. He appealed.” She inhaled and finished her thought. “We’d been dating only a few months when my mom passed. Shortly after, my dad stopped talking to me and moved away. My aunts and cousins grew more distant. I was alone. Fragile. Prescott’s family filled the void.”
