I noticed it when he first arrived, but Cash, Kian, and Beckett all had scrapes or wrapped knuckles, too, so I didn’t want to make a big deal about it… but… I need to know.
“Did you hurt that guy?” I ask, just barely a whisper.
He clenches his jaw for a second, then looks directly at me. “I killed him, sunshine. I’m going to kill every other person who ever hurt you. And if they aren’t alive anymore, I’ll kill their family.”
My pulse races faster, and for a second, my vision clouds. Did he just say…?
“Xander—”
“Daddy.”
Oh, God.
“Daddy,” I repeat.
“That’s rule number one, sunshine. When we’re together, I’m Daddy.”
“Rule number one?”
He nods and rises, he kicks off his shoes, and then unbuttons and removes his dress shirt. Then he reaches for my feet and pulls off one of my Vans, using his thumb to press along the arch for a moment before he moves to the other one.
“Yeah, baby.”
I nibble the inside of my cheek, confusion and questions swirling.
“What is this? Between us?”
It’s the one question that men hate. I’ve seen enough movies and read enough books to know that. I can’t help it, though. It’s not like I’m interested in anyone else, but I don’t know whereI stand with Xander. Last night was supposed to be a one-time thing, yet tonight feels a lot deeper.
He pauses, his hand still wrapped around one of my feet. “I don’t know.”
There’s something in his voice that makes a lump form in my throat. Pain, maybe? Whatever it is, it’s not good.
Instead of saying anything else, I lie back against the pillows as he makes his way into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. As soon as I’m alone, I take a breath that is almost a silent sob.
Why am I upset? We barely know each other. We’ve only had sex once. Why would he know what this is between us? It’s not like he saw me once and became completely obsessed with me and decided I was his one and only future. That’s the stuff of fairytales. This is real life. Things don’t actually happen that way.
When he returns a moment later, he holds out a washcloth. “Let me clean your face.”
“I can do it,” I squeak out as I try to grab the cloth from him.
“No.” He shakes his head, then gently starts wiping my face. “I think you spend too much time trying to take care of others. I want to be the one to take care of you.”
God, I might not survive this night.
Right now, I’m convinced I’m going to die of dehydration from all the tears that keep coming.
“I don’t like it when you cry.”
I laugh softly as he wipes my cheeks. “These are happy tears.”
Xander frowns like he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t comment. When he finishes, he tosses the towel and climbs into bed, nudging me over slightly so he has enough room.
He finds the button of my jeans and somehow manages to undo them for me. “Slide these off. I want your skin on mine.”
I wiggle my legs free and kick the pants onto the floor, leaving me in just my panties and tank top. Xander immediatelywraps himself around me, one leg kicks over both of mine, and one arm slides under me. My back is pressed into his front, and his other arm curls over my chest, his big hand holding onto one of my wrists, holding me tightly against him.
“Fucking perfect,” he whispers before pressing a kiss to the back of my head.
