I closed my eyes and let myself believe it could last.
That should have been my first warning.
16XAVIER
I was smilingin my sleep.
I knew this because I woke up still smiling, my face half-buried in Kim's hair, her body warm and soft against mine. The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting everything gold, and for a long moment, I just lay there, breathing her in.
What a wonderful life I had.
How the hell did I get so lucky? Me. Xavier Dubois. The family screw-up, the man who'd spent nearly thirty years avoiding anything that resembled responsibility or commitment. And somehow, I'd found her. Somehow she was here, in my arms, wearing my shirt, trusting me with things she'd never trusted anyone with before.
I didn't deserve her. I knew that. But I would damn well spend the rest of my life earning it.
"Why are you holding my mommy?"
My eyes snapped open.
Zoe stood at the edge of the bed, her stuffed elephant tucked under one arm. Her dark hair was tangled from sleep, her pajamas rumpled, and her expression suggested she was prepared to interrogate me until she got satisfactory answers.
I glanced down at Kim. Still asleep, her breathing slow and even, her face peaceful. Thank God she was a heavy sleeper. I pressed a finger to my lips, then carefully—so carefully—extricated myself from the tangle of limbs and sheets. Kim stirred but didn't wake, rolling into the warm spot I'd left behind. I guided Zoe out of the room and closed the door behind us.
"Okay," I whispered, crouching down to her level. "Here's the thing. Your mommy was cold last night. Very cold. So I was just... warming her up."
Zoe considered this. "Like a blanket?"
"Exactly like a blanket."
"But you're not a blanket. You're Xavier."
"I'm a very warm Xavier. Excellent heat retention. It's a gift."
She didn't look entirely convinced, but she was also five and easily distracted. "Can we have breakfast? I'm hungry."
"Absolutely. What do you want?"
"Pancakes. With chocolate chips. And whipped cream. And sprinkles."
"Sprinkles it is."
I raided the villa's kitchen, finding enough supplies to approximate Zoe's request. While she sat at the counter, swinging her legs and chattering about the starfish she'd seen with Evie, I pulled out my phone and texted Sebastian.
I need a favor.
The response came almost immediately.
No.
You don't even know what it is yet.
I don't need to. The answer is no.
I want to do something special for Kim. What does your amazing hotel have to offer?
A long pause. Then:
Call someone else.
