Page 115 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Cassidy’s gaze flicked to his mouth. Then lower. “What do you want?”

Tech cleared his throat from the front. “Slade and I are sitting right here.”

Xander didn’t look away from Cassidy. The city lights moved across Cassidy’s face, catching the sharp line of his jaw, the dark beard, the heat behind those smoky eyes.

Xander angled toward him, lust moving through him with enough force to not give a damn who was listening. He let his gaze travel over Cassidy’s strong body, the suit, the chest beneath it, the thighs he’d thought far too much about for the last several weeks. “I think you already know that answer,” he whispered.

Cassidy pressed closer until his voice was only for him. “You think you’re ready for me, sweet boy?”

Xander nodded too fast to be dignified. “Yes.”

Cassidy narrowed his eyes.

“Yes,” Xander said again, knowing he sounded desperate.

Because he was.

Cassidy nipped his ear. “We’ll see.”

Tech sighed. “I’m filing a complaint with God.”

Xander laughed, breathless and happy.

The Golden Crown Awards were held at the Ellington Theatre downtown, a restored landmark dressed tonight in gold light, red carpet, and absolute madness.

Searchlights moved across the sky. Fans surged behind barricades. Photographers shouted names in overlapping waves that turned every arrival into a storm.

Security was thick around the perimeter, but Xander still felt Cassidy’s hand steady at his back as they reached the debus point.

“Starlight at the disembark point,” Tech said quietly into comms.

Slade opened the door. The noise hit first. Then the flashes.

Xander stepped out and for one blinding second, everything became light.

Cameras burst in rapid fire. People screamed his name. Fans held posters, photos, rainbow flags, copies of magazine covers, signs that said WE LOVE YOU XANDER and SILENCE SAVED ME and STAY STRONG.

His chest tightened but not with fear this time.

With emotion.

Cassidy walked close beside him, just out of frame when he could manage it, present enough that Xander never had to wonder.

Ruxs and Green bracketed the perimeter beyond the camera lines. Steele drifted a few more feet behind. God and Day moved ahead and to the far side, invisible to anyone who didn’t know what or who they were there for, while Tech remained with the vehicle and in digital coordination with Free.

Now for the daunting part.

Xander walked the carpet.

He signed autographs. Took photos. Smiled for reporters. Answered questions about the film, the sequel, his cast, the pressure, the gratitude, the love he’d received from fans.

And, repeatedly, his security.

“Xander, you look incredible tonight,” one entertainment correspondent said, her smile bright as diamonds. “And may I say, you also look very well-protected.”

A laugh moved through the press line.

Xander smiled. “I’m in very capable hands.”