Page 79 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

He bet the hotel’s restaurant made a delicious one.

Xander almost went to the phone to order room service out of instinct, before he remembered Free’s booby traps.

He’d have to go downstairs himself.

It should be okay to sit at a very public hotel bar. The place was full of people, cameras, staff, security. Seemed reasonable.

He’d text Cassidy so no one thought he’d vanished or tried to escape protective custody.

He sent the quick text.

Going downstairs to the hotel restaurant. Let me know when it’s time to go up and meet with God.

He almost chuckled. The message sounded as if he was planning to leave this world and meet his maker.

Calling a man God was going to take some getting used to.

He stared at the message after it sent.

Then added…

I won’t leave the hotel.

He went back into his room, grabbed his ball cap, sunglasses, and wallet from the nightstand. At the suite door, he slid the sunglasses into place and took a breath.

I’m fine, it’s one little drink at a public bar, there’ll be dozens of people around.

He opened the door, but it was slammed shut before he took a single step.

Xander jumped and spun around so fast he almost lost his balance. He pulse kicked hard before he realized it was Cassidy looming over him.

Still shirtless and sweating.

He had a large white towel draped over his shoulders, the ends hanging down over a chest that shouldn’t’ve been allowed near him before he’d had that damn Bloody Mary.

Cassidy was so close Xander could feel heat coming off him in waves. The scent of sweat, hot skin, and something darker filled the narrow space between them, sharp enough to make his mouth go dry.

The earbuds were gone. His hair was damp, and brushed back from his face, his beard dark around a mouth he wanted to consume him.

Xander stared straight ahead because looking up would be a mistake.

Unfortunately, straight ahead was worse.

Droplets of sweat slid between the heavy cut of Cassidy’s pecs, threading through the dark hair and leaving it damp, slick, and impossible not to stare at. His stomach was tight, clenched in a way that seemed as if he was holding his breath.

“Xander, where are you going?” he growled, his deep voice rolling over Xander.

He dragged his gaze away from Cassidy’s chest to see him frowning down at him, jaw firm, whiskey-brown eyes sizzling with heat.

He swallowed. “I was just going downstairs.”

Cassidy

“I was just going downstairs.”

Cassidy glared.

Just going downstairs.