Page 81 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Xander’s voice grew quieter. “I’m more sorry that you’re burdened with me.”

“You are not a burden.”

“You have more important things to do than babysit me.” Xander licked his lips in a sexy, boyish way. “You run a company. You have men under you and responsibilities. You’ve protected diplomats and really important people. I’m just—”

“Don’t.” He stepped closer.

Cassidy was already too close. He knew that. Every reasonable part of him knew that. But reason had been taking blows since last night, and was losing.

He lifted his hand slowly, and when Xander didn’t pull away, Casidy took his chin between his fingers and tilted his face up.

Xander’s skin was tender and smooth. His pulse fluttering beneath where his thumb rested against his jaw.

Up close, he looked even younger. And his eyes, goddamn those radiant, sky-blue eyes were almost too beautiful to stare into.

His mouth hovered inches from Xander’s, close enough to feel the faint tremors in his breath.

“I decide what’s important to me,” he said each word low and deliberate. “I decide what burdens me, where I stand, and who I put myself between.”

Xander’s breath turned shallow, as he dropped his gaze to Cassidy’s mouth.

“I’m sorry,” Xander whispered.

Cassidy brushed his thumb along the line of Xander’s jaw. “I need you safe.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want you frustrated with me.”

“I’m not.”

“You should be.”

“Okay, maybe a little.”

That almost pulled a smile from him. His lips twitched. “I’m not joking with you, Xander.”

Xander held his gaze for another beat, his expression turning vulnerable and a little unsure before he whispered, “You can call me Lane.”

Cassidy’s fingers stilled beneath his chin.

Xander’s blush deepened. “If you want to.”

Lane.

The offer landed in his chest with enough force to make him speechless because he realized the meaning behind the request.

Xander Vale belonged to the world.

Lane didn’t.

It was Xander’s true identity. The real him. Stripped of the glamor, fame, and fortune. It wasn’t a name plastered across television screens or sparkled under lights. It was private and protected.

And he’d given it to Cassidy.

“Lane,” he rumbled, tasting it.

Xander’s lips parted and a faint breath wove through Cassidy’s beard.