Page 102 of What About Us

Xander’s back is to me, but Coop’s eyes come up to us, and they darken when they land on his wife. When he looks at me, a slow smile spreads over his face.

“Well then.”

Xander turns, and his expression goes completely blank as his eyes move from my face, down my body to my feet, and then back up again.

I do a little turn, and by the time I’m facing him again, he’s striding toward me, his jaw clenched.

“Why are you mad?”

“Because I have to wait hours to get you out of this incredible dress and fuck you properly.”

Britney barks out a laugh, and I smile softly as I reach up to straighten his bow tie. My man is so broad and tall, and this custom tux fits him perfectly.

“You’re quite handsome, Mr. Hendrix.”

“You’re a fucking miracle,” he replies, and my heart catches. “Christ, you’re so damn beautiful.” His hand comes to my face, and his thumb ghosts over my cheek. “You didn’t hide your freckles.”

“They wanted to, but I said no.”

“Good girl,” he whispers and kisses my forehead.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Cooper says. “Shall we go?”

“The sooner we go, the sooner we can leave,” Xander agrees.

“You know, this is for your own charity,” I remind him. “We can’t be in too big of a rush to leave.”

“Oh yes. I can.”

I smirk, relieved that he likes what he sees, and we take our own chauffeured vehicles over to the Denver Art Museum, where the event is being held. I appreciate that no one wants to deal with parking, and then we pull up out front and my stomach clenches.

“Um, Xander?”

“Yes, baby.”

“There’s a red carpet.”

I look over at him, and he smiles. “Of course. There’s a lot of famous people here tonight, and the press wants their piece. For your information, I’ll be introducing you as my girlfriend tonight. I hate that term, but I can’t say this is the other half of we. Girlfriend sounds like middle school, but whatever.”

“I’m your girlfriend.”

“Yes.”

He holds my gaze.

“And you’re telling me this now.”

“Well, you were gone all day, and I thought it was pretty self-explanatory when I said you’re mine.” He shrugs. “It’s just a label, Red.”

“Right.” I exhale and then nod. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Before he climbs out of the car, he leans over, takes my chin in his fingers, and kisses me softly.

“You’re the most beautiful woman here. There’s no need to be nervous, wildcat.”

I offer him a shaky smile, and then he steps out, buttons his jacket, and offers me his hand.

Flashes are already going off all around us as Xander tucks my hand in the crook of his arm and leads me up the carpet. We get stopped about every ten seconds to pose for photos—I can’t wait to get my hands on these later—and so Xander can answer some questions, mostly about how he’s feeling and if he’ll be back this season.