Page 133 of What About Us

“Damn perfect,” I reply with a sigh and lean back so I can lounge in the heat of the water.

Xander makes sure my braid is hanging out of the tub, and then he grabs my hairbrush and starts to undo the plait. Before he brushes it, he drags his fingers through it all, making me moan.

“I love it when you play with my hair.”

He hums behind me, and then he gets to work brushing it. He drags the bristles through the hair at my scalp, careful not to tug too hard.

It’s amazing how easy it is for him to make me relax. To make me forget all the horrible feelings from my day and help me feel calm.

When he’s finished brushing, he twists my thick hair to the top of my head and uses a claw clip to hold it there so it doesn’t get wet.

“I’ll be back,” he says as he stands and leans over to press a kiss to my forehead.

“I’ll be here.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

XANDER

Iknow we all have bad days, but I fucking hate seeing my woman look as defeated as she was when she got home from work. And part of me feels like an asshole for telling her to quit the job because I know how much she loves what she does, but Jesus. She doesn’t have to do this to herself.

And I’m feeling particularly protective.

So sue me.

When I walk back into the bathroom, Ivy’s still in the tub, pushing and pulling her hand in and out of the water.

“Are you wrinkled enough?” I ask her.

“Yeah.” She tips her head back and smiles at me. She’s flushed from the hot water, and I want to hold her.

So I’m going to.

“You changed,” she says with surprise and then looks up at my hair. “Did you shower?”

“Yeah. I wanted you to enjoy your time in the tub. But now you’re all mine.”

I take her hand and help her to her feet, and she opens the drain for the water. I wrap her in a warm towel, and she sighs as I gently pat her down to get her dry.

“You’re so good to me,” she murmurs, her eyes heavy with sleep.

“This is the bare minimum, wildcat.” I touch my lips to hers and then lead her to the bedroom. Rather than put her in pajamas, I gesture for her to get between the sheets, and she lifts an eyebrow.

“It’s only, like, nine.”

“We have to be at the airport by five, and you’ve had a long fucking day.” I shuck out of my sweats and T-shirt and climb in after her, pulling her against me, and my cock has already joined the party.

“I almost forgot that we leave in the morning.” She yawns and lays her head on my shoulder.

She’s tired, but her hand drifts down my torso, over my abs, and I let my fingertips drift up and down her arm.

“It’ll be good to see Britney,” she says as she swirls the tip of her finger over my navel. “And some of the other girls. I think we’re going to dinner one night.”

“You’re going to a WAG dinner?”

“Yeah.” She looks up at me. “Is that okay?”

“Of course. I hope you have a great time with them.” Her fingers continue on their journey over to my hip. Her forearm brushes right over where I want her the most, and I groan.