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“Yeah, they got back a couple of days ago. I’m looking forward to some quality family time.” The sarcasm in his words made me flinch. “Don’t worry about me,” he added. “It’s nothing I haven’t endured before.”
We pulled up outside of Xander’s building. “I’ll be back before eleven.”
“Thank you,” I said.
With trembling fingers, I opened the door and climbed out.
“Hey, Peyton?”
“Yeah?” I glanced back.
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
I shut the door and stood there, watching as Bryan drove off.
It weighed heavy on my heart that I’d hurt him, but I’d always been honest. Even when we’d been sleeping together, I had been upfront about it being just sex. Still, Bryan was the last person I ever wanted to hurt.
Sadness washed over me, but then Xander’s door opened, and I felt him watching me. As I slowly turned and met his intense gaze, everything else melted away.
* * *
“Hi,”I climbed the stairs to his apartment.
“Happy birthday.” A faint smile traced his lips as his eyes roamed over my body, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. “Come on.”
Xander grabbed my hand and all but pulled me inside.
My eyes grew wide, landing on his small breakfast counter. “Xander!”
“It isn’t much, but I thought—”
“I love it, thank you.” I broke away from him and hurried over to the small birthday display. There was a balloon, a small vase of flowers, a mini cake, and a gift bag and card.
Emotion swelled inside me as I ran my hands over the petals, leaning in to smell them. “They’re beautiful.”
He came up behind me, slipping his arms around my waist and tugging me against his solid chest. His lips brushed the curve of my shoulder, kissing me lightly. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” I nestled into him, wrapping my arms over his.
A sense of peace drifted over me. I’d never wanted this. Never imagined I’d be able to open up to anyone and show them the deepest, darkest parts of myself. But here I was, completely smitten with this complex, layered, and utterly gorgeous guy.
“I realized you wouldn’t be able to take the flowers home after I bought them, but I figured you can leave them here… For when you come over.”
“I’d like that.” Tilting my head, I grazed my lips over his. Xander deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue into my mouth, claiming me. “Hmm,” I sighed, completely overwhelmed by the taste of him, the feeling of being cocooned in his strong arms.
“Can I open it?” I pulled back to look at him.
“Go ahead.”
My skin hummed with excitement. I hadn’t expected him to get me a gift. This thing between us was still so new and fragile. I was just happy to be here.
With trembling fingers, I reached for the gift bag and pried it open. “What is…?” Laughter spilled from my lips as I pulled out the soft toy. It was a birthday bear wearing a party hat and holding a slice of cake.
“I love it, thank you.” I turned and threw my arms around him.
“It’s just a silly bear.” Xander tried to play it down but what he didn’t realize was, it was the first stuffed toy anyone had ever given me.
“Well, I love him.”
