Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
"Not just that, no." He sighed. "What I want, Rosalee, is you."
"Hey, are you folks ready to order?"
I bit back the go the hell away that was on the tip of my tongue and shook my head. "Two coffees, please."
"And two breakfast specials," Xavier added.
"Okay," the server began. "Would y'all like a—"
"I don't care," he growled. "Two specials with one of everything. Take your time."
The server nodded sharply and turned away.
"That was rude," I laughed.
"I want you, Rosalee. Just you." He sighed and reached across the table for my hands. "I'm in love with you, and I didn't realize it until I woke up to apologize and found you gone."
I tried to pull my hands from his, but he didn't let me. "Maybe you just wanted it to end on your terms?"
"No. I had already planned to apologize; I just needed to find the right words after such a monumental fuckup." He squeezed my hands, brushing a soft kiss on each one. "I love you and I'm all in on you and me, Rosalee. You are the woman I want, the one I need in my life."
"Until you get scared again?"
He shook his head as a gorgeous smile spread across his face. It was so big and so bright, and my heart raced at the potential of his words. "I'm not scared, not anymore. Now that I know what was going on, that I was falling in love with you, it all makes sense. I know what I feel for you, and I'm fine with it; hell, I am more than fine with it. It's absolutely fucking perfect. The question is, do you think you can love me?"
This was it, the moment of truth. Would I hide away underneath the hurt of his fiery words, or would I be brave and forge ahead, knowing that I was risking heartache again?
Xavier stared back at me, his eyes patient, but every other part of him was tense with anticipation, as if he thought there was no planet on which I could say no to him.
"I love you too, Xavier. That hasn't changed since yesterday."
"But?" He flashed a sweet smile. "You have conditions."
I shook my head, unable to stop the smile that slowly spread across my face as hope took hold of me. "Not conditions. Expectations. I expect you to talk to me, to tell me what's on your mind when you're upset or worried. To come to me first because I will always be honest with you, Xavier. Always."
A relieved breath rushed out of him. "So you love me and you'll come back to me?"
I started to nod, but he gripped my hand tighter.
"You don't have to be Violet's nanny if you don't want to be. We can keep Cathy on so you can do whatever you want."
"I don't want that. I want to be there with you and with Violet. I want to be there for her first words like I was for her first steps, and I want to see her grow up. With you at my side."
In less than a second, Xavier was at my side, his big hands cupping my face as our lips met and tangled. I gripped his biceps while he devoured my mouth, a low moan escaping from one of us as he deepened the kiss.
"Here's your breakfast... oh."
With a laugh and a lot of willpower, I pulled back from the kiss and smiled at the server. "Can you pack it up to go?"
"We'll leave a big tip," Xavier assured her, his eyes hooded and his voice sexy and growly.
"No problem!"
The minute she was gone, he turned to me. "Let's go home?"
"Yes," I sighed. "Let's." My heart was so full it ached, and I couldn't stop smiling as he took my hand and pulled me from the booth before kissing me again.
And again.
Xavier paid the bill and left a hefty tip before he dragged me to his truck. "I have my car."
He shook his head. "We'll come back for it later. I need you at my side right now."
His words were low and possessive and hit me in all the right spots. "Okay."
He flashed a satisfied smile and opened the door for me first. When Xavier slid behind the steering wheel, he grabbed my hand and held it until we were home.
Home. It had a very nice ring to it.
Chapter 33
Xavier
As soon as we arrived at the cabin, I shot out the driver's side door and went to Rosalee, desperate to make sure she was still there and it wasn't some kind of fantasy. I held her hands in mine and then pulled her body flush against mine, devouring her mouth with all the intensity of a man desperate to hang on to the best damn thing that ever happened to him.
And Rosalee? She kissed me back with as much intensity and desperation. Her delicate hands gripped the fabric that covered my chest, pulling me closer to her. She was so damn intoxicating that I couldn't get enough of her, which was fine by me because I planned on having forever with her. "Inside," she murmured against my lips. "Before we attract bears. Or the police."