Page 7 of Xander
“Y’ too.Tired.”
“Your transition is almost complete and the next time you wake, you’ll be stronger, with no effects of the gunshot wound or the pain that you had to go through while you changed.Don’t worry, sweetheart, I won’t leave you.”
His reassurance had the tension melting from her body and she smiled against his lips as he gave her a brief kiss.I hope you’re right.Next time I kiss him, I will be completely aware of it.
***
She blinked open her eyes and glanced around to get a sense of her surroundings in the semi-darkness of the room.She took a deep breath, but she didn’t recognize the scents that assailed her.It was oddly comforting—a mix of grapefruit, mint, and vanilla—and she took another cleansing breath, memorizing the scent for future reference.
Tempting fate and hoping there would be no pain, she pointed her toes as she stretched her calves.She blew out a breath when nothing hurt at her movement.She tried her arms next, lifting them above her head and stretching.Again, no pain and her muscles loosened with every movement.
As she moved, she realized that her hair felt limp and greasy and the shirt that clung to her felt stiff and unclean.Ready for a shower, she glanced around the room and noticed details that she’d never before been able to do.But before she could investigate or find a bathroom in order to take a long shower, someone next to her took a deep breath.
She looked to her left and found Xander sleeping on his stomach, with his hands tucked underneath his head.His beautiful bronzed skin shone from the moonlight that filtered into the room.Unable to keep her hands to herself, she ran her fingers through his soft hair and listened to his sigh at her touch.He turned his head toward her and she could see the dark spots underneath his eyes as he slept soundly, his breathing deep and undisturbed.He must’ve gotten very little sleep during her transition, which, as she thought back on, seemed like weeks to her.
The thoughts of the heat that flashed over her body had her searching the room for the entrance to the bathroom.Taking care not to jostle Xander, she slid herself off the bed and wandered toward the bathroom.At the doorway, she glanced back and took a long look at her mate.Her heart beat hard in her chest at how much she loved the connection she had with Xander.
But would he want her because he believed her to be his mate?She would have never believed in immortals or believed that she was the mate of one before she met Xander, but she had seen the proof for herself.He had even managed to convince her of the truth in his words.But if he had been waiting for someone, his true mate, and he grew tired of waiting, could he have convinced himself that she was his mate because it was convenient?
She had literally brought danger to his doorstep, and even though she might not be his true mate, she could find out why her boss had hired the armed soldiers for rent and prevent him from sending another team.If he hadn’t done so already.
At that last horrifying thought, she hurried through her shower.She loved that she was surrounded by his scent as she used his shampoo and soap, and despite her warnings to herself, she could feel her body responding.Up until now, she had never felt overtly sexual, but Xander’s scent alone could send her into a tailspin of desire.
As she toweled off, she glanced in the mirror and glanced at the spot where a gunshot wound had been.She remembered that it hurt like crazy, but her skin was smooth at the spot, as though it never happened.Then she glanced down and winced.
Fuck, fate couldn’t heal the gouges on my side?
Shaking her head with disgust, she wrapped the towel tightly around her torso and quietly made her way toward Xander’s dresser, hoping that he wouldn’t mind if she borrowed some clothes.She found a pair of sweats and a tee, both making her feel like a child as they dwarfed her, but they smelled like Xander.She breathed a sigh of relief when she glanced around the bedroom and found her bra on the arm of the chair and slipped it on.
Realizing her time with Xander had come to an end, she turned to look at Xander one last time.She hoped that they would cross paths someday.
Pain that she hadn’t been expecting ripped through her chest as she neared the bedroom door.Her breath caught in her throat.But she knew that she had to draw danger away from him, and forced herself to open the door and walked through it.
The house was dark and quiet, and although she could visibly see what she couldn’t as a human, she prevented herself from snooping as she walked through the house, toward the exit.Every part of her being screamed for her to be with Xander and she hesitated right before the front door.That hesitation lasted longer than she would have liked, and she forced herself forward despite the throbbing pain that screamed she was making a mistake.But the moment she touched the doorknob, she heard a low, menacing growl behind her and it stopped her movements.
She turned to face Xander.When she noticed the fierce look on his face, she flinched back against the door.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
She opened her mouth to explain, but when a small squeak escaped, she felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she snapped her mouth closed.Her eyes widened as she realized he stood in front of her naked.Unable to help herself, she allowed her eyes to roam over his naked form.Her core throbbed with need, but she remembered her manners and snapped her eyes back to meet his.She barely bit back a low groan of disgust at herself.
“Sorry.”It sounded like a cross between a question and a statement and she flinched again.
“Are you apologizing for trying to leave or for looking at me naked?”
Instead of answering his question, she explained, “I have to stop my asshole of a boss from sending more mercenaries.”
Her eyes widened as Xander stepped closer to her.“You’re not leaving me, sweetheart.We will pay your boss a visit, but I want to have a chance to get to know you, and you to know me.I can’t stand the thought of you leaving now that I’ve finally found you.”
Frost knew then that his words were the truth.She was his mate that he’d been waiting years, or much longer, for and she was going to walk out on him without an explanation, knowing it would hurt him.Well…fuck.
“I’m sorry, Xander.I just wanted to protect you and the others.”
“Will you give me, us, a chance?”
“Yes.I won’t try to leave again.”
This man was important to her, and now that the panic had left her mind, she realized that the pain in her chest was because she had almost left him.Her body was trying to tell her something that her heart already knew.She couldn’t leave Xander.
She looked up at him when he cupped her cheek gently, and with a silent nod, he captured her lips and proceeded to kiss her breathless.
