“Down here,” I called back.
He was frowning as he skidded down the path. “How the hell did you get down here in those shoes?”
I laughed. The last of the coils of nerves in my stomach unfurled. “I can do anything in heels, remember?”
“You okay?” He crouched next to me.
“Yes. Sorry. I guess the day just crashed in on me.”
He laid a hand on my thigh. “Because of earlier?”
“A mix of it all. I haven’t been sleeping well either.”
He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Let’s work a little harder on getting you a place, then. Living in a hotel gets old, even when it’s a nice one.”
“Maybe.”
“You’re not going anywhere, Syd. We have a lot of work to do while Jude’s on his paternity leave.”
“Right. Maybe a place of my own will help.”
Even if it was only temporary.
He stood and held out a hand for me. “I’ll take you home.”
“Sorry to ruin the day.”
“You didn’t. Not even a little bit.” He laced our fingers together and led me up the path.
I looked over my shoulder one last time at the ducks and the calm water.
The ride back to the Sherman Inn was quiet. He’d left the music on low and the sound of the wind was our conversation. It wasn’t uncomfortable, he just seemed to know I needed not to talk.
How did this man know me so well after a few weeks?
More than anyone else in my life these days.
Even Jude.
When he handed the car off to the valet, I didn’t argue.
I didn’t want him to go.
He had our food in one hand and mine in the other.
When I unlocked the door and he put the bags on the table, I knew he wasn’t leaving.
I wasn’t going to let him leave right now.
I leaned against the door and reached down to unwind my shoes from my ankles.
Xavier’s eyes were on me. “Do you want me to go?”
I shook my head as I lost three inches then walked to him barefoot. “Can you just be mine tonight, no strings?”
“Is that what you want?”
I rose onto my toes, brushing my lips along his jaw. “I know I’ve been erratic today. And I’d completely understand if you want to go.”
