Chapter Thirty One
Harper
I’mwokenupbya blaring noise coming from my left. I don’t know what time we made it back upstairs, but as soon as my face hit the pillow, I was out. At some point during the night, Winnie must have got up and moved, because now, he’s wrapped around my back side, tucked between me and Evie. I scrub a hand over my face, noticing the corner of my mouth is wet. When I look down, I'm horrified to find a wet spot on Xavier's shirt.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I grumble as I quickly wipe at my mouth, removing any leftover drool. He just chuckles as he reaches over to grab his phone, shutting off the alarm. I get a look at the time and see that it’s two in the morning.
“Why do you have an alarm set for two a.m.?” I grumble.
He scrubs a hand over his face before looking over at me. He gently cups my cheek, his ocean blue eyes darting back and forth between my own before he leans down, kissing me sweetly. I lean into it.
When he retreats, I find myself following him. And when I open my eyes, I’m met with his blue eyes. The care layered deep within his gaze is a stark contrast to the concern furrowing in his brows. The warmth of his palm is still on my cheek, and he gives me a once over.
“How are you feeling? Are you nauseous? Do you need any more pain pills for your head?”
I take stock of my body at his question. I don’t feel terrible. I have a slight pain in my ribs, but it’s nothing like when I first woke up.
“I’m good. A little sore, but no worse for wear.”
Xavier takes me in intently. Now that I understand the reasoning behind his hovering, I don’t find it as overbearing. I place my hand over the one on my cheek and smile.
“I promise.” I look sternly into his eyes, “I’m just a little sore, that’s it. My head feels fine.”
His eyes bounce back and forth between my own before he nods.
We fall back asleep, but Xavier makes sure to wake me periodically throughout the night to check on me. At one point, I take some more pain killers for the pain in my ribs, and Xavier pulls out a heating pad to use.
In the morning, Xavier brings in breakfast for both me and Evie. The smell of waffles floods the room, making me salivate. I crush the plate, inhaling them without conversation.
“I have never seen Harps so silent during a meal. I think the food broke her.” Evie chortles.
A snort leaves me as I take another bite of the waffles and glare at my best friend. A cackle leaves her lips as she takes her own bite.
“But seriously. These are delicious.” She adds, plopping another bite of waffle into her mouth.
Xavier just smiles at her before turning to me, “I’m just going to go hop in the shower, then I can run you a bath.” He leans down, pecking me on my syrup covered lips. Licking his lips, he winks before turning toward the bathroom.
When the door clicks, Evie looks at me. “Okay, he looks hopelessly in love with you.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please.”
She raises an eyebrow at me expectantly. “So, you’re going to tell me thingshaven’tmoved past fake dating at all?”
My cheeks heat as I think about everything that’s happened up until now. Evie and I really haven’t had a moment alone since she surprised me on Christmas Eve. I’ve been busting at the seams wanting to spill everything. I take a deep breath before I lean forward.
“Okay. So things have progressed.” I mumble quietly, my hand moves to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. A sharp pain radiates on my left shoulder. Grasping it, I glare at my best friend. “Evie! What the fuck! I’m already hurting enough!”
“Shit fuck.Harps I’m so sorry– but how can you not tell me this?” Her brows are furrowed and guilt shines in her eyes.
I take a moment, milking the moment for a few more seconds. I rub my shoulder a few more times for added effect. “It’s fine. You’re just lucky Xavier isn’t here, because I’m pretty sure he would have thrown you out of the room.” Chuckling, I try imagining the scenario. He totally would with how protective he’s been since I got home.
“I know you’re trying to joke, but I wouldn’t put it past him right now.” Evie mumbles removing the hair tie from her hair, shaking her hair loose.
"Neither would I, honestly." A smirk forms on my lips at the thought. We spend the next bit talking about everything and anything, and I fill Evie in on anything I might not have shared yet. Evie is using every tactic she can to get thegood stuffof my encounters with Xavier. My body hums at the memories of how Xavier took charge of our time together. I lean forward, ready to spill it all.
Then, the bathroom door opens, and a cloud of steam bellows before Xavier steps through in a pair of grey sweatpants and a white Henley shirt. This man truly looked at what a man should wear to make a girl drool, because saliva starts to form in my mouth as I take him in. I think about the other night and how he worshipped me on his knees. I want him to do it again. I press my thighs together, hoping that he doesn’t catch on. When my eyes connect with him, I know I didn’t get away with a single thing based on the cocky smirk he’s sporting. He saunters his way over and offers his hand to me. When I place mine in his, he pulls me up and into his rock solid body. A breath leaves my mouth on the impact.
“On that note, I’m going to go for a swim. I’ll see you later, babes.” I don’t look at her, but I hear her call for Winnie and take him with her. When the door clicks closed, Xavier erases the distance between us by sealing his lips on mine.
