Jared raises his hands in surrender and takes a step back. “Hey, man. I don’t know what you think you saw, but I don’t want any trouble.”
Xavier rolls his shoulders. “You should’ve thought about that a few minutes ago because trouble is my middle name, and my foot has been twitching all night to kick your fucking ass.”
“I’m sorry, okay.” Jared’s voice shakes as his eyes flit to Brad, who seems content on staying the hell away. “We’ll just go.”
Some friend you’ve got there, Jared, leaving you to hang out to dry.
Xavier shakes his head and laughs darkly. “Go? You think I’ll let you just leave after that shit? You must be out of your fucking mind.”
Jared turns to leave but Xavier grabs him by the bicep, turning him back around before drawing back his fist to crush every bone in Jared’s skull. The instant I realize what’s going on I gasp.
I can’t let this happen. He can’t get into trouble over me.
I wrap both of my hands around his elbow, clinging on for dear life as I scream, “No!”
Xavier jerks his gaze to me, his thick eyebrows knitted in confusion. “You don’t want me to pound this punk?”
I shake my head vigorously. “I don’t want you to get into any trouble. He’s not worth it.”
“He’s not, but you are.”
The intense connection that always pulls me to him assaults me full force and I can tell he feels it too.
I stare into his eyes as I cling to him, my fingers woven together so tightly that they’re numb, while he waits for me to give the word to destroy Jared. I have to remain calm and try to defuse the situation before things get ugly, and Xavier gets arrested for murdering a man while defending me.
“Let him go and we’ll leave.”
His hard eyes soften a bit. “Together?”
I nod. “Anywhere you want to go.”
A wicked smile cracks his face, and a weird tingle erupts in my belly. Maybe I shouldn’t have promised that—who knows what’s on that naughty mind of his. But if that means walking out of here without Xavier in handcuffs, I’m game.
Xavier directs his attention back to Jared. “Looks like it’s your lucky day, fucker. You should kiss the ground this angel walks on because she just saved your fucking life.”
He releases Jared’s arm. “Don’t let me catch you in here again. Beat it, you fucking pussy.”
Jared and Brad push past Quinn, wasting no time getting as far away from us as possible. For a second I feel a little guilty for ruining my cousin’s fun—Brad seemed nice enough—but the old saying that goes “a man is known for the company he keeps” rolls through my brain, so Brad’s probably a date rapist too. In a way I guess I kind of saved her, well, Xavier saved her—us.
Quinn smirks as her eyes drift down to where I’m still tightly clutching my sexy savior and I quickly detach myself from him, only to be instantly reconnected with him when he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the exit. I turn and wave at my cousin as I’m pulled away.
He stops at the bar, where the blonde and Mullet Man sit chatting, a couple of empty beer glasses in front of them. The blonde’s nostrils flare as she rakes her eyes over me from head to toe. Clearly she’s not one bit impressed by me or my clothing. Her eyes zero in on my hand, held tightly inside Xavier’s thick fingers, while he gives Mullet Man some instructions. “Make sure Anna’s cousin gets home safe, Jimmy.”
“No problem, boss.”
Xavier takes a step but doesn’t make it far because Blondie hops into his path. “You’re not leaving with her.” She glares at him with icy blue eyes.
He scoffs at her order. “Watch me, Deena.”
Mid-pivot, Deena grabs his arm, but he jerks away like he’s been stung by a bee. “I told you to never touch me again.”
She narrows her eyes. “If you walk out that door with her, I’ll quit—right here, right now.”
“Promise?” he asks with a sarcastic tone to his voice as he pushes past her and tugs me along behind him, not giving her a second glance.
I, however, can’t fight my stupid curiosity and turn around to catch her reaction. The look on Deena’s face makes me believe she’s growling and given the chance, she would pound me into oblivion.
I don’t know who she is, or what kind of relationship she and Xavier have, but one thing is perfectly clear—Deena is pissed and believes I’m messing with something of hers. Alarm bells ring immediately as I return my gaze to take in the beautiful, strong profile of the man leading me out of the bar. He warned me that he wasn’t a good guy, and by the looks of things, he leads a complicated life—stardom and women—that I’m sure I don’t want to get mixed up in.
But for the life of me I can’t fight the crazy attraction I feel toward this man. And after the way he just came to my rescue back there, I’m not sure I want to anymore.
Chapter 5
Xavier pulls me around the side of the building and then we cross the street, hand in hand, heading toward the parking lot. I open my mouth to start asking questions, but quickly close it because a lot of the things I want to ask—like who in the hell is that Deena woman—aren’t any of my business. After all, he doesn’t owe me an explanation, we’re still practically strangers, but I would like to hear how he knew what Jared did.
“How did you know Jared put something in my drink?” I ask as we weave through the tightly parked cars in the downtown lot. At first he doesn’t answer, he just keeps walking straight ahead, pulling me along, so I decide to try again. “Were you watching me in there?”
Xavier licks his plump lips, and my mind instantly goes back to the thought I had on the plane about those lips, and what they’d be like to kiss. “I was standing right beside him when he ordered, and I saw him slip something in it.”
My heart sinks a little. He wasn’t watching me all night like I secretly hoped. “I’ve read all about guys drugging women in bars just to have their way with them, so thank you for saving me from that experience.”
“With or without the drink shit, I wouldn’t have allowed you to leave with him,” he growls. “Whether you realized it or not, you were leaving that bar with me tonight.”
I know him saying that may be considered barbaric, and crazy, but my stomach still does a flip. The thought of him being jealous and possessive over me turns me on so much I can barely see straight. But I don’t want him to know that.
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
We finally reach a matte black motorcycle wedged into a small corner space and he turns to face me. That magnetic stare of his, leveled on me, nearly steals my breath. Fire shoots through me from where our hands remain connected and suddenly I crave more of his skin on mine.
“You’re a good girl, Anna. I’m not going to allow some undeserving asshole to come in and take you away to hurt you. Not going to happen. Not on my watch.”
I bite my tongue, wanting to say a million things but only allowing myself to ask a simple question. “And are you deserving?”
His lips tighten into a line and he shakes his head. “I’m the most undeserving motherfucker in the world…which is why I’m best suited to protect you from pricks like me.”
I furrow my brow. He may come on a little strong at times, but from the few interactions I’ve had with him, I can tell he’s got a good heart. Today alone he’s helped me out three times.
“I think you’re wrong about yourself, X—Xavier.”
I stumble over his name, remembering the command he gave me earlier to call him by his full name. “You’re a good man.”
“You say that now because you don’t know me, but I know me, and I’m speaking from experience.”
I take a deep breath and shrug. “Guess you’ll have to prove me wrong then. I’m an excellent judge of character. I know a good person when I see one.”
He chuckles. “Are you always so positive?”
“Are you always so negative?” I fire back automatically.
“You know what
they say about a positive and a negative together, don’t you?” Xavier teases as he grabs the handlebars of the bike and throws his muscular leg over the seat. Immediately my eyes are drawn to the way his jeans hug his legs, distracting me from the question he just asked. All I can think about is how powerful and strong he must be.
Before I know it I begin undressing him with my eyes, wondering if sex with a man like him would be as great as I’ve read about in books and seen in the movies I’ve snuck around to watch.
He smirks and hands me a helmet. “Looks like science is correct. They do attract.”
Blood rushes to my face as I realize he’s caught me staring at his crotch and I’m not sure how to respond. It’s not like I can deny it or anything.
I want to die.
I take the helmet from his outstretched arm and plop it on my head. “Where are we going?”
Xavier reaches over and buckles the strap under my chin, his fingers feathering across my skin. “I would say back to your place, but I doubt you’d let that fly, and quite frankly, I’m not up for being turned down again today.” I raise an eyebrow, and his lips pull into a lopsided grin. “That’s what I thought. Hop on, beautiful, and I’ll take you somewhere special.” He holds out his hand. “Trust me?”
“Yes.”
The answer slips out in a low whisper. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help this overwhelming feeling of safety I have when I’m with him. Like he can save me from anything. After all, he’s already proven that he can.
I slip my hand into his. “I trust you.”
That cocky grin of his turns into a full-on, heart-stopping smile. “Good.”
He gives no further explanation of where he plans on taking us, just grips my hand tight as I swing my leg over the bike and squish my body against his. My thighs wrap around his hips, and he positions my hands so I’m practically bear-hugging him. My fingers trace the hard muscle beneath his t-shirt and my entire body tingles.
I’ve never in my life been this turned on by a man. There’s something about him that makes me crave to be wild and out of control. He’s like freedom, wrapped up in one sexy package. A package that has me thinking about doing things that I shouldn’t.
My breasts press firmly against his back, and my nipples pucker beneath my blouse as they rub against the thin pieces of material that separates our skin. I close my eyes and snuggle into him tighter.
“Hang on tight, babe.” Xavier fires up the engine and the bike roars to life as he pulls out of the lot.
The entire machine vibrates beneath us as we zip through the streets of Detroit and adrenaline flows through my veins as I press tightly against Xavier. This is the first time I’ve ever been on a bike, and the ride is exhilarating and sensual all at the same time. I’ve never been offered such a dangerous ride before, not that I would’ve been brave enough to ever go, but I didn’t hesitate for a second before hopping on this bike with Xavier. He seems like he knows what he’s doing, so I trust him.
I’ve never felt this wild and free—like I could do anything and everything. My first day out on my own, and I’m already breaking every one of Father’s rules. I’ve never felt so alive.
When we stop at a red light, Xavier drops his feet off the pegs and onto the ground, balancing our weight with ease. He takes the opportunity to rest his hand on top of mine as they cling to his chest, and his thumb rubs over my fingers, causing butterflies to go crazy in my stomach. The small movement feels affectionate, like he’s reassuring me that I’m safe with him. It’s almost enough to make me not care that I still don’t have a clue where he’s taking me.
Almost.
I should have demanded to know where we were going instead of being a lustfully blinded twit, willing to go anywhere with a sexy stranger.
The light switches to green, and he puts his hand back on the handlebars, sending us forward in a blur once again. I’m not sure how long we ride, but it’s long enough for me to relax and feel somewhat comfortable on the bike, comforted by the continuous purr of the motor. I lay my head on his shoulder and snuggle closer to him, inhaling the spicy scent of his cologne mixed with some sort of soap and something distinctly male. As if it’s even possible, smelling him turns me on even more.
Before I know it we are just outside the city and pulling into one of those all night diners. Xavier backs the bike into an empty space and cuts the engine. I slowly peel myself off of him, and he twists, extending his hand to help me off the bike.
He reaches for the strap under my chin. “First ride?”
I reluctantly nod, unable to lie because I’m terrible at it. “Yes. How could you tell?”
He lifts the helmet off my head and chuckles. “I think the claw marks etched into my ribs are a telltale sign.”
I cover my mouth with my hand as a gasp escapes from me. I knew I was hanging on for dear life at some point, but he didn’t let on that I was hurting him. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you bad?”
Xavier shakes his head and a strand of dark hair falls across his forehead as he lifts his shirt to assess the damage. My eyes zero in on the washboard abs on full display in front of me, each muscle clearly defined and very…lickable.
Oh, Lord. Did I just think lickable? Who am I? I’ve never in my life referred to a man as lickable before. But in all fairness, I’ve never had a man like Xavier flash me his unbelievably ripped body before either, so I’m going to chalk it up to unexplored hormones.
The urge to run my fingers along his skin pushes me forward a step. I bite my bottom lip as I trace the angry red marks just above his stomach. I swallow hard. His skin is even softer than I imagined.
“We’ll have to work on relaxing your grip a little, but it’ll get easier every time we do it,” Xavier says, breaking me out of my lustful daydream.
I jerk my hand away from him and he pulls his shirt back down before shoving himself off the bike. “You think we’ll be doing this again?”
He smiles as he straps the helmet to the handlebars. “I think we will. You and I are going to be great friends. I already know it. And friends hang out with each other all the time.”
“Friends?” I question, trying not to sound let down by the idea of only being Xavier’s friend. “What makes you think we are just friends?”
He raises a thick eyebrow and smirks. “Come on, Anna. You’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m not your type, and that you’re never going to sleep with me, so I’ve come to accept that. I’m happy to play the friend and protector role while you find your footing here. Detroit’s a tough city. It’ll eat a girl like you alive if you don’t have someone watching out for you.”
“And why would you be willing to do that for me?”
“I guess it’s because I haven’t met someone as sweet as you in a long time, and I would like to see you stay that way. You need a guy like me around to keep all the assholes away,” he replies matter-of-factly.
I fold my arms over my chest. In just the short time we’ve known each other he believes he can read me just like that? Maybe he needs a curveball thrown his way. “Maybe that’s why I came out here—to get mixed up with the wrong kind of man and make a few mistakes.”
He smiles and takes my hand. “You shouldn’t say things like that to a man who’s a walking mistake, and one who would like nothing better than to take you home with him.”
There he goes again with that suave dirty talk that makes me want to jump his bones.
He doesn’t give me a chance to reply, just tugs me toward the door of the diner. The place isn’t packed, but isn’t entirely empty either. The white tile floor is worn but clean, and the booths look like they’ve seen better days. The open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant allows all the patrons to watch exactly what’s going on with their food as it’s prepared.
The counter is packed with mostly gray-haired old men making small talk with each other, and the waitress, wearing a blue uniform, who is refilling their coffee. None of them seem to notice that we’ve come in un
til the woman glances up and spots us.
A huge grin spreads across her face, making her round face appear even more like a perfect circle. Her dark hair has a lot of gray streaks through it—very noticeable because of the way she has her braids pulled up—and she seems more like a grandmother rather than a rabid wrestling fan.
“Xavier Cold!” she exclaims as she sets the pot down and scoots around the counter. “Boy, you better get over here and give me a hug!”
The moment she embraces him, Xavier wraps his huge arms around her petite frame. “It’s so good to see you, Nettie.”
She pulls back and then abruptly smacks him on the arm. “Boy, what’s the meaning of staying gone for over two years without a goodbye?”
He closes his eyes and sighs. “Come on, Nettie. You know I hate writing.”
She shoves her hands onto her tiny waist. “Would it have killed you to call us more often than twice a year?”
He nods. “You’re right. I’ll try harder, I promise.”
She narrows her eyes at him. “You’d better. Just remember you aren’t too big for old Nettie here to whoop your butt if you don’t act right.” Nettie’s eyes flick to me. “Speaking of acting right, who do we have here?”
“Nettie, this is Anna, my…friend.”
Being introduced as just his friend hurts a little. I know we’ve just had this talk, and this is exactly the kind of relationship I should have with Xavier, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting him. The fact that he’s given up his pursuit so quickly stings.
I extend my hand and Nettie’s smooth, brown skin makes contact with mine. “It’s very nice to meet you, Nettie.”
“Mmmm hmm, you too.” She lets go of my hand and her gaze returns to Xavier. “I can tell she ain’t from around here. Way too sweet. Don’t you be taking this pretty little girl down to the Block, Xavier, you hear me? A girl like her doesn’t belong down there. Hell, a girl like her doesn’t belong in a dump like this either.”
“I heard that!” the cook yells from across the counter.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, hush, Carl. Ain’t nobody talking to you. Go ‘head, Xavier, sit wherever you want, honey. I’ll bring you out some water.”