Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“I just want you to be happy and it seems like Sasha does that for you.” Aurora’s voice pulled him out of his head and back into their conversation.
“She does but she has a career that keeps her traveling, and her home base is in LA.” He really didn’t want to continue this discussion. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure things out.”
“I hope you do. I like her,” Aurora murmured. “Meanwhile, while Sasha is in town, I really want to get together and talk to her about her charity.”
Xander reached the next block and steered Bella left, planning on circling back to his apartment. He thought about Aurora’s question, and despite wanting to agree, he knew he had to nix the possibility for now. Like Sasha, Aurora was blond, and Xander didn’t want her to be seen with Sasha or, worse, mistaken for her as Cassidy had been.
He explained the situation to his sister. “When this guy is caught, I’ll make sure you get time with Sasha.”
“Thanks, Xander. I hope Sasha and Cassidy are okay,” Aurora said, more subdued now.
“I’m making certain they will be.”
“I know. Nobody will get to her if you’re around.”
He smiled at her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Her laughter lit up his mood.
They talked until his apartment building came into view. “I’m home. Gotta run. I’ll call you again soon.”
“Bye!”
Xander disconnected the call, his mind on his promise to his sister, that he’d make sure she saw Sasha after the stalker situation ended. Of course, that assumed she wouldn’t be on the first flight back to LA when her filming was finished.
They hadn’t had that conversation yet and he didn’t want to think about the end … but maybe it was time they were realistic about her plans and what it meant for them.
As he entered the building, nodding to the doorman and walking into the elevator, an idea came to him. One that would stall Sasha’s departure and give them a special weekend together, whatever her final plans turned out to be. He just had to figure out when to make the suggestion, then hope she said yes.
Chapter Ten
Sasha spent two more days on set and she wrapped her final scene. Relief washed over her as she walked straight into Xander’s arms.
“You are amazing.” He hugged her tight and she inhaled his masculine scent, the one she found so arousing.
Unable to help herself, she buried her face in his neck and kissed him there before stepping back.
His darkened gaze met hers, and he grasped her hand and pulled her aside, into a darkened area on set between racks of hanging clothing. Once they were alone, he sealed his lips over hers and thrust his tongue into her waiting mouth. His kiss was hot and sensual, his tongue tangling with hers for a good long while until he raised his head and met her gaze.
“Go away with me,” he said in a gruff voice.
“What?”
“Before you make any decisions about your future, before you leave New York for good, spend the weekend with me. We can go to my house in East Hampton or go somewhere in the Caribbean. Dash can take Bella and we can leave tonight.”
She blinked in surprise, unsure what to say. “I’d love to but I have things to wrap up with my agent, and I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do yet about … anything.” Looking up at him, she saw the hurt in his expression before he quickly masked it.
“I understand.” He stepped back and she grabbed his arm.
“No, you don’t. Just … give me a day to think and wrap up some things and we’ll revisit the trip, okay?”
He inclined his head. “Of course.” He turned and headed back to the main area, leaving her to follow him, her heart in her throat.
Goddammit. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. The last couple of days between them had been magical. After Cassidy left the apartment on Sunday, Xander had returned from walking Bella, and they’d fallen into bed. And they hadn’t gone to sleep, either.
If she’d thought their night after Cassidy’s attack had been intense, the last couple of days, she and Xander had been insatiable. And it wasn’t just a sexual thirst for one another, either.
They’d talked. Mostly she had. She’d shared deep, meaningful discussions that ripped open old wounds as she’d let him in. He’d already told her about his father and mother and the issues he’d had with them.
And she’d opened up about her dad and the hole his leaving had left in her life.
“My dad walked out when I was ten,” she said. “Old enough to realize what was happening and to blame myself, something my mom managed to reinforce, often.”
“I’m sorry. She should never have put so much on your shoulders. She’s the only one responsible for her life.” Xander curled around her, giving her his strength and himself.