The longer we spent there, the more I couldn’t shake the sensation that washed over me. My heart rate increased with every shake of my hips and before long, I needed five minutes to breathe and give myself a stern talking to away from the eyes of the crowded dance floor. I quietly slipped off to the restroom to compose myself and touch up my make-up in the process. I hoped I didn’t ruin it. Cassandra would not be impressed if I ruined her hard work.
When I walked out of the restroom my fear escalated immediately as a hand grabbed my shoulder and spun my back against the wall. I wanted to scream but the words lodged in my throat the moment I heard the smooth baritone of who it was. I quickly cast my gaze up and over the person. Xander. I should’ve known.
“You’re such a prick!” I balled my hands up and began to smash them against Xander’s chest before I lifted my knee, with the aim of kicking him in the balls. “You scared me.”
“I scared you…” Xander side-stepped me. He avoided my lunge and grabbed my wrists, flattening them against his chest and over his heart as he gazed down at me. The gentle action caused my breathing to increase and a tear threatened to fall down my cheek. Xander quickly let go of his grasp on my wrists and skimmed his hands up to hold each side of my face, closing the gap between us. “I said kitten, did I scare you?” he asked in a softer tone.
“Yes.” I forced the trembling word out as my eyes flitted over his face, taking in the stubble that graced his face that I desperately wanted to touch. “You did, but you’re a dick for doing it.”
“Am I?” Xander asked before he leaned in closer to me. “Or am I just doing what I said I would do to protect you?” he whispered against my ear.
I turned toward him and felt my lips catch his jaw which caused a burst of fire to jolt through me. “Xander… I didn’t mean… I…”
I watched in slow motion as Xander pulled away. His body curved backwards to create an edge of distance between us. I wanted him to remain locked against my form creating the burning friction he’d created against my pebbled breasts. The lust in his eyes was clearly visible as he took in the way I’d pulled my lip between my teeth with nerves. What had I done?
“Fuck it!” Xander pronounced before he pushed forward, his hands reaching for my wrists and dragging them above my head as his lips smashed against mine, knocking me speechless.
I froze for a second, allowing the unfamiliar sensation to course through my veins as his tongue peeked out and swiped across the seam of my lips, sending a throb of desire straight down my body. It made my nipples pebble into harsh points and create a burning sensation in between my legs that I’d never experienced before. I couldn’t resist the sexy, glassy-eyed man in my arms as I let my senses go. I wrapped my hands around his neck and dragged him closer into my grasps. I let his tongue delve inside my mouth and stroke against mine, igniting the inferno he’d lit to a blaze.
Our breaths became labored with the sense of urgency between our kisses before Xander finally pulled back and placed his forehead against mine. “I couldn’t resist.”
“Neither could I…” I admitted. I stared deep into his chocolate eyes, hoping that this was all truth and not just bullshit to get into my knickers. “Xander, I couldn’t breathe at the studios.”
“I couldn’t cope not knowing where you were. I’m being serious about this threat to you, my kitten.” Xander pulled back and brushed his mouth against mine, eliciting a small whimper to leave my lips. “I can’t risk anything happening…”
A cough behind us made the pair of us turn around. I quickly ducked my head, burrowing it into Xander’s chest in an attempt to hide.
I shouldn’t have kissed him. What was I thinking?
“Barrett,” Xander warned him before he said a word. “Don’t. Just don’t, okay?”
“Okay.” He threw his hands up in the air before he gazed up at the ceiling. He paused to brace his fingers behind his neck before he spoke again. “I won’t for now but this…” He waggled his finger between the two of us. “This complicates everything.”
“Does it?” Xander kissed the top of my head before pulling back. “I see no problem with it. Why is it for you?”
“No, of course not! It’s not a problem for me. I already said that,” he said. He placed his hands in his pockets and walked toward us. “But others will talk. Travis may not like it. Fuck Xander, have you thought about the notes and what this could do?”
I couldn’t miss the way that Xander gazed at me with a streak of pure possessiveness. He reached up and rubbed his thumb across the surface of my lips to the outer edge before showing me the red shade that lingered behind. Xander grabbed a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his hands as I grabbed my small mirror out of my bag and took in the rumpled mess of the lipstick that was smudged across my lips. Alongside the mused, messy hair—the stark opposite from the normal, perfect iconic wave I normally wore—I didn’t understand why Barrett couldn’t have left us alone. Instead, he spurted words that I knew deep down any professional in his position would question. So, why did I get the feeling in my gut there was more to this than I knew?
“Of course I’ll always protect her. My connection with Charlotte won’t affect my job. How dare you imply it would?!” he shouted at Barrett.
I was glad that the music was still blaring in the distance. I was also relieved that no one had disturbed us. I bet Barrett had placed Memphis on watch and stated that these restrooms were out of order, just to give us the privacy we required.
“Let’s get out of here, Barrett. I think we’ve spent enough time at Club Annex tonight.” I glanced up at him and fluttered my eyelashes, trying to remain impassive as Xander directed his commands. “Why don’t you and Memphis escort Cassandra home? I’ll ensure Charlotte makes it back safely and I’ll see you at the studios at eleven tomorrow.”
“Xander?”
“Don’t question me. If I need you, I’ll call,” He snapped before he marched me out of the corridor and headed straight toward the neon lit up exit sign before.
The fresh air hit the pair of us and I took a moment before I spoke. “Where are we going?” I cautiously asked. I took in every groove and muscle of his body which was cladded by well-fitted material, my sexy hero. “I can get home myself.”
“I’m not saying you can’t but I’ll feel much better knowing you’re safely tucked up after me escorting you there.”
“Xander, would that be alone?” I hesitated. He stopped and leant us up against a car before he began to rub the hard outline of his cock against my side. Xander grabbed my chin between his thumb and forefinger, stroking his finger carefully along the edge of my jaw before he leaned in and covered my mouth with his. He kissed me with long lavish movements until I was breathless and needy. “Xander?”
I heard the beeping of the car door unlocking and the torture of his missing touch as he let go of my face before I noticed the car door by my side opening. “That’s totally your call, my kitten, but I think you know what my answer is.”
“Let’s get back to mine quickly, I think my bed may need warming up?”