Chapter 29

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

DANI

I can’t believe I fell asleep next to Xander, and all I have to show for it is messy hair, raccoon eyes, and a little drool at the corner of my mouth. Nice. I’m sure he’s not used to this kind of classy. I do my best to make myself somewhat presentable and will take care of the rest when we go home.

He must have changed at some point last night because the last time I saw him, he was doused in champagne, the wet shirt clinging to his body like Rose to the damn door at the Titanic sinking. And did it look good? I had to step away to get myself together, or I was going to lick the champagne from his body in front of everyone. Now in the florescent lighting of the morning after, he’s showered and wearing the most delectable pair of joggers, which aren’t doing a damn thing to hide his morning erection.

Well, Jenny is right on several counts. I’m attracted to Alexander Decker, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve slept with a man. My lady parts are waking up from a long slumber and are star ving for some attention. I’m sure Xander knows how to show attention in all the right ways, and I’m ready to test my theory.

I sigh as I look in the mirror at the mess that is my hair, face, and everything. I square my shoulders and resolve to own this. He might as well get used to my authentic self if he wants me. Because honestly, that’s all I know how to be, anyway. If he wants me, he gets this version, drool and all.

I wipe my face with a wet paper towel. Well, maybe not drool and all. I need to hang on to a shred of dignity. I pop in a piece of gum to tackle the morning breath until I make it home. Welp, it is what it is. I am what I am.

Alexander brought me a Reapers Division Champions t-shirt, which I change into, so I look less wrinkled and rumpled. I throw my sweater across my shoulders and shove the tank top into my bag.

I check my phone and don’t see any texts from Mom. Tyler will be fine until lunch or so. I have a few missed texts from Jenny. It's amusing how she assumes I'm too busy getting busy to respond. And a little sad. No, Jenny, I was sleeping. In a recliner at the stadium. Gah. I’m not good at this dating thing, if that’s what this is.

I take a last look, determine it’s the best I’ll be, and step out to find Xander leaning against the wall, looking down at his phone, scowling at something. The line between his brows creases his handsome face, and I want nothing more than replace his scowl with a smile.

“Something wrong? I can head home and….”

“What?” He looks at me and shakes his head like he’s physically pushing whatever it was away in his mind. “No, it’s fine.” He forces a smile. “Ready?” He holds out his hand to me, and I take it.

His big hand engulfs mine, and the warmth spreads through my veins like a warm IV. I like it, but I don’t want to ignore his cause of distress .

“Sure. If you need to take care of something, we can reschedule.” Something’s going on.

“No, I’m right where I need to be. Well, not quite.” He pulls me in and gives me a toe-curling kiss that rivals the one last night. Somehow, this one is even hotter than I remember. His hands run through my hair and fist at the nape, holding me tight. His moan into my mouth practically brings me to climax from a kiss. Is that even possible?

A door slams in the distance, reminding me we’re in a public place. I pull back because it’s the right thing despite my body strongly disagreeing.

“Um, let’s get out of here.”

He looks at me like a starving man, and I’m even more turned on. His fingers run through my hair before he releases me.

“I love these curls,” he whispers. “It takes a lot of effort to keep my hands to myself. Just thought you should know.”

I blush. I’ve always been self-conscious of my hair, and now this incredibly hot man tells me he loves my curls. I’m not sure how to process that statement.

“Thanks. You sure know how to make me speechless,” I confess.

He chuckles. “Somehow, I doubt that. You okay walking to my place to get my car, or do you want to wait here, and I’ll get someone to bring it to us?”

I remember how upset he was about my footwear comment and walking. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go.”

I let him lead me through the maze of tunnels until we find ourselves outside in the warm morning fog. It’s still an early Sunday morning in the city, and I guess most people are tucked in bed, sleeping off the excitement of yesterday. We walk hand in hand to his building.

“Do you mind coming up to my place for just a minute?”

I arch my eyebrow at him. I don’t mind, but I’m also a little excited of w hat might happen if left alone with him and a bed is anywhere in the vicinity.

“I want to say goodbye to Chance. He’s headed out shortly. I should warn you, my place looks like a frat house right now with Jules, Chance, Trevor, and Emma crashing there.”

Well, there was the mental ice bucket my body needed. Nothing going to happen there.

“Sure, no problem.”

Obviously, Xander has never been in a frat house. His enormous penthouse has floor-to-ceiling windows and a sizeable second-story loft overlooking the sunken main room. The open-concept kitchen flows into a dining area and den with the biggest sectional I’ve ever seen. The place is neat, clean, and spotless.

We walk in, and I’m so taken aback by the luxury condo it takes me a few moments to notice what’s going on in the den. Julian is sitting on the couch, his t-shirt soaking wet, a smirk on his face, while Ashleigh is beating him with a pillow.

“Seriously, Jules? Glitter?” She shouts as she takes another swing at him.

Xander groans beside me, and I flash back to our kiss. He takes a few quick strides in, reaches down, picks Ashleigh up at the waist, and swings her away from Julian.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Xander says. He’s holding her back but trying to touch her as little as possible. That’s when I notice Ashleigh is a little sparkly. Well, maybe more than a little.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Julian says. I may not know him well, but I can tell he’s lying.

“Well, your place is covered in glitter now, thanks to you. I’ll be washing it off for weeks,” she growls. “How do I interview new assistants looking like a stripper after a three-day shift?”

“I told you not to stir up stuff with my assistant, or I’d get you back. I warned you,” Julian says, trying not to laugh.

“I did no such thing. I merely suggested she go out with someone. It’s not my fault she’s in love and moving. ”

“Mary Kate’s leaving?” Xander asks.

“Yeah, now what am I going to do?” Julian says, his smile long gone.

“I’ll help you hire someone else,” Ashleigh offers, her anger morphing to sympathy so quickly that I’m not sure it’s possible to shift gears that fast.

I don’t know what’s happening, but this sibling dynamic is fascinating. It’s another layer of Xander that many people don’t get to see. I’m trying to piece together the drama when I’m wrapped in massive arms and pulled into a hug, my body a foot off the ground.

“Morning Dani!” Chance says. “Sleep well?” He gives me a suggestive wink that would make most girls melt. Instead, I cringe, thinking that my answer is I slept well.

“Too well,” I mumble. “Is this normal?” I motion to the scene unfolding in the den.

“Sometimes,” he says, nonchalantly. “Coffee?” He guides me into the kitchen, which seems to be the neutral zone. He’s dressed in gray sweatpants and a worn, faded Renegades T-shirt. Wow. Seeing both Alexander and this morning version of Chance is proving to be too overwhelming for me, especially before I’ve had my coffee.

He pulls a cup down from the cabinet and pours me a coffee, clearly comfortable in this setting. He sets it next to a tray with flavored syrups, cream, and sugar. This is a better setup than Starbucks.

“Thanks.” I make my coffee, turn around, and lean against the counter, watching the sibling drama play out.

“Sorry, Xan walked into this. Jules was sleeping on the couch, and I woke up to Ashleigh screaming at him. A hell of a good morning, if you ask me,” Chance says to catch me up to speed. For the record, it doesn’t.

“I didn’t expect him back this early,” he continues.

“He wanted to say goodbye to you,” I say.

“Figures. He may act like a grumpus, but he’s a thoughtful grumpus. You guys crash at your place?” Chance is so relaxed with everything around him, and he goes with the flow. I always thought hockey players were tough guys with all the fighting and everything. I need to reexamine my assumptions. I watch the Deckers huddle up and work together to solve this problem.

“I’m about to complain to management about the ruckus at this establishment,” Trevor says in greeting. He hobbles into the kitchen, and Chance pulls out a stool, ordering him to sit without saying a word, and Trevor complies. Chance makes Trevor’s coffee and puts it in front of him, slides a muffin and pill bottle over, and gestures with his eyes. Trevor nods, takes his medicine, and picks at his muffin. Not a word said. They all work as a group, stepping up when someone needs a hand.

“You should,” Alexander says from across the room, acknowledging Trevor. The fact he’s following conversations in both rooms is impressive.

“You guys just getting back from the stadium?” Trevor asks.

“You slept at the stadium?” Chance asks.

Now is when I die of embarrassment. The walk of shame might be less embarrassing.

“Yeah,” I say and take a sip of my coffee. The rich, bold flavor is a jolt of lightning to my brain. This is delicious coffee. A rich person’s luxury I shouldn’t get used to.

Chance shakes his head and looks at the clump of siblings. Emma shuffles into the kitchen wearing a cute pink pajama set covered in donuts. “Hey Em,” Trevor says. “Sorry, they woke you.”

“All good. Gotta head out shortly anyway,” she mumbles. “What happened?” She gestures to the Deckers.

“Well, best I can tell, Mary Kate fell in love, quit her job, and is moving. I think Ash had something to do with it. So Jules did something with glitter to Ash, Ash dumped water on Jules, and now they’re figuring out how to solve the Julian assistant problem.” Chance did a good job summarizing it all, but I’m still lost.

“That’s not good,” Emma comments .

I take another sip of coffee. I feel awkward watching this family drama play out, but also strangely comfortable. For all the money and fabulous condos, they’re still human, with everyday issues and relationships. I mean, sort of normal. Do regular people have executive assistants?

Every defense around my heart is falling, crumbling brick by brick. And this morning, standing in his kitchen, watching him care for his brother and sister, I start falling hard for Alexander Decker.