10. Xander

CHAPTER 10

XANDER

“ Y ou know of any good spots we can lay low for a minute? Off the beaten path?” I glance in the rearview, searching for tailing paparazzi. A few cars trail behind us, but I’m not sure if it’s the photographers or not.

“Hang a right here.” Rachel points to a small side road off Main Street and I follow her directions, turning down the dark street.

“Keep going straight, then make another right. We can cut through this neighborhood and head back toward the lighthouse.”

I slow my speed as we wind through the residential area, my breathing returning to normal.

“Sorry about that. I’m shocked they found me here. Didn’t think I was quite that famous.”

“Guess you are. That was wild.”

I cut my gaze at her. She’s stunning, sitting in my passenger seat, all soft curves in the moonlight. Charles is even dumber than I thought, letting Rachel go. What a fuckwit.

“Too much for you?”

“No. I wasn’t prepared, but it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“That’s my fault. I didn’t think about the media tracking me down here.”

“It’s fine.” She reaches over and pats my thigh. Instantly, my lower body tenses and coils, all the blood running south, straight to my cock.

“Take another right, then a quick left. You’ll see the lighthouse up ahead.”

We drive for another few minutes, finally spilling out of the neighborhood and back over to the beach. Sure enough, the lighthouse looms in the distance, illuminating the dark night. I follow the beacon and find a parking spot in the lot.

“Must be seasonal hours right now.” Rachel scans the dark and deserted lot. “They have night tours, but they must be taking a break after the holiday rush. Too bad. The lighthouse is pretty awesome, a real historic icon of Starlight Bay.”

“We can come back another time, it’s no big deal. But do you mind if we hang here for a bit? Are you cold?”

Rachel shakes her head, the scent of her floral shampoo filling the small space. The long waves of her hair fall over her shoulders and she’s so naturally beautiful, oblivious to her appeal. I’m way out of my league here. But we don’t have much time and playing it safe’s never been my style. I decide to go for it.

Cutting the engine, the radio clicks off and the only sound is our breathing. The windshield fogs as I ignore the humming of my nerves, leaning over and stroking the smooth skin of Rachel’s cheek.

“You’re gorgeous, you know that?”

Her lips part slightly, the tip of her tongue darting out. “Thank you. Although I’m nothing special.”

“Wrong.”

I cup her chin and tip her face up to meet my gaze before I claim her mouth with mine. Her lips are warm and soft, slightly salty from dinner. Teasing her with my tongue, she responds, opening to me. We tangle together as I thread my fingers through the silky strands of her hair.

“So damn beautiful,” I murmur into her open mouth and her lips curve into a smile.

She relaxes, her hands winding around my neck, fingers dancing along the nape. Bolts of electricity fly down my spine at her delicate touch. I stroke her neck, trace along the exposed skin of her collarbone, and she shivers with pleasure. Gliding from her shoulder to her chest, I lightly cup her breast and a quiet moan fills the silence. Her nipple peaks under my thumb and I pinch lightly. Another moan and she’s squirming beneath my hand.

“Want to go back to my place?” I whisper and she nods, not breaking the kiss.

“Please.”

That’s all the encouragement I need. Firing up the engine, I gun the Porsche out of the parking lot, paparazzi quickly forgotten.

We make record time back to the rental and I pull the car into the garage, hitting the button to lower the door as soon as I throw the vehicle into park. I hop out of the car and jog to get the door for Rachel. Grabbing her hand, I lace my fingers through hers and we hustle into the house.

“Benefit of living in a small town—home in less than seven minutes,” I joke, flicking on a light.

She laughs. “Yes. One of the perks.”

“Add that to the plus column. Parking, commute time, and you.” I wrap my hands around her hips, pulling her to me. She blushes, gazing up at me through a fringe of dark lashes.

“You’re very charming. For a bad boy.”

“Bad boys can be charming. It’s all part of the appeal.” I brush a stray hair from her eyes.

“Oh, you’re very appealing.” Her palm splays on my pec and I wonder if she feels the hammering of my heart.

“Is that so?”

Her fingers dance up and down the buttons of my shirt, toying with the white plastic circles.

“Absolutely.” She undoes the top button, then the next. I help out, untucking my shirt from my jeans.

“I’ve been wondering what a hockey god looks like. You know, underneath the uniform and all the pads.” She bites down on her lip and fuck, she’s sexy as hell right now, the glow of the lamp highlighting her curves, the long line of her neck.

I slide out of my shirt, tossing it to the ground, and her breath hitches.

“Like what you see?”

“Yes. Very nice.” She glides her hands over my broad chest, her nails scratching lightly at my skin. I flex and her pupils darken.

All that time in the gym’s paying off.

Her fingers trail over my abs, all the way down to the button of my jeans. Her eyes flick to mine, questioning.

“Go ahead.” My voice is low, husky with desire, my cock swelling with anticipation. I like this side of Rachel. She’s confident, fully aware of what she wants.

Undoing my jeans, she slides the zipper down and I kick out of my shoes, socks, and pants. My cock’s hard and ready for action, bobbing in my boxer briefs.

“I’m comprehending the hockey god status now.”

I grin. “Thank you. There’s more to the status than just looks, though.”

“Oh?” One brow arches high.

“It’s also performance based.”

“I see.”

“You’ll understand better in a second.”

In one quick move, I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bedroom, laughing the entire way.