13. Rachel
CHAPTER 13
RACHEL
S o much for taking things slow. Xander and I spend the entire weekend together and it’s absolute bliss. We order food, watch cheesy made-for-TV movies, and snuggle on the sofa. He worships my body like it’s his sole mission in life, making me come over and over again.
I’ve never been happier.
“I wish you didn’t have to go.” He strokes my cheek with the rough pad of his thumb, sparks radiating over my skin.
“I know. Usually I can’t wait for my weekends without Jett to end.” Guilt gnaws at my gut. “Not that I don’t want to see my kid. That came out wrong.”
“I know what you’re trying to say. Mixed emotions. Trust me, I get it.” Xander kisses me on the lips and I sigh against him, rubbing my bare foot against his thick, muscular calf.
“Yeah. We need to keep things chill between us right now. I can’t drop you on Jett all of a sudden—I don’t want him to get hurt anymore than he already has. We have to take things slow there.”
“I understand.” He laces his fingers with mine. “I wish my parents had been as caring and cautious as you. You’re a great mom, Rachel.”
The tight grip of guilt loosens a touch. “Thanks. I’m trying.”
“And succeeding.” He presses his lips to mine and my toes literally curl. No man’s kissed me like Xander and I vaguely worry I’m already addicted to him and his touch.
“When can I see you again? You’ll bring Jett to practice?”
I nod. “Yes. But I won’t have another free night until next Saturday.”
Xander blows out a breath and the anxiety kicks up, clawing at my stomach.
“I know that’s a long time to wait. And I understand if you want to change your mind.”
“Babe—” His thumb smooths across mine. “Stop trying to talk me out of being with you. I’ll wait, not a big deal. I’ll train and coach and before we know it, we’ll have another amazing day together.”
I sigh, resting my head against his chest. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Of course.” He kisses the top of my head and the gesture’s so tender, so caring, hot tears spring to my eyes. Swiping them away, I try to soak up every bit of his strength and gentleness I can.
“I have to go. Charles freaks out when I’m late.”
“Let the asshole sweat it out. Least he can do. And if he so much as touches you again, let me know.”
“Sure.”
Xander tips my chin up to meet his gaze. “Rach, I’m serious.”
“I know you are. But the last thing you need is another battle. Charles is my problem.”
“No. He’s our problem. And I don’t like people touching what’s mine.”
I arch a brow. “Yours?”
“Yes, mine. If we’re together—and I’m pretty sure we are, after this weekend—you’re mine and I’m yours. Nothing and no one’s going to hurt you on my watch.”
“Xander—” My voice wavers as I stare up at him, his jaw tense.
“I’m a defender—that’s why I’m the goalie, Rach. It’s my job.”
I bite my lip, fully absorbing what he’s saying. “Fine. But I’m sure everything will be okay. And if not, I’ll let you know.”
“Deal.”
He drops his mouth to mine and warm happiness flows through me. I’m safe with Xander, protected and secure.
My cell buzzes, vibrating against the coffee table. Without even checking, I know it’s a text from Charles alerting me that he’s on his way to drop off Jett.
“I have to go.” I pull away, already missing the feeling of his hard body on mine. “Thank you for the best weekend.”
“We’ll have more.” He squeezes my fingers before letting me slip away to grab my stuff. “Remember—mine.” He grins at me and heat curls in my lower belly.
A week is going to feel like a year, waiting to be with this man again.
The second Xander drops me off, a heavy sense of dread settles over me, threatening to eclipse the feel-good endorphins still flowing through me from the weekend.
Interacting with Charles always has this effect on me. I can’t believe I was with him for as long as I was, honestly. I have no idea how I put up with all of his bullshit.
Before I make it to the staircase, I spot his custom matte BMW speeding into the lot.
Shit.
With a deep breath, I hurry over to his car, a smile plastered on my face. As I’m closing in on the vehicle, Charles pops out.
“Stay in the car, Jett. I have to speak with your mother.” He narrows his eyes at me before slamming the door shut on Jett’s protests.
“What the fuck, Rachel?” He slaps a folded newspaper into my hand.
My heart sinks, flashing back to the scene at the Boathouse Friday night, the paparazzi chasing me and Xander to the car.
With shaky hands, I unfold the paper and stare down at the headline of the Starlight Bay Gazette : The bad boy of hockey dating hometown girl!
There’s a photo of the two of us as we’re leaving the restaurant, my hand partially shielding my face. Not a super flattering photo, but I’m recognizable and so is Xander.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
This isn’t the way I wanted Charles to find out about us.
“Now you’re fucking our kid’s hockey coach? Classy.” He spits the words out, his face tight and pinched.
I straighten my shoulders, anger swirling in my belly.
“First of all, that’s none of your business. We’re divorced and I can do whatever the hell I want. Second of all, kind of a leap there, don’t you think, Charles? We had dinner together.”
“You expect me to believe a professional hockey star took a woman on a date and didn’t fuck her? Come on, Rachel. I’m a man. I know how these things work.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “Do you, Charles? Because from my recollection, we didn’t have a whole lot of sex.”
His nostrils flare, lips pressed together in a thin, tight line. “Watch your words, Rachel. Jett can probably hear us.”
“Oh, so it’s fine for you to throw the f-bomb around, but I can’t speak the truth? Nice double standard, Charles.”
He inhales, stepping in closer to me, rage rolling off his body in waves. “Stop turning this around on me. You’re the one whoring around here, setting a bad example for our son.”
“Excuse me?” Now he’s gone too far, anger bubbling inside me. “I’m a whore for going on a date? Me? After you cheated on me while we were still married. You’re a fucking hypocrite, Charles.”
His hand shoots out, squeezing my forearm hard. A bolt of pain shoots up my arm, all the way to my shoulder.
“Let go of me now.” I lower my voice, trying to remain calm.
“Stop whoring around or I’ll take you back to court. Maybe we need to revisit the custody arrangement, especially if you’re too busy fucking to be a decent parent.”
He grips me harder, digging his thumb into the muscle. Tears spring to my eyes from the pain, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing them spill over.
“I said let go of me. Do it now, Charles, or I swear I’ll call the cops. Then we’ll see how far your little custody threat gets you, with domestic violence charges looming.”
“You bitch.” He spits the words out, his tone menacing. But he drops his hand.
“You did this to me, Charles. Take a long, hard look in the mirror tonight.”
Reaching around him, I throw the car door open. “Hey, Jett. I missed you, baby.”
I force cheerfulness into my voice, even as my arm throbs where Charles manhandled me and his nasty words echo in my head. “Let’s go get ready for dinner, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.” Jett clambers out of his seat and I grab his little backpack, swinging it over my shoulder.
“See you later, Charles. Unfortunately,” I mutter, quiet enough so only he can hear. His fists clench at his side, but he doesn’t touch me again.
“Bye, Jett. See you later this week.”
“Bye, Daddy.” Jett gives Charles a quick hug, then we walk upstairs to the apartment hand in hand, all the good feelings from my weekend with Xander evaporated.