Chapter Thirty-Two

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Montana

“ Y ou’ve got to be kidding me,” Xavier said.

“Nope. You picked last night’s movie. It’s my turn.”

“But it’s a musical. People bursting into song. You really want to see that happen?”

“Yep. And what’s even better,” she announced smugly, “I’m going to burst into song with them.”

“But you can’t sing.”

She let loose an evil laugh. “I know! That’s the whole point.”

“You’re just trying to get back at me for making you watch the entire Godfather saga in one day.”

“You bet your sweet bippy, Mr. Quinn.”

“What the hell is a bippy?”

“I have no idea. Serena says it sometimes, and it seemed appropriate.”

“All right, Miss McAlister. I will suffer through The Phantom of the Opera , with your foghorn voice singing along, but only because you’re so damned cute.”

Grinning like a maniac, Jazz did a little celebratory dance in the middle of the kitchen floor.

“And just for that little display of smugness, all the Milk Duds belong to me.”

Snatching the box out of his hand, she took off running, shouting over her shoulder, “We’ll see about that!”

Sprinting into the den and knowing he would be behind her in seconds, Jazz quickly grabbed the remote and keyed in the movie. If she didn’t go ahead and get it on the screen, he would try to seduce her into forgetting about it. Two days ago, when she’d wanted to watch a rom-com, he’d kissed her until she was a mass of jelly in his arms. By the time he was through, she’d weakly nodded at his suggestion of some Western. When she’d finally come to her senses, the movie was already in progress, and he’d been smirking. If he hadn’t looked so smug and sexy, she would have been mad, but she had instead sat back and watched the movie with him. Letting him win wasn’t all that bad.

But today, she would watch one of her favorite movies and make him listen to her caterwauling. That was his penance.

“All right, McAlister, get the wretched thing going,” Xavier grumbled.

“Ahh, poor baby. Come over here and snuggle with me.”

“Fine. But can you give me notice before you start singing?”

Lying through her teeth, she said, “But of course,” and then gave him her most innocent grin.

The twinkle in his eyes told her he knew she was lying but that he didn’t mind. When he settled onto the sofa with her, she clicked the play button and snuggled against him.

As the opening music started, she reflected that, oddly enough, this was the happiest she’d ever been. Even though she was still healing from three gunshot wounds, her brother was an assassin, and someone out there still wanted to torture and possibly kill her for some unknown reason, these last few days with Xavier had been the best of her life.

Their days had been filled with laughter, eating, and lots of lovemaking. Each day, she seemed to fall further in love with him, and she hadn’t even believed that was possible. Perhaps it was because Xavier seemed to feel the same way about her. Even though she’d been through hell to get here, she wouldn’t trade the last few days for anything. They had been magical.

She had learned so much more about him, things she’d never even considered. On top of not knowing he was a talented carpenter, he was also a skilled architect—something she’d discovered when she’d found the plans for the cabin on his desk and realized he’d been the one to draw them.

They’d shared more these last few days with each other than she’d ever shared with anyone. She knew this cocoon of peace and happiness would soon come to an end, but until that day, she was going to enjoy every second.

Xavier nudged her shoulder with his. “So who are you rooting for here, the Phantom or the long-haired guy?”

“Actually, neither one.”

“Seriously? Why?”

“Because they both want to control her. The Phantom adores her because of her talent, not because he really loves her.” She grinned up at him and added, “If she sang like me, she’d never stand a chance.”

Surprisingly, he didn’t come back with an insult or agreement. He looked genuinely curious about why she didn’t like either of Christine Daaé’s choices.

“And the viscount? He seems to love her.”

“Maybe so, but he treats her like a child. Her opinions don’t matter to him. He thinks he knows best.”

A slow smile curved the mouth she loved to kiss. “Your independence is showing.”

She shrugged. “This was written during a time when men saw women as weak creatures, lesser beings. Thankfully, men have wised up since then.”

“Then why do you like the movie so much?”

“What’s not to love? Beautiful music, a gorgeous setting, danger, intrigue, laughter, tears, and two gorgeous men. It’s got everything.”

“You’re a complicated woman, Jasmine McAlister.”

“And yet, you love me anyway.”

The minute the words were out of her mouth, she wanted to call them back. Not since he’d told her she was the most important person in the world to him had he indicated he might love her. Even though every touch and every look told her that he did, she didn’t want to push him too far.

Instead of looking embarrassed or denying it, he planted a kiss on her lips and said, “With all my heart.” He then grabbed the Milk Duds box out of her hand, dumped the entire contents into his mouth, and turned back to the movie.

She couldn’t care less about the candy. Xavier Quinn loved her. It didn’t get better than that.