night you—” I started again, and he jumped up.
“How do you think I made it to the hotel so quickly?” He looked down at me with dark eyes. “I saw you get into the cab with him. I know Max well. I knew what he had planned.”
“He was coming back here for Anna,” I spoke up defensively.
“No offense to Anna, but he was coming back for both of you. I’m sure he thought it was his lucky night.”
“So you really thought I was going to sleep with him?”
He shrugged. “You wouldn’t be the first girl to fall for his act.”
“How rude—” I started to respond, but Anna responded.
“So you’re telling me I chose another loser?” She sighed and sipped her coffee. “Why do I always pick the assholes?”
“Maybe because you jump before you look.”
“Well, you were about to jump too.” She gave me a pointed look.
“Anna.” I gave her a direct and angry look.
“Yes, Lola?” She smiled innocently. “I’m just saying neither one of us is immune to sex gods.”
“Uh huh.” I turned away from her, and I could see Xavier staring at me with a curious expression. “Can I help you?” I asked him in irritation.
“Spend the day with me.”
“What?” I wasn’t sure how to feel by his request. It wasn’t something I had seen coming.
“You speak English, yes? Let’s spend the day together.”
“Why?” I frowned.
“So that tonight doesn’t feel like sex with a stranger,” he whispered in my ear and then laughed as I stared at him in shock. “Or did we get our signals mixed last night?”
“What did he say?” Anna shouted out. “I can’t hear.”
“Anna.” I shot her another look and she grinned back at me. “I think you should leave, Xavier.”
“So that’s a no to spending the day together?” He ran his hands through his damp, dark hair.
“What do you think?”
“I thought you were a girl who didn’t play games.” He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were a girl who would appreciate a fun weekend, no strings attached.”
“I see.”
“I guess I was wrong?”
I stared at him for a few seconds with my insides bubbling over. I didn’t know what to say. He was right, of course. I wasn’t the sort of girl who would spend a weekend with a strange guy. I’d never had a one-night stand. I’d only slept with one guy before. And he’d been my boyfriend for two years. He was someone I’d thought I’d loved. I’d thought I was going to marry him. Then I’d walked in on him sleeping with two girls from his political science class. He’d said that they wanted to have a threesome, and who was he to say no? I’d been devastated that he had been able to cheat and then act so nonchalant about it. It had made me question everything.
I was entitled to have a wild weekend. What was one wild weekend? Especially if it were with a guy like Xavier. He’d turned me on with a kiss more than my ex had done when we’d made love. It wasn’t like I’d ever see him again. It could be fun. I was entitled to fun after everything.
“Fine.” I licked my lips nervously. “We can hang out.”
“I’m guessing you don’t want me to be third wheel?” Anna spoke up, and I blushed as I remembered she was there. “I’m joking, Lola.” She jumped out of the bed. “I’m going in the shower, then I’m going to Oxford Circus to get some new clothes before Monday.”
“You don’t have to leave right now, Anna,” I called out to her, but she grinned and then winked before walking into the shower.
“I guess your friend wants you to get laid.” Xavier raised an eyebrow at me and my stomach flipped.
“You’re so crude.”
“Am I lying?” he asked softly and then pulled me towards him. “Part of you wishes I’d throw you on the bed right now and take you.”
“Excuse me?” I answered him breathlessly as my panties got wet. He was right, of course. Part of me wanted him to just take charge and take me.
“Your heart is racing.” His fingers pressed down on my
Kristen Middleton, Book Cover By Design, K. L. Middleton
Sister Carol Anne O’Marie