Page 27 of The Art of Deception
Anger surges through me that she’s been living like this for a year. Grabbing her, I spin us over, pinning her beneath me, her normally strong and stubborn frame now meek and fragile. “Stop right now, Tomi. You have to let this go, or it will eat you alive. You may not have been available for your sister at the party, but that’s moreherfault than yours. It washerchoice to drink,herchoice to go to the damn party in the first place, and if you don’t stop dwelling on this, it’s going to suck you into a hell you can’t pull yourself from.”
I soften my voice a little, my anger ebbing more into concern for her. “You need to be available for the people who are still here, for the people who need you now. Don’t dwell on ghost stories, Tomi. Consider Levi. He needs all your attention, not glimmers of the past. Grieve for them, keep the good for sure, but don’t dwell on the negative.”
She sniffles, her hand coming up to gently caress my cheek. “Where have you been all my life, Just Xander?”
I manage a smile. “Waiting for you.”
Chapter Nine
TOMI
The Next Morning
My body aches in places that haven’t ached in such a long time. But it’s a good pain, a delicious ache. Delight fills my chest as my eyes slowly flutter open to the feeling of movement beneath me. I’m so tired as my weight shifts, making my eyes open fully as I’m gently placed onto the bed. I know I was spread all over Xander last night, my head on his chest as we slept soundly. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had for the last year.
I didn’t have any dreams.
Levi didn’t wake.
It was a pretty successful night all around.
Not to mention the mind-blowing sex.
I lean on my elbow as Xander scoots out of bed, gloriously naked. His body is a marvel as he glances down at me and frowns. “Shit, I was trying not to wake you. I’m sorry.”
I chuckle. “Your body’s like a lead weight, Xander. You getting out of my bed is not a dainty task.”
He leans down and presses his lips to mine. “Well then, good morning, beautiful.”
I tense slightly. “Were you going to do a runner?” I ask point-blank.
He creases his brows at me. “No. Jesus, Tomi, I’m not that guy. We’re not all assholes, you know?”
Taking in a deep breath, I sit up in bed, the sheets falling from my naked breasts as I sit tall. “I know, and I’m pretty sure you’re cool, but I need to make sure that I’m here for Levi, and if I’m not functioning at my best, he suffers, so I can’t be…” I pause, not knowing what else to say.
He leans down, his hand moving in, swiping a loose strand of hair from my face. “Hurt? I don’t want to hurt you, Tomi.”
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I nod. “Well, that settles that, then.”
He tilts his head at me. “It does?”
I jump from bed and pull on a robe, shoving his jeans at him. “Get dressed, we’re having breakfast.”
He chuckles. “Breakfast, then I have got to go to work.”
I bump into his side. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold you captive. I’ve got to get Levi to school, anyway, and go into the shop early for a stock take.”
He moves in, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulls me closer to him. His morning erection is clearly evident. “I’d much rather you hold me captive here all day than me go to work. I just want you to know that.”
Butterflies dance in my stomach as I fawn internally over Xander. He knows what to say. I lean in and gently press my lips to his—they tingle, bolting with a shock of electricity as he kisses me. Suddenly, his hand comes out, slapping my ass with a thwack. The sting radiates through my skin as I break apart from him wide-eyed while he chuckles to himself, turning to get dressed.
“You’re a heathen,” I murmur, walking to my dresser to pull out some panties to put on under my robe.
He draws up his jeans, winking at me. “Yeah, but I’myourheathen.”
Those butterflies come back in full force as I gulp, then bend down, picking up his tank top for him. He chuckles, taking it, and yanks it over his head as he grabs my hand, and we walk toward the door.
How will Levi take this?A man hasn’t slept over before. I’m not sure how this is going to go down.
