Chasing Xander

by Lexi Lawton

“Is this your post-sex ritual? A bubble bath?”

  “It’s for you, smart-ass.” He reached for her.

  She willingly stepped into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning toward him for a kiss. “I thought you said we were going to cuddle.”

  “We are. We’re just going to do it in there.” He nodded toward the tub.

  “As long as you’re joining me.” Cuddling in a bathtub wasn’t exactly what she’d expected, but she was looking forward to soaking in the hot water. Hopefully it would soothe the lingering tenderness she felt between her legs.

  “Of course I am.” He kissed her cheek, then took her hand and helped her into the tub.

  She eased into the water, letting her eyes close as the warmth wrapped around her. With a contented sigh, she leaned back and rested her head on the edge of the tub. This must be what heaven felt like.

  Xander kneeled beside the tub and smoothed the hair from her forehead. She turned her head to look at him, happy to see the satisfied smile on his handsome face. “You’re not getting in, are you?”

  “I will.” He folded his arms along the side of the tub and rested his chin on them. “I need to take care of something, and then I’ll be back. Promise.” Standing, he smiled. “Until then, you sit there and relax.”

  “Yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute.

  Shaking his head, he laughed and left her alone. She had no idea what he could possibly be doing now, but she was much too relaxed to care. Sinking down until the water covered her shoulders, she closed her eyes and let her mind replay everything that happened with Xander tonight. He really had made her first time special, a night she would never forget. Every touch, every kiss, every word had been soft and deliberate. She wanted to return the favor, to do something special for him, to make him feel as special and loved as he’d made her feel. Only, she had no idea what to do for him.

  Xander returned a few moments later and climbed into the tub with her. He sat behind her so she was between his legs, her back resting against his chest and her head on his shoulder. Wrapping his arms around her, he nuzzled her neck, inhaling deeply. She snuggled into him, content to stay right there, just like they were, for as long as they could.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” He gathered her hair and draped it over her shoulder so he could gain more access to her neck.

  “Never better.”

  “I’m serious, Kylie.” He ran his fingers up her arms. “I need to know that tonight was good for you, that you’re happy with…everything.”

  Her heart thudded loudly. He was worried that she wasn’t satisfied? She twisted her upper body so she could see his face. “I really think I’m the one who should be asking you that.”

  He furrowed his brows. “What? Why would you need to ask me if I’m okay?”

  She shrugged, causing some of the water to slosh over the side of the tub. “Because it’s no secret you’re a lot more experienced than I am. I don’t want you to be bored with me.” She hung her head, embarrassed she had to say that, worried that was exactly how he felt and that he would decide he didn’t want to be with her again.

  “Hey.” He took her chin and turned her head so she was facing him again. “You’re right. I have been with a lot of women.” She attempted to turn her face away from him. “Don’t,” he said softly, his eyes dark and serious. “I’ve had a lot of sex, but that’s all. I had sex to get off. Nothing else. Tonight was a first for me, too, Ky. I’ve never made love before. I was as scared and nervous as you were.” He chuckled. “All I could think about was I might hurt you or do something wrong.”

  She smiled warmly, placing her hand on his cheek. His honesty melted away all of her worries. Now she understood why he kept asking if she was okay, why he seemed overly concerned with her pleasure and happiness. “Thank you,” she whispered, her lips trembling.

  Xander pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue parting her lips, his kiss self-assured and dominant. Possessive.

  “Mmm.” She broke the kiss and licked her lips. “So, now that I’m not a virgin anymore, you no longer have an excuse not to have sex with me.” She twisted back around, pulling his arms so they were once again wrapped around her.

  “You’re right, I don’t.” His hot breath tickled her ear when he spoke.

  “Which means we can do that again.”

  “Mm-hmm.” The deep baritone of his voice sent a shiver through her body. “Repeatedly.”

  She closed her eyes and suppressed a groan. The idea of locking herself in his bedroom for several days was very tempting. She wanted to explore his body some more, touch him and kiss him like he’d done to her. She wanted to hear his breath catch and feel his body tremble as they both orgasmed.

  “Now that I know what it’s like to be inside you”—he nipped at her earlobe—“what you taste like”—he kissed the soft spot right behind her ear—“how you sound when you come…I’m making it my personal mission to get you naked every chance I get.”

  “That’s been my mission since I met you.”

  He squeezed her. “Yeah, but it’s not going to take me as long as it took you.”

  She playfully elbowed him, and he laughed. “You realize now that I’ve got you, I don’t have to chase you anymore. The roles have reversed, and karma’s a bitch.”

  “I think you forget how sexually charming I am.” He grinned.

  Kylie shook her head, trying and failing to hide her smile. They fell silent for several moments. The steady thump of his heart, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest with each breath, lulled her into a state of bliss she never knew possible.

  “What’re you thinking about?” he asked.

  “What’s going to happen next.”

  “Well, I figured we’d get out of the tub and go to bed. Together.”

  Her breath caught. “Not really what I meant.” She hesitated, then asked, “You want me to spend the night in your room with you?”

  “Yes. Unless you want to go to your room.”

  “No… Won’t your parents get mad if they catch me in your room?”

  “As long as we’re up before they get back…” He smoothed his hands down her arms and onto her legs. “We can sleep on the couch or in my car for all I care, but we will be together tonight. I didn’t take your virginity so I could then kick you out of my bed.”

  “Okay.” She had no intention of arguing with him.

  “Good. Now that we’ve got that settled…” He trailed his finger down the side of her face and across her lips.

  She kissed the tip of his finger, and he groaned in that way she loved. “Yes?”

  “Can you promise me something?”

  “Anything,” she said without hesitation.

  He held her gaze for a moment before smirking. “I’d really, really like it if the only dick you see from this point forward is mine.”

  Kylie laughed and shook her head. “You really need to get over that. Finn didn’t intend for me to see that picture, and trust me, I wish I hadn’t.”

  “That’s why you spent so much time staring at it?”

  She kneeled between his legs and faced him. “If it makes you feel better, your dick is so much nicer.”

  “Fucking right it is.” He clutched the back of her head, holding her still, and then crushed his mouth over hers.

  She pressed closer, gripping the edge of the tub and straddling him. She gasped with surprise when she realized he was fully erect again, but then she lowered her body, letting the thick length of his erection rest between her legs. It was a feeling she’d never tire of, one she wanted to experience every day for the rest of her life. Xander deepened the kiss and grabbed her ass, moving her forward and then back, the head of his cock rubbing against her clit.

  “Oh God…” She moaned and let her head fall to her shoulders. “I want you again, Xander. Please.” She rocked on his lap, rotating her hips.

  “Christ, Ky, you can have me whenever you want me, but we need to get out of this tub right fuck
ing now.” His voice was strained, but there was no mistaking the need burning in his eyes. “Because I’m seconds away from giving you exactly what you want, and that would be really stupid.”

  She rose up on her knees so their bodies were no longer touching and gave him a confused look.

  He blew out a shaky breath and rubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t have a condom.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Yeah, okay.” She climbed out of the tub, and he followed.

  He handed her a towel and what she assumed was his robe. She swooned at how much thought and planning he’d put into every detail of the night. He was being so sweet. After drying off and putting on the robe, she followed him back into the bedroom. She froze near the bed. The only visible evidence of her lost virginity was gone. Xander had changed the sheets. That must have been what he needed to take care of while she was in the tub. She glanced over at him, tears pooling in her eyes. He really had thought of everything.

  “I did something wrong.” He frowned.

  “What?” She looked up at him, shocked. “No. Everything you’ve done has been absolutely perfect.” Smiling, she moved toward him. She didn’t know why seeing clean sheets made her so emotional, considering everything else that had happened the past few days. Maybe because he’d been considerate enough to clean up and not say a word about it, saving her the embarrassment of having to deal with it.

  “Then why does it look like you’re ready to start crying?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

  She could definitely get used to having his arms around her, to knowing he could—and would—touch her and kiss her whenever he wanted. The thought brought a smile to her face.

  “And now you’re going to laugh?” His tone was incredulous, which did make her laugh. “I can’t keep up with you.”

  Slipping her arms around his neck, she shook her head. “You have to admit, the entire night has been a little overwhelming.”

  “That’s an understatement.” He winked, his mouth turning up into a playful smirk.

  “But in a good way,” she added, brushing her lips over his.

  “A very good way,” he agreed, drawing her bottom lip between his teeth. “Food.”

  She pulled away. “What?”

  “My post-sex ritual is food.” He laughed. “I like to eat after sex.”

  “Eat what?” She had no idea why that information was hard for her to wrap her mind around, but the idea of Xander pigging out after sex was…weird.

  He shrugged. “Usually whatever I can find, but right now, I think I’m going to raid the fridge. And probably the pantry, too.”

  “Seriously? We just had a huge dinner. And birthday cake. How on earth can you be hungry again already?”

  “Having sex burns calories. I get hungry.” He grinned, then kissed her cheek. “You get comfortable.” He nodded toward the bed. “Find something to watch if you want. I’ll be back up in a few minutes. Is there anything you want?”

  “Something to drink.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He left the room.

  She blew out a breath and stood, stunned, for a moment. Part of her worried this was all a dream and that any second, she’d wake up, alone and sad. She got into bed, sat with her back against the headboard, and turned on the flat-screen TV that sat atop the dresser. She flipped through the channels, not really paying attention to what was on any of them.

  She was no longer a virgin. She had to tell Celeste! Did she have time to call or text her before Xander got back? Not that it mattered because Xander walked in just then. He’d lost the towel he’d been wearing, leaving him naked. And he was hard, too. Her breath hitched.

  “What happened to getting food?”

  He kicked the door closed and sauntered toward her. “Decided I was hungry for something else.” His eyes were dark, his tone commanding.

  “Oh yeah? Like what?” She smirked.

  “You.” He climbed onto the bed and kissed her hard. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her down so she was lying flat on her back, keeping himself raised above her. “Think you’re ready for round two?”

  She tugged on the tie holding her robe closed. Her nipples were hard, and her clit ached for his touch. “What do you think?” She hooked her legs around his waist.

  “Fuck.” He groaned as he settled between her legs. “We’re never getting out of this bed.”

  “You’re not going to get any argument from me.”

  “That’s a first.” He laughed, then claimed her mouth seconds before claiming her body again.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “I cannot believe I’m leaving my car here.” Xander frowned.

  His father shook his head, but the amusement in his expression was unmistakable. “You can’t afford to miss any more classes, and I’m headed back to Florida in two days. I think you’ll survive that long without it.”

  He hated being without his car, but his father offered to drive the car back in a few days and fly him and Kylie to campus today so that neither of them missed any more classes. It was a generous offer he couldn’t refuse.

  “Well, we better get through security so we don’t miss our flight,” Xander said. They’d spent the morning at the airport. Ryder had left three hours ago, and Tanner and Jules left an hour ago. His mother had insisted they all go to the airport together and stay until everyone was on their planes.

  He hugged his mom, and she squeezed so hard he thought she’d break his ribs. “You be good. Get yourself back on track, and I’ll see you at Thanksgiving, okay?” She pulled back and wiped at her eyes.

  “Love you, Mom.”

  Debbie turned to Kylie and pulled her into a hug, too. “It was so nice meeting you.”

  “You, too. Thank you for welcoming me into your home.”

  She waved her hand as if it were no big deal. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?” She turned her stern gaze to Xander and pointed at him. “You make sure you bring her back for another visit.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry. You’ll be seeing a lot more of her.” He exchanged a knowing look with Kylie, and his heart kick-started in his chest.

  Kylie turned to his dad. “And I can’t thank you enough for all your help.”

  Ethan smiled and nodded, then hugged her. “It’s my pleasure. When I get to Florida, I’ll be sure to call you. We can get everything finished up.”

  Watching Kylie with his parents sent a wave of warm calmness through him. He never expected to find someone as amazing as her, or that he’d fall in love so hard and fast, but to see his parents welcoming her so fully? He couldn’t have imagined anything better.

  “Xander.” His dad pulled him into a hug, holding him longer than usual. “I know I don’t say it enough, but you’re a good kid, and I’m proud of you,” he said, low enough so only Xander could hear. “Do what you need to do, and take care of Kylie. She’s a sweet girl.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” He forced the words past the lump in his throat. “I will.”

  …

  Xander set Kylie’s bags on the floor near the foot of her bed, then turned to her with a heavy sigh. Dread coiled in his stomach, making it churn and rumble. He did not want to leave her and go back to the frat house. But now that they were back on campus, he had to face reality and be responsible.

  “I don’t know where Celeste is or when she’ll be back, but you’re welcome to stay.” Kylie removed her shoes.

  “You have no idea how tempting that is, but I have to go talk to Brad and see what kind of shit I’m in with him and the house.”

  Her face fell, and disappointment colored her eyes. “Yeah, okay.” She gave him a tight, forced smile.

  “Hey, come here.” He reached for her hand and tugged her into his arms. “Things are going to be crazy for a while, but that doesn’t change anything between us.”

  She nodded and slipped her arms around him. “We can always go to open study together.”

  “Yeah, I’ll probably have to be there
every night for the rest of my life.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But there’s always time for us to have lunch together. And dinner.” He kissed each of her cheeks. “Dessert.” He grinned a second before kissing her lips.

  She leaned into him, sighing. The memory of her mouth around his cock, of the warmth and tightness of her body coiled around him, heating his skin, made his heart race. He moved his hands down her back and grabbed her ass. The urge to pin her against the door or push her onto the bed and spend the night making love to her consumed his thoughts.

  Reluctantly pulling away, she said, “You should go, or I’m going to be tempted to tie you to my bed.”

  Xander raised a brow. “That could be fun.”

  She laughed. “Call me later?”

  “Or maybe I’ll just come back later.”

  “That’s an even better idea.”

  After another lingering kiss, he left her room and headed home. Each step was heavier than the last, the knot in his chest getting tighter the closer he got to RAT house. If he didn’t have to answer to Brad, he could’ve stayed with Kylie, but instead of spending the night with the woman who’d stolen his heart, he had to spend the night getting his ass chewed by a guy who thought he was better than everyone else.

  When he entered the house, it was quiet. That wasn’t unusual for a Sunday night. He walked through the kitchen and started up the stairs as Eric was on his way down. “Hey, Xander!” Eric gave him a fist bump. “Good to have you back, man.”

  Xander gave a quick nod. “Is Finn around?”

  Eric shrugged. “Don’t think so. I saw him leave about an hour ago with some girl.”

  “Thanks.” He continued up to his room and tossed his bag on the floor. That’s when he noticed an envelope on his pillow. It was white with the RAT logo embossed on the front. His heart dropped. Snatching the envelope, he tore into it and unfolded the single sheet of paper.

  Alexander Collins:

  Due to your poor academic standing and absence from recent classes, which is a breach of the agreement you made with Rho Alpha Theta and its President, Bradley Fuller, you are hereby prohibited from attending any and all Rho Alpha Theta functions. Furthermore, you have been stripped of your duties within this house until a final determination can be made regarding your future here at RAT.