by Morgan James
I nodded, my throat tight. It was hard as hell to hand over control. Alexia and I had a schedule all worked out, and I knew Darlene adhered to it when she was here. Xander had never spent any time around little kids before. Still, I knew I couldn’t deny him this time with his daughter, and it was good for Alexia to get to know him too. Grudgingly, I swiped my keys out of the bowl on the kitchen counter and held a spare out to Xander.
“I’ll... see you later.” With one last kiss for Alexia, I reluctantly left.
The first part of my morning at the salon flew by. My ten o’clock bride tried on nearly twenty gowns before deciding on a custom design. We spent the next two hours poring over magazines, drawing up various examples of what she might like. Finally, she strode out the door just after two o’clock, a smile on her face. That made one of us at least.
After she left, my anxiety ratcheted up tenfold. My hands flitted to my pockets every two minutes or so, checking for messages. Xander hadn’t called or texted yet, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening back at the house.
Brenda shot me a look over the counter as I drummed my nails against the Formica. “Why don’t you go home already?”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “You have no idea how much I want to. But I don’t want him to think I don’t trust him.” It had taken all of my willpower not to call and check in with him over the past few hours. Xander was a responsible adult, and I knew that he wouldn’t let anything happen to Alexia. I just had to trust that he would reach out if he needed help.
I wandered back to the alterations room to check on Gwen. “Need anything back here?”
Dark brown eyes met mine, and she shook her head. “No, thanks, I think I’m good.”
“Okay.” I stood helplessly, looking around the room, hoping that something would jump out at me. I wanted something—anything—to keep me occupied.
“You okay?”
I offered a little smile. “Just a lot on my mind.”
She nodded, then set down the needle and lace she was holding. “Can I... Can we talk for a second?”
Her voice held a trace of seriousness, more so than usual, and I pulled out a chair. “Of course. What’s going on?”
Gwen bit her lip, looking unsure. “I really like my job here, and I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
My stomach dropped to my toes, but I remained quiet. I had a feeling I knew exactly where this was headed.
She blew out a hard breath. “I’ve got some things going on in my life right now, and... I’m kind of looking for another job.”
She refused to meet my gaze, and for a long moment I debated exactly what to say. I hated to lose her. “Is it the money?”
“No, I just...” She hesitated, then switched subjects. “Would you change your life for the person you love?”
Xander immediately came to mind, and I pondered her question for a moment before responding. “I think that finding love is a very special thing. And if you both care about each other, you should do what’s best for both of you.”
“I don’t think I can stay here and be with him,” she said, her voice sad, almost regretful.
“Does he not like you working here?” I couldn’t imagine why not—unless he disapproved of her being around women getting married. Maybe he had no interest in marrying Gwen right now—or ever. It was no secret that a lot of women who worked in bridal wanted their own happily ever after. It was so easy to get swept up in the fairy tales and the happiness that others were feeling.
Honestly, until Xander had come back into my life, I’d been closed off to it. But recently I’d been seeing things in a different light. I saw each glowing bride with new eyes, so in love with her groom, ready to start their lives together. Could Xander and I have something like that? We’d flirted a bit, but I didn’t know if that was enough. I knew one thing, though—he’d support me in whatever I chose. His actions with my mother the other night proved that. He would never hold me back from something I loved.
“I think there has to be compromise,” I said slowly. “You have to work together and meet in the middle. That being said,” I continued, “you’ll always have a place here.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, still unable to meet my eyes.
“If you ever need to talk, I’m here.” I stood and returned the chair to its position. Gwen nodded and picked up the fabric she’d been working on. I didn’t want to push her too much, but I also wanted her to know that I was here to listen if she needed me.
Shoving down my feelings, I attacked the displays, waxing the steel rails so the hangers would slide better. When I was done with that, I meandered the salon, straightening gowns and reorganizing the jewelry shelves, determined to keep myself occupied. By the time four o’clock rolled around, I was ready to rip my hair out.
Sending an imploring gaze at Brenda, I admitted defeat. “I need to go home.”
She let out a little laugh. “I can’t believe you made it this long.”
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel as I drove home, anticipation and worry warring in my heart. All the while, I imagined dozens of scenarios of what I might find at home. The house would probably be a mess. Xander would probably be haggard, Alexia grumpy and crabby. He wasn’t used to dealing with toddlers, and I could only imagine the crying and yelling that might have gone on today. Worry won out as I pulled up to the house and jumped out of the car.
The silence that greeted me when I pushed the door open was unnerving. I blew out a breath as I stepped inside and kicked out of my heels. Locking up, I made my way toward the living room at the back of the house. Xander had said something about going to the park; maybe they were still out. My brain froze and my heart tripped in my chest as I rounded the corner and took in the scene before me.
Xander’s huge body was sprawled out on the couch, Alexia perched atop his bare chest, fast asleep. For a long moment, I remained frozen. Tears pricked my eyes and burned the back of my throat. They looked so perfect, so sweet together, and the sight sent my heart pitter-pattering against my ribs.
My eyes skimmed over his bare, well-defined pecs. Why was he naked? I ventured closer and barely held back a sigh of relief—or maybe disappointment. He wore a pair of black gym shorts that rode low on his waist, the band of his boxer briefs peeking out. His chest rose and fell on deep, even breaths as he slept. Alexia lay draped over him, held securely in place by Xander’s hand firmly on her back. I didn’t want to disturb them, but he couldn’t be comfortable like that. I reached out to pick her up, but Xander’s free hand shot upward. I let out a soft gasp of surprise as his eyes popped open and his fingers wrapped around my wrist.
“Shh.” His voice was barely a whisper, the slight shake of his head stopping me. “Leave her.”
“Are you sure? I can take her to her room.”
His hand slipped down my arm until his fingers brushed mine. “I like her just like this. Why don’t you go change, take a few minutes to relax and unwind?”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” His thumb lightly stroked the back of my hand, sending tiny shivers of awareness through my body. He gave a gentle tug, and I sat on the edge of the couch, the flesh of my hip burning where it pressed against his.
I kept my voice soft. “How was she?”
“Perfect.” A smile lit up his face before it twisted into a wry smirk. “Well, mostly. That last bottle of milk didn’t sit well with her, so most of it ended up on me.”
I pressed a hand over my mouth to cover my smile. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” he teased softly, giving my hand a squeeze. “You’re just glad it wasn’t you.”
I lifted a shoulder. “I’m kind of used to it. But, yeah, I’m kind of glad she puked on you and not me.”
“Brat.” He gave a little half-laugh, and the baby wiggled, one tiny foot twitching in her sleep.
Xander stroked one hand comfortingly down Alexia’s spine, calming her. His palm covered almost her entire
back, looking huge in relation to her small body.
A smile curved my mouth as I took in the stark contrast between Alexia’s fair skin and Xander’s swarthy, sun-kissed flesh. My gaze dropped to where our hands were still joined. It made my heart race in my chest, but I was reluctant to pull away. I liked the feel of his hand on mine, strong and warm.
“Whatcha lookin’ at, darlin’?”
His thumb slid over the back of my hand again, and my cheeks flamed as I met his gaze. I shook my head. “Oh, it was nothing.”
He lifted a brow but stayed silent.
“Well.” I cleared my throat to rid it of the rasp choking my voice as I stood. “I, um... I guess I’ll go change then.”
Xander’s clear blue eyes slid down my torso, leaving a trail of fire in their wake as they skimmed lower. Heat gathered in my core as his appreciative gaze slowly lifted to mine. “You better get out of here while you still have a chance.”
I scooted from the room, tossing one last glance over my shoulder just before I headed down the hallway. Bright blue eyes were still locked on me, and my heart pattered away in my chest, filled with a happiness I hadn’t felt in years.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Xander
We put the baby to bed, then I pulled Lydia down the stairs. I’d been hard as fuck since she got home this afternoon, and I needed her in my arms—right this second.
“Liddy?” Her gaze lifted to mine as I slipped one arm around her waist and eased her closer. “I really want to kiss you right now.”
Her eyes dropped to my mouth, and she bit her lip before giving a single nod. I dipped my head low, brushing my lips across hers in a tantalizingly chaste kiss.
Her arms came up and twined around my neck, pulling me back to her as I started to break away. Happy to oblige her, I dropped another kiss on her plump lips. Her mouth parted, and I ran my hands down her back, brushing my nose along hers.
“We should stop, sweetheart.”
Biting her lip, Lydia dropped her gaze to the ground, and her arms followed suit, slipping down my chest to rest at her sides. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I—"
“Lydia.” I infused just enough forcefulness into my tone to demand her attention. Her eyes met mine, a startling myriad of emotion in the pewter depths. I could see her need, her desire, and—beneath all that—her uncertainty. I wanted to wipe the slate clean, start fresh.
She beat me to the punch before I could say a word. “This is just... new for me. And scary, you know? You’ve been such a huge help the last few days, like today, when you watched Alexia. And I love that you’ve been spending all this time with us. Not that you’re here because of me, I mean, but Alexia deserves to have a father in her life, especially someone like you, and it’s been really... great.”
She took a deep breath for the first time, and I pressed my lips together to contain my smile at her rambling. She looked so fucking cute yet so heartbreakingly vulnerable at the same time it stabbed into me like a knife. I wisely kept silent as she bared her soul to me.
“I just don’t know what will happen, and... that worries me.”
I loved that she was concerned for Alexia’s welfare first and foremost, but I knew deep down what else she was asking. “I’m here, Lydia—for both of you—as long as you’ll have me.”
“But—”
Her words abruptly cut off as I cupped her face in one hand. Using my thumb, I pressed up on the underside of her chin, forcing her gaze to mine. We locked eyes for a long, heart-stopping moment. Then I kissed her. Soft and gentle so as not to frighten her, I teased her lips with soft brushes of my skin against hers. She swooned against me, and I shifted her closer, locking one arm tightly around her waist. Restraint damn near killing me, I tugged gently on her lower lip, waiting for them to part and allow me in. With a soft sigh, she opened, and I swept my tongue inside, swallowing her shallow breaths.
When I finally lifted my head a minute later, her eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed the sweetest pink I’d ever seen. Big gray eyes blinked open and met mine. “Are you trying to distract me?”
A tiny smile quirked my mouth. “Maybe.”
Unable to stay away, needing to taste her again, my mouth captured hers once more. This time, Lydia threw herself into the kiss, matching me stroke for stroke, her hands curling into my neck as if she never wanted to let go. She tasted of everything sweet and sexy and an innocence that was purely Lydia.
Her chest rose on a ragged inhale. “Was that a distraction, too?”
“That”—I kissed her hard—“was a declaration.”
This close, I saw her swallow hard. “A declaration?”
I nodded solemnly. “I’m not going anywhere. I want to be here for you—for Alexia.”
Time stood suspended for several long moments as we both remained silent, breathless. Finally, she nodded, a tiny smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “That sounds... perfect.”
An answering grin tugged at my lips, and the hope I’d harbored deep in my heart flowed to the surface. “No. You”—I punctuated each word with a light kiss—“Are. Perfect.”
A pleased smile lit her face even as her cheeks flushed at my compliment. “I’m hardly perfect.”
I slid my thumb over the apple of her cheek. “I disagree. But then, you already know that. I’ve been crazy for you since the moment we met.” I watched her cheeks turn pink in the dim light, and I smiled. “I better get out of here before I do something I’ll regret.”
She peered up at me, her brows drawing slightly together. “Okay.”
Her voice wavered, whisper-soft, and I pulled her into my arms. “I meant what I said, sweetheart. This time I’m going to do it right. I’m going to make you fall for me, Lydia Dawson.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to call her by my name, but I stopped myself just in time. Lydia McLean. Had a nice ring to it.
A tiny tremor ran through her body, and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “We’ll see about that.”
I couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not. I decided it didn’t matter. She might not believe me yet—but she would. I was going to do everything in my power to make my wife fall for me again.
I captured her lips in one last soul-searing, knee-buckling kiss, holding her tight as she swayed into me. I lifted away and stared into lust-filled eyes. I wanted so badly to scoop her into my arms and carry her to bed, but I clamped down on the urge.
I set her away from me, making sure she was steady on her feet before releasing her. “Night, beautiful.”
I forced one foot in front of the other until I was safely outside and I could finally breathe again. Lydia did something to me that I didn’t understand. Whatever it was, I wanted more of it—maybe even a lifetime’s worth.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lydia
The vibrating of the phone on the nightstand jarred me from sleep. Groggily, I swiped at it and managed to unplug it from where it was charging. Mind muddled, I tried to place the number flashing across the screen. I debated answering, but I couldn’t think who would be calling so early. A bad feeling in my stomach, I tapped the button to connect the call and held the phone to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Dawson? This is Maryann with Frontline Security.”
Oh, God. Fear crawled up my throat, and I clutched at the phone with both hands. “What happened?”
“Ma’am, an alarm has been set off at 1095 Belleview Avenue. Can you please verify your password?”
“No.” I shook my head to clear my foggy brain. “I mean—I’m not there.”
“Thank you, ma’am. We’ve contacted your local law enforcement, and police have been dispatched to the location.”
“Thanks.”
Ending the call, I tossed the phone on the bed and threw the covers to the side, ready to pull my clothes on and run out the door. I’d just stepped into a pair of jeans when it occurred to me that it was the middle of the night. I froze, debating what to do. I didn’t want to wak
e Alexia and take her with me, but I also didn’t want to have to rouse Darlene from sleep. I knew she wouldn’t hesitate to come help, but still...
I drummed my nails against the screen of my phone before tapping the number on speed dial. Xander’s voice filtered over the line, raspy and sleepy. “Liddy. Everything okay?”
“There was a break-in at the salon, and I—”
His tone changed, instantly alert and ready to take charge. “I’ll take care of it.”
I could hear rustling in the background, and I imagined him rolling from bed, still warm from sleep. I could send Xander in my stead, but it was my shop. I was the one who needed to be there. “Actually, that’s not what I wanted to ask. Can you come stay with Alexia until I get back?”
There was a pause on the other end, then— “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” I slipped my arms into a zip-up sweatshirt. “I need to be there to speak with the police.”
“Okay.” He seemed hesitant to agree. “I’ll be at your place in ten.”
Without another word, he hung up, and I shoved the phone in my back pocket. I peeked in on Alexia, and a couple minutes later I heard the front door open and close. Xander’s voice floated toward me. “Lydia?”
“I’m here.” Grabbing up my purse, I met him in the hallway.
He caught my arm as I approached, concerned eyes boring into mine. “I don’t like this.”
“I know,” I replied. “The police are already on their way, so I won’t be there alone. I’m sure they’ll get it taken care of quickly.”
“Call me as soon as you figure out what’s going on,” he said. His hand slowly loosened around my arm, as if he was reluctant to let me go.
“I will. And Xander?” His brows lifted in silent question. “Thank you.” I stretched up on my toes and gave him a quick kiss.
