Four Keeps

His concern feels genuine, and my resolve weakens. “He didn’t, just said some things and then left.”

He tilts his head in question. “I heard it was supposed to be me on that date. Was Johnny your call, or did the producers push you into it?”

Glancing past him, I realize there’s no camera crew. Johnny probably wanted them to follow him the night he came. Maybe the producers even put him up to it.

“I found out Johnny was just faking his interest in me to promote himself and his clothing line. The producers did keep trying to push us together, hoping to create more drama, so I gave them some.”

He smiles. “Good move. I like your style.”

This man keeps surprising me, but I’m still not sure if I can trust him. I slip out of the house, closing the door behind me, and lean against the side of the house. Xavier backs up and leans against a porch beam.

“If you’re on the show for any other reason than getting to know me, you should leave.” I hear the challenge in my voice and don’t regret it. “Don’t waste your time and mine.”

Again, he doesn’t take offense. “You’re the only reason I’m here, Olivia. But I get it. There are so many people looking for their fifteen minutes, it must be hard to know who’s genuine.”

He really isn’t another Johnny. But is he different enough for me to trust him with my heart? “It’s difficult,” I agree.

“I had something like that happen once,” he confesses. “Not exactly, but similar. My bike shop does custom builds, and we sometimes have some pretty well-known clients.

“I didn’t realize this woman I was dating was using me to try to get access to celebrities. My sister had to sit me down and have a serious talk with me before I finally saw the truth.”

I smile at the reference to his sister. “Good thing you listened. You’re close to your family?”

“Yeah, very. I’m all about family. Are you close with yours?”

“I am. I get along well with my parents, and my brother and his wife. I adore my niece. She’s twenty months old.”

Xavier grins. “That’s a sweet age. One of my cousins has a niece who just turned a year old. She likes to take her daily naps on him, head on his shoulder, and he takes selfies of the two of them and posts them on his social media.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s too cute.”

He jerks his head toward the yard. “Want to go for a walk?”

I hesitate. “I would, but if the security guards see us, they’ll notify the producers. I have a back patio, though; we could sit there.”

“That works.”

I let him inside, and as he follows me through the house, I’m keenly aware that we’re alone here, truly alone, with no cameras or producers hovering nearby. I’m more tempted than I thought I would be to take advantage of the fact.

20

Hidden depths

The patio is equipped with oversized lounge chairs, and we each settle in one, gazing up at the stars. “Are you familiar with the constellations?” Xavier asks. When I shake my head, he points to one cluster. “That’s Cassiopeia – see the W shape? – and that one over there is Cygnus, the swan. It’s nice being far enough out of the city that we can see more of the night sky.”

“Where I live, we can see hundreds – maybe thousands – of stars most nights,” I say. “It’s one of my favorite things about living there.”

Xavier isn’t flirting. He’s not putting the moves on me like Johnny did; he seems to just be enjoying spending time with me. And I appreciate it, but I realize, with some surprise, that I wish he was making a move.

I climb off my lounger. “Is there room for me next to you?”

“Of course.” He scoots over and holds his arm out, wrapping it around me as I settle in next to him. He smells inviting, like citrus and fresh linens. “You were getting cold?”

“Not really.” I snuggle in against him. “But it feels better being close to you.”

“It feels better to me, too.”

I turn my head and find his mouth with mine. The kiss starts off gentle, but quickly intensifies, which always seems to happen with Xavier. Before long, kissing isn’t enough.

Taking his hand, which is cupping my face, I place it on my breast. He takes my blatant hint and squeezes gently. I moan, and he plucks at my nipple until it’s stiff and swollen.

My ongoing sexual frustration and my strong attraction to this specific man are driving me wild. My panties are soaked, and I’m aching with need. I grab his hand again and move it between my legs.

Deepening the kiss, Xavier shifts me slightly – mmm, so strong – and tugs my leg open to drape over his. The lightweight fabric of my yoga pants lets the heel of his hand grind circles against my clit with the perfect amount of pressure, and my body responds like dry tinder to a match. In seconds, I shoot to peak.