Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

pter 703

Chapter 703

"Don't move," he rasped, his voice dropping all the fake softness he'd been using. It came out raw, almost jagged.

So, the voice was an act too. Smirking, I leaned in closer. "You're so cool to the touch... feels amazing..."

Before he could respond, someone stepped out of the restaurant, their gaze flicking toward us. Without a second thought, Xander scooped me up and made a beeline for his car. Even as he carried me, I kept up my game. I nuzzled against his chest like a needy kitten, going as far as tugging at the buttons on his shirt with my teeth.

His whole body went rigid, his heartbeat hammering under my cheek. Heat radiated off him like his self-control was barely holding together-if it even existed in the first place. So much for all that composed, cool-guy energy. Total myth.

Finally, Xander carried me to his car. As he leaned down to set me in the passenger seat, I looped my arms around his neck, leaning forward to press a kiss against his throat. Okay, yeah-I'll admit it. I wasn't just messing with him. I was messing with myself, too.

It had been months since Hayden and I broke up. Months. And during this little back-and-forth, something deep inside me stirred, my own buried desires clawing their way to the surface. It felt like I had been drugged.

Xander's grip tightened, halting me mid-move. His eyes locked on mine. "Take a good look. I'm Xander, not Hayden. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Not Hayden?

What a load of crap.

leaving a deep, angry mark on his skin

low, muffled groan rumbled from him. He didn't pull me closèr, but he didn't shove me

my body gave out and I sank back into the seat, breathless and trembling, did I finally

His gaze met mine. But in that moment, he wasn't

I saw him.

1/2

Chapter 703

quiet yearning. The suppressed turmoil. The

He's torn, isn't he?

+25 BONUS

with whatever reason he has to keep

Xander mask, there's a reason. A plan. Something he can't risk blowing. Pushing him to admit the truth now would only make things worse-for both of us. When I finally

he murmured softly, "If you want

drugged? Was he offering

his double life, of pretending he wasn't Hayden, kept me from giving in. Tilting my chin, I threw cold water on the

Yeah, buzzkill for sure.

red against his skin. He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear as he

really offering