Page 85 of A Forbidden Arrangement

“Hurry and change into something casual. We don’t want to be late.” He grips me by the shoulder and half guides, half shovesme out of his office. “It’ll be hot in there, so wear something light.”

Chapter 37

Dahlia

I pullon a pair of faded jeans and one of his black shirts. It hangs off me, soft and far too big, so I knot it at my waist and tug the collar wide enough to bare one shoulder.

Xander comes into the room without knocking, takes one look at me, and growls. “There’s no fucking way. Change.”

My brows rise as I take the outfit in. “Why? Is this too casual?”

His gaze rakes over me, and he bites his fist, groaning. Then he looks at the ceiling as if he’s begging for patience.

“Fine, I’ll change.”

With two steps, he closes the distance between us, then runs his finger down my neck and along my collarbone. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Tingles spark underneath his touch. I answer, dazed, “What?”

“We’re leaving.” He twines our fingers and leads me out of the room. He grumbles under his breath, and I can only make out a few words, something about him being a saint.

A black car is already waiting out front to drive us. I run my palms over the soft leather, still unable to get used to this level of luxury. With each second that passes, the bubbly feeling ofanticipation in my stomach grows. His reaction to me earlier was so overwhelmingly distracting that I didn’t really get to take him in until we climbed into the car.

His jeans and black T-shirt make it look like we’re wearing a couple’s outfit. I’m sure I would be focused on how adorable that was if he didn’t look so freaking hot right now. The thin fabric stretches across his shoulders, just tight enough to reveal a hint of his muscles when he moves. It’s such a freaking tease, especially because I know exactly what’s underneath.

Xander looks like a walking god in his work wear. Crisp white shirt, suit vests, and rolled-up sleeves. It’s a miracle he hasn’t caught me drooling.

But there’s something about seeing him in casual clothes that feels almost intimate. Like I’m the only one who gets to see him without his armor.

For the first time since I’ve known him, Xander looks a little nervous. His palm has rubbed the back of his neck enough times that the skin has turned red, and his gaze darts around the car but never lands on me.

“Are we close?” I lean into him, and he startles.

I press my lips together and suppress my laugh.

His crisp, gray eyes, shadowed in the back seat, narrow on me. “Are you laughing at me?”

My head snaps to the side, and I stare out the window, hiding my face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

His lips brush against my ear, his voice a low rumble. “You know, pretty girl, there’s nothing stopping me from punishing you right here.”

It feels like I’ve been lit on fire, heat licking between my thighs as his words fill my mind. Laid over his lap, pants pulled down, hand firm on my ass. I swallow. “That’s not the threat you think it is.”

His eyes darken, heavy lids lowering, and he runs his tongue over his bottom lip. “I’ll remember that for later.”

I press my thighs together, considering the merits of begging to go back, when the car slows down, and the sound of a crowd of people rises around us.

I gasp, air catching in my throat, and my eyes widen, trying to take in the scene. We’ve pulled into a giant stadium, and we’re making our way to the back private entrance.

Unable to look away, I ask, “What is this?”

But he doesn’t have to respond because I spotted the tour bus.

“No way. No freaking way!” I’m sure I’m being way too loud, but I can’t help it. The tickets to the show sold out within three minutes of going on sale. Even if you account for scalpers, all of those tickets would be gone. “How?”

A flicker lights in his eyes when he looks at me, something warm and proud that he doesn’t bother to hide. He skips my question altogether. “Are you happy?”

“Are you kidding me?” A laugh bursts from my chest, and I smile so wide it hurts. “It’s perfect.”