Page 41

CHAPTER 41

MY MAN

BELLA

December

I’ve just hung up with Meg as Xander parks his car near my aunt’s house.

My best friend was enraged when I told her what happened with Jake, but she was ecstatic about the part where Xander came to my rescue. She shrieked when I finally gave her permission to tell Marco about my relationship. With how chatty Meg is, I’m impressed she lasted this long.

“Are you okay?” Xander asks for what has to be the tenth time. It’s adorable how worried he is about me.

“I’m fine.” I give him a gentle kiss. “I want to enjoy this party and forget what happened with Jake while I can.”

“While you can?” He pushes his door open and signals for me to wait for him. When he opens my door, he says, “What do you mean?”

I hold up a finger. “Cindy saw us.” A second finger. “Meg will tell Marco.” A third. “You told your agent you broke Jake’s nose. Do you really think our relationship will stay hidden much longer?”

“When you put it that way…” He scratches the back of his neck. “Is that a bad thing?”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head. “Your family knows we’re together. Aunt Millie, Ben, and Tom know too. The same goes for Meg.” I smile brightly at him. “I think I’m ready to go public with you.”

He gently lifts the cake out of the backseat. “Are you ready to officially be introduced as the girlfriend of Alexander Walker, the star quarterback of the Boston City Warriors?” He arches an eyebrow, breaking out a cocky grin.

I step closer and press a hand to his wildly beating heart as I wet my lips. “I’d love to know more about all the perks I’m signing up for beforehand.”

“The perks? How about this: I’ll fuck you nice and hard all night long, exactly the way you like it. I’ll always take care of you and keep you safe.” Xander ducks so we’re eye level, forcing the butterflies in my stomach to take flight. “And I’ll never stop loving you.”

“Bella!” The sound of my name makes me jump back.

Tom stands on the porch, his face etched with panic. “Get in here! Ben is on his way.”

“Sorry, Tom, it’s my fault.” Xander winks at me as we stroll toward the house. “I got distracted by this beauty.”

* * *

With a glass of wine in one hand and Xander’s arms wrapped around me from behind, I feel at ease. The warmth of his embrace makes me forget about everything else, transporting me to our bedroom, to the world we create when we’re together. Our own universe full of love, passion, and care.

“Don’t get me wrong, guys. I’m not judging what you do behind closed doors, but…” Tom sits beside me on the couch, a sly smile playing on his lips. “You could’ve hidden the bruises on your neck better.”

“Bruises on your neck?” Ben looms over Xander and me with a deep frown.

Ben is typically easygoing, but when it comes to the people he loves, he will never hesitate to speak his mind. Telling him Xander and I were dating was the most intense and rewarding experience. Though he voiced plenty of reservations, he also pledged his support. Then he threatened Xander’s life if he didn’t treat me well.

“Jake did that, not Xander,” I remark.

“Excuse me?” Ben drops to the coffee table in front of us. “You dumped him two months ago.”

“He found out about us and came over. Caught me walking Milo.”

“File a restraining order,” Ben seethes, his fists clenching. He shifts his gaze to Xander, glaring at him. “Do a better job next time.”

“I will. This time, I broke his nose.” Xander shrugs.

Ben’s jaw unhinges. “For real? Again?”

“I would’ve done so much more, but Bella stopped me,” Xander says. “She didn’t want to call the police.”

“ What? ” Ben and Tom yell simultaneously, drawing attention.

I sigh. “I don’t want to put Xander’s career at risk,” I explain. “We told him if he tells anyone Xander broke his nose, or if he comes near me again, I’ll file charges, and Xander will tell management the truth.”

“I don’t like it.” Ben narrows his eyes at me.

“I don’t either, but I won’t make decisions for her.” Xander pulls me into him, holding me close to his chest.

“Bella, baby, you’re unbelievable.” Tom shakes his head, glancing discreetly at Ben, suddenly looking hesitant.

I stand and hold out a hand to him. “Will you accompany me to the kitchen? I need to check on dessert.”

“Sure.”

Behind us, Ben and Xander talk in hushed voices. As I pass Aunt Millie, who’s talking to Tom’s parents, I smile warmly at her.

“You seem really happy,” Tom says when we’re alone.

“I never could have imagined being this happy in a relationship.”

The second I laid eyes on Xander, my whole existence shook. He was dangerously gorgeous in his black jacket, tight white shirt, and black pants. I couldn’t avert my gaze, even if Jake was standing right beside him.

Xander is everything I’ve ever wanted, and now, he’s mine.

“My intuition was right, as always. Do you remember when I told you he had the hots for you?”

I bark out a laugh. “Of course I do. But he didn’t admit it until I broke up with Jake. Before that, we were just friends with benefits.”

“And now here you are, with the freedom to touch that gorgeous man any time you want.” Tom licks his lips.

“Should I tell Ben you’re having fantasies about my man?” I tease.

Instead of laughing along like I expected, he instantly pales, his eyes darting around the kitchen.

I grasp his arm as my stomach sinks. “What’s wrong? I was just joking. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No, no. You did nothing wrong. It’s me. I screwed up.” He lowers his gaze as he sighs.

I cup his face, forcing him to look at me. “What happened?”

“I wanted to organize something special for Ben’s birthday. I-I asked my parents to come because I want to propose.”

My heart leaps. I was right.

But why the hell is he so reluctant?

“I wondered when you’d finally do it.” I speak in a soft voice. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“God, no. No. It’s just…you know Ben. I should’ve realized this before. I don’t think he’ll like a grand gesture.” Tom looks up at the ceiling, sighing deeply. “What if he says no?”

“He won’t. He might be a little shocked, but he won’t say no.”

His shoulders droop. “I don’t know.”

“Tom Hayes, don’t be a chicken,” I rasp. “You love Ben. He loves you. Just do it. You won’t regret it.”

Tom gapes at me. Then he breaks into a big, lopsided grin and pulls me in for a hug. “I love you, Bella,” he whispers.

“I love you too.” I hug him back.

“Ben,” Tom calls, pulling me with him as he strides toward the living room. At the threshold, he lets go of my hand and eats up the space between himself and Ben.

“Yes?” My cousin cocks a curious brow at his boyfriend.

“To hell with it,” Tom mumbles. “I’m in love with you,” he says, looming over the couch. “And it’s driving me nuts. Literally. I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re my every day. You’re my past, and, most importantly, you’re my future. Every freaking day is better than the last because of you, because of your love and support. I’m the luckiest guy to have you all to myself. You’re my friend and my lover…and I hope you’ll agree to be my husband.”

Tom lowers to one knee and holds out a small box. “Will you marry me, Ben Lawson?”

The room falls silent, but in my mind, it’s a riot. God, this is the most beautiful moment.

Ben’s throat bobs as he swallows. He’s nervous. I cross my fingers, hoping with all my might I know what his answer is.

After several long seconds, he sighs. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t be able to resist making a scene.” He chuckles. “Yes, Tom. I’d be happy to call you my husband.”

The moment those words leave his mouth, the room erupts. Ben stands and helps Tom to his feet. Then, hand in hand, they stare at each other, lost in their own bubble. Tom slides the ring onto Ben’s finger, and then he captures his lips in a heated kiss. My heart is ready to jump out of my chest. I’m overwhelmed by happiness.

As if he and I are opposing magnets, I can’t stop myself from searching for Xander. When I find him, those gorgeous blue-green eyes are locked on me, his face bright. God, he’s so handsome, so kind, so incredibly caring. He’s my light, guiding me through the darkness. Never in my life have I been happier than I am with him.