Page 19

Rain

X ander holds my hand the entire drive to Serene Lookout. I know we’re adults, but the way he makes me feel? It’s that fluttery, heart-racing kind of excitement I haven’t felt since I was young.

Which, of course, freaks me out.

I know Xander’s nothing like Dennis, but I never suspected anything bad about Dennis either. And we all know how that ended.

The closer we get to Serene Lookout, the more my chest tightens. My mind starts spiraling.

What if I’m wrong again?

What if I let myself fall, only to land in the same kind of pain I barely survived?

He parks next to Minx and rushes around to open my door. When he reaches for my hand, I instinctively pull back.

His brows knit in confusion.

I’ve worked myself up so much that I’m pulling back from a man I want to be close to.

What the actual fuck?

I shove the intrusive thoughts aside and flash him a saucy smile.

He’s not Dennis.

I need to remember the red flags Savannah told me to look out for: extreme behavior, controlling tendencies, aggression.

Xander has never been violent. Never manipulative.

Low self-esteem? Please. The man plays professional hockey and walks around like confidence is stitched into his DNA.

Difficulty maintaining relationships or controlling his emotions? He has strong family ties, can easily make friends, and the way he handled my brothers? Mature, respectful, steady.

Xander is all man. Not a single boyish mind game in sight.

I take a deep breath and let it all go .

I am safe. And I am allowed to enjoy the way this man makes me feel.

“I need to get something from Minx. Give me a sec,” I say.

He nods and heads to the back of his SUV, pulling out the cherry pie Mama gave us. She knew exactly what she was doing, handing that over. Watching her trying to play matchmaker is sweet, but honestly? There’s not much for her to do. Xander and I are already falling for each other.

I unlock the van and quickly grab a tote bag, tossing in a few toiletries and a change of clothes. After double-checking the lock, I rejoin him.

“I’m ready.”

Xander glances at my bag, eyes gleaming. “Does that mean you’re spending the night here?”

I grin. “Yes. Ruin said she was okay with it, so…”

He howls, low, deep, and playful.

I chuckle, raising an eyebrow.

When he catches my look, he explains, “Since our team’s name is Red Wolves, we howl to celebrate or show excitement. We usually do it before a game, after the coach’s pep talk—or when we score.”

“That’s fun. I love that you have something unique to your team. Did your last team have something like that?”

Xander shakes his head as he opens the door, and we step into the lobby.

“Do you want to eat pie now, or should we save it for breakfast?” he asks.

“Let’s save it. Unless you’re hungry.”

His dark eyes immediately brighten, full of desire.

“I’m hungry for something else. I’ll be right back,” he says, jogging to the kitchen.

He returns quickly.

Then—without warning—he lifts me, slings me over his shoulder, and starts up the stairs.

“Xander, stop. You’re going to hurt yourself!” I shout, squirming but failing to get off his shoulder.

“Relax. This isn’t the clavicle I broke,” he says, carrying me up to the second floor.

Once we’re in his room, he places me gently on the bed. I scan his face for any signs of distress, but all I find is a wide, satisfied grin.

I drop the bag on the floor and start untying my boot laces. He mirrors me, sitting on the edge of the bed to take off his shoes.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” I start.

He tilts his head, curious. “About?”

I take a deep breath and shift to face him fully, crossing my legs.

“I appreciate how you opened up about your ex-fiancée.” His expression turns unreadable, so I continue.

“I had no clue you were so close to getting married,” I say softly, unsure how to open up to him the way he did with us earlier.

“You mean you didn’t stalk me on Google like I did you?”

I chuckle and twist my hair into a messy bun.

“Yeah, something like that. I don’t really use social media, so all I did was quickly look up your team. But seriously… I wish I could open up to you more.”

I lower my gaze, knowing there’s no turning back now. Xander is the only guy I’ve felt comfortable enough with to even consider bringing up the night that changed me.

“Hey, look at me,” he says gently, reaching out to lift my chin with his thumb and forefinger.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath before meeting his gaze.

“There are very few things in this world that you could tell me that would make me run for the hills,” he says. I try to smile, but my lips quiver. “It can’t be that you’re married. Otherwise, your family wouldn’t have welcomed me like they did tonight.”

I nod, eyes closing again as I breathe deeply.

“Would you feel more comfortable if we turned off the lights?” he asks.

I look at him, then nod.

“Okay,” he whispers.

He gets up and walks into the bathroom, turning on the light before pulling the door mostly shut. Then he turns off the lights in the room, leaving just a soft glow coming from behind the door. I don’t know how he knew, but being in the dark makes me feel less exposed.

“Is it okay if I sit on the bed? Or do you want me to bring the reclining chair closer? ”

My heart melts a little more. This man. This thoughtful, gentle man.

“You can sit with me,” I say, patting the space beside me.

He smiles and joins me, leaning back against the headboard and stretching his legs out. I guess when you’re six foot three, sitting crisscross applesauce isn’t an option.

I glance down at my hands, then force myself to look at him again.

“Okay,” I whisper. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

And this time, I won’t run.