Bachelor Unleashed - Brenda Jackson [43]
“Yes. I’m treating you to dinner at my place.”
“In Long Island?”
“Yes.”
There was a pause, and he waited, knowing she was rummaging through that gorgeous brain of hers for an excuse not to come. On cue she said, “You don’t have to do that. I really don’t want to put you through any trouble, Xavier. For me to come all the way to your place really isn’t necessary.”
Yes, it is, sweetheart. She had no idea just how necessary it truly was. “No trouble. Jules will be there to pick you up exactly at seven. I hope you’re hungry.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute and then, “Yes, I’m hungry. I had a light lunch. But—”
“Good. I’ll have something I know you’ll like when you get here.”
Another pause…and then, “Okay. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you when you get here.”
He closed his cell phone and placed it back on the desk where it had been since early morning, awaiting her call. Then he stood. It was time for him to go home and prepare dinner for the most lovable yet detached woman he knew. He planned to make things right for her or die trying.
He was well aware of why she assumed she didn’t want another man in her life. His mission, which he fully intended to accept, was to convince her that she was worthy of everything life had to offer.
Especially his love.
Chapter 10
“Here we are, Ms. Langley.”
“Thanks.”
Jules offered Farrah his hand as she eased out of the car and glanced around. The huge triple-story house sat on what appeared to be a private lane, surrounded by a number of huge overhanging trees that formed a canopy over the impressive residence. If privacy was something Xavier was shooting for, then he had succeeded.
Pulling her coat tightly around her, she moved quickly toward the front door. She liked the sound of her booted heels as they clicked loudly against the stone pavers. She had lifted her hand to knock when the door opened.
Xavier was there, and she took a good look at him. He was eye candy of the most delicious kind. And dressed in a pullover sweater and low-riding jeans, he was the epitome of sexy. He moved out of her way as he invited her in. “Come on, I have a blaze roaring in the fireplace. I still intend to keep my promise to make sure you stay warm.”
“I appreciate that.”
As she followed him through his house, she noticed two things—the aroma of food cooking that made her mouth water, and the fact that he had a beautiful home. She knew this place was just one of many of his showplaces. He also had homes in Los Angeles, Miami and in the Palisades section of Charlotte, where houses >went for millions. At least those were the ones he’d mentioned. There was no telling how many others he >might own.
They passed a spiral staircase, and she couldn’t help but glance up wondering if that was where his bedroom was and if she would find out for certain later. She shook her head. She needed to get her mind off sex, but that was definitely hard when, following him, she got an eyeful of the sexiest backside any man could possibly have.
By the time she’d reined in her wandering thoughts, she only caught his last word: weather.
“Excuse me, Xavier, what were you saying?”
He glanced over his shoulder, stopped walking and smiled. “I said it doesn’t appear the weather is getting any better,” he said, reaching for her hands. He removed her gloves and took her hands in his. As if he’d known they would be cold and stiff, he began massaging them.
Immediately, she felt heated sensations run through the tendons in her palms. The feelings were so strong she clenched her legs together when she felt an unexpected throbbing there.
No, the weather was not getting any better, which was quite obvious. The temperature had dropped, and depending on which news reports you were listening to, a snowstorm the likes of which New York hadn’t seen in a long time was headed this way by Sunday. But Farrah knew that regardless of how cold it was outside, she would feel hot in here even if Xavier didn’t have a fire roaring in the fireplace. Together, they could generate that kind of heat.
“Make yourself at