Bachelor Unleashed - Brenda Jackson [56]
“Now what were you about to say?” he asked, pulling her close to him while wrapping his arms around the back of the seat.
His gaze went immediately to her lips when they began moving again. He liked kissing them, nibbling on them, licking them and doing all kinds of naughty things to them.
“I said I didn’t think I would see you before I left,” Farrah said.
Unable to resist any longer, Xavier leaned down and swiped a slow lick off her lips. “Did you honestly think I would let you leave without seeing you again and saying goodbye?”
“After last night I wasn’t so sure.”
Xavier pulled her closer to him. “Well, I am here, and in fact I intend to go back to Charlotte with you and Cam.”
She blinked as if she wasn’t certain she’d heard him correctly. “You’re going back to Charlotte?”
“Yes, there’s no reason for me to get stranded here, too. Besides, if the storm is as bad as the forecasters predict, the office will be closed anyway. I can fly back sometime next week to finalize things.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve got a favor to ask of you,” he said, pulling off her gloves, needing to feel his skin enmeshed with hers. “What?”
He entwined their fingers and felt the warmth of her flesh. He looked down at their joined hands in her lap. “I’ve been invited to several holiday parties and I want you to go as my date.”
He felt her flinch but chose to ignore her reaction. “I had originally planned not to accept the invitations, but since we’ve decided to remove the limitations on our affair, I think it would be nice for us to share the holiday spirit, don’t you?” Xavier figured those parties would be perfect for him and Farrah to be officially seen out together as a couple.
Farrah wasn’t sure if what he was proposing would be nice or not. She certainly hadn’t expected him to ask her out on a date so soon. And from what he’d said, it sounded as if it would be several dates. She knew it might sound pretty sleazy to some, but she much preferred sharing her time with him in the bedroom in a strictly physical and nonemotional affair. However, it had nothing to do with the reasons he had accused her of last night. To get him to believe that would be close to impossible.
Instead of answering his question, she posed one of her own. “How many parties are we talking about, Xavier?”
He leaned over and began nibbling on her neck, ears and the corners of her mouth. “Um, I think we’re talking about three or four. And then there’s the New Year’s Eve party that Uriel and his wife, Ellie, are hosting at the lake.”
She gazed up at him. “And you want me to attend all those parties with you?”
“Yes. Is there a reason why you can’t? Have you made other plans for the holidays?”
Farrah inwardly sighed. Unfortunately, she hadn’t made other plans. She figured on it being a low-key time for her. Her company was closed for ten days, and she had planned to buy a number of books and to stay in, relax and have a read-a-thon.
“Farrah?”
Why did he have to say her name in such a way that waylaid her senses and sent a ripple of desire through her? “Yes?”
“Have you made plans for the holidays already?”
“No, but—but—”
He lifted his head and stared down at her. “But what?”
How could she tell him that she wasn’t comfortable dating the way normal couples did? How could she explain that she equated dating with establishing the foundation for something more serious, and she didn’t do serious?
Instead of wasting her time explaining anything, she said, “Nothing. Going to all those events will be fine. Just let me know when and where and I’ll meet you there.”
Xavier threw his head back and laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart, but it doesn’t quite work that way. I’ll let you know when and where, but I’ll pick you up. We won’t show up in separate cars.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip wondering why it mattered if they both ended up at the same place. But she didn’t want to argue with him about it. She glanced out the window and noticed they had passed the exit for the airport.