Xavier cupped his hand on her shoulder. His lips grazed her ear as he murmured his thanks for the cake, and his breath on her neck sent undercurrents of warmth spreading through her system. The feather-like kiss he brushed across her temple nearly knocked her off balance.
The evening wound down, with the family taking an hour to say their goodbyes. Everyone seemed to have just one more story to tell. She received hugs from everyone and tons of cuddles from the dog and an invitation to come back to family dinner anytime.
She tucked her hand into Xavier's as they walked to his car, led by Rocky. "Tonight was really nice. Thanks for taking me."
"They liked you."
"They liked the cake."
The look he sent her melted any reservations she had. He stepped closer and lightly touched her forearm. "They liked you."
"I liked them too. You have a great family, Xavier."
He started the car. "I know it. Since we'll be hyped up on sugar for a while, do you want to come over? Rocky would love your company."
She reached between the seats and rubbed the dog's head. "Just Rocky?"
Xavier smiled and laid his hand on her thigh. "And his human."
* * *
The night stretched out before him, glittering with stars and possibilities. Xavier had Ashley back, no secrets between them. For tonight, he'd forget all about baking and competitions and rivals and the real world. For tonight, he’d just enjoy spending time with the most amazing woman he’d ever met.
His family had loved her. Their opinion mattered. He didn't share the people who held such a large piece of his heart with just anyone. It had to be someone special.
They took Rocky for a walk and then shared a glass of wine in the living room. He liked having her in his space.
She tossed a toy to the dog and wandered to his front window. "Do you like living so close to the stadium?"
"It's a matter of convenience. I can get to games and to the practice facility in under ten minutes. But I've pretty much always lived in this general area. You saw my dad's house. That's still a walkable distance to the stadium. The house we lived in before that one was in a rougher area, further out."
"It's funny that we probably grew up ten blocks away from each other."
"It is. I wouldn't have minded meeting you earlier."
"You wouldn't have looked twice at me. I always had my nose in a book. Usually a cookbook."
"I'm sure I would have noticed. And not just because you were reading about cakes." He joined her, staring out into the darkness. Sliding an arm around her felt natural. And right. "You might not have noticed me. I was always playing football. Or watching football. Got to the point where some people didn't think I had anything else to offer."
She turned in his arms and brushed her lips over his jaw, on a slow trail to his mouth. "There's more to you than football. A lot more. I'm glad I met you. And I'm glad you're my partner. I still feel bad about some of the things that were said yesterday."
"I do, too." He drew her closer. She tasted of sugar and wine. He slanted his lips over hers and indulged in another sampling. His hands urged her closer, and his thumbs traced circles on her low back.
Framing his face with her hands, Ashley looked into his eyes. He could lose himself in that golden gaze. She rose onto her toes. "At times like this, I wish I carried a step stool."
"I never mind helping you out like that." He adjusted his hold on her hips and lifted her. She wrapped her arms and legs around him.
Xavier kissed her again. "I know you work in a bakery, but you always smell so damn good. Edible."
"I'm in if you want to take a taste. Or more than a taste." She nipped along his jaw and licked over the pulse point in his neck.
Groaning, he held her close. "What about waiting until after the competition?"
"The last round is tomorrow. I think we've both waited long enough."
He wanted more. A taste might not be enough. More than a taste might be enough to make him an addict. But he was halfway there already.
With her, he walked around in a permanent sugar high.
He slid his hands under her hips and groaned at the feeling of her body pressed against his. Leaving the dog asleep in his bed by the couch, he hit the light switch with his elbow and carried Ashley up the stairs.
Laughing, she clung to him. "I can walk, you know."
"But you fit so well right here." He paused in the hallway and took another kiss.
Addicted.
Not just a little.
Completely and totally addicted.
Still kissing her, he managed to get into the bedroom. Her hands threaded through his hair, holding him in place as she explored his mouth. He'd gladly cede control.
He lowered her to her feet and fumbled for the light switch. Twin lights on both sides of the bed cast a soft glow through the shadows.
Ashley smiled and slowly worked the buttons of her shirt, revealing silky skin and hints of pink underneath the black fabric. His fingers itched to touch her, but he waited until she dropped the shirt on the edge of the bed.
Xavier traced the line of her neck and curve of her shoulders, then along the edges of her candy pink bra. He took his time removing the satin cups, sucking and savoring the sugar sweet skin of her breasts until she shivered and goose bumps dotted her skin. Sighing his name, she dragged his mouth back to her own.
Ashley's hands slid between them. Cool air hit his skin as she pushed his shirt up his torso. He tugged it off and threw it behind him. Her gaze tracked over his body, nearly as potent as her touch. Small, soft hands stroked his chest and his stomach, sending a rush
