He caught the little man easily and lifted him up in the air. Marcos’ laughter pealed through the backyard. Xavier dropped to his knees and pretended to pin the boy down while Marcos giggled and struggled to be free. All the other boys had gone home for the night, but Marcos’ mom was working late again.
“You’re down,” Xavier said.
“Let’s do it again, X!”
Xavier was so happy to be with Marcos, and his fears about the boy had been put to rest. He was listening to Mama’s advice and told Xavier that he was going to stay far away from gangs and drugs so he could play football when he grew up. He’d also made some friends at school who were good kids, and their families seemed to be taking an interest in the cute little man and inviting him to their homes often. His mom was trying hard to be more involved and make sure he was either at Mama’s or another safe spot when she couldn’t be home.
A movement on the back patio caught Xavier’s eye as he stood and offered the little man a hand up. “Maybe Mama has some cookies and more lemonade for us.”
Mama was indeed carrying a pitcher of lemonade, but trailing behind her with a plate of cookies and the paper cups was Izzy. Her dark, shiny hair trailed down across her shoulder. Her smile appeared a little uncertain to him, but she looked so beautiful in her floral print sundress he wanted to run and swoop her off the ground. As much as part of him wanted to do that, he didn’t move. He was frozen to the grass and had no clue what to do or think.
They sat everything down on the patio table, and Mama said, “Marcos, this is my friend Izzy.”
“Hi, beautiful lady.” Marcos pumped his eyebrows.
Mama and Izzy laughed. All Xavier could do was stare at her. Why had she come? What did this mean for them?
“Grab a couple of cookies. Then you and I are going to go in and watch YouTube videos of the Triple Threat.”
“Sweet!” Marcos grabbed as many cookies as he could fit in his hand and trotted to Mama’s side.
“Be sweet with my girl.” Mama admonished Xavier before taking Marcos’ free hand and walking inside.
Xavier nodded, completely focused on Izzy’s deep brown eyes. She finally looked at him, and it was all he could do to not grab her and kiss her like he’d done on her doorstep after she’d been kidnapped.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, “Hello, X.”
Xavier’s feet started to work, and he crossed the distance separating them, stopping a foot away. “Why did you come?” It was too harsh and probably not the best opening line, but he couldn’t handle any crap right now. He needed her in his life. He’d go to Dallas for less money if she wanted him. Could they really make it work?
Her eyes flickered over his face, settling on his lips for a beat before she met his gaze and gave him a slow smile. “I came because every time I slapped you I’d also given you a kiss, and I owe you for that last slap.”
His brow furrowed. “You gave me a kiss the last time too. You don’t owe me anything.” Though he’d happily take a slap across the cheek if he could kiss her again.
“No, you kissed me.” She stepped so close he could smell her sweet gardenia scent.
His breath shortened. “So you came here to make it right?”
She placed her palms on his chest, and the oxygen was stripped from his lungs.
“I came here to make a lot of things right.”
Xavier knew they had a lot of talking to do, but he couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around the small of her back and bringing her body flush to his. She gave a cute little gasp. He bent down and captured her lips, kissing her long and good. He drew back and said, “I still have some questions.”
“I’m sure you do, but the score’s not even. I haven’t kissed you yet.”
Xavier grinned and winked at her. “I’m waiting.”
She rose up on tiptoes and took control of his lips in a way no woman had ever done. Xavier didn’t want the kiss to ever end. Several wonderful minutes of silent communication had his nerve endings singing, and he wanted more of this incredible woman.
Regrettably, she fell back onto her heels, stepped out of his arms and took his hand. “Mama said cookies and lemonade would sweeten you up so you’d listen to what I had to say.”
“You don’t need either of those when you’ve got lips like yours.”
Izzy chuckled. They sank into chairs, and he poured them both a glass of lemonade, taking a long drink.
Izzy turned to him, and their knees touched. He couldn’t resist putting his hand on her bare knee. She smiled.
“X, you were right about my father.”
“He was trying to coerce me into staying with the Titans?”
“Yes, but not for the reason you think.”
Xavier squeezed her leg and sat back in his chair. He didn’t need the distraction of touching that smooth skin to hear what would probably be a sordid story. He just hoped Izzy fit into the tale in a way that wouldn’t pull her away from him again.
“He actually cares about me.”
Xavier was glad to hear that she believed that and hoped it was true.
“He didn’t cheat on my mother and he loves me, Dolly, and Hailey, and Hailey isn’t my half-sister. She’s my stepsister.”
“Wait?” He raised a hand. “You thought she was your half-sister?”
“Yeah.”
“You look nothing alike.”
“Ha. Thank you very much.”
Xavier looked at her very seriously. “I’ve already told you, Izzy, that you’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me, and I want to tell you one more time that I am very sorry about the stupid pictures with Alexandria. My agent blackmailed me but I’m done listening to him. If you can promise to not believe the media if my agent releases some sordid, but doctored pictures of me and tries to run your name through the mud, I promise you I’ll never let him manipulate me again.”
“I trust you, X.”
“Thank you.” He smiled at her then turned the subject back. “Your father?”
She took a deep breath and pressed her palms together. “What it comes down to is my father did try to manipulate us together, but he did it because he loves me, and he thinks you’re terrific. He wants me to be happy and believes you are the man for me.”
Xavier simply blinked at her. Her father wanted them together because he cared for them, not for his Titans? “How can you be sure that he didn’t do it for his team?”
Izzy leaned against him, and his arm automatically came around her. She looked up at him, and those dark eyelashes framed her eyes so perfectly. “Because I could see the love in his eyes, just like I can see the love in yours.”
“How can you be sure that I’m the one for you?” His voice deepened.
“I think you can convince me by kissing me again.”
Xavier bent down and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t nearly enough. He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her onto his lap. Izzy gasped but recovered quickly, framing his face with her hands and deepening the kiss. Xavier groaned and pulled her in tight to him. If this kiss didn’t convince her she was the one for him, he’d just have to keep kissing her, and that sounded more important and worthwhile to him than any contract negotiation or football career.
Epilogue
Izzy and Xavier were in his basement theater room, snuggling on the couch. With his musky scent and strong arms surrounding her, she couldn’t imagine ever being happier. The music came on at the end of Dirty Dancing, and she sighed, content and happy.
Xavier stood and held out his hands. “Would you like to dance?”
Izzy placed both of her hands in his and let him tug her up. They moved away from the couch and ottoman, and he cradled her hand against his chest and wrapped his other arm around the small of her back. They swayed back and forth for a little while. Then Xavier surprised her, swinging her out then back into his chest. She laughed as she bumped against him.
“Hey, that was
just like the movie,” he said.
“You want to recreate more of the movie?” Her heart beat a little faster.
“Oh, yes, ma’am. Now that I’ve watched it a few dozen times, I can do every move Johnny tried to do.”
“A few dozen.” She scoffed. “Twice, you’ve watched it twice.”
“True, but I still say you do that lay back swoopy move way better than Baby.”
Izzy laughed again as Xavier wrapped his hands around her waist and whispered, “Please.”
How could she resist that? She leaned back and swooped a low circle back bend. When she came back up to face him, he grinned and picked her up off her feet and above his head. Her stomach leapt and she laughed happily. She almost touched the ceiling as she straightened her body, and he spun a slow circle. The next part was her favorite as he lowered her until she was flush against him.
She put a hand on his face, touching one of his dimples. “Man, I love these things.”
Xavier bent and kissed her softly. “Man, I love these things.”
Izzy stood on tiptoes and returned the kiss. Joy, safety, and desire encompassed her as his lips tenderly caressed hers. When he deepened the kiss, she couldn’t help but moan as pleasure receptors went off all over her body. She wrapped her hands around his neck and held on.
A stream of water hit her square in the face. Izzy cried out, and Xavier quickly tried to shelter her with his body, but the water was coming from every direction. Ace, Kade, and Brody each had a water gun and were dousing them. She suspected Brody’s little brothers were somewhere joining in the attack, but she couldn’t see them as she blinked to try to clear her eyes then got hit in the face again.
Xavier growled and ran at Kade first, ripping the gun from his hands and then turning it on Ace. They all laughed like a bunch of little boys. Seconds later, everyone but Xavier scampered toward the stairs, their assault successful. A door slammed upstairs, and they were gone.
Izzy stood there, dripping. Xavier turned to her, water streaming down his face. “I’m sorry. They’re a bunch of crazy idiots.”
Laughter bubbled out of Izzy. Xavier chuckled too, wiping his face with his hand.
“You’ve got to admit that was pretty funny.”
“It was.” He hurried to the bathroom and returned with a couple of towels. Izzy wiped her face and arms. There was no hope for drying her shirt.
Xavier dropped his towel on the couch and turned to her. Her pulse skyrocketed at the intent look in his eyes. “It would’ve been funny if they hadn’t interrupted the best part of my day.”
“Oh? And how can you call it the best when you do it several dozen times a day.”
“Ah! That’s not fair. I’m lucky to get as much kissing in as the number of times you claim I’ve watched Dirty Dancing.”
He reached her and trailed a hand down her face and along her arm, taking her hand in his and whirling her around so she was facing away from him. He lifted her arm up and then trailed his fingers down the side of her abdomen.
Izzy shivered, trickles of pleasure washing over her. “I think you’ve watched Dirty Dancing plenty.”
He bent down. “As long as you don’t claim I’ve kissed you plenty.”
“Never.”
Xavier kissed her cheek tenderly then pulled a small box out of his pocket and held it out in front of her.
Izzy gasped. He opened the red velvet box, revealing an exquisite tear drop diamond set against white gold. Izzy fell in love all over again.
“If I give you this, do I get to kiss you any time I want to?” Xavier asked in a low, husky tone.
“I think you have to get brave enough to pop the question first.”
Xavier spun her to face him, staring down at her. “I don’t know if I’m that brave.”
“My father claims you’re fearless on the field and off.”
Xavier chuckled. “Well, he’s kind of a big fan of mine.”
“His daughter’s a bigger fan. Wait. Did you already ask him for my hand?”
“Yes.” He grinned, and his beautiful dimples were on fine display.
“And?”
“And he gave me his blessing and forced me to sign a sixty-eight million dollar contract.”
Izzy had heard all about how they’d also confronted Xavier’s agent together and with the commissioner listening in. Neil would never work in the entertainment industry again.
Izzy arched her eyebrows. “Guess he wants to make sure you can take care of his little girl.”
“Oh, I can take care of her all right.” He bent his head and claimed her lips with his until her heart was thrumming in her neck. “Izzy?” he whispered against her lips.
“Yes?” she whispered back.
“Marry me, and make me the happiest man on the planet?”
She smiled. “I didn’t realize you’d turn this into a cheese fest.”
He chuckled. “Marry me, and I will worship you for all eternity.”
“Oh, brother. Give me the ring.”
Xavier pulled it out of the box and slid it onto her finger. She smiled up at him. “I love you, X. Marry me, and I’ll teach you moves that put Johnny and Baby to shame.”
“Now, that sounds like a plan.” He lifted her off her feet and swung her in a circle. Then he set her back down and kissed her. The kiss was tender and slow, yet her lips sung with the passion and excitement of his touch. Izzy was going to plan a very short engagement, but at this moment, all she could focus on was their connection. His strong arms surrounded her, and his lips eradicated all rational thought. She was transported to heaven with Xavier and knew her father had been right about his name. He could win any battle but longed for a wife and family and a world that wasn’t exploding. She would give him her all, and he’d give her even more in return—true joy and him by her side.
Also by Cami Checketts
Rescued by Love: Park City Firefighter Romance
Reluctant Rescue: Park City Firefighter Romance
The Resilient One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Feisty One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Independent One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Protective One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Faithful One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Daring One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
Pass Interference: A Last Play Romance
How to Love a Dog’s Best Friend
Oh, Come On, Be Faithful
Shadows in the Curtain: Billionaire Beach Romance
Caribbean Rescue: Billionaire Beach Romance
Cozumel Escape: Billionaire Beach Romance
Cancun Getaway: Billionaire Beach Romance
Onboard for Love: Billionaire Beach Romance
Trusting the Billionaire: Billionaire Beach Romance
Protect This
Blog This
Redeem This
The Broken Path
Dead Running
Dying to Run
Running Home
Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley
A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley
Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley
Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley
Christmas Makeover: Echo Ridge Romance
Last of the Gentlemen: Echo Ridge Romance
The Fourth of July
Poison Me
The Colony
About the Author
Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.
Sign up for Cami’s newsletter to receive a free ebook copy of The Feisty One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance and information about new releases, discounts, and promotions by clicking here.
Don’t miss the rest of the Texas Titan Romances that will be released soon. Read on for an excerpt of Ace Sanchez’s story in The Persist
ent Groom by Jennifer Youngblood. Kade Kincaid’s story, The Tough Love Groom, by Taylor Hart will be the third book in the series.
www.camichecketts.com
[email protected]
The Persistent Groom by Jennifer Youngblood
The first rule of event planning: no matter how thoroughly you plan an event, something always goes wrong.
Silver knew the drill. In fact, she made a practice of adding in extra time to deal with unexpected hiccups. But this job had been riddled with problems from day one. What made it worse was that the Light the Way Gala and Bachelor Auction was her biggest event yet—the one that could either make or break her rising business. Silver had been jumping from one problem to the next all day long, putting out fires. Judging by the pinched expression on her assistant’s face, it wasn’t getting any better. She let out a long breath, bracing herself for the bad news. “What’s wrong now?”
“The photographer says if you don’t pay him extra, he’ll pack up his crew and leave.”
“What?” Silver exploded, her hand going to her hip. “That’s ridiculous. I already paid him the first half of his fee. He doesn’t get the rest until the job’s done. That was our deal.”
Marla threw her hands up in defeat. “I tried to tell him that, but he won’t listen. Says he’ll only talk to you.”
She muttered under her breath, shaking her head. Her regular photographer was doing a wedding this weekend, forcing Silver to get someone else. This guy came highly recommended, but was trouble from the get-go. And now, thirty minutes before the start of the Gala, he was threatening to leave. “He’s supposed to be setting up at the entrance to photograph guests as they arrive, and his people are to be inside as well.” A red-carpet reception was an integral part of the event, and having a photographer on site to take pictures was mandatory. Swarms of reporters and paparazzi were already camped out on the front grounds of the mansion, waiting for Dallas’s elite to arrive, donning their finest evening wear. As far as Texans were concerned, this gala ranked right up there with the Oscars. This year, the event was bigger than ever because the famous Triple Threat of the Dallas Titans were participating in the auction. The three most celebrated football players on the team also happened to be bachelors. Three lucky ladies would bid exorbitant amounts for the opportunity to go on a date with one of the trio. News Media Outlets dubbed the gala Dallas’s most important event of the year. The tickets, which cost five thousand dollars a head, sold out the first hour they were on sale.
The Fearless Groom (Texas Titan Romances) Page 16