Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
This guy was too sweet-faced for Xander not to be charmed by him.
“I’ll have to make sure to get you all access passes to the sequel’s premier,” he offered.
Curtis looked as though he was about to pass out.
“You’ll be my special guests…all of you.”
Genesis came up behind Curtis and pried his fiancé’s hand away from where it was clutching Xander’s. “That’s really generous of you. Thank you.”
God eyed him and Cassidy. “So what’s up with you two today?”
Cassidy went and sat in the other chair. “I have something important to discuss with you and Day. Ruxs, Green and Steele too, if you have a moment.”
God leaned forward. “Sounds serious.”
Cassidy’s expression didn’t change. “Business meeting.”
God nodded once. “Sure. We don’t fly out for a couple more days. We promised Free he could do some touristy shit, so, deal’s a deal.”
Free clasped his hands together. “That’s right. A binding verbal contract.”
Tech groaned long and loud.
Free grabbed his tablet, and a tattered, army-green messenger bag. “You promised Tech. Come on, move it. Daylight’s wasting.”
“I’d much rather go with Gen to Wes and Law’s tour of the studio,” Tech said, still staring at his laptop screen.
“Too bad. And you’ve already seen plenty of the studio.” Free tapped on his tablet with excitement. “I have our entire itinerary planned. We’ll start with Hollywood Boulevard, and the Walk of Fame. Then lunch at the Farmers Market. After that, we’ll go to The Grove so Curtis can shop. A drive through Beverly Hills so I can get some landscaping ideas. You know me and Ivan have been gardening. And when it’s dark enough, we’ll hike up to the Griffith Observatory. It’s supposed to be pretty clear tonight, so we can stargaze.”
“That sounds fun.” Curtis beamed. “Especially the shopping.”
Tech adjusted his glasses. “Of course you’d think so.”
Xander smiled before he could stop himself. “Can I come?”
Tech, Free, and Curtis answered at the same time, “Yes!”
God, Day, Ruxs, Green and Cassidy answered just as fast, “No.”
Wes and Law cracked up.
Curtis’s face fell. “But that would be so amazing.”
Cassidy flexed his hand against his back. “No, Lane.”
Xander turned into him, sliding one arm around his waist because he knew exactly how unfair that was but chose to do it anyway.
“Not without some men with you.” Cassidy looked down at him with a glare that’d lost half its power since they’d made love.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Tech stood and lifted his vest just enough to flash his badge and the gun at his hip.
Xander smiled. “See. I am protected.”
God dragged a hand over his face.
Xander turned back to Cassidy. “I’ll be fine. I used to go out by myself all the time before all the crazy shit happened. I was really hoping things could go back to normal again.”
Cassidy’s hardened expression lost a bit of its heat.
Xander softened his voice. “And now Bennett is gone. The hired men are dead or in custody. The threat is over.”
“You can still get mobbed,” Cassidy said. “You’re going to huge tourist attractions.”
“I’ll wear my hat and sunglasses.”
“If anything happens, we can notify you in seconds,” Tech said. “You guys know that.”
Curtis peered up at his fiancé with sparkling bright blue eyes. “Oh my god. Babe, I’m gonna hang out with Xander Vale.”
Genesis cupped Curtis’s cheek and kissed him gently. “Have fun.”
Curtis nodded. “Okay. You too. I love you.”
“Love you more.”
Free clapped once. “Excellent.”
Cassidy still seemed unsure, but Xander wasn’t backing out. His boyfriend would have to get used to allowing him out of his sight sometimes.
Everyone began gathering things.
Curtis shoved the credit card Gen gave him into his wallet and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the coffee table. “Ready.”
Free put his tablet in his bag and slung it crosswise over his chest.
Tech went to Steele and whispered something into his ear that made his grey eyes darken to graphite before he turned slightly and kissed the side of his throat.
Holy shit.
Wes and Law came over and hugged him again.
“We’re really glad you’re okay, Z.” Wes clamped his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
Cassidy hooked his arm before he could follow the others to the door and pulled him close. “You be careful.”
It’d be the first time they’d be out of each other’s sight in weeks. Xander understood, but it was time he took back control of his life. “I will.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
“If anything looks off, or if the crowd becomes too much, or if Tech says move, you move. No arguing.”
“I’ll be careful. Promise.”
Cassidy searched his face, his posture still radiating tension and hesitation, but he didn’t stop him.
That mattered more than Cassidy probably knew.
Xander rose onto his toes and kissed him. Not long enough to embarrass him in front of the team, just enough to tell him he’d miss him.
When he eased back, Cassidy brushed his thumb once over the panic ring on Xander’s finger.