His darkened gaze met hers, and he grasped her hand and pulled her aside, into a darkened area on set between racks of hanging clothing. Once they were alone, he sealed his lips over hers and thrust his tongue into her waiting mouth. His kiss was hot and sensual, his tongue tangling with hers for a good long while until he raised his head and met her gaze.

“Go away with me,” he said in a gruff voice.

“What?”

“Before you make any decisions about your future, before you leave New York for good, spend the weekend with me. We can go to my house in East Hampton or go somewhere in the Caribbean. Dash can take Bella and we can leave tonight.”

She blinked in surprise, unsure what to say. “I’d love to but I have things to wrap up with my agent, and I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do yet about… anything.” Looking up at him, she saw the hurt in his expression before he quickly masked it.

“I understand.” He stepped back and she grabbed his arm.

“No, you don’t. Just… give me a day to think and wrap up some things and we’ll revisit the trip, okay?”

He inclined his head. “Of course.” He turned and headed back to the main area, leaving her to follow him, her heart in her throat.

Goddammit. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. The last couple of days between them had been magical. After Cassidy left the apartment on Sunday, Xander had returned from walking Bella, and they’d fallen into bed. And they hadn’t gone to sleep, either.

If she’d thought their night after Cassidy’s attack had been intense, the last couple of days, she and Xander had been insatiable. And it wasn’t just a sexual thirst for one another, either.

They’d talked. Mostly she had. She’d shared deep, meaningful discussions that ripped open old wounds as she’d let him in. He’d already told her about his father and mother and the issues he’d had with them.

And she’d opened up about her dad and the hole his leaving had left in her life.

“My dad walked out when I was ten,” she said. “Old enough to realize what was happening and to blame myself, something my mom managed to reinforce, often.”

“I’m sorry. She should never have put so much on your shoulders. She’s the only one responsible for her life.” Xander curled around her, giving her his strength and himself.

“Sometimes I can push it all aside and then she comes around and tells me what I should want out of my life and reminds me of all she’s sacrificed to get me where I am.” Sasha leaned into his strong arms and relaxed against him, appreciating his quiet understanding.