She sat down on the toilet and relieved herself, forever it felt like.

A knock at the door revived her. “Justine? You okay in there?”

“Yep. Be right out.” Man, I almost fell asleep on the toilet with Xavier right outside! Talk about getting a little too familiar with the boytoy. She laughed out loud and hurried to finish. After she washed up, she rejoined him in her bedroom.

The bed looked ultra inviting. As did Xavier.

She slid under the covers and patted the spot next to her. “Just for a little?”

“Twist my arm.” He laid on top of the covers on his side, looking at her. “I like you a lot too, Justine.” He leaned forward to kiss her. “You’re sweet and smart. Your body is amazing, and you’re fun to be around.”

“Yeah, all that. About you, I mean.” She closed her eyes, still seeing the curl of his full lips.

“Sleep tight, Justine. Want me set your alarm?”

She didn’t know what she said. She only knew the feel of his arm over her and the scent of Xavier seeping into her made her feel at home.

CHAPTER 28

Thursday morning, Xavier stood next to the bed and stared down at a sleepy Justine.

Something had to give.

All this pretend nonsense had turned into something real he wanted more than anything. So much so that he’d dropped everything last night just to help out his “friend” with an ex. And she hadn’t really needed the help. Katie had thought his presence might make Justine feel better.

So of course he’d gone.

It struck him that he’d do pretty much anything for her. And no, he hadn’t liked that dickass Dr. Douche, as Katie had called him, being anywhere near Justine.

Jealousy, affection, lust, care, worry—he had it all for the adorable woman currently drooling on her pillow.

“Justine? Time to get up.”

She moaned and rolled over.

He turned off her phone alarm. He’d been up since six, unable to help his healthy habit of being early to rise and getting a ton done before most people went to work. “Up and at ‘em, killer.”

She mumbled what sounded a lot like, “Fuck off.” Which added yet another dimension to the usually soft-spoken woman.

“Excuse me?” he asked in a deep, authoritative voice to screw with her.

She turned and screeched when she saw him. “Xavier?”

“You were expecting Mitch, maybe?”

“Oh, my head.” She sat up and clutched her temples, her hair mussed, her shirt rumpled, yet she still looked gorgeous.

He handed her a pain reliever and apple juice, anticipating her troubles. “Take it. I got the pill from your medicine cabinet.”

“Oh, man. I love you for this.” She swallowed the pill and closed her eyes as she downed her juice, fortunately not seeing what those three little words had done to his state of mind as she left the bed.