ridiculous because I can barely stand to talk to you much less live in the same goddamn house as you.”
“You’re willing to shoot down a good idea just because you’re still mad?” he asked.
“I’m not mad at you, Xander. I don’t like you,” I clarified. “There is a difference, you know.” While I was woman enough to admit the attraction, that still didn’t mean I liked the man. It just meant that he was hot as hell and looked like he knew what to do with a woman once he got her in his bed.
He seemed unaffected by my declaration. “So then, this gives me a chance to change your mind about me while keeping you safe.”
“And what about your safety? What if this guy comes after you?” The second those words flew out of my mouth, I knew Xander Raynes was a man’s man. His entire demeanor shifted into alpha mode and the look on his face was positively feral.
“Let’s get something straight here, Fallon,” he growled-I mean, growled. “I can take care of myself. I can protect myself just fine. And I sure as hell can protect you if it comes down to it. I wouldn’t be suggesting you live with me if I didn’t think I could.”
Okay.
Well.
Time to incorporate some common sense into this insane scheme. “Xander, you don’t know me,” I pointed out. “You know nothing about me. It’s crazy to allow someone you don’t know to invade your space.” Having lived with the violation of someone coming into my home whenever they felt like it, my respect for people’s private space was extreme.
Then he hit me with something I wasn’t expecting. “Just like you were willing to hand over everything you own to me on the word of Karla’s trust for me, I’m willing to trust you on her word as well.”
The thud in my chest was real. Xander seemed as if he was trying, but that first impression was too hard to shake off. “And what if I leave the milk out? What if I don’t put the cap back on the toothpaste? What if I let my laundry pile up? There are more issues here other than me making off with all your valuables.”
“I’m not a big fan of milk. You’ll have your own bathroom. And I’ll be happy to do your laundry.” The last part was said with the smoothness of silk and a positively rakish look in his eyes.
“My own bathroom?” Not saying I was going to go along with this idiotic plan, but my own bathroom was a selling point.
Xander let out a small sigh, while Karla and Trevor just sat next to us watching in fascination. “My house has three bedrooms, one being with a master bath. That’s my room. There’s a guest bathroom that would be yours, and there’s even a half bath off the kitchen.”
“What are the other two bedrooms used for?” Again, not saying I was agreeing, but I wanted all the facts when I said no.
“One is a guestroom and the other was converted to an office,” he answered, matter of fact.
The lonely part of me started to entertain the idea, so I shook my head to get rid of the lost longing feeling. “Look, Xander, I appreciate you trying to make amends-really,” I told him honestly. “But this is a bit extreme in the effort.” He started to object but I continued, cutting him off. “I have enough money to put down on a house, if not buy one outright. I don’t need to put anyone out.”
“But why make that commitment when you don’t have to?” he countered. “Why not move in with me and wait it out for a while. If he doesn’t show up, then buy the house and settle here.”
“Xander, sometimes he doesn’t show up for over a year,” I explained. “Besides, I’m done running.”
Karla leaned into me. “And I’m glad,” she whispered.
I was about to do my victory lap when Trevor spoke up. “Fallon, hon, even if you do have the money to put down on a house, buying a house doesn’t happen overnight. There’s still escrow and a whole host of other shit that needs to be done before you’re handed the keys. Not to mention, if you’re really going to do this, you’re going to need to find a job and buy a car and whatever else. Do you really want to do all that living out of a motel room that’s on the outskirts of town?” Trevor