sport and fitness. So I aligned my mission with those of Stonebridge United, to bring fitness programmes to the young and old, and to design accessible programmes for those who want to start a fitness routine or can’t afford to join a health club or play an organised sport.”
“I love this idea,” I say, nodding as he opens the white gate for me to walk through. “That it’s for all ages and abilities.”
“That’s what I liked about it, too. So I appeared with some of the players in a video to launch the programme, and I’ll be participating in programmes around Surrey. I’m going to be going on a walk with people in the community next week. I’m doing that with Camden Tremblay from Stonebridge United. Christian said I should work with him, as he knows him from a previous event, and they became friends. I’ve met him a few times, so I thought it was a good idea. So it’s me and Tremblay doing the fitness walk.”
I bite back a laugh. Good Lord, that walk will be full of women vying not only to meet Prince Alexander but sexy Canadian footballer Camden Tremblay as well.
Xander leads me up the path to his door.
“That sounds like it will be massively popular,” I say, thinking of all the women who will fight to walk next to either man.
“I think it will be. Camden is a good guy. We had meetings during the planning process, and he talked a lot about how sports helped both him and his brother escape mental stress at home while growing up. He was very candid. I was surprised by that—and I appreciated his honesty. Did you know his brother is an ice hockey star? Over in the States?”
I shake my head. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about sports. Although, I have seen pictures of Camden at nightclubs in Mayfair.”
“Ooh, you stopped scrolling when you saw those?” Xander asks as we reach his door. He pauses, and a smile is playing at the corners of his mouth.
“No,” I say, smiling up at him. “Not at all.”
“Come on, you can tell me. Did you stop scrolling when you saw Camden? I know the ladies like him,” he says, retrieving his keys out of his pocket. “Was he more interesting to read about than I was?”
I burst out laughing. “Camden has shown up in my newsfeed, and I scrolled right past him. Just as I did with you,” I tease.
A deep chuckle escapes his lips, and once again, a shiver shoots through my body upon hearing it.
Xander turns the key in the lock but stops before opening the door. He turns to face me. We’re inches apart, and as a March wind rolls across us, I can smell that delicious campfire scent that kisses his skin. God, he smells divine. I can only imagine what he would smell like if I were lucky enough to be wrapped up in his arms.
“Then it looks like I have my work cut out for me to win you over,” he says, his rich voice seductive.
Goosebumps sweep over my skin. “And how do you plan to do that?” I ask, flirting back with him. “I’m not like any other woman, you know.”
A slow, sexy, lazy smile spreads across his face. My heart rate skyrockets at the sight of it.
“By learning how to put royal icing on a biscuit, of course. Is there any other way to win over a biscuit artist?” he asks.
Then he pops the door open and motions for me to head inside his cottage.
Oh, Xander Wales, if you only knew you’re already winning me over, I think. With your words. Your actions.
And as I step into his home, I can’t wait to see where my feelings are at by the end of the evening.
Chapter Ten
Emojis
“Now that we’re inside, I insist on taking that bloody box,” Xander teases.
I smile and hand him the box of biscuits. Then I set my tote on the small hall table and undo the sash on my trench coat.
“Thank you,” I say, undoing the buttons and letting the coat fall open. The second it does, I feel Xander’s gaze on me. I glance up. His eyes flicker over me, and his mouth parts oh-so-slightly as soon as he sees my legs.
I repress the smile that wants to come out the second I’m aware of him looking at me. I carefully slip out of my coat and hang it up, turning around to face him. Xander’s