Nicole Edwards - Perception

Crap. Temporary. That’s what she’d said that had bothered him. And she suddenly wished she could take it back because she wanted to put a smile on his face. Instead, she gave him a weak grin and said, “Maybe you won’t.”

What had started as a who could top who double dare just a few days ago had quickly morphed into something entirely unexpected, and Mercedes had to wonder whether he felt what was transpiring between them the same way she did.

It was more than just sex. A lot more.

At least for her it was.

Before Mercedes could question him, which she wasn’t even sure she wanted to do, the limo came to a stop and Xander reached for the door. Once outside, he held out his hand to her and she reached for it, taking comfort in the strength of his hand against hers. Even when she was out of the car, he didn’t let go of her hand and that simple gesture had more relief flooding her.

Yeah, it was plain as day… she’d fallen for this man.

Head first.

~*~*~*~

Xander figured it would take something epic to shake him up. Today, it had been a combination of things.

Ever since he woke up at three o’clock that morning with a warm, soft woman curled up to his side, he’d known. His life had been altered. Irrevocably.

Never did he imagine one beautiful woman would be the reason he felt off center. Nor did he ever expect that one single woman would could keep him together at a time he thought he might just fall apart.

Ok, so maybe he had anticipated that Mercedes Bryant held the power to make him feel things he wasn’t used to. Thinking that and knowing that were two very different things though. And the way she made him feel… well, it scared the shit out of him.

No, he wasn’t thinking about running and hiding in a closet and hoping she’d high tail it out the same way she came in.

Actually, he was feeling the exact opposite.

Xander was ready to lay at her feet and reveal every single emotion she made him feel. Starting with love.

Yes, that’s correct. Love. The big “L” word that terrified most people.

It didn’t terrify him, but he knew Mercedes would likely run for the hills if he did confess as much to her. He had an overwhelming urge to tie this amazing, beautiful woman to his bed and never let her go.

Only he knew he had to keep his distance. They were only a few days into this, and he knew without a doubt that Mercedes wasn’t as comfortable with her feelings as he was with his. And wasn’t that a fucking shame because Xander had never in his life felt what she made him feel when she was near.

“Have you ever been here before?” Mercedes asked as they made their way up the steps toward the building whose sign boasted the name and the glass windows gave them a glimpse inside.

“Once,” he told her. “With my father.”

“And he wants to go again?” she asked with a grin.

“My father would probably go every single day if we lived here.” It was true. Stan Boone was a football fan. He was also Xander’s biggest fan. And it wasn’t just because he’d played football in high school and then in college. His father loved football, but Xander knew he loved him more.

“Has your mother been here before?”

“Not that I know of. You’ll both be Hall of Fame virgins.”

Mercedes laughed, and Xander realized what he’d said. He couldn’t help it, he laughed as well and tightened his grip on Mercedes’s fingers. He loved having her there with him. Especially like this.

Once they stepped through the main doors, Xander’s eyes attempted to focus on the lighting change but before he could make out more than mere shadows of the people standing inside, he heard her voice.

“Xander!”

It was his mother.

Xander released Mercedes’s hand as Stella approached, her smile making her entire face light up. Unable to do anything more, he stood there with his arms open wide. Stella walked right into them, and he hugged his mother, kissing her on the cheek before taking a step back.

His father did the same, and they shared a quick hug and a pounding slap on the back – it was a guy thing.

“It is so good to see you,” Stella said to Mercedes as she hugged her tightly before taking her hand and leading her toward the exhibit on the other side of the room.

“You look great,” Mercedes told his mother as she glanced back at Xander and his father who had fallen into step behind the women. “As do you, Mr. Boone.”

“I definitely don’t mind when a beautiful young lady calls me Mr. Boone, but I prefer Stan, Ms. Bryant.” Xander’s father teased Mercedes, making her blush.

“Stan,” she tacked on, followed by, “How are you feeling?”

The four of them came to a stop in front.

“Much better,” he told her as Xander glanced over at his father. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” Stan redirected.

Mercedes met Xander’s gaze, and she knew as much as he did that Stan had purposely avoided saying more. Fine. He would give his father a brief reprieve for a few minutes, but he fully intended to ask him for the details. The real details this time.

Xander spent the next half hour following his mother and father and Mercedes through the many exhibits that highlight football’s greats and the numerous details about the history of the game. It was true, he had been there once before, but even now, he felt a bit nostalgic.

No, he didn’t miss his football days. Not in the least. He had moved on to bigger and better things, and he didn’t have to worry about a potential life altering injury changing the course of his career. He’d made that decision long before that could happen.

“How about some lunch?” Stella asked, turning around.

“I could handle lunch,” Xander told her. He wasn’t starving, but he would get the chance to talk directly to his father. And he knew his father was doing his best to avoid Xander’s questions, which was why he’d been hearing all about football for the last thirty minutes.

The café they entered was nothing more than a snack bar with chairs and tables, but Xander wasn’t picky. It didn’t hurt that they were the only people in the place aside from the ragged looking guy behind the counter. Ok, so maybe he wasn’t ragged, maybe he was just trying to stay awake because it was clear today was not a day he was hustling to keep up.

The four of them ordered and then took their seats at one of the few tables. Once they were seated, their little baskets of food and bottles of water in front of them, Xander decided now was as good a time as any to talk to his old man.

“How’re you feeling?” he asked. It was the same question Stan had managed to avoid earlier, but as far as Xander was concerned, he didn’t get a good enough answer.

Stan sighed. “I guess it’s safe to say I’m getting a little old to be swinging from the rafters.”

Xander looked up then, looking over at Mercedes. She was staring at his father with wide eyes. When she looked over at him, he smiled at her and just shook his head.

“Hush,” Stella said, laughing. “We were certainly not swinging from the rafters. No matter what Xander told you.”

“We?” Mercedes asked, obviously realizing they were joking.

“How was the trip?” Stella asked. Leave it to his mother to try and change the subject.

“Quick.”

“Well, I guess that’s a luxury that’s worth the price, huh?” Stan asked.

Xander laughed.

Although his parents hadn’t ever hurt for money, they weren’t by any means wealthy. They were comfortable, having always managed their money efficiently. And Xander hadn’t grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth either. But, once he made his first million at twenty-five, he’d vowed to ensure that they didn’t have to worry about money. He didn’t spend extravagantly, but he did prefer to travel and dine in style.