Xander's Chance

Xander stood and disappeared from Jessi's view while Toni fussed. Toni was lecturing Gerry on how she took her coffee. Jessi's attention was on Gerry, who was smiling politely while his jaw ticked. She wanted to commiserate with the horse's assistant, who seemed as awkward in his role as Jessi felt in hers.

She didn't notice Xander approach. He reached the railing and leaned beside her. Jessi was caught in his strange spell for a moment. He handed the iPad to her.

The calendar was completely blank.

"Really?" she demanded quietly enough that those in the nearby living area couldn't hear. "That's so juvenile!"

"Coffee." He handed her his mug.

She snatched it and went to the kitchen, still rattled by their earlier interaction.

"I'm guessing Toni is Monday, which is why you offered me the Tuesday slot?" she grumbled.

"My calendar fills up quickly. I can't guarantee I'll have time for you the rest of the week."

"Alas. I think I've got plans," she replied with an exaggerated sigh. She poured him coffee.

"Not with a man."

Jessi glared at him. "I'm not a model, like your women, but I don't have a problem getting a date, if I want to. Some men want more than looks."

"Right." He was amused. "Who is it?"

"Gerry."

He crossed his arms, and his gaze darkened.

"He said you don't deal with rejection well," she said sweetly. "Does that bother you?" She had him off guard again, the way he was yesterday and the way she'd been all morning so far. "By the way, Xander, you can get your own damn coffee."

She moved to the sink and dumped his out. Mirroring his pose, she crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter.

"Maybe we can stop toying with each other now?" she asked in a tone she used with her cousins.

He entered the kitchen, stopping too close for her comfort. Jessi gazed up at him, goose-bumps forming on her arms as she recalled what she'd felt with his hands on her hips earlier. Unlike her cousins, he knew when she was bluffing.

"We just have to survive the week, and I'm out of your hair," she added nervously, trying not to inch away.

"You started this."

"I did?" she asked, surprised.

"Fine if you don't want to be Tuesday. But don't fuck with my coffee."

He reached past her, his heat and scent stirring her senses once more. He was watching her closely, and she willed her body not to respond to him as it had earlier. She was too aware of that body, of the open offer to sleep with him. How incredible would he be? The dazed woman Jessi led out of his bed in the morning had murmured about what he did. Jessi tried not to listen but wasn't able to shake the vision of the dreamy look on the woman's face as she relived the night.