I tilt my head. “But you stayed here with him this week?”
Jimmy smirks. “Had to make sure my boy here stayed out of trouble. The company has very strict policies, so they sent me along with him. I’ve got to make sure he doesn’t do something that’ll cost us both our jobs.”
I giggle at the thought of the small man in front of me having to keep an eye on the very intimidating Xavier. “So you’re a like a babysitter.”
Xavier grunts next to me, and Jimmy laughs. “I wouldn’t call it that exactly. He’s a grown man and can do whatever he wants. I’m strictly here for guidance and support, well, for the most part I’m just here to make sure he’s being taken care of and not getting stiffed in the fine print of contracts.”
I nod. “Understood. So what exactly is my job?”
Jimmy’s lips pull into a tight line. “That’s between you and X. I typically stay out of the relationships he has with other employees.”
When Jimmy adds the “s” on the word employee it makes me wonder just how many personal assistants have come before me. I know what kind of relationship he had with Deena so it’s very possible that he’s had that same type of relationship with all of them.
Xavier says I’m different—that he doesn’t want that type of arrangement with me—and in a small part of me, that hurts my feelings. It makes me jealous that these other women have had him, and I haven’t. He believes I’m a good girl—too delicate to hurt.
That’s the story of my life.
He’s a player, and I know I’ll be hurt by him again eventually, but it doesn’t stop me from being attracted to him or wanting to experience unharnessed passion.
This relationship between us makes me question every moral I’ve ever been taught, and I can’t help but think that one of these days I’m going to chuck them all out the window and just enjoy the “Phenomenal” ride.
After a quick flight to Atlanta, we jump into an awaiting SUV that whisks us off to the hotel. Xavier and I made small talk on the plane, but there’s no denying there’s still some unresolved tension between us.
Things aren’t as carefree as they once were. In large part that’s due to me discovering the “Deena situation.” It built a wall between us and made me trust him less. I’ve got my eyes and ears open now that my perfect bubble of what I thought Xavier is like popped.
Xavier readjusts in the seat. “Are you hungry?”
He’s clearly searching for excuses to talk with me. “Yes.”
“After we check in, we can find a restaurant.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
The vehicle pulls up under the awning of the hotel, and Xavier opens the door, immediately turning around to offer me a hand. There’s an undeniable zing that shocks my skin the moment we touch.
I wish he wasn’t so damn good looking. It makes staying mad at him ridiculously difficult.
He releases me the moment I’m on the ground and heads to the rear of the vehicle to retrieve our bags.
Jimmy catches up with me and hands me a slip of paper. “Here’s all my contact information. Save it all into your phone, in case you need me.”
I take it and stuff it into my back pocket. “Thanks.”
Jimmy grins and waggles his eyebrows above his sunglasses. “Good luck.”
I frown, unsure of what I need luck for. Xavier’s my friend. How hard can he possibly be to work for?
The trunk slams, and I jump a bit. I reach for my bags but he shakes his head and nods toward the door. “Let’s go check in.”
The automatic doors open and allow us access inside. The hotel is pretty standard. It’s a basic, upscale chain with marble floors and a grand foyer with a pianist playing a light tune at the bar while the other guests mill about leisurely. I guess I’m a little surprised this is the hotel the super stars of wrestling stay in. Famous people are known for glamour and luxuries.
Xavier runs his fingers through his hair, shoving it away from his face as he steps up to the front desk. The petite, blond concierge’s smile widens as she stares up at his face and sticks her chest out a little more.
“Hello, Mr. Cold. We’ve been expecting you.” She slides his room card across the front desk in a hotel card. “Your room has been taken care of. If you need anything at all, please call me.”
The blatant flirtation in her tone is unmistakable. I roll my eyes. Is this what he always has to deal with—women throwing themselves at him without any hesitation at all? No wonder he thought my behavior on the plane, when we first met, was refreshing.
Xavier takes the card and opens it. His eyebrows bunch together as he studies it. “There’s only one room listed here. My manager was supposed to arrange for two.”
The blond clears her throat. “I’m sorry about that, sir. Let me check our availability for another room.”
After a few quick taps on her keyboard, she twists her lips. “I’m afraid we are completely booked. Whenever large events are in town, we fill up rather fast.”
Xavier sighs as he glances down at me. “We’re going to have to share a room. Deena typically roomed with a female wrestler she’s friends with, so we didn’t book an extra room for you ahead of time.”
I gnaw on the inside of my lower lip. The thought of sharing a hotel room with Xavier creates butterflies in my stomach. Being in such close proximity together all night is really going to test our control, but what choice do we have?