Page 225 of Filthy Beautiful
It was our first public “appearance” together, and while people flocked to Xander to shake his hand, give him a hug or a drink, and generally try to get his attention, he introduced me to everyone he knew. I got to officially meet his assistant, Jordan, his bodyguard, Lucas, and say hi to a bunch of his friends—including his new lead singer, Ashley Player, and of course, Summer.
As his girlfriend.
I didn’t ask him to, but Xander made it clear to everyone we talked to that I was his girl.
Ilovedit.
This was badass rock star Xander, in all his glory and in his element. In a packed club on a Saturday night. Everyone seemed to know him, or at least knowofhim.
Even Angie’s sister, Elle, was there; she gave me a smile when she saw my hand in Xander’s.
The other musicians in the VIP area all seemed happy to see him. Girls stared and bit their lips when he walked by…
He didn’t even glance their way.
He was mine, and I loved this rock star version of Xander Rush almost as much as I loved the guy who’d teared up in his bed when I told him I loved him.
We found a good spot to sit, at a table with Ashley and his girlfriend, Danica. I liked her immediately. She moved over to make room for me and quickly ordered me a drink from the waitress. Then she peppered me with friendly questions, clearly wanting to get to know me.
We had a great view of the stage and Summer’s DJ setup. Summer had just disappeared backstage, and as her set neared and the energy built, I put back a couple of cocktails with Danica while Xander talked to Ashley.
When Summer finally hit the stage, she ripped into her own pumping remix of Gwen Stefani’s “What You Waiting For?,” got the whole club jumping, and pretty much set the tone for the night.
A+.
Seriously.
No one threw a party like this woman. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of music she put together with Ashley Player… and my man.
While I drank with Danica and enjoyed the music, Xander made eyes at me across the table.
With a little distance between us, I could see him differently. I saw that guy I’d known for years, but never reallyknew. That beautiful, tattooed prince I’d wanted so badly, from a distance.
I could hardly believe I was going home with him tonight.
Toourhome.
Partway through Summer’s set, he moved over to sit next to me. He leaned into me and said, “Do me a favor, alright? Stay away from him.”
I looked at his eyes, then followed his gaze… over to a group of men by the side of the VIP area. I didn’t recognize any of them.
But then I did.
Blair.
I leaned into my boyfriend. “I wasn’t planning to go talk to him. I didn’t even notice he was here.”
“Good.”
“What are you worried about?” I slipped my hand onto his thigh and gave him a squeeze. He really didn’t need to worry about me with any other guy. I didn’t have any interest in another man, probably least of all that one.
“The dude just has a bad vibe,” he said. Off my look, he added, “It’s a guy thing. I can feel it.”
I smiled a little. “You’re just jealous I talked to him at all.”
“Yeah. I was. But it’s not just that. Trust me.”
He looked genuinely concerned, so I gave him another squeeze, and said, “I hear you. You have nothing to worry about.”
