Read Online A Kiss of Color: The Complete 3 Book Collection by Cristina Grenier - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cristina Grenier
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hospital instead. At the time, all he’d been concerned with was his sister’s health. He’d been elated when Brandy had come home during her next school vacation looking ten times healthier.
Now, the truth came out – and he had to admit that it made him slightly ill. If what Brandy said was true, had she waited for their private physician to return, she might not be standing where she was today.
“You were such a tiny thing.” His sister was saying, her smile bright as she stared down at Helena. “And I was recovering, so things are a little fuzzy, but I remember: he brought you into the room and you said hi to me. I could never forget those eyes. They really are lovely you know.”
And just like that, she turned to face Xavier once again, her smile never wavering. “It was supposed to be a surprise, Xav, but I’m in town for the week working on a case. We should have dinner sometime – and bring Helena, if she’d like to come, that is.” She winked winningly at the younger woman before taking her husband’s hand. “Let’s get going, Hank. Love you, Xavier.”
In the space of ten seconds she was gone – a whirlwind, powerful force of nature, as always. Both Xavier and Helena stared after her for a moment, before the young woman smiled broadly. “I like your sister.”
Xavier merely shook his head in awe. “I think I remember your father treating her, actually. I wasn’t there, but I remember when it happened.” It was for the best that he didn’t tell her the drama that had followed Brandy’s decision to be treated outside their private circle.
What mattered was that she had lived, and that Helena’s father had been the one to save her. An inspiring doctor indeed. “Dad would have loved to meet her again.” Helena’s smile was fond, her expression peaceful – and in that moment, Xavier’s heart stumbled in his chest.
He was quite obviously in trouble. Any other man his age would have finished this dinner convinced that Helena Graves had too much baggage to contend with. He, on the other hand, only saw her perseverance, and the outstanding love she had for her father. Not to mention, she’d met his sister, and hadn’t been bowled over by the wave of pure force that was Brandy. Impressive, to say the least.
It made him want to kiss her all over again…among other things. His lips curving into a smile, he gestured towards the front of the restaurant. “You finished? Shall we make like a banana?”
Helena rolled her eyes. “You’re definitely a nerd. I can’t believe every female student on campus is clamoring for this unique experience.”
Xavier smirked. “I don’t really give a damn what every female on campus wants. Only one.”
Helena’s face turned a very becoming shade of pink as she looked away, clearing her throat pointedly. It was apparent that he’d have to continue working on her.
But Xavier didn’t think he minded in the slightest.
***
Chapter Four: Release
It was another week before she let him kiss her again. The first time, he had caught her by surprise. After their little dinner date, however, she had been more reluctant. In a very ‘Helena’ fashion, she’d informed him that she didn’t have time for boyfriends. And so, Xavier had consented to merely being her friend.
A friend who was insanely attracted to her.
He began making excuses to run into her around campus. Doing his programming for the day in the wee hours of the morning just so he could walk her to her first class. He’d never been an early riser, but for her, he was willing to make an effort. He braved the cutting eyes of the young women on campus – some of whom he’d been a little too intimate with- as he found her every day for lunch. Being a grad student, he wasn’t nearly as tied to the campus as an undergrad, but he found himself spending much more time on Antioch grounds.
When Helena was in class, he rushed to his own,
Now, the truth came out – and he had to admit that it made him slightly ill. If what Brandy said was true, had she waited for their private physician to return, she might not be standing where she was today.
“You were such a tiny thing.” His sister was saying, her smile bright as she stared down at Helena. “And I was recovering, so things are a little fuzzy, but I remember: he brought you into the room and you said hi to me. I could never forget those eyes. They really are lovely you know.”
And just like that, she turned to face Xavier once again, her smile never wavering. “It was supposed to be a surprise, Xav, but I’m in town for the week working on a case. We should have dinner sometime – and bring Helena, if she’d like to come, that is.” She winked winningly at the younger woman before taking her husband’s hand. “Let’s get going, Hank. Love you, Xavier.”
In the space of ten seconds she was gone – a whirlwind, powerful force of nature, as always. Both Xavier and Helena stared after her for a moment, before the young woman smiled broadly. “I like your sister.”
Xavier merely shook his head in awe. “I think I remember your father treating her, actually. I wasn’t there, but I remember when it happened.” It was for the best that he didn’t tell her the drama that had followed Brandy’s decision to be treated outside their private circle.
What mattered was that she had lived, and that Helena’s father had been the one to save her. An inspiring doctor indeed. “Dad would have loved to meet her again.” Helena’s smile was fond, her expression peaceful – and in that moment, Xavier’s heart stumbled in his chest.
He was quite obviously in trouble. Any other man his age would have finished this dinner convinced that Helena Graves had too much baggage to contend with. He, on the other hand, only saw her perseverance, and the outstanding love she had for her father. Not to mention, she’d met his sister, and hadn’t been bowled over by the wave of pure force that was Brandy. Impressive, to say the least.
It made him want to kiss her all over again…among other things. His lips curving into a smile, he gestured towards the front of the restaurant. “You finished? Shall we make like a banana?”
Helena rolled her eyes. “You’re definitely a nerd. I can’t believe every female student on campus is clamoring for this unique experience.”
Xavier smirked. “I don’t really give a damn what every female on campus wants. Only one.”
Helena’s face turned a very becoming shade of pink as she looked away, clearing her throat pointedly. It was apparent that he’d have to continue working on her.
But Xavier didn’t think he minded in the slightest.
***
Chapter Four: Release
It was another week before she let him kiss her again. The first time, he had caught her by surprise. After their little dinner date, however, she had been more reluctant. In a very ‘Helena’ fashion, she’d informed him that she didn’t have time for boyfriends. And so, Xavier had consented to merely being her friend.
A friend who was insanely attracted to her.
He began making excuses to run into her around campus. Doing his programming for the day in the wee hours of the morning just so he could walk her to her first class. He’d never been an early riser, but for her, he was willing to make an effort. He braved the cutting eyes of the young women on campus – some of whom he’d been a little too intimate with- as he found her every day for lunch. Being a grad student, he wasn’t nearly as tied to the campus as an undergrad, but he found himself spending much more time on Antioch grounds.
When Helena was in class, he rushed to his own,
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