Chapter 28 XADEN
chapter 28
XADEN
She looked so cold, walking up to me, her eyes boring into mine. I found myself retreating, each step I took back, she took a step forward.
God! I am trying so hard to control myself and this woman is making it extremely hard for me to control myself.
“Did you do something I should know about, Muffin?” she whispered.
What is she talking about? What did I do? I didn't do anything… oh wait…. Shit… I was discreet, how the hell did she find out?
“No idea,” I responded, there is no way in hell I would be telling her that I had threatened that stupid professor of hers. I didn't exactly threaten him. I sent some boys to teach him a lesson. I guess it worked.
“Xaden!” she stomped her feet, eyes locked on mine, “Did you really threaten him?” she muffled.
I pulled myself together, brows slightly arched and I found myself taking a step forward, closing the space between us. Her eyes flickered as she took a step back. I took another step forward and she took another step back.
“What— what are you doing?” She stuttered.
“If I tell you I didn’t do anything, would you believe me?” I asked.
She tilted her head to the side, “So you did do something.”
Silence.
I am not acknowledging it.
“That’s too bad.” she muffled. “I was asking because I thought the person deserved a kiss or maybe a hug but I guess not.”
She is baiting me.
She is trying to unravel me.
I know this. I know if I tell her I did threaten him, she won’t kiss me, she’d probably hit me and scold me for doing it. But I found myself imagining, wondering if she would kiss me, if she'd bury her lips in mine and wrap her arms around my neck, drive her fingers through my hair, and gasp for air because I’d fucking kiss the life out of her.
My throat bobbed like a hungry man, someone who hadn't eaten in five years, staring at a very delicious food.
I want to kiss her. Those round pink lips. I want to taste them.
“Pervert,” she whispered, her soft voice yanking me out of my thoughts.
Fuck me.
I can’t even refute.
“So you snuck into my room to ask me if I threatened your boss? I already told you, Sloane, you read too many novels, I am nothing but an office man. I don’t do Mafia.” I shrug.
I might be acquainted with them but yeah, she doesn't need to know that. She doesn't need to know how dangerous the last five years had been for me, what I had suffered alone, how I almost died multiple times. She doesn't need to know… at least not yet.
She giggled. “How was work today?” she asked.
Oh… oh… oh! This woman!
Asking about my day? At work?
Does she have any idea how much I have waited for this day? To sit together and talk about her school and me about my work. To lie in her arms as I lament about how my business partners are douche bags who deserve to rot in hell.
“Well?” she sat on my bed and crossed her legs, ready to listen. So I sat on the bed next to her and I opened my mouth and the words kept pouring down.
I told her about my day, about my partners at work. About how I am on the verge of beating up one of my directors.
“He did that? Please tell me you punched him in the face at least.” Her voice filled with the anger I could not show at work not because I was scared of anyone but because the last thing I wanted, was to trash someone of value. But still, he is a douche.
“I almost did, then I realized he is useful and he owes me money,” I answered, taking a bit from the Pringles she had grabbed from my snack bar.
“Wow, being a boss sucks.” she pouted.
I giggled, “It does.” I agreed.
That reminds me. She pulled out her phone and tossed it towards me. “Your number, give it to me.”
When did she get so bold?
“Sloane, I should be the one asking,” I said.
“Well, you were taking forever… if I wait for you, it might cost you another five years before you ask for my number.” she threw at me.
Ouch!
“Touche.”
She laughed and I put in my number and handed the phone back to her. I watched her eyes trace the phone, her lips curled into a smile as she saved it.
“Uhm, Xaden?” she called, soft, almost suspicious.
“Hm,” I answered.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Let me just remind you again, I am not a Mafia Boss, Sloane.” I teased.
She punched me. And I found myself laughing.
“I want you to take me out.” Her determined voice broke my laughter.
“What?” I rasped.
“Places I can’t visit with your brother, I want you to take me. I’ll he safe with you,” she said.
I had always found it strange that Sloane who was the replica of her mother, didn't go to bars, clubs, parties, and the like. It had always been her thing but then I remember that Jasper is the opposite and her relationship with Jasper doesn't allow her to do these things.
I should tell her no. I should tell her, I do not want to get more hate from my brother even though I know that being in this room with her already made him hate me more but whatever.
But I found myself unable to speak, my eyes only on this girl who looks like I am her last resort to having a fun early twenties.
Fuck! Why is she looking at me with those eyes while asking? How am I supposed to tell her no if she looks at me with those eyes?
I sighed, “Once a week!” I grumbled.
“Yes! You… You are the best Xaden!”
I clasped my hands over her mouth. Her eyes widened in awe and confusion, “I am totally fine with Jasper walking in here and seeing you sitting on my bed like you own this place but something tells me you are not okay with it… With that being said, lower your voice or…”
I didn't get to finish my words when a knock came on my door. “Open up!” Jasper’s voice roared through my door.
Well, fuck!