Chapter 61 61
Maisie's Pov
I should've been excited about DI’s wrap party. I mean, it was a celebration of everything we’d accomplished over the past week. Instead, I spent the entirety of it replaying that afternoon in my head.
The memory of my kiss with Roman stayed with me through dessert, as did the phantom brush of his touch.
We hadn’t spoken since dinner ended, but the mere anticipation of what could happen next rasped against my skin as surely as a calloused touch.
I spent most of the evening smiling, nodding, and pretending I cared about what people were saying while Clyde networked.
I stifled a yawn while he answered a man droning on about some new law that just passed.
I felt an arm on mine and looked. It was Emma.
“Xavier's alone now.” She whispered.
I placed my hand on Clyde's arm and whispered, “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
He nodded, and I slipped away before I had to listen to one more complaint.
The truth is : I wasn't looking for any restroom. It was a codeword for looking at Xavier and yes, calling him a restroom was Emma's idea.
I'd notice the way he stared at me during the shoot. He almost lost his edge and that was something Xavier never did no matter the situation. He must be really obsessed with me.
I wound my way to the balcony. If there was one thing I knew about Xavier, it was his predictability. You could watch him for a few weeks and note his weak spots and strong ones. I, for one, knew he always went to a balcony for a drink or a smoke or even a quickie.
I draped my shawl over my shoulder as I walked towards him.
“What did I miss?” I asked as I reached him.
He looked over this shoulder and peered into the dark for a moment. When his eyes found mine, his cheeks heated and he smiled.
“Nothing much.” Xavier replied, not taking his eyes off me. “You’re here.”
I nudged his side softly and smiled. “I had to come find you.”
This time he didn't respond, his gaze was fixated on someone else — Roman. I could tell Xavier was still upset from what happened earlier.
“Xavier?” I touched his hand and he turned to me. “What's wrong?”
He looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I was even surprised his eyes weren't shaped like a heart.
He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I don't like Jason touching you. He doesn't even care about you.”
“I know. That's why I'm here with you.” I reached for his hand and gave it a light stroke. It worked like magic.
Xavier leaned in, his face almost reaching mine when we were suddenly interrupted.
“Chloe, I found you,” Linda beamed at me. “Oh, I can't wait to see the photos. I heard you were amazing. Jason will be so proud.”
I hid a bashful smile. “Thank you.” If Roman was my weakness, accepting compliments came in second.
I heard a rumble of irritation from behind me and turned to Xavier.
Linda followed my gaze and looked at Xavier. “Alpha Xavier, your team did an amazing job today.”
“Yup. It's all thanks to Chloe.” He drew me to his side, pushing Linda's hands off me.
“That's wonderful. I'm happy you chose Chloe as the face of Healer. It suits her.” Linda chuckled. Her eyes dropped to where Xavier's arm was wrapped around but refused to make a comment. I'll probably have an earful later.
“Oh. There's Beta Jason. Let me go and have a chat.” She walked past us.
“So making me the face of Healer was your plan all along?” I raised a brow.
“Seriously?” Xavier smiled as he pulled me close. “That's your takeaway from what Linda just said?”
“Yes.” I wiped an invisible speck of dust off his lapel. “You should have a list of potential models and not settle for… I don't know… me. I'm not a pro.”
“I chose you, Chloe, and that's all that matters.” Xavier leaned in.
I took a step back only for a passerby to knock into me and I slipped. A hand shot out and grabbed me before I would crash into a potted plant.
“Woah.” I said, catching my breath.
“Are you okay?” My saviour asked, cupping my face.
“Yeah.” I blinked as he wiped sweat off my brow. “T - Tyler?”
He swiped underneath my eyes before he let go of me. “I'm sorry. I didn't see you there.”
His cheeks were flushed and his pupil dilated. He was drunk out of his mind.
Xavier came up behind me and placed a possessive hand on my shoulder. “Apologize to my date.”
Tyler blinked for a few seconds before he finally nodded. “I apologize, Beta Jason…”
Xavier was irritated by the misconception but didn't show it. “Get out.”
Tyler bowed again before he turned the other way he came.
When he left, Xavier heaved a sigh. “What a toad.”
I almost forgot how rude he was.
I turned to meet his gaze. “He was drunk.”
“You almost fell. What if you'd gotten hurt?” He reached for my face and stroked my hair.
“I'm fine.”
Music echoed through the hall and his cheeks heated. “I know we just went out but I was wondering if we could go on a date or two…”
I smiled. Those are the words I waited all evening to hear. Not in the way you think though.
“Why?” I quipped
“Chloe, you know I want you.” He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip as if the mere action could console me when in reality, it irritated me.
“If you want me, then you'd do the right thing.”
Xavier trailed his free hand up my spine and curled it around the back of my neck. “What thing, darling? I'll do anything for you.”
“Even make me your Luna?” I felt him stiffen.
When he didn't respond, I put his hands away.
“Jason is already tired of me before our marriage, Kylie hates me and you claim you love me but you won't do anything about it.” I faked a sob. “If you don't love me, just say it and I'll leave.”
“No, don't do this.” Xavier grabbed my arm and made me face him. “Don't cry, baby. I'm sorry.”
I pushed his arm away. “No, you're not. Don't say sorry when you don't mean it. How could you lead me on and then abandon me?”
“I never abandoned you.” He stuttered terribly. “I… I can't do what you want me to.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay then. I guess convincing Clyde to save your company was a mistake.”
I lifted my chin and turned on my heels. Give him exactly ten seconds and he'll come grovelling.
It didn't even take three.
“Wait!” Xavier grabbed my ankle. He was practically kneeling.
“Please, don't…” he shivered. “I… I can't lose my company. My pack… my people… they'll…”
“What do you want from me, Xavier?” I said in a bonechilling tone.
“I want you. All of you,” His eyes watered as he confessed. “You don't understand. I have to have you, Chloe.”
“Then will you do what I ask?” I tilted my head.
He swallowed hard before replying calmly. “I can't make you Luna now. It isn't until the next Moon Festival which is 8 months away —”
“So?” I arched my brow.
“But,” he reached for my hand. “I can prove to you that I love you, Chloe. Everything I own, including my life, will be yours. Everything I have, baby, will be in your name. That's the length I'm willing to go for and I don't care.”
“You do?” I feigned a look of surprise.
“I swear on my life.”
I joined him on the ground and wrapped my arms around him. “You’re willing to do this for me, Xavier?”
“It'll be done tomorrow.” He buried his face in my neck and breathed in. “Fuck… I love you.”
“I love you too.” I rubbed smooth circles on his back as he called me endearing names.
This was too easy.