Chapter 32

I stepped out of the studio, locking it behind me. I was always the last to leave and so Julian had left me an extra key. The driver had long left so while I waited for Xander, I decided to sit in the cafe next to the studio with a cup of coffee for warmth. The cafe was empty, other than the lone worker who was behind the counter, I was the only customer.

As I waited, I texted Harper but she wasn't available. It'd been a month since I left Goodspring and I was going to have to return soon but the call from Donovan remained in the back of my head like a headache that wouldn’t give me relief. I didn’t know how to take care of it on my own and fear still filled my insides at what he'd do to my family.

I wasn't close to them but I still got worried over them. Who was Donovan and what did my father get himself into by mixing up with a man like him? It was a thought that bothered me. That my father had met someone like him and promised him marriage to me in exchange for money.

How much did Donovan pay him?

I wished I wasn't bothered about their safety because my father had gotten himself in this mess in the first place but I still was. He could be a random stranger on the road and I'd have been bothered about him but this time it was my father and my family’s life at risk of Donovan’s wrath.

I couldn't leave them to their fate and continue to hide in this luxurious, sheltered life Xander had created for me but I was a coward because the mere thought of leaving, of returning to the real world terrified me. I didn't even know what the real world was.

What would I be returning to? My family or Goodspring where I’d been discovered? Shame engulfed me at the thought of returning to the hospital after the way my father had embarrassed me and no one came to my aid. I wondered what they'd be saying about the situation, about me—

“Kathleen?” A voice said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked up and my blood froze at the sight of Luke. The memories returned with full force —my birthday, his denial, calling me his stalker ex, his betrayal.

His eyes roamed over me in what seemed like awe. “What are you doing here?”

I shrugged. “Coffee,” I simply said, turning my eyes away from him.

I'd wondered what our first meeting after how he'd humiliated me would be and seeing him here made me feel nothing. He was still as good-looking as a nineteen-year-old me would have believed but now I didn't see it, he seemed very ordinary to me and I was glad it was over. Glad he ended things because that was the kickstart to the turnaround my life has.

He slid into the seat opposite me without an invite. “I…” he cleared his throat. “It's been a while… you look gorgeous, as always.”

My smile was stifled. “Thanks, Luke.”

He reddened at my disinterest but went on. “It feels like ages since I last saw you, Kathleen.”

He reached out a hand to hold mine on the table and I pulled away quickly.

“The stalkerish ex decided a little self-respect wouldn’t hurt,” I said.

Luke recoiled like he'd been stung. “I am so sorry, Kathy.”

The name I used to love at the time now left a bitter taste in my mouth instead. “It's Kathleen,”

He nodded fervently. “I know I hurt you and I searched for you desperately after that night. I had no idea what came over me, I was foolish and out of my mind to have treated you like that. I visited your home several times but no one knew where you'd gone. I was scared and stupid and I'm sorry, you have no idea how sorry I felt and still feel for how I treated you.”

“Really?” I asked flatly.

“My love, it's always been you and I. You do realize how stupid things can go sometimes, right? I admit that I allowed myself to get tempted by someone else but she meant nothing and when I saw you that night crying, it broke something in me and I just…”

I rolled my eyes and said nothing.

“You love me, Kathleen. I know you do, you always have and I took advantage of that and I'm sorry but I know you still have that soft spot for me and I might not seem worthy of your love but you'll see that I'll make it come alive again…”

I'd had enough. “I don't need your apologies. I don't need anything, much less from filth like you!”

His eyes widened in shock. I'd never spoken to him like that.

I continued. “It was always obvious what a degenerate you were, Luke, but I was too in love to see it and thank you for treating me the way you did because it was the wake-up call I needed to see you for the piece of shit you were. Stick your apology down your own throat and I hope you choke on it.”

I got up to leave and he shot up, hurrying to block me.

“Wait, Kathleen, please, listen to me. I know I was stupid, call me names, and hit me if you like. I'll take whatever punishment from you just, please… give me another chance. I don't mind how long it takes, I love you. I still love you. I never stopped.”

“What's going on here?” Xander’s voice, deep and masculine, slid into the conversation effortlessly.

I turned to him, a smile brightening my face at the sight of him, all handsomeness and perfection.

“Nothing, I was just leaving.”

Luke blanched. “Who is this?” he demanded.

Xander’s eyes flitted from him dismissively before returning to me. His strong arms came to wrap around my waist, pulling me into him. He dipped his head and took my mouth in his, the kiss slow, tempting, sensual.

He dragged his teeth across my bottom lips, nipping me slightly as his mouth filled mine with a sensory overload. His hand roamed my back until it settled at the back of my neck, placing my head properly so our mouths danced against each other. He explored my mouth with deliberate slowness, the inside of his mouth filling my stomach with warmth.

Desire shot through us, ramping our bodies and shielding us. My heart picked up, my fingers sliding into his soft hair, combing through it as I kissed him back with equal hunger and deliberation.

Xander pulled back and rested his forehead against mine and I felt my face warm up, my lips parting as I let out small gasps to catch my breath.

His eyes were full of mischief and seduction as he whispered, his velvety voice cascading down my skin into the parts of me that I needed him to fill with his manliness.

“Shall we head home now?”

I let out a small giggle. “Let’s go."

And he led me away, his hand still possessively on my waist as we walked out of the cafe. From the reflection in the door, I caught Luke’s heated face as he watched us, his mouth hung open, his eyes filled with shame and embarrassment.

A laugh bubbled at the back of my throat. Good riddance!