CHAPTER4
LILA
Something heavy was on top of me. The scent of mint and earth filled my nostrils. That crazy bastard, Xander. I opened my eyes, and he was actually straddling me over the covers. Thankfully, he was fully clothed except for his bare feet. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, only a black form-fitting tunic that allowed me to see the definition of his toned arms and broad chest. Yup, definitely fit.
Something about the sight of him on top of me with that excited face, messy black hair framing his handsome face, and the heat from his muscular body did anything but annoy me. God, those lips were sexy, wide and full. It was as if they were meant to kiss. He had to be an amazing kisser. And why was I thinking things like this? My stomach tingled, and I almost wanted to punch myself in the gut to stop it.
He gave me his shit-eating grin and clapped several times, his silver eyes brightening up. “Yea, she’s up.”
Instead of punching myself, I knocked him in the chest. “Would you get the hell off of me!”
He gave me a very fake pout. “Now is that how you treat the man who has come bearing gifts?” He tilted his head back, and I noticed several bags covering the foot of the queen-sized bed and more on the floor.
What the hell had he gotten me? Had I really requested that much last night? I was definitely overwhelmed then, but this had to be more than I requested. Xander grabbed my wrists and pulled me upright like I was some type of rag doll. He then reached back and grabbed a bag, handing it over to me. However, he did not move off me. I wanted to shove him, but he had adjusted his weight somehow, so he wasn’t heavy.
I glared at him as I opened a shopping bag from one of my favorite beauty supply stores back in my realm. I noticed many of the bags had come from the human world. I had not really expected he would be able to get any of these things, and definitely not that fast. The bag was full of make-up, skin-care and hair care products. He’d even gotten the hair dye that I used to turn my naturally brunette curls into honey blond. Had I put that on the list? Clearly, I was delirious last night and just trying to be annoying when I added it. But I really didn’t remember.
He gave me bag after bag. One consisted of several bras and panties and lingerie, some very inappropriate. I glared at him, and he winked back, blowing me a kiss.
I sucked my teeth, holding up a lacy red thong and sheer bra set. “I am not wearing this.”
He lifted a finger to the ceiling. “Yet. You are not wearing that, yet. Do you know how gorgeous you would look in that, covered in blood? I’d lick you all over and then-”
This time I did shove him off the bed, pushing my cold magic through my fingers to strengthen my blow. “Why would I be covered in blood, huh?”
He got to his knees, looking very unharmed and still cheerful. “That’s part of the fun. It doesn’t have to be all yours, either.”
“Oh, well that makes it all better. Fuck off. Seriously, what is wrong with you?”
He tossed me another bag with no name on it. It was actually a canvas bag. “Everything, darling. Everything.”
I looked inside, face scrunched in a frown. There were clothes and shoes. He tossed more on the bed. More clothes, coats, and shoes. They were not styles I’d seen before, but they were beautiful, and they looked like they would fit. There was everything from what looked like stretch pants of various materials, flat boots and casual shoes, sparkly heels, long coats, short coats, various tops, and some dresses of different lengths. Did he think I was some sort of barbie doll to play dress up with?
I gave him a questioning look, eyebrow raised, and he shrugged in response. “Can’t have you wearing your human clothes, pretty lady. Assuming you ever got out of this house, it would make you stand out.”
Assuming I got out? “You talk as if I will never leave this place.”
He got up and hopped on the bed, sitting way too close to me. I wiggled to the side, trying to avoid that intoxicating scent of his.
“I can’t say that you will,” he replied. “When you walk around, all eyes will be on you. Your scent, while heavenly, is very human. Also, there is nothing fae about your look. Not your eyes, skin, shape, or ears. At least one thing has to be different from a human. You could be glamoured, but I don’t know if Yosef would allow that. We can’t exactly trust you right now.”
I dropped the garment I was holding and looked around the room, dejected. It was nice but still not comforting. The one accent wall behind the bed was a deep purple-blue in color with gold and white accents and furniture. Even the curtains over the windows were a sheer pattern. Like the other parts of his house that I’d seen, windows were the wall décor for the most part, and surrounded by water and nature, it felt like an exotic vacation home. The Luca guy, whose room this was, had taste. I’d even had the best night’s sleep of my life on the bed. As terrifying as my situation was, I felt oddly relaxed that morning. It was probably due to some magic. This was not a trip for me. It was my prison. I couldn’t accept the beauty products, knowing that I could never go home again.
Xander’s face appeared in front of mine, strange eyes searching my own. “What? Don’t like the clothing I picked out? I thought I had your style.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. How would he possibly know what I liked to wear? He had actually picked clothing that I liked, and most of them were in different shades of blue, my favorite color. “How would you know my style just by seeing me in the dress I came here in?”
He reached over and tapped the side of my head with his index finger. “I searched your mind. I would have done it while you were awake, but it would hurt you very much. I figured you suffered enough for the day.”
I threw a shoe at him, and it bounced off his head. “You’re a mind walker? A psychic?”
He frowned, rubbing his head. “We call them truth seekers. I did a good thing, and this is how you repay me? We had to know if you were lying. Now we know you aren’t. I could have made it hurt. You’re welcome.”
I huffed, folding my arms. I wasn’t going to thank him for invading my mind. I wasn’t going to thank him for the clothes. I wanted to get home, and they were effectively detaining me. Xander had gotten me so many products and clothes that it made it very clear to me that I would not be leaving anytime soon. What would they do to me now that they knew the truth if it wasn’t to help me get home? “I’m never leaving here, am I?” I said in a quiet voice.
Xander positioned himself on my bed so that he was now laying his head on my lap. He had no idea of personal space, this guy. I shoved at his shoulder, but he stayed in place. It was like moving a boulder. I suddenly realized that the bit of force I put in my shove of him earlier was probably nothing, and he only allowed himself to be pushed to the floor. I’d have to note that in the future and use more power behind my attacks on him if the time ever came.
He blinked up at me, looking very comfortable. “Darling, you are a treasure. Why would we give you away?”
