Page 30 of X: Command Me through Alexander’s Eyes

Chapter Nine

When the lift opens, I don’t think. I’m on her, my hands and lips vying to see which can cover more of her. Lifting her into my arms, she doesn’t resist. She’s so pliable, responding to me as I cradle her neck—as I crush her against the wall. I nearly take her right there. It’s all I can do not to. I don’t think she’ll stop me—protection or no. I don’t think I can stop myself, and the tiny voice in my head reminding me to care about such things is drowned out by the rush of blood pounding through me.

And then I taste salt on my lips.

It takes a moment to realize she’s crying, and now that I do, I feel like a wanker. Had she been crying when she arrived? This is why I don’t do relationships. I don’t notice things like that.

Or care about them, I tell myself. Except I do.

“Clara.” I tilt her chin up so that she has to meet my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

She turns away, pushing against me like she wants to be freed. I can’t understand why.

“What’s going on?” Something is wrong, and I appear to be the cause of it.

“This, Mr. X!” She holds up her phone, and I catch sight of a news article.

“I’m not sure I understand what’s happening here.” That’s a lie. What’s happening is the inevitable result of pretending I can have my cake and eat it, too.

“What’s happening is that you’re an asshole!” She’s finally caught on to that. It took her longer than most. I’d almost allowed myself to believe it might be different between us—that she might see me for who I am.

Not that I even know who that is.

But I’ve fucked it up. Moving to the bar, I lift a bottle of bourbon. “Drink?”

She shakes her head, her shoulders set. Clara’s determined to stand her ground. I pour myself a drink.

“So TMI is reporting that I was seen with Pepper last night?” I ask.

This is true. I was, but she doesn’t know the circumstances. Annoyance ticks inside me, but I can’t decide if it’s the results of Clara’s assumptions or Pepper’s fame-mongering.

“Weren’t you the one that said tabloids report rumors as facts?” I continue. “Because I rather appreciated the truth of that statement. Sit down, Clara.”

She folds her arms over her chest but otherwise remains still. “I’d prefer to stand.”

It’s such an adorable little stand-off that I’m already imagining it ending with her over my knee.

“Suit yourself.” I don’t bother to participate in this stand-off. Instead, I take a chair and focus on my drink, knowing it will rile her up. She needs to get this out of her system—or allow herself to get so worked up that she gives in to what she really wants from me.

“So you know her?” Clara presses.

“Of course I know her. I’ve known Pepper for years.” If only she knew how much I wish that wasn’t the case.

Her cold indifference falters for a moment when I tell her the truth. “You aren’t making me feel any better.”

“Are you jealous?” This makes me smile. I like the idea of Clara Bishop asserting some ownership. Probably, because she seems so hell-bent on pretending that she’s comfortable with our arrangement. I know she’s not.

Everything about this should bother me. Instead, I rather appreciate the possessive side of her argument. It’s an interesting development.

“Who is she?”

“A friend of my sister’s.” Bringing Sarah into this adds a wrinkle I don’t appreciate, though. I don’t talk about my sister. Ever. I down the rest of my drink to cover my discomfort.

“And that’s it? Wasn’t she the girl at the club?” she asks.

So she had recognized her, remembered her. I owe Pepper for whatever this is between Clara and me, but I can’t exactly say that which is leaving room for her to fuck with Clara’s head. Pepper doesn’t even know I’m seeing someone, and she’s still screwing it up for me.

“She was,” I admit. “You’re wondering if I’m using you to get to her.”