AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So no dating.” He bounces the knife on top of the diced onions, a thoughtful look on his face. “That’s fine.”
Okay, he’s getting it.
“Right, so I should be going.” I take another drink.
“Do you need something more serious? Marriage.” He gives a decisive nod.
I spit out the hot chocolate, splattering it across the white marble counter. I put my hand over my mouth. I didnotjust do that. My face burns with sheer mortification. I willnotbe embarrassed about this. He kidnapped me.Heshould be embarrassed. Even as I tell myself that, my face only heats more.
He lets out a chuckle and grabs a hand towel to quickly remove my mess.
I lean back in the chair and decide I’m just going to keep my mouth shut for now. I watch as he fills two plates and places one in front of me. He comes around and sits down next to me.
“You want me. That’s why I’m here. You want me for … dating? For … more?” It’s all been right there in front of me. Everything is starting to add up now. All the times he asked me out, paying the money today, the kisses, and his erection that brushed against my butt when he tackled me to the ground. He’d been turned on. My body’s reaction to it is not one I was prepared for.
Then there’s the sweet name he keeps calling me. Precious. I hate that every time he says it I get a warm feeling in my stomach. I also got that feeling when he made Tommy pay for what he’d done to me. As messed up as it all was, it felt good to have someone stand up for me. After so many months of taking crap from Star, who is constantly doing mean stuff to me, it felt good for once to get a little payback. Even though it wasn’t done by me, it was done in my name.
Despite these facts lining up right in my face, it’s still hard for me to believe that someone like him wants me. It’s another reason I kept turning him down. He’s so handsome, and clearly rich. I’m just me.
“You need to eat.” He jerks his chin at my plate.
“Answer me, and I’ll eat. Why did you take my offer? Why am I here? Because you want to ...” I swallow hard. “Have sex with me?”
He turns his head, his dark eyes locking with mine. “Want isn't a strong enough word for what I feel for you.”
I look down at my plate, unable to hold the intensity of his stare.
He’s never going to let me go. That much is clear from the look in his eyes.
I should be afraid, and I am, but not enough. Not when there’s another emotion at war with my fear. Longing.
8
XAVIER
She eyes the knife I used to chop the onions.
“Take it.” I gesture toward it with my fork.
“What?” Her eyes widen.
“If you’ll feel better with that smelly knife in your hand, then by all means.” I want her to feel comfortable and safe. If that means she needs a deadly weapon to do it, that’s fine by me.
“What if I kill you with it?”
I try not to smirk. I fail. “I’ll hide my rising fear under a mask of stoicism.”
“I could kill you!” She reaches for it and takes the hilt in her hand. “See?” She brandishes it toward me, but nowhere near me, which is a good thing given she might wind up taking an eye out.
“Yes, you’re a real killer.” I take another bite of penne. “Other than your violent streak and affinity for blades, tell me about you.”
Her face falls a little. “I could be a killer,” she grumbles under her breath. She keeps the knife and retakes her seat. “Me? Nothing to tell, really. High school dropout, assistant to Star, a general nobody just trying to survive.”
That description doesn’t even begin to encompass everything she is. “Do you value yourself so little? I hate to hear it.”
She shrugs. “It’s the truth.” Using her free hand, she tears off a piece of bread and dips it in the olive oil.
“Not at all.”
