Chapter 6

Xavier.

He was playing with me. I thought he would demand what he wanted right then and there. But he didn’t. He wasn’t claiming it yet.

“I want to do it little by little,” he whispered against my burning ear.

“What do you mean, huh?!” I snapped defensively, desperately trying to free myself from the cage of his body. But my strength was gone. His kiss a few seconds ago had drained most of my energy. He was so skilled. So intense.

Even though part of me was swept away, another part felt disgusted.

Not at Xavier—but at myself for being so easily carried away.

“It’s no fun if I go straight for the main course,” Xavier said as he lifted the long skirt I was wearing.

His large, rough palm slid along my thigh, sparking small flames inside me that had long gone cold. He smirked faintly when he saw the blush spreading across my face because of him.

“What’s so hard about it? Just do it already! I don’t want to deal with you any longer, Xavier.”

“You’re not the one controlling this game, Olivia.”

I froze.

This man was cunning. He was doing this on purpose. He wanted me to suffer from the bond we were secretly forming. He wanted me to keep feeling threatened by him.

“You bastard!”

“It’s called a game.” Xavier picked up the phone from the table and showed me the storage screen. The video was gone. “See? I deleted it. I kept my promise.”

I let out an annoyed hiss.

“This time I just want to please you, Olivia.” He leaned closer. His firm, full lips hovered above mine. “Because you seem pretty tense right now,” he teased, making my whole body shiver.

Fear. A strange ticklish feeling. And hatred toward myself rose from deep inside my chest.

“Open your legs.”

The cold firmness in Xavier’s voice startled me. His eyes were sharp as he stared at me.

My lips trembled. My hands gripped the edge of the wooden table tightly. I didn’t move at all.

Xavier clicked his tongue, then opened my legs himself before his large fingers brushed over my underwear.

Oh God.

I lifted my head. I quickly pressed my lips together when his name almost slipped out. Slowly, he pulled my lace underwear down to my ankles.

I felt his fingers touching me.

The movement was gentle.

But torturous.

My grip on the table shifted to his shoulders. My mouth opened, letting out a soft moan. Damn it—I couldn’t stop myself from making those sounds.

One finger.

Two fingers.

“You’re very sensitive, Olivia.”

“Don’t talk!” I protested. I didn’t want to hear any comments from him. Because the more filthy things that came out of his mouth, the more aroused I felt.

His two fingers moved with rhythm. Warm. Exciting.

This was forbidden.

But intoxicating.

I rested my head on Xavier’s shoulder while my arms wrapped around his neck, pulling myself even closer to him.

Was I rejecting this forbidden relationship?

Or was I actually enjoying it?

My logic and common sense stopped working. There was only the fog of desire leading me deeper and deeper astray. I was drifting closer to the peak I wanted to reach.

“Dent—can he make you feel like this?” Xavier mocked with a faint smile. For some reason, he loved comparing himself to Dent.

Instead of answering him, I ignored the question. I let my mouth fall open in soft gasps before he captured it in a heated kiss.

The vibration of my phone on the floor suddenly startled both of us.

Xavier stopped moving.

He brushed his hair back and pulled away from me. I glanced at his fingers—wet and glistening.

At that moment, I felt empty.

He picked up my phone, then grinned widely.

“He’s good at interrupting.”

“Give it to me!”

Still sitting on the table, my clothes half a mess, I answered Dent’s call.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“Olivia, I’m on my way home. Please pack my suitcase. I have to go out of town for a few days,” Dent explained, sounding rushed.

This was bad news.

Xavier and I… would be alone?

Just imagining the awkwardness between us made my stomach twist. Especially after what had just happened. I wouldn’t be able to face him.

“Olivia? You’re quiet. Is something wrong?” Dent’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Oh—right! What’s so important that you have to go out of town?”

“This will determine my career. If the client is satisfied with our company’s performance this time, I’ll get promoted!” Dent said excitedly.

Meanwhile, I fell silent. Weak. I could only give a bitter smile.

I glanced at Xavier, who was wiping his fingers with a handkerchief.

God… why did that simple motion make my cheeks burn?

Was it because it wasn’t finished?

Or…

No.

There was no way I wanted it again.

No.

Get a hold of yourself, Olivia.

You belong to Dent.

I steadied myself and replied to him, “I’m happy for you. Alright, I’ll prepare your suitcase.”

After ending the call, I fixed my clothes and climbed down from the table.

Xavier leaned his hips against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, looking annoyed.

“We’re not done.”

After saying that, he left—who knows where.

Honestly, I felt relieved because Dent was coming home.

But at the same time, part of me felt irritated.

I shook my head, pushing that feeling away.

I shouldn’t be thinking like that, right?

After finishing packing, Dent left soon after. He didn’t know when he’d be back, but he said he’d finish the business as quickly as possible.

“Be careful, Dent.”

“Mm. Take care of yourself.” Dent kissed my lips. Then he glanced at Xavier standing behind me. “Xavier, take care of your sister-in-law.”

Xavier only responded with a low hum.

My sense of relief disappeared.

Being in this house with Xavier—with everything between us—I didn’t even feel comfortable walking into the kitchen to cook dinner.

That night, I chose not to leave my room.

I felt too awkward looking into Xavier’s cold eyes, let alone talking to him.

Unfortunately, he knocked on the door and appeared wearing casual clothes—a tight turtleneck showing the shape of his muscles and simple trousers. He looked at me through the thin frame of his glasses.

“I made dinner.”

“I’m full.”

“How could you possibly be full?” he asked playfully.

“Just come eat with me for a bit.”

This time his tone wasn’t commanding. It sounded more like a request. Right now, he looked less like a wolf that had cornered a helpless rabbit on the dining table and more like a lost puppy.

I got up and walked toward him.

“I hope your cooking doesn’t give me a stomachache.”

He laughed softly. Light and surprisingly pleasant.

“I could make your stomach ache a lot more than that if I wanted to.”

My lips curled slightly at his joke.

We ate together, chatting a little about work before washing the dishes side by side at the sink.

“Tomorrow I’m starting work at the clinic,” Xavier suddenly said. “You can come by anytime.”

“Mm. Thanks for the invitation.”

After putting the plates away on the rack, Xavier walked over to me.

He pulled my waist against his firm body.

I blinked. “What—”

Before I could finish speaking, he kissed me.

Softly.

Not demanding like earlier that afternoon.

He cupped my cheeks with both hands, then pulled away.

I stood there stunned, touching my numb lips… then my chest where my heart was pounding.

What was this?

Why was my heart racing?

And why did a part of me want more?