Do You Want To Come Inside?

ALEXIS

I ran a hand through my wet hair as I stepped out of the bathroom. My eyes drifted to my laptop on the bed, and memories of everything that had happened today replayed in my mind.

"Oh God." I covered my face. Never in my entire life had I imagined the day would come when I'd reject Dyson in front of everyone.

A slow smile spread across my face as I sat on the bed before falling back and staring at the ceiling.

It felt really good.

No... I felt good. Seeing the hope die in his eyes and the anger replace it filled me with satisfaction. He must have been shocked, thinking I'd let everything go just because we had some "good" history together.

"This should keep him as far away from me as possible," I muttered.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I patted the bed, searching for it before grabbing it and bringing it to my face. It was a message from Xavier.

Come to think of it, we hadn't really spoken much after what happened the other day.

[Hey, are you awake?]

I stared at the message, wondering why he was texting me so late at night. It was already past 11 p.m. Still, I quickly replied.

[Yeah.]

[How are you feeling? You didn't talk to me after the meeting, and I had to leave to take care of a few things. Did you kick his ass after I left?]

I rolled my eyes as a laugh escaped my lips.

[Nuh-uh. You would've seen that all over the news already. Besides, you already comforted me, and that was all I needed. I'm sure the rejection will make him stay away from me, so there's nothing to worry about.]

I stared at the message I'd typed, but deep down, my heart was unsettled.

I'd known Dyson for so many years. I knew this rejection wouldn't make him back off—it would only make him come after me even harder. And what unsettled me even more was that I had no idea what he planned to do next.

He must have been desperate if he'd spent months seeking partnerships with different companies.

I sighed softly before pressing Send.

My eyelids grew heavy with sleep. I was too tired for anything else, but Xavier's reply came almost immediately.

[I see. If you're not too tired, why don't you check your window? The sky looks beautiful tonight.]

I laughed.

Oh, boy. What could possibly be so beautiful about the stars tonight?

Still, I got up and walked to the window, pulling the curtains aside.

Huh?

I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly.

The sky was completely empty. There wasn't a single star in sight.

I quickly typed.

[Are you in a different country?]

When did he travel?

Instead of replying, my phone began to ring. I swiped the answer button and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Look down," his calm voice said. Almost instinctively, my gaze dropped. "What do you see?"

My mouth fell open before snapping shut again. Standing in front of my gate, leaning casually against his car, was Xavier. He waved at me with the phone pressed to his ear before pointing at the car.

"WHAT?!" I yelled, completely forgetting I was still on the call.

He quickly pulled the phone away from his ear, and I covered my mouth.

"S-sorry."

"Haha, it's all good," he chuckled. "Do you want to go for a night drive and get your mind off everything?"

"Hell yeah! I'll be down in... five minutes, max!" I spun around and ran toward my wardrobe.

"Okay then. I'll be waiting."

After hanging up, I yanked my wardrobe open and shuffled through my clothes for something warm.

I quickly slipped on a skirt and an oversized hoodie that almost swallowed me whole. Then my hand paused over my underwear drawer, and heat slowly crept across my face.

It can't be that he wants to ask me out... right?

I shook my head and grabbed the tiniest G-string I owned.

Stop overthinking.

I slipped it on, grabbed my phone, and was about to leave when my laptop chimed with a new notification.

I glanced at it without checking who it was from and simply forwarded it to my assistant.

She would handle it and brief me when I got to work.

I hurried outside, adjusting my fur cap along the way.

Xavier had already opened the passenger door for me. I took his offered hand and climbed in, my feet warm inside my furry boots.

"Your outfit is fire. It's almost like you knew tonight was going to happen," he commented as he got into the driver's seat.

I smiled sheepishly and looked down.

I'd always wanted to go on a late-night drive, but because of Dyson's family, I was practically confined to the house. After all, they couldn't let their precious family's wife get herself killed just because she was curious.

I sighed softly before brushing the thought away.

That's all in the past.

This is my life now.

"Let's go," I said with a smile.

He nodded, and that was when I noticed he'd gotten a fresh haircut. It showed off his thick eyebrows and made his already sleepy bedroom eyes even more attractive.

I pressed my thighs together before looking away.

Soon, the engine roared to life, and we drove out of the compound.

Xavier drove around the city, and to my surprise, there were far more cars on the road than I'd expected.

I thought everyone would already be home because it was so late.

Guess I was wrong.

We drove in comfortable silence, and before I knew it, hours had passed.

Around three in the morning, we finally returned home. The moment I stepped out of the car, my legs trembled with excitement.

"That was incredible!" I squealed, bouncing on the spot.

Xavier got out of the car, and I rushed over to him.

"Can we do that more often? Please?"

"Of course." He smiled.

I didn't know what came over me.

I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.

He wrapped his arms around me.

His scent drifted into my nose, sending warmth through my body. Without thinking, I turned my head and rested my lips lightly against the side of his neck.

"Do you want to come inside?”