Chapter 4: Caught off Guard

Chapter 4: Caught Off Guard

Cole's pov 

I spun around so fast to face Xavier that my foot caught in the edge of the heavy duvet, and I went tumbling sideways.

Before I could crash onto the hardwood floor, a strong arm shot out, grabbed me firmly around the waist, and yanked me right back onto the mattress. I landed with a soft thud, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.

"Careful," Xavier muttered, his voice dangerously close to my ear.

I scrambled to sit up a little, clearing my throat and forcing out a small, high-pitched chuckle that almost didn't sound like a chuckle at all. "Not... not what? What were you going to say?"

Xavier stared at me in the dim light for a long, heavy second, his dark eyes unreadable. "Never mind."

I let out a deep, quiet breath, sinking back into the pillow and trying to look relaxed. But then I felt his hand still resting on my side. His fingers twitched slightly before gripping my waist even tighter, pulling my body back against his warm chest.

What the hell is he doing?! I screamed internally, staring wide-eyed at the dark ceiling. Clara definitely didn't tell me they were this close! They were supposed to be getting a divorce! People getting a divorce don't cuddle to sleep!

Hell no... no, I couldn't do this. My chest tightened with pure panic.

I immediately started wiggling, trying to squirm my way out of his iron grip. I pushed against his chest, but he barely budged.

Xavier let out a low, annoyed mumble right against the back of my neck. "What is wrong with you now? Just lie still and go to sleep."

I can't fucking go to sleep with your arms wrapped around me! I thought, my mind racing through fifty different nightmare scenarios at once. What if you decide to strangle me in the middle of the night? What if your hand strays down again and you feel something you shouldn't?!

"I... I need to shit!" I blurted out wildly.

The moment the word left my mouth, my eyes went huge. My face burned hot in the dark, and I desperately tried to fix it. "I mean! Sorry! I meant... I need to go to the bathroom. Urgently."

Xavier slowly opened one eye, looking down at me through the dark like I had completely lost my mind. "Is that how high-society ladies talk now?"

"It's an emergency!" I squeaked out, pushing his hand away. "Can I go or not?"

Xavier raised an eyebrow, but he finally lifted his arm, taking his weight off me. "Go ahead."

I didn't wait for him to change his mind. I scrambled out of the bed so fast I nearly tripped over my own pajama pants, hitting the floor and darting straight into the adjoining bathroom.

I slammed the door shut, leaning my back against the cold wood while clutching my chest. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst right out of my ribcage.

"Why did I use the word shit?!" I whispered to myself, burying my face in my hands. "That was way too vulgar! So fucking embarrassing... Of all the normal, civilized excuses I could have come up with!"

I dragged myself over to the sink, turning on the tap and splashing cold water on my face. I looked up into the mirror, taking slow, deep breaths to pull my shattered sanity back together.

"Okay, calm down, Cole," I muttered, double-checking the light layer of makeup around my eyes. "He couldn't possibly know. Clara and I look exactly alike. As long as I keep my mouth shut and don't say stupid things, I'm fine."

I carefully adjusted the fake silicone bra, making sure it wasn't shifting out of place, and pushed a few loose strands of twin-style hair back into my tight bun.

Then, the sudden, violent urge to pee hit me.

I reached for the bathroom door handle to turn the lock, but I paused. He's half-asleep in bed anyway. If I lock it, it might make him suspicious.

I shook my head and walked over to the toilet. Reaching inside my loose silk pajama pants, I began unwrapping my dick from the tight, suffocating bondage wrap I had kept it trapped in all day. Clara had given me explicit, terrifying instructions to pack it tightly so it wouldn't create any unnatural bulges in women's clothing and expose the entire plan.

It had been insanely uncomfortable, aching for hours, and taking it out felt like absolute heaven.

I hovered over the toilet, letting out a long, uninterrupted stream. I leaned my head back against the tiled wall, closing my eyes with a soft sigh of pure, unfiltered relief.

"Ah, sweet freedom..." I murmured to myself.

Knock. Knock.

A single, sharp knock echoed against the door.

Before I could even process the sound, the handle turned, and Xavier's voice came through as smooth as ice.

"I'm coming in."