Chapter 3

“What? Are you embarrassed now that you had to take back what you said?” I asked with a smirk.

He glared at me, but it just made me chortle.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I am still a man who gets easily aroused, after all.”

He ran a hand over his shirt, smoothing the wrinkles I had caused.

“Lie to yourself more, babe. It’d actually be more plausible if you didn’t suck on my tongue and play with my lips like a hungry beast just a minute ago.”

“Fuck off.”

I chuckled. His gaze pierced right through me for a moment.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

“I do. I wouldn’t do all this if I didn’t,” I answered.

He’s handsome, yes, and I admit that I’m somehow attracted to him.

He snickered, obviously mocking me. “Too bad; I don’t like you.”

“Why?”

“‘Cause you’re not my type.”

“What’s your type then?” I pressed.

“Someone who’s not you.”

“I’m pretty and smart. I’m rich too. What do you not like about me?”

“Everything.”

“I can very much feel your hatred.”

“And you’re my brother’s ex,” he added. “I don’t go after leftovers.”

He tried to walk past me, but I didn’t let him. I was still enjoying the game.

“You wanna know what he says about you?” I said, which made him stop. His back was to me. “He says you’re a pathetic and narcissistic man who never cares about anyone else. You only think about yourself and your own happiness. You brag about all your accomplishments to cover up your insecurities.” I chuckled. “That was your brother who said that, not me.”

His fingers curled into a fist.

“You want to hear more?”

“Shut up,” he said sharply, but I ignored him.

“Have you ever wondered why most of the guys in your department back in college didn’t want to be friends with you? Gavin spread stories about how you stole his girlfriends that’s why they ended up with you. They think you might go after their girlfriends too. I mean, if you did it to your own brother, what would stop you from doing it to someone else?”

I walked up to him. When he tilted his head toward me, he pierced me with a deadly glare. If looks could kill, I’d probably be lying on the cold floor, breathless.

His jaw worked as he clenched it. His hand shot up to my neck and shoved me hard against the wall in one swift motion. His calloused palm was hot against my neck and jaw. His grip tightened, making me feel his rage.

“Now I wonder if those rumors were true. Because if they were, then you should’ve hit on me too.”

The corner of my upper lip twitched. His gaze dropped there. His expression darkened even more.

“Why not live up to it? It’d be quite embarrassing if the rumors about you weren’t even true, right? Date me, Xerces.”

“Stop meddling in my fucking life.”

After that, he pulled away and stormed down the hallway. I sighed and returned to our table.

When I looked at him, the woman was no longer next to him. He was sitting alone, quietly drowning himself in alcohol.

Since I had to drive home, I didn’t drink anymore and simply waited for him.

It was past two in the morning when I saw Xerces stand up. He looked ready to go home, so I stood up and followed him out of the bar. I was sober enough but still dizzy.

I took a breath and started my act. I staggered toward him. He glanced at me when he sensed my presence.

“You’re here again? Are you seriously planning on ruining my peace every hour?”

I pretended to pass out. His strong arms immediately caught me. His cologne instantly filled my nostrils. God, he smelled so good.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “Damn you, woman. I’m not your fucking driver.”

I could feel the frustration in his voice. I held back a laugh.

He carried me, opened his car door, and gently set me into the passenger seat. My dress rode up on my thigh, and I felt him smooth it down. I felt his fingertip brush against my bare thigh for a second.

He fastened my seatbelt before sliding over to the driver’s seat. The whole ride was silent. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to be unconscious. Then the car stopped. He turned off the engine. I knew we were already in front of both our houses.

“Stop pretending. I know you’re already awake.”

Shoot.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. I yawned and pretended I had just woken up.

“Oh. Great. I just woke up.” I smiled and looked out the window. “You drove me home?” I pretended to be surprised.

“You passed out earlier. I’m not that heartless to just leave you.”

“Oh my. That’s so thoughtful of you. I’m so flattered.”

“Get out,” he said coldly.

I didn’t move.

He raised his brow. “What? Don’t tell me you want me to carry you up to your house?”

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

His brow furrowed. He was pissed again.

“Just kidding,” I chuckled. “You’re way too hot-headed. That can make you age faster. Don’t be too shocked if you start seeing wrinkles in a few months. I advise you to be nicer to me more often, yeah?”

I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. I peeked in through the window. “Thanks again.”

I was grinning from ear to ear as I went inside my house. I went to the kitchen and drank a cold glass of water. My throat was so dry from all the alcohol I’d had.

I went straight up to my bedroom after that. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, remembering Xerces’s irritated but handsome face.

“I hope this is all worth it,” I murmured.