EPISODE 5

Xavier’s POV

I’ve had awkward encounters in the past, but nothing beats this. I can't stop staring at Dr. Winter.

My mind is trying to solve an inconceivable puzzle of how this lady can be so similar to my ex-wife and yet still so different.

The party is coming to an end, and most people are either asleep or retiring to their homes. Dr. Winter hasn't attempted to dance all night. She has remained rooted to her chair, legs crossed, with those pointy red bottoms shooting out. I wonder how many glasses of champagne she’s had, because every time I looked at her, she had a glass to her lips.

“I don't like her,” Jayda says as she settles into the chair beside me.

I sigh as I chug down another glass of raw whiskey. “Well, thank God I didn't invite her here to be your friend.”

Jayda’s eyes widen as I stand up to leave. “Where are you going?”

“To the doctor.” I straighten my shirt as I look at the doctor’s table for the millionth time tonight. She’s talking to a guard while her little boy lays his head on her lap.

Jayda follows my gaze. “I’ll follow you.”

“No,” I cut her off immediately, my eyes still fixed on my target. “I don't want you telling our guest how much you dislike her.”

She rolls her eyes and groans. “Whatever.” She sips from my drink and chokes on it, shaking her head. “Ew. I’ll stick to my cocktails.”

###############

“You don't have to drink champagne to impress me, you know.” I slide into the chair beside the doctor.

I can see her body stiffen from my unexpected approach. Her bodyguard stares me down with a gaze like steel. He’s an inch away from being a giant, with arms thicker than a tree’s bark. The doctor certainly has good taste in guards, I reckon.

“And who said I was trying to impress you?” she fires back, her spine straightening as she turns in her chair to look at me head-on.

I laugh and look away, motioning for the bartender to pour me a drink. “Calm down, tiger. I like being impressed.”

She shakes her head and exhales, her palm briefly tightening into a balled fist before releasing. “It’s a nice party you set up. It makes me wonder why you invited me, Alpha Xavier.”

A smile stretches across my lips. Dr. Winter isn't as predictable as I’d expected. Most women I spoke to encouraged my casual conversations, instead of dismissing them as quickly as she just did.

She has a lot of ego for a lady. I am not sure if I like it or not, but it is eye-catching regardless.

"Can't an Alpha just invite the most successful doctor in the city to celebrate his hosting skills?” I ask, not giving up on the casual talk.

I stare at her, but she doesn't soften. She's like a rock—beautiful and unyielding. I’d like to see what's beneath this beautiful face. I’d like to know what thoughts are running through her head that make her so hard to please.

Her eyes are locked in mine. They're fiery and risky, like tiny fireballs. If not for the fact that weredragons are extinct, I’d have thought she was one.

The shrill yawn of her son breaks our eye contact. He stretches his hands dramatically, and a smile cracks on my face as I can tell this kid hadn't been sleeping at all.

Dr. Winter urges him to rest back, but the boy refuses and insists on going to the bathroom.

“Geron, please escort him to the bathroom,” Dr. Winter says to her giant bodyguard.

“No, no, no…” Her son shakes his head. “I can go myself.”

“Of course not, K. You don't know this place.”

"K?" I ask, looking at the doctor.

"My name's Kael." The kid says sharply, his mum groans in annoyance.

I smile at the boy as my mind tries in vain to recall where I heard that name from first. "It's beautiful and rare name."

"Yeah," She says dismissively, returning her gaze to her son. "You're not going alone."

"It's not hard to find a bathroom. I don't need Geron watching me.” Kael groans and grumbles loudly, putting up that act kids do when they want something. I can tell he's a mischievous kid already. Dr. Winter definitely has a handful to deal with.

“He's right,” I chime in. “The bathroom is right at the corner beside the door.”

Dr. Winter’s eyes dash to meet mine, a scowl implanted on her face.

“Ma, you heard the big guy. It's safe.” Kael giggles excitedly as his mother allows him to trot away into the crowd.

Dr. Winter watches him as he vanishes from our view, her hand patting the table without rhythm.

“He’ll be alright,” I reassure her.

She turns her gaze to meet mine, and then looks back to her drink. I look at her fingers and sigh, noticing there's no ring on them. If she's single, then why is she so abrasive and hard to talk to?

“Do you know the best thing about WestMoon?” I ask, trying to pick up the conversation again.

She shakes her head as she drinks quietly.

“Is there anything good about WestMoon?” Geron scoffs, breaking into our discussion.

I can't believe my eyes or my ears, or how calm the doctor is with her staff interfering.

“Do you normally allow your guards to talk in a meeting?” I snap, biting down on my bottom lip to conceal my annoyance.

“His name is Geron, and this is a party, not a meeting,” she says with that her effortless cold voice.

I'm tempted to use the B-word right now and plant my fist in Geron's brick-like face.

I’ve never been this insulted by a lady and her random guard. For the next few minutes, I sit quietly as I battle with my ego and my wits. I need Dr. Winter, and although she's an abrasive, unlikable lady, I need to win her heart so she’ll help me with no stress.

“It's our red wine,” I say, finally conquering my ego in the inward battle. “WestMoon makes the finest wine.”

She looks at me, her eyes widening. I wonder what she's thinking, but I like the look. It's almost as if the flame in those eyes has quenched a little. “You finally reopened the winery?”

“What?” I ask in utter confusion. What does she mean by that statement?

She looks away and stutters. “I mean, uh... I saw it on the news and in the papers about the WestMoon wine project years ago.”

I nod, although I don't remember telling the press about reopening my family’s closed winery. But things get out, so it might be possible she actually saw it in a gossip magazine or something.

“If you’ll let me, I can take you tomorrow to our grape field to show you how the magic is made,” I offer, hoping tomorrow this cold lady will be a bit warmer and easier to persuade.

We hear the laughter of kids running around, and Dr. Winter is reminded of her son. “Geron, go fetch Kael.”

The big guy storms away in the direction Kael had gone.

“So, what do you say?” I ask. “A little wine date tomorrow? Just the two of us.”

That fire returns to her eyes as she leans toward me. “Your charms don't work on me, Xavi, so you better tell me the real reason you invited me here, or leave my space.”

She's an inch away from my face, and I can smell the lavender scent of her shampoo. It's redolent of Raina.

We’re drawing attention as people are turning to look at us in this unethical position. Jayda’s eyes are among the many pairs gazing at us, and heaven knows I can't afford one more scandal.

I rise from the chair and empty my shot. “See you tomorrow, tiger.”

As I walk away, Geron brushes past me with worry on his face. “I can't find Kael,” he reports back to the doctor.