7 LEXIE

7 LEXIE

The drive to Washington takes me a little less than seven hours.

My new roommate, Jennifer Thomas, knew that I would be getting in late. I already had my copy of the key, so if she doesn't answer when I call her I can just let myself in.

I had just pulled into the apartment complex and parked in the spot she had told me to. 

I get out of the car and walk to the trunk.

Should I just call her?

But what if I wake her up? 

I don't want her to hate me already.

I'm tired of having people hate me.

And I really need this to work out between us.

I pull out my phone and see the many missed calls from both my mom and jeremy.

He must have gotten home and freaked out about me not being there.

Another call comes through and I curse.

I'm going to have to go and change my phone number in the morning.

I would go now, but I doubt there are any phone stores open at this time.

As I'm looking at my phone, I begin to feel like someone is staring at me. I look up right away, scared that maybe Jeremy or my mom had followed me from home.

It's not them staring at me.

No.

It's a handsome man.

He's sitting in the luxurious car next to mine. 

His skin is tanned, his hair is a curly mess atop his head, like he's been running his hands through it. His jawline is defined, his lips kissable.

He turns his head as soon as he notices me looking back at him.

I watch him shake his head to himself before getting the rest of his stuff.

When he gets out of his car, his keys fall out of his full hands and fall onto the floor.

The face he makes has me laughing loudly. 

“Here, let me get those for you.” I offer.

Before he can respond, I lean forward to grab the keys. When I begin to rise again, I notice his eyes looking down my shirt.

If it were any other man than this one, I might feel at the very least a little violated.

But his eyes on me have me wanting him to have his wicked way with me.

My body heats up under his intense gaze.

I stretch my hand out to give him the keys when I realize he literally has no way to grab them.

“I'm so sorry. Here, give me one moment please.”

He fumbles around with the items in his hands, trying to find a way to grab the keys from me. 

“Do you need some help with your stuff, lexie?”

Startled, both the mystery man and myself turn around to face the voice.

It's jennifer.

She's smiling widely at the two of us.

“Hey xavier. Hey girl.”

I turn to the mystery man.

Xavier.

It suits him.

“How did you know I was here? I figured you would be asleep by now.” I question, smiling back at her.

She laughs sheepishly.

“Honestly, I've been looking out of the window every fifteen minutes for the last two hours. I'm just so excited about you coming to live here. I've been dying for a roomie!” She rounds the car to stand in the middle of us. 

“Xavier, this is lexie. She's the girl I told you about. She's renting out the other room from me. Lexie, this is xavier. He owns the apartment complex.”

I smile at him. “Hello, xavier.”

He returns the smile, his teeth flashing as he stares at me happily. “Hellp, lexie. It's wonderful to meet you. I would shake your hand, but you know.”

He points his eyes towards his full hands.

We both laugh.

Jennifer looks between the two of us, her smile widening. “Lexie, why don't you help Xavier with his stuff? You can follow him to his apartment. It's right next to ours. Your bedroom wall is actually connected to his bedroom wall. I'm just going to make a quick phone call and then I'll help you with your stuff.” she suggests, nodding at him suggestively.

I turn to face him and notice his eyes filled with hunger.

“I can absolutely help you, xavier. If you would like help.”

He smiles at me widely while nodding.

“Yeah, actually. I would love some help. I actually have a bag in the back seat I was going to come down to get. If you wouldn't mind grabbing me, it. Sorry.”

I laugh and open his car door. I grab the grocery bag from the back seat and then close the door. I lock his car door and follow as he begins to walk into the apartment complex, a smile on both of our faces.