Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right



By the time Xander dropped me off at home, I'd already shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

What else was I supposed to do?

Let him, under a fake name, take me to bed for a night of passion? No way.

I couldn't let myself give in. It would only fuel his arrogance, making him think that no matter what identity he hid behind, as long as he had that face, he could have me whenever he wanted.

"Still want me?" Xander's voice brushed against my ear as he carried me.

There was something dangerously playful about him.

I didn't answer. But when he set me down on the bed, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him down with me.

It had been too long. I'd been alone for too long. Tonight, I just wanted him to stay-even if nothing happened.

He didn't push me away. Instead, in the stillness, I heard his low whisper. "I'm sorry. Just wait a little longer..." So, there it was-his reasons, spoken but still vague.

Fine. I'd wait.

I'd wait until the day he finally admitted it, until the words "I'm Hayden" came from his

own lips.

***

When I woke up, the first thing that hit me was the comforting aroma of cream soup. He

hadn't left.

Dragging myself out of bed, I headed to the kitchen. Sure enough, he was there. On the table, a glass of honey lemon tea waited for me, already prepared.

To be honest, I hadn't slept well at all. How could I? After so long, I'd finally been in the arms of a man who was both familiar and a stranger. Falling asleep wasn't an option.

And I knew I wasn't alone in that. He hadn't moved much, but I felt the tension in his body all night-the quiet war he was fighting with himself. Thinking about it now, I couldn't help but smile. I was already itching to mess with him again.

"Why are you still here?" I asked, playing up the fake surprise as I grabbed the glass of teaThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

and strolled toward him.

Xander turned, raising a brow like, 'Really? You don't know?

That one small movement brought the mark on his throat into full view. The hickey I'd left had darkened overnight into a purplish bruise, even more suggestive now.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Ahem."

But no way was I letting him off the hook. Pointing at his neck, I smirked. "Did I... do that?"

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, pulling my focus before he answered coolly, "Who else would it be?"

I coughed again, trying to hide the heat creeping up my neck. "So, what you're saying is... last night, you became my man?"

The way I said it-flippant and casual-made me sound like a shameless flirt.

Xander's gaze darkened. He didn't confirm it, didn't deny it, just let the tension linger.

Oh, so he was playing games now? Teasing me right back?

"Well," I said, leaning against the counter with a smirk, "you did say you don't offer that kind of service. Last night was clearly my bad, so I guess | owe you. Tell me, how should I make it up to you?"

I threw the question at him like some jerk.

"How do you plan to do so?" he countered.

Ignoring him, I followed the aroma wafting through the kitchen. Spotting a small dish he'd prepped, I grabbed a piece, popping it into my mouth.

Xander frowned slightly. "Did you even wash your hands?"

I chewed happily, unbothered. "I'm not picky about myself."

"You didn't just touch yourself, though..."

I froze mid-chew, my mind racing as it replayed every moment from last night.

He didn't elaborate, but oh, I got it. I got it.

This man..... He had a way of delivering lines so bluntly that I couldn't even defend myself. If I spit out the food, it'd be awkward for both of us-more for him, sure, but I wouldn't

look great either. If I kept chewing, though, I'd have to own it.

While I was trapped in the world's most awkward dilemma, I caught the flicker of amusement in his eyes.