Page 10 of Masked Love

“It happened quite by accident. Greyson came in for an interview to be a part of the sales team.”

“God, we talked for what? Two hours?” I chimed in.

“Yes, and nothing about work.”

I laughed and rested my head on his shoulder, looking like I was utterly in love. “I’d never hit it off with a man like that until you.”

“Same here. We meshed really well.”

“We did.”

“You were so sexy with those thick black glasses that you kept pushing up your nose. And I loved your blushing.”

I blushed in response as he met my gaze with stunning, gleaming blue eyes, but I continued with our little game, which was going way too smoothly, like we really were a couple who finished each other’s sentences. “Ugh, I hate when I do that. And you were so strong and confident.”

“I found you utterly gorgeous.”

“Stop. You’re swelling my ego.”

He finally looked away from me to face Matthew, who was still unsure about us. “I didn’t end up hiring him for obvious reasons.”

“God, I was so disappointed because I really wanted the job and to work for Nomadology until you asked me out on a date instead. How could I say no to the gorgeous Xander Hayes?”

“And we’ve been together for… what? Two months now?”

I nodded vigorously. “Actually, it’s two months, four days, and eight hours, but who’s counting?”

His smile was brilliant, making me melt a little harder for him… for real. Nothing fake here. “I stand corrected.”

“You can’t be serious,” Matthew said, interrupting our banter and pulling Xander’s attention away from me, which I didn’t like at all, the heat of jealousy covering my skin. I wasn’t sure I enjoyed that feeling either. I’d never been a jealous person before.

“Why can’t I?” Xander asked.

“You really expect me to believe this lovey-dovey shit from you? You’re stone, Xander. You’ve always been serious and calculated.”

I bristled again because he clearly didn’t know Xander as well as he thought he did. I was almost certain Xander had been himself around me. While outwardly, he put up walls of indifference. Inwardly, he definitely had a light-hearted side to him.

“And how would you know?” I asked him. “Are you two that close? Best friends? Have you ever dated? Do you really know the real Xander? Because I can assure you, he is far from stone. He’s funny, honest, and warm. I don’t think you know him that well at all.”

Xander stiffened next to me, but he didn’t interrupt. I hoped I hadn’t gone too far.

He pulled his eyes away from me to look at Xander. “Can we talk for a moment… alone?”

Don’t go. Please don’t go. I willed him with my mind as if I had any power or sway over his decisions.

He dropped his arm from me, and I felt suddenly naked and cold. “I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.” I tried not to sound disappointed.

Of course, he left with Matthew. He was a jerk, but they were the hotter couple. Maybe Xander changed his mind about him. Regret struck me for agreeing to this because too many feelings were getting involved. I hadn’t expected them, nor did I know how cool Xander would be.

Tucking my tail between my legs, I headed to the bar and ordered one of those Lucifer drinks, which were strangely tasty.

Shit, I could seethe fake smile on his lips and the disappointment in his eyes. Perhaps I should’ve just stayed, but now that my ploy was in progress, I had to finalize it and finally get Matthew and my grandfather off my back. I intended to fulfill my grandfather’s wishes, but I wanted to find the right person in my own time. Granted, I wasn’t getting any younger, but still, I wanted it to bemychoice and not forced upon me.

Regardless, all this needed to end now, and Matthew needed to move on. I was tired of being chased by a man I had no interest in and tired of Grandfather meddling, god love him.

I followed him to a corner where there were fewer people. He leaned against the wall with his shoulder, facing me. His brows were slammed down over his eyes, and I could tell he was pissed even through all that makeup. He pointed in the general vicinity of where we left Greyson.

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