Page 71 of Xander
I looked at her and lifted a brow, “The fuck are you talking about?”
“You’re staying away from me, Xander. You're not going to give me all that is you and then take it away from me.”
I lifted a brow again, “Is that right?”
And then she winked, dropped her hand from her hip, and stalked forward.
And when she was close enough, she fisted my tee in her tiny hand and yanked.
I swayed forward, and when her lips met mine... my distance... it was done for.
Just like I was done for where this woman was concerned.
She showed me that night with vivid clarity just how wrong I was to stay away from her.
***
I was sitting beside Nola as she worked on some homework, trying to get ahead for the next week, when Ophelia walked over.
“We’re taking Soraya to the carnival. Do you guys want to come?” Ophelia asked
I watched as her eyes lit up, and then they slowly dimmed, a small smile playing on her lips.
I saw it.
Caught it.
Read it.
She wanted to go, but for me... she wasn’t going to go.
Instead of answering Ophelia, she leaned back in her seat and said, “Y’all go ahead and go. Have a good time.”
Leaning forward so only she could hear me, I said, “We can go if you want to.”
I brought her hand to my lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
Specifically, over the very knuckle that led to a very important finger, I would never be able to place a ring on.
Not that I thought she would say no.
Nothing fucking like that.
But because I didn’t want to taint her with the last name I fucking hated.
The last name that tied me to that fucking person that I sadly share fucking DNA with.
She smiled softly, but I could see it behind her eyes.
She wanted to go, but she knew that I would be uncomfortable.
It made my chest tighten.
What was she giving up for me?
Before I could tell her we would go, she shook her head, “I got a few more assignments to knock out.”
Ophelia glanced at me and smiled, and when Nola dropped her head back down to work on her assignments, she mouthed, “It’s okay. She gets it.”
