Why do I even care?

ALEXANDER

Watching him mulling over my words. I felt apprehensive. I couldn't explain it. I felt scared, and my anxiety spiked up, but I tried not to act like I actually cared. My left leg tapped impatiently, and my heart raced with anticipation.

Aithan's expressions did nothing to quell my apprehension. The way he furrowed his brows, biting his lower lip as he watched me, made me imagine the worst. What was I thinking when I asked him to work with me? Was I out of my senses? How could I do such a childish thing?

What if he notices the body? Would he be that excited to work with me knowing I lied to him about the assassin?

I fidgeted, my palms growing sweaty. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios. I should have known this wouldn't work, my plan to make him work with me, so I could tease him some more didn't seem that good when I think about it now.

Suddenly, he looked up, his eyes locking onto mine. I held my breath, waiting for the verdict. It was coming, I could tell.

“Yes,” he said finally, bringing his hand out for a shake.

Relief washed over me, followed by a surge of excitement. I exhaled, feeling the tension melt away. I grinned, extending my hand. “Let's do this.”

The moment my palm touched his, I felt a shock, so intense it almost brought me to my knees. He must have felt the same because he snatched his hand back, his eyes narrowing. “What the hell are you playing at?” He accused, his eyes narrowing to slits. He didn't seem happy.

“I didn't do anything.” I lifted my hands in mock surrender, stepping away from him, to avoid getting stepped on again. “I also felt that. Could it be our connection?” I teased, leaning close only to freeze when I saw his clenched fists.

"In your fucking dreams!”

“Oh darling, if this should be my dream, we would do something else. Like you on your knees —”

“Complete those words if you don't want babies!” He threatened, his eyes going to my balls.

I should have been scared or even tried to cover my balls, but I didn't. Grinning, I ran my fingers through my hair, removing the bangs on my face — father thought it was awesome to leave my hair down instead of in the usual bun I like. “If I'm with you, why will I need a child? Unless you can pump one out through your —”

But before I could finish, his fist connected with my jaw, sending shockwaves through my entire body. I stumbled backwards, eyes wide with surprise as I looked at him. Funny enough, I didn't punch him back, something I would have done if someone else did that. Hell, they wouldn't have even thrown one.

“What did you do that for?” Glaring, I massaged my sore jaw. “You could have punched me in the stomach. Why go for my face? Scared others will fall in love with me?” I teased, having not learned my lesson. If I had, I wouldn't be teasing him.

His eyes blazed with fury at my words, chest heaving. “Don't. Ever. Say. That. I'm only letting you off the hook because of your father. The next time you say those words to me, you will get more than a punch.”

I felt a thrill at his words. Not the sacred kind, more like the excited one. Thinking of him being angry surprisingly turned me on.

Okay, I think I need to get laid tonight. I just fucking need to get him off my mind before this becomes disastrous. I might even end up tackling him to the ground just to relieve my pent-up frustration.

Smiling, I raised my hands, palms up, winking, “I wouldn't mind having you angry, baby.”

“You are impossible!” Glaring, he turned to resume the walk back to the house, and I ran after him.

I watched him walk, wondering if I was okay. I still hated his guts, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't help having other thoughts about him, like the one I always had, with him on his knees, swallowing my dick.

I jumped back into the house after him, lazily walking behind because I loved the view. I couldn't stop staring at that tight arse in those tight slacks that needed to be burned because of the thoughts it gave to me.

My father was waiting by the door when I reached. Without sparring a glance at Aithan, he nodded at me before turning to Aithan's foster dad, “We will be on our way.” Those words, supposedly friendly, seemed like he laced them with lead.

Aithan's father nodded curtly, turned and strode into the house, with Aithan close on his heels, leaving me alone with my fuming father.

He looked towards me, his gaze taking me in, lingering on my face before he turned. It was then that I realized he could tell Aithan punched me. The thing still stung, so the mark must still be there.

Exhaling, I walked behind him to the car. He didn't say a word until we were inside.

“Why didn't you fight back?” His words were clipped, his tone so cold, showing his emotions.

“Fight back?” I touched my cheek, biting my lip when a smile wanted to form. “Have you forgotten why we came? Of course, I couldn't fight back.”

“Just like you did when he punched you at the gala meet?”

It was my fault.

I wished to say but didn't. Instead, I exhaled. “It's all for the show. I'm just letting him think he has the upper hand.”

I just can't get myself to touch him. 

It was crazy how someone I always dreamed of punching turned out to be someone I wouldn't dare touch. I still hated him, but not enough to punch him.

I peered down at my hand, recalling the feeling that travelled through it when his hand touched me. For the first time since it happened, I wondered what that might have been.

"That's great." Nodding, Father kept his gaze forward as the driver started the car. A few minutes into the drive, he turned to me, brown eyes shin

ing in malice as he whispered, “Burn their new warehouse. Tonight.”