Xavier's POV Like someone who has been awaiting my return, she jumps up from the bed the moment I push the bedroom door open. With my creased brows, I venture fully into the bedroom to see her rubbing her hands over her sleepy eyes.She must have been asleep. I thought as much."Welcome", she murmurs in a sleepy tone before darting her eyes to the wall clock. It is 11 pm."Thanks", I say in a low tone like hers. I wonder why she is welcoming me home. I am thinking she will be fast asleep, probably because she is still trying to avoid me like she did this morning after seeing each other naked or because she can hardly hold back her sleep.When I walk to the closet, she follows behind me, making me more curious about what she really wants.Now, I am more than sure this isn't a coincidence. She wants something.I whirl around suddenly, making her almost bump into me. I raise a questioning brow at her, waiting for her to spill whatever it is she wants.Smiling shyly, she plays with her f
Jasmine's POV With my stomach growling loudly, I flutter my eyes open to the brightness of the room and my awkward sleeping position.My legs are all over the place with my head right on the space where Xavier is supposed to sleep.I rise immediately, wondering where he went and if I was the cause of his sleeplessness. Obviously, he didn't sleep here.Remembering how famished I am, I step down from the bed, typing the robe around my waist and slipping my feet into my flip flop which is on the soft pom pom rug beside the bed.My eyes fly to the tray of food from last night reminding me of how he refused to eat anything last night despite my effort. I stalk towards it and open the food to see it is untouched. It is the way I left it last night.I sigh deeply.I should have known he wouldn't eat. I should have known I won't be able to persuade him. I understand people like this. Their fear of puking overrides the desire to eat.Maybe I should persuade him more, right? Should I beg him?
Jasmine's POV Unshed tears cloud my sight as I race into the mansion, making for the staircase to do the only thing that comes to my head.Vicenzo is here. Xavier is torturing him.Obviously, Xavier is a Mafia just like I predicted. I was right. I should have known but he was hiding that from me.Did Andre know he was a mafia too? Was that why she left him?Vicenzo is covered with blood and bruises. Any man that can turn the dangerous Vicenzo that way is definitely one to be scared shit of.I can't do this.I can't swallow this.I need to go. I can't do this anymore.The pain I feel right now is excruciating. Just like the pain of one who has been shot in the head. Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he tell me he was into the Mafia business just like Vicenzo? Why didn't he tell me he had gotten his hands on Vicenzo? How do I convince him that torturing Vicenzo won't stop him from coming after me?Tired of all the thinking, I burst into the room. I shouldn't bother myself about all of
Andre's POV A sardonic smile lifts up the man's face making him look more handsome in the glorious illumination of the nightclub.It makes me smile too beneath my mask.He has been coming for days now. I have noticed him just like how I got his attention the very first day he got here.He reminds me of him. He reminds me of that monster, Xavier because of his goddamn handsomeness and I am being careful not to fall into a trap again like the last time Xavier almost caught me.I'm been laid back now because I haven't received any call from mother yet. No warning calls.She usually calls whenever she has information about his men being around and what I do is to disappear into thin air.The game of hide and seek so far with Xavier is exhilarating. It makes my head swell so much with pride and makes me enjoy the game all the more. The more frustrated he is, the more happy I become. It makes me feel fulfilled and I am ready to keep up with this for as long as it can lasts.But one thing i
Xavier's POV Her lips are soft and gentle.It was meant to be a quick kiss to shut her up but the moment she opens her mouth wider after coming to terms with the fact that I have my lips on hers, it pushes me over the edge, filling me with desire and the splitting image of her nakedness.She obviously wants me to explore the insides of her mouth as she permits me to thrust my tongue in. So soft like a feather, I continue to brush my lips against her, enjoying the delicate feel of her soft lips. When my hand touches the almost exposed thigh from her silky robe that gives me impossible imagination, I imagine what it would be like to have her in my arms like this every night the same way other men do to their wives.It's been ages.It's been a while since I have been with a woman and I reckon this is the reason for this desire.But it is wrong.Everything about this is wrong.Wanting to keep her shut by giving her a brief kiss which is obviously now more than brief.My lips on hers. An
Andre's POV In a moving car and with a banging headache, I flicker my eyes open. The brightness from God knows where makes me shut my eyes back immediately. Then I open it back only to collide my gaze with that of the strange. The strange familiar man from earlier. The same man I found attractive and damn good looking. It's bewildering how attractive I find him. His dark brown hair looks thick and silly and the little stumble on his jaw accentuates his manliness making me suck a breath. The tuxedo he is changed in now makes him look like a god. I suck in another breath when it sinks it. I was in the dressing room after a strip dance when Andre and Mathew came in and I lost consciousness. My eyes widen in fear as I let it shift to the man before me again. Fear slither down my spine at my mistake. My yet again recklessness. I should have known he was working for Xavier. I shouldn't ignore my instinct but I was too drawn by his attractiveness allowing it to cloud my mind. All I
Jasmine's POV A new feeling engulfs me, twisting my heart into a painful lump as I stare into space, thinking about what happened a few minutes ago; the sight of Vicenzo on that torture chair in the next building and the way Xavier slammed his lips onto mine.Unconsciously, my fingers go to my lips and I trace them, wondering what made him do that.Is he attracted to me? Were my lips calling to him? Was he able to read my mind when I was thinking of how his lips would feel on mine?A sudden wave of cold engulfs me, reminding me of who he truly is. I was about to leave because of my fear for him but here I am, still stuck simply because he commanded me not to move an inch.Why the hell should I obey him? He doesn't respect me a bit and now he thinks a kiss will solve everything?Of course not. I am not a fool. I might not be as courageous as Andre but I won't let him make a fool of me.Stubbornly, I drop the jacket in my hand and move to the bed to grab my phone. Just like I have been
Jasmine's POV Calmly, I squat down beside the pool and let my hand touch the water as a smile touches my lips, even though it is cold. I am intrigued by the beauty of this pool and it is tempting me to go inside. I am not really an expert when it comes to swimming but I love water so much. But I don't have a swimsuit and I can't go in my full clothes. Sighing loudly, I sit at the edge and let my leg drift into the waters, calming my entire existence and taking me to another world of imagination as my eyes drift close. I don't know how long I am sitting here or how long I have my feet in the water until I hear the approaching sound of someone's feet. I flutter my eyes open immediately and turn slightly with a cold glare, thinking it is the guard again. The other one must have stayed back in the house. Surprisingly, it isn't the guard. It is the one person who makes me feel a whole lot of emotions. The same person who makes me feel irate and the same person who makes a shiver of
Xavier's POV If there is anything I regret, it is inviting Alex to witness this and also asking him for advice on how to propose. The asshole clearly told me to use G****e which I did. Jasmine's kiss stops me from minding the silly jerk. I was ready to punch him in the face for spilling the beans and embarrassing me like that. Dragging me behind her with Alex acting all childish makes me wonder how Andre fell in love with the idiot. When we get inside, they all begin to chatter away leaving me to watch in awe. A lot has changed about me. Jasmine has changed me. Aside from Grandmother, I hate having family time like this. I don't know if it's because I barely have time for such or it's because it reminds me so much of my parents. I just hated it. But now, I have a new family. Aside from my Grandmother. Alex and Sophia are now part of that family despite my effort to push them away forever. Jasmine's gaze meets mine and she signals to come to take a seat while Alex pops the c
Jasmine's POV With a blindfold over my face and after several attempts to get him to spill the beans about where we are going, the car comes to an abrupt stop.From the screeching sound, I can tell it is on sandy ground. It pricks my hibernating curiosity and I turn around unable to see anything.Finally, I felt his touch after hearing the sound of the car door opening. He places his hand on my back and another on my lap. Then he helps me out of the car without a word.Where are we? What is happening? What surprise awaits me here?I can't help but wonder, managing to hide away the fear gnawing at my heart as I push down the choking tide of panic building.Unable to hold it back any longer, I voice out barely in a whisper. "Where are we, Xavier?"He hushes me up as he helps me take slow steps on the sandy ground towards somewhere. The cool air hits my face as soon as we come to a stop. I am tempted to pull off the tight blindfold and look around. As if hearing my thought, he holds my
Xavier's POV Throbbing with a wild, raw, and primal feeling inside me, my tongue slides deep between her parted lips.From the moment she stepped into the restaurant, all I could see was her and all I could feel was pure admiration. She looked so beautiful and elegant in that black long dress that I could barely hold myself back from touching her.The sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face didn't help in quenching my desire. The thought of being more intimate with each other intensified the heated lust already raging inside of me, filling me with wild and crazy imaginations of what I would do to her.The car comes to a stop and I flutter my eyes open, my hands on her back and my lips still on her.I couldn't resist not touching her as soon as we got into the car. She responded with the same energy and I almost lost it.Lifting my head, I brush back a stray piece of hair with my fingers. We local gazes for a second, breathless from the kiss before I say. "Let's get out of here.
Jasmine's POV Stepping out of the white limo with an INGOO sleeveless backless black dress and cross strappy heels, saying I am anxious is an understatement.My heart is thumping wildly within my ribcage.My hands are trembling slightly despite my firm hold on my tiny purse.My lips are quivering in excitement mixed with nervousness as I glance around to see Mathew appear in front of me.He is wearing a black official suit.Before I can ask him where Xavier is, he presents a bouquet to me. I gasps slowly before taking it from him without any question.I'm sure this is from Xavier.With that in mind, I begin to feel teary. Bowing down, he sways his right hand towards a direction which I assume is where Xavier is. There is a door at the entrance and staring up at the high building, I see it is a diner.It is so beautiful from outside.Flashing him a smile, I walk along graciously, feeling tingles of excitement as I perceive the scent of the flowers in my hands.The transparent door sw
Xavier's POV It took everything in me to say those words.Finally, I breathed out when it came out.I had to breathe in and out, unlocking my heart to say the one thing I have never said to any woman.Desire floods through me as I caress her entire body, deepening the kiss. Her body trembles with passion as she whispers against my lips. "I love you too, Xavier."It is taking everything in me not to scoop her up and throw her to the bed, to show her just how I want and love her and just how much I want to worship her beautiful milky body.She brings out a different part of me. That part I don't want to show anyone. She has managed to pull down that strong high wall I built around myself which makes me think I can never feel the emotion called love again.She holds onto me strongly, as though she is scared I will disappear. I hold her back with the same firmness, letting her melt into me with pleasure.Before I know it, I'm kissing her like she is the last air I need to breathe. I neve
Jasmine's POV I can feel his fear. His fear of confessing his love for me and also the fear of not confessing so he wouldn't lose me.It makes me want to feel glad that my feelings are being reciprocated though not vocally. I have never been in a relationship before just like how he has never been in a serious relationship either.We are both new to this but I am willing to do all it takes for it to work, including confessing my love for him over and over again. But from what just happened, I realize Xavier isn't ready to do what I want. What I feel right now is anger. Pure anger coursed through me for his show of jealousy when he hasn't even admitted his feelings for me.If it wasn't Alex and it was just a casual friend of mine, is this how he would have embarrassed me publicly?So much for causing a scene.Ignoring the chuckle from Alex who is bleeding, I storm towards the exit, murmurs rising from others in the restaurant.I didn't slap Catherine when she introduced herself as
Xavier's POV Jasmine isn't home.She has been ignoring me since we got back from Chicago. Our plan to go on an official date is ruined again.And I fucking miss her.I miss kissing and cuddling with her on our matrimonial bed. I know she needs some space and I gave her space. We haven't slept in the same bed for two days now.After deciding to put an end to all of this and inviting Nicholas and his wife to the mansion so we can clear the air, she isn't home.I tried her number but it is unreachable.Sebastian, who is a threat, is gone already but I still don't feel ok having gone without prior notice or any bodyguard with her.Anything can happen.Being my wife makes her an easy target.Restlessly, I pace the extent of our bedroom, trying her number again and again until it starts to ring.After ringing for almost a minute, it goes into voicemail.Goddammit!Impatiently, I stroll out heading towards the control room. I hope she hasn't done anything silly.I know she is sad about kno
Jasmine's POV My Aunt's flat is the third one. Seeing that he is at the first flat, I nod at him in appreciation. He must be a local for him to have known the description so well.I tap Xavier and we both get down. The driver is going to wait till we are done so we can take us back to the airport.Xavier wanted us to come with his helicopter but I told him not to. I have my reasons.Dropping out of college was not intended. I wanted to go to school but I had to drop out when I could not afford my fees.Despite the years of working my ass off, I still don't have any savings. But I intend to still go back to school which was why I was in search of another job in Chicago before I crossed paths with Xavier.I don't mind going part time but I intend to start working again so I can afford my fees and go back.When we get close to the flat, I knock on the door and Xavier holds my hand, making me flash him a smile.I can hear rustles from inside and a few seconds later, the door is thrown op
Jasmine's POV My aunt lives in the slum part of Chicago and I feel uncomfortable having Xavier with me on our way to see her.Even though I feel safer with him beside me. I snuggle closer to him in the back seat of the car we hired. We have been silent since we got to the airport.He keeps pressing kisses to my forehead and hair and it amazes me.Even though Xavier still has not said the love word, I know I mean a lot to him. It just saddens me that he doesn't know how to express his feelings vocally.This should be enough. His actions ought to be enough but I am not satisfied. I want assurance. I want him to say the word. I want us to be free with each other. To be able to tell each other anything and everything. To be able to share secrets. To understand each other's silence too.I don't regret loving him. I don't regret telling him I loved him anymore too. I just want him to say it back to me."We should go out to a nice restaurant after you meet with your Aunt, what do you think?