5. Xavier

5

XAVIER

Unknown: Have you missed me?

Me: Depends on who ‘me' is.

M y lips tug up in a grin. I know exactly who it is. I'd be lying if I said I haven't spent the last two days waiting expectantly for this exact message, despite knowing better.

Unknown: How often do you go around giving strangers your number?

Me: Ah, well if it isn't my little hurricane blowing through. Let me guess, you can't get me out of your head.

Nyx: I already regret texting you.

Me: I don't think you do.

Nyx: You know your confidence is bordering on cocky.

I laugh as I type out my next message.

Me: When can I see you again?

Nyx: Tonight.

Me: How do you feel about Italian?

Nyx: How do I feel about a cuisine based almost exclusively around carbs? Pretty good.

I chuckle as I lean back on my desk chair. Fuck . This is not right. I shouldn't be wanting this girl. I didn't go to that club to pick her up. I went to find my son. And she's young. Too young.

She might be the key to finding him . A little voice inside my head tells me. Maybe I can use her to fish for information.

There's nothing wrong with spending time with her. I can keep my dick in my pants. As soon as I have that thought, I'm assaulted with memories of my face between her legs. She tasted so goddamn sweet. It had taken everything in me to pull away when she finished.

Enjoy that memory, because that was the last time .

Me: Send me your address and I'll send a car to pick you up at seven.

Nyx: Thanks, but no thanks. I'll drive myself.

Of course, she wouldn't accept my offer.

Me: If you insist. Villa Rosa at eight then.

Nyx: Swanky. I'll see you then.

I'm sitting at our table when Nyx arrives. I watch as her eyes sweep the private room I reserved for us. She's wearing a black dress that ends mid-thigh and ties around her neck, leaving her shoulders and back exposed.

" Hello ." I stand, finally catching her attention.

" Hi , how did you manage this? Last I heard, getting a table reservation here required a year's notice and the promise of a kidney—much less a room."

I shrug. " I know the owner."

" Huh . Figures ."

She walks toward her seat, and I note the dark snake tattooed on her back, winding its way up her spine.

" Order anything you'd like."

" Thanks . I planned on it." She smirks, picking up the menu.

I hold back my chuckle. After we've both placed our orders, I cut to the chase. " You intrigue me, hurricane. Probably a bit too much. Tell me about yourself."

" What do you want to know?" she asks, picking up her glass of merlot.

" Everything . I suppose I should get the most basic question out of the way though. How old are you?"

" I'm twenty-five. How old are you?"

I wince. " Forty -five."

To my surprise she hardly bats an eye at my age. Just nods her head.

" And I'm not by chance taking another man's woman on a date, am I ?" I hold my breath, waiting for an answer. Either way, it doesn't matter.

She places the glass down, staring at me intently before she responds. " One , do you really think I would be here if I were seeing someone? Two , I am no man's woman. Ever ."

" You don't date?"

" I fuck." I damn near choke on my bourbon and she rolls her eyes, a small laugh slipping from between her full lips. " I didn't mean to scandalize you. Are you hoping to lock me down, Xavier ?"

The way she says my name sends a jolt straight to my cock, and I force myself to breathe.

" I think I'd be a fool to try."

" I thought a man like you would like a challenge."

" I do." I smile, taking another sip of my drink.

" There's no one else at the moment, if that's what you're curious about." She offers that tidbit with assurance, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. At the end of the day, I know that sleeping with this girl is off the table, but damn if she doesn't make it tempting.

" Good to know." I polish off the rest of the amber liquid in my glass.

" What about you? No wife and kids?"

The mention of children causes a near painful sensation in my heart. My son. He should be my focus, not fucking this raven-haired girl who lives in his town.

" I'm divorced."

" Oh , do tell." She places her chin on both of her hands, batting her eyelashes at me.

" There's not much to tell. We tried, but it didn't work out, so we parted ways." I expect her to ask more questions, but she seems content with the answer I've given her. Truth be told, I don't have much more to say on the matter. I spent three years of my life married to my ex-wife, Miranda . We had gotten married after I was released and they were good years, but nothing remarkable. By the end of the relationship, she had come to the realization that she needed someone who wasn't so focused on work and we agreed that we were both better off as friends. " There were no kids, so the split was easy. I have a son from before my marriage, but we've lost touch."

" Oh …" I can see that she's contemplating what to say as the server brings out our food.

I'm not sure how much I should divulge on the matter right now myself. The whole point of seeing her again was to find out if she could help lead me to Harrison , but I don't want to come off too strong.

" It must be hard not being close with your child."

" It is." I cut into my chicken. " Are you close with your parents?"

She snorts. " Not at all. My dad left when I was a kid and my mom… Well , let's just say we had a falling out."

" Is it irreparable?"

" Very much so."

" I'm sorry to hear that."

" Don't be. She isn't."

I wonder what could have possibly happened, but I don't know her well enough to ask personal questions, and it's not my place to pry.

We continue to eat in silence and when she's finished, she pushes her plate of carbonara away from her, leaning back with a strong exhale. " I'm stuffed."

I should let her go back to Ravenscroft . That would be the smart choice. But I can't. " How would you feel about a nightcap?"

" I would feel you're trying to get me into your home. Are you trying to take advantage of me, Mr . Atwood ?"

Something about her addressing me so formally sends a rush of blood directly to my cock. What am I doing? I should end the night here and let her leave.

" Is that what you want, hurricane? To be taken advantage of?"

" Yes ."

Fuck .

" I'll have two of my drivers come, one can drive your car to my place, but you're riding with me." I pick up my phone to tell them we're ready to go.

" No ."

" No ?" I repeat, confused.

" I'll drive us."

This makes me laugh. I don't know much about Nyx , but insisting that she drive me herself seems in line with her behavior thus far.

I raise an eyebrow. " You want to drive?"

" Don't tell me you're one of those misogynist dicks that thinks he's too good to be driven around by a woman." Her eyes are locked on me, gaze unwavering. " It only makes sense. My car is here, and you didn't drive, so I can take us both."

" You don't know the way."

She rolls her eyes. " Then you'll tell me. I think you'll make a wonderful passenger princess."

I don't have much of an argument, so I put my phone down and relent. " Alright , let's go."