5. Chapter 5

So, there may be something to this fortune-telling thing. I wasn't a believer, but damn, she was kind of spot-on about my falling hard and fast for Xander. The more I got to know him in such a short time—outside of work when he wasn't wearing his grumpy pants—he was pretty chill and fun. And sexy. Let's not forget about sexy, even as Sherlock Holmes. Don't even get me started on the near kiss we had. Damn that adorable couple for interrupting us.

Strangely, after listening to our fortune teller, I kind of wanted this thing between us not to be fake. I would love to try something new and real with Xander. If he wanted a traditional relationship full of structure, I could do that. I could be a positive force for him if he were sensitive to words and heartbreak. Why did I find that even more endearing? As if I needed another reason to crush on him.

But then, I reminded myself I was only his PA. I had nothing to offer him other than to protect him from his grandfather, this Matthew Preston guy, and an overflowing inbox full of unwanted emails and spam. Sure, I could be a great boyfriend, and I was attractive, intelligent, and fun. But I was no Xander Hayes. He was way out of my league, not to mention that people got weird when it came to PAs and their bosses having something romantic between them. People envisioned naughty escapades in the boss's office or secret rendezvous out of town for some steamy nights until they had to face reality and return to the monotony of work and life.

The thought of naughty escapades had my heart beating a little too fast. I shut that right down.

No naughty thoughts about Xander!

"Want to dance?" he asked suddenly, entirely too close to my ear, startling me and sending waves of goosebumps across my skin despite the heat of my wool jacket.

With a deep breath, I put on my mask of confidence. "Does the boss know how to?"

"I am well-versed in salsa, the tango, and ballroom dancing."

I stifled a snort. "Of course you are. I'm talking about the chill-out, move your hips, and wiggle your ass where you let go to the beat type of dancing."

"That's an awfully long name for a dance."

I smirked. "Another joke. Who knew Xander Hayes was so funny?"

"I have my moments."

"So I'm starting to see. Yes, I would love to dance."

We finished our drinks, and then he took the glass from me, placing both empty drinks on the bar before grabbing my hand again. He led us downstairs to the main room, where there was a small dance floor off to the side.

Before we could dance, we were stopped by a man dressed up like Brandon Lee from The Crow , with wavy black hair that fell just below his jaw, wearing that white clown-face makeup, and his costume was all leather. He looked too hot, and I wanted to drag Xander immediately away from him, instantly feeling jealous and insecure. I'd never been cool or looked even remotely that awesome, having always been kind of a nerd. I pushed my glasses up higher on my nose as if to prove that fact.

He stood in front of us, blocking our way, then glanced down at our entwined hands.

"Xander. Who's… this?" The man sniffed down at me like some rich boy snob from those 80s teen movies I watched entirely too often. This had to be Matthew Preston.

Game time .

"Matthew Preston, this is Greyson Everett. Greyson, this is Matthew."

I shook the man's hand before sliding my fingers to Xander's biceps and pressing my body against his. "Xander is my boyfriend," I said, marking my territory, only half faking it.

The man raised a black brow, scanning me up and down before he scoffed. "Not likely. You're not his type."

"And what would you know of my type, Matt?"

"I'm your type. Your grandfather is right. We'll make the perfect match. Not you and this man who's entirely too young for you. Besides, I don't need or want your money."

You could see his restraint to keep from calling me something nasty. I bristled. Sure, Xander was out of my league, but who was this asshat to say? "I've been patiently waiting for you to make up your mind and tell me when you're ready to settle down and start dating, but you've been ghosting me. I don't appreciate it."

Settle down? More like just settling.

"And I appreciate you being patient with me, but since I met Greyson here, we've been attached to the hip. Between work and dating, I just… it slipped my mind. I apologize."

Why was Xander being so nice to his dickhead? He didn't deserve it.

"I can't see it. I don't believe you."

Xander sighed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Why wouldn't you believe me?"

I wrapped my arm around his waist underneath his jacket and gripped his shirt. His back was warm from the heat, and it took all I had not to slip my hand underneath his shirt, too.

Matthew folded his arms. "Fine. How long have you two been dating, and where did you meet?"

I looked up at Xander and pecked his cheek with a kiss. Was that too much? Whatever, I rolled with it. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"

He smirked and kissed my forehead. God, I'd give anything for a real kiss at that point. "I will. It's a great story."

Damn, he was a good actor. Were his insides at war as much as mine were? I worried we couldn't pull this off since Matthew seemed dubious about our mentioned relationship.

"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.