Chapter 3 Lust at first sight.

Stephanie McCain.

I looked up to find a tall man clutching Hayden by the collar of his shirt, his knuckles turning white. I flicked my eyes across the tattoos on his fingers and on his hand.

That's Athena's fucking brother! Xavier.

I met him once before at one of the many functions Athena dragged me off to. I didn't really notice his tattoos then but now, they were all I could see. My heart rattles inside my chest.

Of course I'll recognize those dark, mysterious eyes anywhere. He loomed over Hayden, at least four inches taller. His shoulders are much broader and the expression on his face looked like he was about to commit multiple crimes and not have even an ounce of remorse.

Hayden pushed him off but Xavier stepped forward and squares up to him, leveling his eyes in a death glare. “Trust me, you don't want to cause a scene.” He grunted in his direction. “So I suggest you walk away before I get you kicked out of here for good.”

Hayden's nostrils flared at him as he straightened out his suit. Not once did he glance my way as he strolled across the VIP section, away from our eye line.

Xavier watched him stalk back to where he came from before he turned to me. His face still looked like thunder but they soon softened when they met my eyes.

My stomach hardened as he glanced over my face slowly. “Are you okay?”

I swallowed back the lump in my throat. I attempted to nod but it was far from the truth.

I'm truly fucking not.

Hayden would never talk to me again and I'll have no information to get back to Marcus. He's definitely going to put on a stunt that'll leave me with nightmares for months. I suddenly felt extremely nauseous.

Oh shit. Oh shit.

“Stephanie?” He breathed in a whisper of concern.

For a moment I zoned out, my head becoming extremely light.

“You remember me?” I say with a confused tone.

He nodded swiftly. “Of course. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I managed to choke out. “I'm okay.”

“Did he hurt you?”

I shook my head. “He was just a little bit too handsy.”

“That asshole is lucky he still has hands at all.” He grumbled under his breath.

For a few minutes, neither one of us said anything but he didn't step away. I was still trying to calm down my racing heart.

“Would you like another drink?” He said, finally breaking the silence as he pointed at my empty glass. “I sure need one.”

God knows I needed a drink after what I just went through.

I nodded and pushed myself off of the booth as we both walked across the room to the bar. I noticed that he was glancing at me out of the corner of his eye but he doesn't turn to me completely.

He ordered for the both of us and I thanked him, taking my drink and downing almost half of it in one go.

“How's Athena?” I asked, trying to distract myself with a new conversation. “It's been a while since I saw her.”

“You don't know?” He asked, looking skeptical and I shook my head.

“She's away with her boyfriend on some silly romantic getaway. I'm surprised she didn't tell you.”

Well, I didn't give any room for her to tell me things, did I? Ever since Marcus’ release, I've tried so hard to just isolate myself from her and even everyone I know.

“She's going to be there for the next two weeks, if not more.” Xavier continued, oblivious to my thoughts.

I'm glad she's happy. At least, one of us is. “Sounds amazing.” I flashed him a smile. “I'm jealous.”

Xavier's eyes widened subtly as he leaned onto the bar. “Me too.” He admitted surprisingly.

When I didn't respond immediately, he took in my face. Not my hips or my lips but just my face and suddenly, I felt about two feet taller because he's seeing me. He's really seeing me. I flicked my gaze across his features and feel myself settle into my shoes.

He's gorgeous. Of course he is. Athena is stunning too. Their parents must be Greek gods to produce offsprings like these. Such amazing genes.

Dark tousled hair that's long on the top, pieces resting over his forehead in perfect position. Olive tan skin that looks smooth and silky. I've noticed the scar across his eyebrows before but now, I was really seeing it, cut right across his hair. Looks like he got it from years ago.

I've been terrified of men with scars because they remind me of Marcus, but when I look at Xavier, I don't get the same vibes from him.

“Please don't tell me that man was your date.” Xavier grunts his disapproval as he gestured to the booth I was sitting in before.

I shook my head. “No. Met him tonight. Wouldn't leave me alone.”

“Who are you here with?”

My face reddened as I prepared myself to tell the same lie. “I was waiting for some friends but I'm not sure where they are.”

Xavier studied me for a long moment and I flashed him an unconvincing smile. It was like he could see right through me but he doesn't press me. Instead, he nodded and took a sip of his drink.

"Well, since they're not here yet, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you disappear with me."

I arched a brow. "Disappear where?"

His lips curved, slow and deliberate. "Somewhere quieter. Somewhere where I can show you the proper way to treat a lady."

"And what do those 'better ways' involve?"

I knew the underlying meaning to his words and I should be offended that he was treating me like a sex worker but fuck! My pussy juices were already flowing at the way his voice had dropped an octave.

Too late.

His eyes darkened and he leaned in so close I felt his breath against my ear. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be here alone. I want to make you forget about the experience you just had and give you something better to remember this night by."

A slow involuntary shiver rolled down my spine. I pulled back, meeting his gaze and there was nothing but unshakeable certainty there.

"So where are you taking me?" I asked, choosing to just live in the moment and do something that wasn't controlled by my abusive ex.

He leaned down again, meeting my gaze with those dark eyes of his. "Somewhere I can keep my promise."

My pussy was already throbbing and he hadn't even laid a hand on me yet!

Xavier Othello.

She slid into the back seat of my car like she belonged there, legs poised and crossed in that dress that made it impossible for me to look anywhere else.

I shut the door behind her and rounded up the car, sliding in beside her. "Drive." I told my driver in the front without looking away from her.

I've wanted her right from the very moment I laid my eyes on her some years back when Athena invited her over for one of those silly parties she hosts.

Seeing her again at my friend, Jake's club was like fate daring me for the second time and I wasn't about to miss out on a second opportunity.

Although, I wished I had broken the hands of that motherfucker who tried to force himself on her.

"You still haven't told me where we're going to." She said, one brow arched, forcing me out of my thoughts.

I let my hand rest lazily on the seat between us, close enough for her to feel the heat radiating off me. "That depends." I said.

"On?"

"On whether you're ready to let me distract you the way I promised."

"And how exactly do you plan on distracting me?"

I leaned in just enough for her perfume to mix with my cologne, my voice low and deliberate. "By giving you something better to think about than that piece of shit you had with you at the club. Something you'll still be thinking about tomorrow morning. Something that'll still make you feel my hard dick inside your pussy even when you're not in my bed."

Her breath hitched, not much but enough for me to notice.

I let my eyes drop to her pretty lips before meeting her eyes again but she still didn't say anything. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the most stunning woman I've ever seen and I've never been scared of a woman changing her mind about sex with me the way I was now.

Shit!

I sat back, my arm stretching along the back of the seat behind her. "Last chance to tell me you'd rather go home alone." I said casually, disguising the panic that rose in my chest.

She looked me dead in the eye. "Drive faster."

I exhaled a breath as I smiled, slow and dangerous because I already knew I was about to ruin her for every man after me.