XVIII

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"Shou, where are we going?" Jexanna winced as the pressure began to hurt around her hand. Shou didn't respond to her questions. He just ignored her as her mind swirled. She was confused about Shou's behavior, but more about what the hell just happened between Alpha Stone and herself. Something was wrong. This couldn't just be a physical attraction, right?

Shou had pulled her away from the staircase and was leading her to the edge of the building. Each of their steps filled with complete and utter silence. Shou avoided even talking to her in her mind. Instead, the man was stoic. Something that only meant trouble.

Shou finally stopped in front of a blank door and swung it open before pulling her inside and slamming it shut. Jexanna blinked. He stuffed them into a hall closet at the very edge of the agency. Shou breathed in deep before releasing her hand.

"Shou, start talking." She grumbled, massaging her sore hand.

What the hell is your problem?

"You start talking. What was that?" Shou growled lowly.

"What was what?" Jexanna hissed at him, trying to keep her voice low. Shou didn't seem to get the message.

"That with the Alpha." Shou nearly shouted. ′Play along', his voice entered inside her mind. Jexanna's entire body relaxed instantly. It was just an act.

"You can't be jealous, Shou." She scoffed louder than before. "We both agreed that we weren't exclusive."

"What if I wanted to be?" He spoke so softly that Jexanna's body froze. The tone sent a shock through her system. It was earnest; it was raw, it felt sincere. She gaped at him, her eyes blinking in surprise at him. His eyes met hers with a look she hadn't seen before, one that almost mimicked longing.

"And what have I told you?" She slowly replied, uncertain of how to play the next piece of the conversation. Shou slowly stepped forward, forcing her to retreat into the door. He set both hands against the door, pinning her in place. Shou leaned down, his face mere inches from Jexanna's. Her breath hitched as he took a hand to brush against her cheek gently.

"You have a mate, somewhere." She squeaked as he leaned closer. Jexanna's blue eyes met his softened golden rims and her heart stopped. Shit. He was so damn close.

"And if I said that I didn't give a shit?" He murmured into her ear before trailing his lips against her neck. Gods. The sensation sent tingles throughout her body.

"You can't mean—" A sharp pain on her neck made her freeze. His teeth gently nipped at her skin. He bit her.

"You have no idea how addicting you are." He breathed against her skin. "Damn it." He growled lowly before suddenly grabbing her chin and kiss her almost desperately. His lips met her with such passionate force and hunger that Jexanna almost thought it was real. It felt too real to be fake. She tried to respond as she should have, but it was stiffer than she would have preferred. As his fang gently dug into her bottom lip, she gasped in shock. He took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. It didn't feel like a performance. Who were they performing for anyway?

They're listening. Trust me. Shou's voice entered once more as he moved down to her neck. Think about it. You just spent a long ass time staring each other down. As someone who is in a relationship with you, I should be at least a little jealous. His teeth gently brushed the surface of her skin, traveling down to the nape of her neck. Jexanna understood what was going on. They needed to display Shou pretend that he was annoyed with her attention to Alpha Stone, even be a little jealous about it.

"Shou," She hissed out as his teeth dug gently into her skin and as he gently began to suck the area.

Sorry. But we need to keep up appearances. Shou looked up at her with a small tinge to his cheeks.

I get it. But why did you even feel the need to do this? She replied, rubbing the nape of her neck. Jexanna did not doubt that a purple spot was forming as they conversed. Shou sighed and backed away. His hand smoothed the back of his neck.

Alpha Stone doesn't have a mate.

Yeah, what does that have to do with me? Neither do you. And the last time I checked, you're like a hundred. She raised a brow as he grumbled in response.

Careful. Shou warned her playfully. My point is that I've not seen him interested in a female so much before.

Please, she snorted at the thought. Alpha Stone is trying to figure out if I have any connection to the disease or the black market. She leaned against the wall, crossing her hands. Alpha Stone was dangerous. She tried to keep their interactions as minimal as possible.

I've known you for a while, Jex. And you've never actually looked at someone like that. Shou's eyes narrowed at her.

So? Jexanna didn't understand where he was going.

Jex, you smelled almost aroused. Jexanna's eyes popped out of her socket.

"Excuse me?" She hissed at him, very lowly. Attracted to Raphael Stone of all people? The man who probably would be the head of her execution committee, if he knew that she was the dealer.

Was she stupid?

I'm not sure if you're exactly dense. Anyone can see that Raphael Stone is an attractive man. Shou chimed in. Jexanna's eyes narrowed as she threw a fist at his arm. As soon as it made contact, she winced at the brick wall of muscles she encountered.

Ow. Shou playfully winced, to which she rolled her eyes. The man was a dhampir and built like a tank. If you're attracted to Alpha Stone, I'd suggest that you take things carefully. As I said before, physical playtime is alright, but don't get your feelings involved, my dear.

"You don't have to worry," she replied sweetly, just in case anyone was listening. I'd rather find Garine for a one-night stand before diving into anything with Raphael Stone, physical or emotional.

There are some people you can't just help but be attracted to Jexanna. You should know that by now. Shou remarked matter of factly.

Please, there are lots of things that are more pressing right now. Jexanna took a step forward towards Shou, purposefully messing up his ebony locks. Shou had a faded cut with longer hair on the top. It helped to add to the whole badass vibe that he had.

And besides, if I need a roll in the hay, that's why I have you, right? She patted his cheek playfully before running her finger across his bottom lip. Shou frowned and took her hand away from his face gently.

"Let's get going, we can't be in here all day," Shou grumbled as he went to open the door. Jexanna heard steps walk quickly away from their end of the hall. How many people were interested in their fake relationship? They walked out and Jexanna found a variety of FLA members, pretending to be involved in conversations. But one back stood out among the crowd. Their deep brown hair was pushed back in frustration as they kept their phone next to their ear, not bothering to turn around. Her brow raised in surprise.

Raphael Stone?

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