Addicted to the Billionaire

-23-

I wake up in my own bed. I groan as I roll over and squint at the alarm clock placed by my bedside. The time reads 9:07. How long have I slept?

I slowly get out of bed, still groggy from sleep and walk into the bathroom. Ten minutes and a long shower later, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. I spend most of my time thinking of Xavier and how we cuddled against each other yesterday, my head on his chest and his hands wrapped around me. I blush at the cute memory. Vaguely, I wonder where he is right now. It's already past nine, so he's probably gone to work, and since I am suspended, I can't go to school, so I am all alone in the big house, meaning that I can finally do what I've wanted to do for a long time – explore.

Quickly, I put on a big white t-shirt that stops at my knees which I find in my wardrobe and step out onto the landing. The house is so huge, but I know where I want to go first – Xavier's bedroom. And no, it's not creepy or stalkerish at all.

On the other side of the large hallway, I see a huge door, which I am certain leads me to the master bedroom, and I open it softly, gasping at the sight that meets me.

Xavier's bedroom is huge. There is a king sized bed, a wardrobe, a cabinet full of neatly arranged books, and a chandelier which gives the room a golden glow. Other than that, the room is empty – no Xavier. I jump on the king sized bed a bit, then go through the books on the shelf which are all advanced business books. One book though, stands out – the title is "Getting Over a Loved One – The Art of Moving On"

Interesting.

"Are you going to check my wardrobe too?"

I jump in shock, turning around quickly, my face totally red. Xavier is standing behind me, shirtless with a towel round his waist and wet hair which is plastered to his forehead.

I try to find words, but I fail hopelessly, and I don't know if it's because of my embarrassment at being caught creeping through his clothes, or how sexy he looks shirtless with wet hair.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work", I finally manage to say, though my voice is two octaves higher than normal.

Xavier cocks his head to one side, as if considering the question.

"Well", he says eventually, "one of the benefits of owning my own company is that I can take a day off if I want to"

And of course he would choose to take a day off when I was shamelessly ransacking his room.

"You look nice.", Xavier interrupts my thoughts. "Wearing my t-shirt suits you"

I notice for the first time that I am almost completely naked in front of Xavier, and I am mortified by the realization.

I mumble something and step and turn towards the door so that I can go back to my room, but Xavier grabs my hand, pulling me towards his chest so that I am facing him. I cannot resist the urge to run my hands over his abs which are just as hard as I imagined them to be.

"I'm sorry", he whispers, his hands running through my hair. "I always seem to mess things up with you."

My embarrassment melts away at the sweet sincerity of his apology. He is really changing.

I hug him. "I was just embarrassed.", I explain. "You caught me in an awkward position, but it isn't your fault."

Xavier pulls away, then places a kiss on my forehead.

"So why did you take a day off?", I ask, trying to ignore the monster butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Xavier release me, using one hand to push his hair off his forehead.