HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 25

Xander's POV

She settles down on the chair and drops the bouquet of flowers on the table. For a few seconds, I stare at the flowers in annoyance. She doesn't like them. Carly asked me to get her flowers, and I did. But it's not the kind that she likes.

Once again, I'm reminded of the fact that I know next to nothing about my wife.

And that's not okay.

So, I'm annoyed at myself. And I'm struggling not to show it as I bite down on my lower lip, fisting my fingers into a ball fist. I don't like this.

I can't remember the last time I was in a relationship. Just kidding. Of course, I do. I certainly remember the last I was in a relationship.  That was years ago. I'm talking five years ago.

Daniella.

And she left me. Messily. 

She was the first and only woman I was ever serious with but she left me. And now, I can't help thinking that every woman out there that shows interests in me only wants me for what I have. What I own. 

But Alex…

She isn't like that. She won't even succumb to being someone she is not. Not for all the money and deals I offered to her. And getting her where I have her now hasn't been easy. Which is exactly why I have to remember that and not mess things up with her.

She might be the only real person in my life.

After my best friend and Carly, of course.

Alex shifts uncomfortably in her seat and I watch as she tug on her lower lip, nervously. It's a bit strange watching her this way especially as she is never quiet. Half of the time, she is shooting me sarcastic remarks and being fiesty with me.

When I continue to stare at her in silence while she fiddles with pouring herself her coffee, I notice the color coating her cheeks. And I realize why.

“Stop staring, Xander.” She chides, her firm voice uncharacteristically soft.

Unable to help myself, I chuckle out loud while she stops pouring herself coffee. She face palms which makes me laugh even more as her cheeks continues to tinge a pink color.

“Do you have a death wish?” 

“Maybe,” I tease.

If it wasn't her first time, I probably won't understand why she is so shy and uncomfortable with me staring at her like that. But I don't want her to feel that way. The last two hours of our lives were the best I've ever had. Something infernal had snapped in me when I walked into the bathroom earlier and caught her gaze.

Something that had me shoving all my reasons out the window to claim this woman as my wife. Sexually.

“Are you offended that I don't like the flowers?” she asks as I take a bite of my bacon and eggs, enjoying my meal.

I watch her. “No. I'm just annoyed.” 

She looks up from drinking her coffee to glare at me. “At me?” She questions, a shutter falling over her eyes to prepare herself from whatever I'm about to say which surprises me.

“No.” I shake my head, frowning. Taking a gulp of my coffee, I watch her again. She seems confused now.

“No. God, no. I'm just annoyed that I know next to nothing about someone I call my wife.” 

“You don't just call me your wife, Xander. We are officially married now.” She tells me, a sad smile on her face.

“Which is why I have to know you. I barely know you. And honestly, I just thought that Roses would be a fit. They kind of remind me of you.” I explain.