HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 26

Alexa's POV

I hold my breath as Xander slowly chews the hot cookie he just threw into his mouth. Usually, I'm not concerned or bothered about someone eating or tasting one of the meals I make.

But it's Xander.

He has eaten in the finest places, has the best cooks, and dined with notable chefs. And that's something. Or a lot, I can't make up my mind.

However, that is not what bothers me.

What I can't seem to stop being nervous about is that since I finished culinary school,  the only person I have cooked for is myself. Sure, I worked as a chef in a restaurant, but I never took on tasks that allowed me to fully express myself. They never allowed it. 

Just the way culinary school had been hard for me.

I almost didn't see it through.

Xander hums lowly, which makes the hair on my body stand. The corners of his lips tilt up, and I watch him reach for another one. Folding my hands in front of me, I meet him with a cold glare that should have him speaking immediately.

“Alright.” He raises both of his hands up right after shoving the other piece of cookie he took from the tray.

“You know,  you are a real nutcase.” I jab, eyeing him but still feeling nervous.

“Hmm,” he smiles as he leans against the kitchen island. With a smile that stuns me for a second and makes me forget why I am nervous, I continue to stare at him.

“Honestly, it's very good.” He finishes eating the one he had shoved in his mouth and reaches for another. I slap his hand away.

“Be serious.” I chide softly, biting down on my lower lip.

“It's really good, Alexa. I don't know what you did with the flavors, but they are good.” 

I roll my eyes. “Well, everything tastes good when you are hungry.” I sigh as I leave him with the cookies.

The weight of insecurity burrows itself deep inside me again, and I slowly take off the apron I have been wearing. Xander is leaning against the table, quietly watching me. I walk to the door without turning to look at him. The maids are all around as though they are waiting for me to just summon them in.

“I have some cookies in the oven. Already set the timer, though.” I tell the head cook, Greta. 

The older woman nods, and I continue on my way. Usually, when I feel like this, I just sink into myself. Probably cry or sleep it off. But I really haven't cried in a long time, so I am not banking on crying. But sleeping is also not an option, especially as I feel anything but sleepy.

My kimono jacket trails behind me as I move to the patio where the evening sun is just setting. It's surreal to watch nature look this beautiful. Usually, I never notice, especially when I'm always trudging down the sidewalks of NY after a very tiring shift where I have been made a waiter instead of a cook.

I never complain, though. 

It pays the bills and leaves me with tips, so why should I?

I hear someone come in, but I don't turn. The fresh out of shower smell with the manly cologne I am now used to signify me that it's Xander. He comes to stand beside me, and for a few minutes, we just stand there in silence, watching the sun set slowly. 

It's such a beautiful sight.

“Let's take a walk,” he says.

I look up at him, astounded that he has suggested something like that. Only looking at him and the look on his face is telling me that it's not a suggestion. I open my mouth to say something, maybe tease him and make light of the situation as I don't like doing ‘awkward’ but the contact his fingers make with mine as he wraps his big hand around mine makes something in me flutter.