Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Three

Naia

Given that we had jobs we cared about, I managed to use the excuse of having work the following day to avoid having that talk with Damian. I mean yes, I had said I was going to just get it over with and face him like a man, but that was so much easier in theory than it was in practice.

I had just gotten to my work station at the research center to which I was employed, only to find that someone had put a huge vase of white roses in my cubby. I walked up and read the card hoping to find out who the correct recipient was, but was shocked to see that they were in the right place. The horrendously expensive-looking flowers were mine. I would have found the gesture endearing if I didn't absolutely hate flowers, they were murder to my sinuses. I flipped the card over wondering if the sender had signed it and found what I was looking for, but it was the last name I ever expected to see.

Zandre Alexander. My heart stuttered just at the sight of his confident, masculine hand writing. Against my better judgment I leaned forward and smelled them, more than willing to suffer through congestion for the day just because they were from him.

As if you aren't already in enough trouble because of him, my conscience scolded me.

I sighed, put them back in my cubby and went to work for the day, maybe I'd know what to do with them by lunch. Better yet, maybe I'd know how to feel about them by then.

A little before noon, Lia texted me asking me to meet up with her for lunch at the Sweet Tooth café and bakery that was about five minutes away from my office. I texted back agreeing to the meet up, put my equipment away and left the lab. Not wanting to risk getting caught in traffic I decided to make the walk over there.

Once I arrived and was seated, I took out my cell phone to ask Lia where she was but saw a text from her saying she was running late because something came up and telling me to go ahead and order without her. I sighed, I had really wanted to see her to talk to her and get an outside opinion about those flowers that I just couldn't find the will to throw away. I was so caught up in my thoughts and perusing the menu that I didn't notice anyone approaching me until the person was seated across from me.

"A penny for your thoughts?" The very voice that had been wreaking havoc in my subconscious asked.

"What are you doing here?" I asked tiredly, giving him a halfhearted glare.

The truth was my heart was racing and I had to clutch my menu for dear life to keep myself from caressing the light stubble gathering around his beard. As if sensing my struggle he reached across the table, took one of my hands from the menu and began stroking the back of it lightly with his thumb. I suppressed a pleased shudder at the contact.

"Why do you think Xanaia? You've been avoiding me," he said, giving no indication that he was upset except for a light squeeze to my hand.

It was true after all, I had been avoiding his texts and phone calls although I didn't even know how the sexy creeper got my number to begin with. Anything was possible really, he was a very influential man.

"What would you have me do? I can't be seeing you," I sighed, feeling guilty about still not coming clean to Damian.

"Why not?" He asked with obvious frustration.

I pulled my hand from his, hoping that the distance would help clear my head of the effect he had on me. It didn't, but at least this way I could lie without my shaking hands blowing my cover.

"Listen Zandre-" I began.

"I love the way you say my name Xanaia," he told me huskily, I clutched my thigh to keep myself from responding to that tone.

"I-I don't want to be involved with you anymore," I said not surprised that my voice lacked confidence, the man was making me warm and wet in places that were not appropriate for this time of day or for our current location as a matter of fact.

He pushed his chair back and stood, but I couldn't meet his gaze as I was afraid he would call me out on my blatant lie. He walked around the table towards me, stopped directly beside me and grasped my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to meet his gaze for a few moments before a slow smile graced his lips.

"You see the problem is Xanaia, I really don't believe you and you don't believe yourself either," he whispered as he leaned down and kissed my slightly parted lips causing my heart to pound painfully against my chest.

"I'll be seeing you again soon baby," he stated and brushed a few hairs that had escaped my ponytail away from my face before leaving.

I couldn't stop myself from turning to watch him go. I had a sinking feeling that this was a battle I was going to lose. Heck, I wasn't even a contender in this fight. I sighed and checked my phone, Lia had ended up canceling overall since she wouldn't be able to make it before my lunch hour ended. I was actually relieved because I doubt I could face her in my current state. I went inside to order a sandwich to go, deciding to eat at work as I was no longer able to stand being here. I needed the security of somewhere I was comfortable or if I was honest somewhere I hoped he wouldn't be able to get to me. Although, I honestly doubted even the facility's stringent security measures could keep a man that determined away from his goal, which unfortunately happened to be me.

Zandre

I sat in my car and waited for her to return to work so I could assure myself she was safe. Once she was inside the building I pulled away and dialed Damian on the car phone.

"How'd it go?" He asked promptly.

"I'd like to say it went well," I replied smugly.

I smiled thinking about the way her pulse jumped when our skin came in contact and the way she allowed me to kiss her even though I had called her out on a lie mere seconds before. I was confident she wanted me just as much as I did her, which was what I was aiming to find out from this encounter. I had to be sure the night we spent together wasn't just in the heat of the moment. I needed to know that my attention wasn't unwanted.

"It better have been, because Lia is hopping mad that I stopped her from seeing Naia today," he mumbled, although it wasn't hard to tell he was pleased with himself which basically gave away the methods he employed to keep her away from her friend long enough for me to speak to her alone.

"It was, thanks man," I grinned, as we disconnected.

I pulled up to my office complex, finally ready to get some work done now that my mind was at ease about her feelings for me. Things were definitely looking good for us, she just didn't know it yet.