CHAPTER 35

Alexa's POV

I didn't realize how tasking it is to host a dinner for my husband's favorite friend when I offered. It's been two days since Xander took me shopping. Two days since I had the best experience of my lifetime and it's all I can think about.

I haven't felt at peace in so long. I am married even though it's not in the way I want. I have all the luxury with a husband who cares and listens. I have a new friend and the maids in the house adore me. Probably because I give them things and know their names. Life couldn't be better.

Except, I decided that I was going to host dinner and now, I can't help feeling stressed.

“So, I got everything you wanted on the list.” Sofia says as she bursts through the door with Lina, one of my maids. “I'm so freaking exhausted but I have lunch with Dave and I really can't bail.” She tells me while she walks up to me where I am seated at the dining table.

Lina puts down everything she came in with. She slowly starts to unload them for me. There are fine China silverware, sophisticated table clothes, napkins, table runners, candles, crystal glasses and the likes. I beam each time Lina brings something out from the bag.

“Ouu, I love this.” I squeal as I grab one of the silverware. It is just what I would have picked.

“I have good eyes,” Sofia says with a grin, feeling proud of herself. Then, she looks at Lina briefly. “Plus, Lina helped.” She adds.

“Thank you,” I beam as I appreciate the glowing woman who seems to appreciate compliments.

I exhale, staring at the items as Lina starts to load them back. The kitchen is already a mess from all the shopping I went on earlier. I am pretty tired but since I am nowhere near being done, I don't consider stopping to rest.

“They will love this, right?” I ask Sofia, biting down on my lower lip for a second.

It is running me crazy that I don't know what to think. I don't know any of these people that are coming in. I tried looking them up on social media earlier, but it just seems like I am trying to plunge myself in a mess. Most of the social media is private but the clips I do see of them are very sophisticated and intimidating.

I don't know what to think.

Sofia comes to stand before, peering down at Lina as she continues to pack up the items to be used tomorrow. She throws her hand over my shoulder casually and squeezes.

“Don't worry, babe. They will be crazy not to love them. You are going through all these troubles to please them. Relax.” She mumbles.

“I can't relax,” I frown. “I want them to like me. They are Xander's closest friend.” I tell her.

“Yet they didn't even get an invite to your wedding. That should tell you a lot about them. And Lexy, it's best you know that you can't please them. I'm sure they will be too polite to say anything that will undermine your efforts.” She explains to me as though that should make me relax. It does the opposite.

“So, they will just kiss my ass?” I ask with a deeper frown.

“Oh, no. They won't. They are too…” She scrunches her nose as she racks her brain for the word. “Blunt to sugarcoat anything. But what they won't do is not appreciate your efforts. If they do that, they risk their relationship with Xander.” She explains further while I nod.

“Okay, I get it now.” I exhale with relief.  “Thank you so much, Sofia.”

“Anytime, Lexy. Now, I really do have to be on my way before Dave starts to call me. I will be here tomorrow to help with whatever you need. Whether you need my help or not.” She rambles.

I arch a brow. “Lexy?”

She stops on her way to pick her fancy handbag and turn to me. “Yeah, I gave you a nickname. That's what friends do, right?” She asks, unsure. When I don't say anything, she bites her lips worriedly. “Too soon?”

“No,” I shake my head, my emotions clogged in my throat. “I love it!” I tell her instead.

“Great,” her shoulders drop with relief. As if catching herself again, she sends me a bashful smile and goes ahead to pick her bag, hanging it on her arm. “Got to go, babe. See you!” She calls, disappearing out the door.

“See you!” I yell back.

When she's gone, I turn to Lina who is still lingering in the doorway, waiting for my instructions. I shake my head at her. “Go ahead and have lunch, Lina. Whatever you want. And you can order in as well. You've earned it.” I tell her.

I don't wait to see the glimmer in her eyes before I settle down on the couch again and pick up the throw pillow beside to place on my lap. There's a book and a pen on it. I frown as I read what I have written before. With a single line on the lettering, I cancel the words and move to my next page.

Time to write the perfect menu.

*****

With a bottle of water in one hand,  a notebook and pen in the other, wearing a short flare dress that does nothing to hide my long, toned legs, I make my way to Xander's office. He came in a while ago and after finding me seriously busy, he leaves me alone to catch up with some work at the office.

When I get to the door, I knock once and without waiting for instructions, I open the door and step in. Xander looks up from the computer, a light smile on his face as I walk toward him. I don't know what takes over me but instead of me going to sit, I walk up to him and set my butt on the table.

Leaning back, I place the bottle of water beside him and give my husband a long, accessing look. He is still in the corporate wear he wore for a meeting he had in the morning. Since he insisted that Carly not come to work just yet, he refused to go to the office.

“Hi,” I smile shyly when his gaze lands from my face to my long toned legs. The heat that pools between my thighs is unexpected.

“Hi, pretty woman.” He says, smiling.

“I win, don't I?” I smile at him as his brows crease with confusion. “First, Sofia called me Lexy. And now, you are calling me a pretty woman.”

Xander smiles, tilting his head to the side. “But I've always called you a pretty woman.”

“Not always.” I roll my eyes at him, reaching for his tie. It is hanging slack on his neck so I reach out and help him out of it. “How was your meeting? Have you had lunch?”

Xander passes me an award winning smile. “It was just what I expected. Eva has been driving everyone mad. He is willing to help me.” He stops smiling and I read the unspoken words.

“But?” I push.

“But we might have to pull a plug on our honeymoon trip. It's best if we don't leave yet till everything is settled. There is no saying what Eva will do.” He explains.

I read the worry in his eyes and what he has left unsaid. I almost gasp at what I see. He is worried about not following through.

“I told him to forget it, of course.” He adds quickly.

“But isn't it safer to just deal with it now so we can have our peace?” I ask, watching him with a small smile.

“It is,” he groans.

I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. “Then, let's deal with this. I really would like to enjoy myself without thinking about the evil woman. However long it will take, let's deal with it first.” I say.

He looks relieved when I finish, exhaling softly as his eyes twinkle at me. As if he can't believe I'm saying that. “Are you sure, Alexa? I don't—”

“I’m sure,” I cut him off before he could proceed. “What is he willing to help us with?” I ask.

“He is going to get her license revoked. All her hospitals will be under scrutiny from the government. Eva already has some unlawful practices going on. We will just bring in the attention of the media. But we have to be smart about it.” He explains.

“And that's where he comes in because he owns the best media house in the world now.” I say, nodding. It is a brilliant plan.

“Exactly.” He agrees. Xander's eyes flick to the book on my lap before looking at me. “What do you have there?”

“Menu for tomorrow's dinner. I should show it to Sofia too, but I wanted to show it to you first. Tomorrow has to be perfect.” I say as I hand him the book.

Xander takes a moment to look through the listing and when he looks up, there is a proud smile on his face. “This is perfect, Akexa.”

“Are you sure? I really don't—”

He squeezes my hand with a shake of his head. “Alexa, this is perfect. You don't have to adjust anything. You are already doing so much.” He tells me. I believe him. “I don't like you stressing about this so much,” he adds.

I pout, and not because what else am I to say? I just want things to go well tomorrow. And he sees that too on my face. Eager to put the last few minutes behind us, I take the book from him and place it on the table behind me. He raises a brow at the playful look on my face.

“Now, do you think we know each other well enough to survive a quiz test from one of your friends tomorrow?” I ask.

His response is instantaneous. “We do. We stand a chance. I've gotten to know so much more about you already than I have in the past few days.” He says.

I grin. “I'm glad!”

Xander smiles back and when his smile wanes off from his face, my gaze drops to his lips. Poise. Pretty and sumptuous. I flick my gaze back to his face as my jaw works. Fuck, he is beautiful. And his eyes are like a mirror I'm looking into, one I can't seem to look away from. Magnetic pair.

“Alexa…”

Xander's voice cuts off when I lean forward in my seat and tug him closer. I have never made the first move before and nothing in me should be doing this. It's a freaking contract, my mind keeps screaming yet I tug him closer and closer till our faces are inches apart.

My gaze drops from his eyes and rakes over his face once more. He is beautiful. I don't know why I am just seeing this but he's really beautiful. And his heart, I think his heart is kind and every part is like a magnet pulling at my heartstrings.

Xanders hand curls around my waist and before I know it, I'm sitting on his lap, eyes glued to his face. He tugs me even closer and I feel the slight pressure from beneath me, making my body heat up in all the right places. His fingers lightly skims over stomach, trailing up. I'm still clothed but it doesn't matter because my body responds to those touches.

“What are you doing?” Xander whispers, his voice light and needy.

“Practicing,” I say before leaning forward a little more and letting my lips meet his.

I didn't realize it sooner but this is why I came to his office. For this affection. This intimacy that I don't realize I'm craving. Xander kisses me slowly, gently nudging my mouth open to let him in. I respond easily, my hands going to wrap around his neck while his tongue dances tango with mine.

And then the pace increases and all I can think is how I want more. How much I want him to never stop kissing me. Never stop touching me. It's everything I didn't know I wanted.

His fingers move along my thighs in a slow caress and I moan lightly into his mouth. Xander tugs my head back with my hair, tilting my face to the angle he needs it so he could kiss me better.

I'm savoring the moment, ingraining every touch, memorizing every feel of his mouth on mine when a knock startles us, and makes me jump.

“Mrs. Gold, the package has arrived for you.”

One of the maids calls and Xander breaks the kiss. But I don't move, and he makes no move to let me go too, his hand still wrapped around my waist. I don't look at him because deep down I know he knows that I told a lie.

This is more than a practice.

I wanted this.