Chapter 25

“Need some help, Kitten?” Xavier asks, his voice a unique blend of seduction and amusement. I crumple up Raven’s note, shocked I didn’t see this coming. After all, she learned all of that cunning behavior of hers from me.

I glare at my husband, unwilling to admit that I do, in fact, need his help. Instead, I throw the note in a drawer and walk over to the mirror, my heart pounding wildly. I’d given Raven a few racy sets of lingerie and nightgowns when she was forced to marry Ares in her older sister’s place. She’d always been in love with him, and I was just so certain the feelings were mutual, so for her, it was a perfect plan. For me, on the other hand, it’s a disastrous, terrible plan.

I sigh as I assess my dress. She’d been shockingly gleeful as she helped me into my dress, but I’d been so preoccupied with the thought of marrying Xavier Kingston that I completely missed the signs. There’s absolutely no way I can get these buttons undone, not unless I rip my dress apart, and she knows I’d never do that to one of her precious creations.

Xavier appears behind me and places his hands on my shoulders, his expression unreadable. “Let me help you,” he says, his voice soft. For once, his tone isn’t mocking, nor does he appear to be teasing me.

I nod almost imperceptibly, and he smiles at me sweetly as he places his hands at the top of the long row of buttons. He works quietly, taking his time to undo the buttons one by one, his fingers softly caressing my spine as more and more of my skin is revealed. His touch elicits a soft shiver, and I blush fiercely, scared he’ll mock me for being so affected by such simple actions.

I lift my head to look in the mirror, and my heart begins to beat wildly when I notice that his sharp cheekbones seem a little flushed, his gaze heated. I bite down on my lip when my dress comes undone and hold it up at my chest, our eyes meeting in the mirror. Xavier leans in and presses a soft kiss to the back of my neck, his touch featherlight. I gasp, and he steps back, the edges of his lips turned up, like he’s suppressing a smile.

I rush past him and reach for one of his t-shirts instead of the red lacy nightgown Raven left me, and Xavier chuckles as I disappear into his bathroom. My heart pounds so wildly I’m certain I can hear it, and the thought of walking out in nothing but a pair of panties and this t-shirt that smells so much like him has me feeling far more flustered than I could’ve imagined. I’ve joined Raven’s fashion campaigns a few times, and nudity doesn’t really bother me, but somehow, I’m feeling a little shy tonight.

“Sierra,” Xavier says when I walk back out with my dress in my hands. “How about a glass of champagne?”

I drape my gown over an armchair in the corner and raise a brow. “Champagne?” I ask, noting he’s already taken off his bow tie, suit jacket, and cufflinks. His gaze roams over my body, and I’m hyperaware of the fact that he can probably see the outline of my nipples through his ridiculously soft t-shirt. Considering the countless pins in my updo, there’s no easy way for me to hide behind my hair either.

“I can do with a drink. What about you?”

I nod hesitantly. I’m far too nervous to even look at his bed, and I’m not too sure how to behave, what to do or say. He smiles and tips his head toward his kitchen, and I follow him hesitantly. Xavier glances at my bare feet and frowns before leaning in and sweeping me into his arms. “You shouldn’t walk on the cold marble floor barefoot,” he says, holding me tightly. “I’ll buy you some slippers tomorrow.”

I stare at him in disbelief, unsure what to make of him. He seems different tonight — sweeter, more thoughtful, and I hate how much hope it gives me. Xavier gently places me on top of his kitchen counter and rummages through his wine fridge, until he pulls out an expensive looking bottle of champagne that just so happens to be my favorite kind, a blanc de noir.

He hands me a glass and holds up his own. “To new beginnings,” he says, his eyes on mine.

I nod and tap my glass against his, my heart racing. “You have good taste,” I murmur, surprised at how good the champagne is.

“Of course I do,” he remarks, without missing a beat. “I married you, didn’t I?”

I blink at the cheesy line and burst out laughing, unable to help it. “That was… that was kind of cute.”

He smiles sheepishly and places his glass down before moving to stand in front of me, his hands on either side of me. “I can be cute,” he says, his voice soft. “There are a lot of sides of me you’ve never seen before, Sierra. You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

I instinctively reach for him and wrap my hand around the back of his neck. “No,” I whisper. “I guess I don’t.”

His expression falls, and he sighs as he reaches for my hair, surprising me when begins to pull out my hair pins carefully. My hand slides to his chest, and I keep it there as he moves closer, parting my legs to stand between them. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your sister?” I ask as my hair slowly begins to come undone. “How is it even possible for you to have a sister that no one knows about?”

He caresses my hair and carefully frames it around my face, his touch so tender that I hardly recognize him. “It isn’t my story to tell, Kitten. Valeria left home when she was twenty and she didn’t come back until five years later. Not even Dion knew about her until about a year ago.”

“I wish you’d told me,” I whisper. It hurts that they waited to tell me until I signed a non-disclosure agreement this morning, but I understand wanting to protect your family. I just wish I knew why they’ve gone to such lengths. Even when Valeria attends events with Xavier, he ensures there are no photographers on site, and she’s never been mentioned by name in any of the papers. That kind of silence from such vicious media outlets comes at a high cost.

He cups my face, his eyes darkening. “I’m a little glad I didn’t. If not for that, I’d never have gotten to see you acting jealous.”

“Jealous?” I repeat, outraged. “I was never jealous.”

“No?” he asks, placing his index finger underneath my chin. “Sure could’ve fooled me.”