Page 87

Chapter 21

“So, a date with Xavier.” I watched as Dan’s lips twitched into a small line. He hadn’t gone back to the hospital. For some reason, I didn’t nag him to follow through on his promise. Which I know was morally very wrong. “Excited?”

I put the back on my earring, still watching him very closely. “It’s a blackmail date and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat excited.”

“I wonder if his wife is excited about it.” Dan didn’t hide his disgust as he crossed his arms.

“I heard she moved out.” Well, that was what my dad had told me. I didn’t know if it was permanent or anything. “But the boys keep asking for her.” I hadn’t seen the boys, though I knew they were in the pack house. I just thought it could be awkward, perhaps make it worse for them.

“Fair enough.” Dan got up from my bed. “I’d better get going.” His voice lowered as he spoke, and I suddenly realized why Dan had stayed here the whole time. He didn’t want to go home.

“You don’t have too. Stay here.”

“What and wait for you?” He arched an eyebrow at me while picking his wallet and keys up from the bed.

“I just thought maybe you might enjoy the peace and quiet.” I smiled at him, knowing that he was going to stay. “If you’re still awake when I get home, well, that’s just a bonus.”

He shook his head slightly and a smile twitched at the corners of his lips.

I walked towards him and placed a small kiss on his cheek. “Don’t wait up, ok?”

Dan hand ran down my side, his eyes burrowing into mine. “Trust me. I won’t be able to sleep till I know you’re home, safe, with me.”

A bubbling feeling built up in my stomach, and I swallowed hard. I knew it was wrong of me to want Dan to still care for me. But for some unknown reason his touch set my skin on fire and it just didn’t make sense.

“I’d better go.” I stepped away from him. “I’ll see you later, or in the morning.” I turned away from him quickly and made a getaway.

Why did I care for him? He wasn’t mine to love, but yet, for some crazy reason, I did love him. I couldn’t lie. I was excited to have a first date with Xavier, even though he was married. But a part of me wanted to stay there in my room with Dan.

What confused me the most was why? Dan wasn’t mine.

***

Xavier opened the front door to his house. I couldn’t help but feel a tad weird as I walked into the foyer. The car ride was quiet. We made general chit chat. He had to pick me up down the street from our front gates so people at the house wouldn’t see him. Plus dad didn’t want the boys to see him just yet.

“So you cooked?” The smell of food was drifting through the air. “I didn’t know you cooked, Xavier.”

He smiled widely. “I’m a man of many talents.”

I walk into the kitchen. A small table was set up, with candles. “Full of surprises,” I muttered more to myself than him, but I knew he heard me.

“I thought we would be going out for dinner,” I said, as I sat on a stool near the kitchen counter, watching him, instead of taking a seat at the table he’d prepared.

“I didn’t think you would want anyone to see us.” Xavier had his back to me as he stirred something on the stove.

“You mean, you didn’t want anyone to see us,” I corrected him, knowing him too well. An awkward silence followed. Xavier finally turned around to face me.

“I didn’t think tonight was the right time for everyone to find out about us.”

“Us?” I arched both eyebrows. “There is an us?”

“You’re my mate, Chloe. So of course there is an us.” Xavier had made his way from the stove to standing in front of me.

“Xavier, it isn’t as easy as that.”

“What do you want from me?”

I looked him seriously in the eye. “I want you to divorce Emily.”