Page 39 of Lassoed Love

I laugh, a bitter sound escaping my lips. “Oh, please, Xavier. My world doesn’t revolve around you.”Ironic, because lately, it has.

“Hmm, that’s three times in a row now. You know what they say,thirdtime's a charm, Isla,” he says, a smug grin playing on his lips. “It must be fate that we bumped into each other again.”

I deadpan, meeting his gaze with a sarcastic smile. “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s a small town, Xavier. It’s bound to happen.”

He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “I dunno, maybe fate is trying to tell us something.” I push him away, rolling my eyes.

Being around his presence is so spellbinding, like I forget everything about me and everything that’s around me. My head is buzzing, no doubt those sips of alcohol now rushing to my head from this whirlwind of a conversation. I sway on my feet a little, trying my best to avoid looking at him.I should head back to David.

But damn it, I’m desperate to fight this attraction I have toward him. I’ll be damned if I let that one kiss cloud my judgement. Yes, it was fucking unreal, but that's all it’ll ever be. I’m smarter than this.

His expression darkens, and I can practically feel the anger radiating off him. “Are you drunk?” he asks abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he notices my slight sway.

I roll my eyes. “No, Xavier. I’m not drunk. Just needed some air.”

He doesn’t seem convinced, and his next words are laced with suspicion. “How many drinks have you had?” he demands, his voice low and dangerous.

I bristle at his accusation. “What?—One? Why do you care?”

His jaw tightens. “Because you’re swaying on your feet like you're tipsy. This ain’t the time and place to get drunk.”

“And what? You think I actually came here to get drunk? What do I look like to you? I hadonedrink, Xavier.”Why am I even explaining myself right now?

“All it takes is one drink and—”

“And what?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “Just don’t want anyone taking advantage of—” his voice trails off, brows furrowing.

“Of me? I can take care of myself. I don’t need you playing hero.”

He grits his jaw. “I’m not playing anything, Isla. You haven’t been here before to know what goes on around these events. I’ve seen enough girls been taken advantage—”

I scoff, crossing my arms defensively and cutting him off. “Again… Why do you even care? It’s not like we’re actually friends. I don’t need your chivalry or whatever this is. I can handle my own shit.” I know better than to let that happen.

I shift on the spot under his intense gaze. Xavier presses, his expression now edged with anger. “That’s what they all say,” he retorts, his tone carrying a sharp edge. “Why are you here with him, anyway? On a date, of all things.”

I raise an eyebrow, irritation bubbling to the surface. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

He smirks, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Just making sure you’re not settling for less, that’s all.”

I can't help but laugh, a sarcastic edge to my voice. “And what, like you’re any better?”

His smirk widens, and he leans in closer, his breath teasing my cheek. “I bet he can’t make you melt into a whimpering mess with just one kiss, can he?”

As he speaks, I can’t help but seethe with frustration. How can he go from actually being nice the other day, to kissing the hell out of me the other night, to now, this? There was a reason I disliked him in high school. Who does he think he is? Ugh.

Despite these thoughts, my body betrays me. His words send a shiver down my spine, and I instinctively step back, creating somedistance between us. “You wish,” I retort, my tone challenging. “But even if he could, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”

His question needles at me, and the anger that’s been simmering beneath the surface boils over. “You know what, at least he takes me on a date, wants to get to know me, not just kiss the fuck out of me and then leave me like nothing happened. What the fuck was that, Xavier?” I blurt out, shoving him with my hands.

Xavier’s eyes widen in surprise, his usual composed demeanour shaken for a moment.

“Isla, what the hell are you talking about?” he responds, his voice a mix of confusion and defensiveness. “It was just a kiss. It just happened—in the moment. You’re the one who’s always kept me at arm’s length, acting like you can’t stand the sight of me.”

I scoff, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “That’s because I can’t!” I huff out a breath.Wait.“Justa kiss? You can’t just sweep akisslike that under the rug like it meant nothing. Are you living under some rock, Xavier? People kiss because they care, not just for the thrill of it.”Well, maybe sometimes…but that’s beside my point.

He leans in, his face inches from mine, the tension palpable. “I never said it didn’t mean nothing to me, princess.”