Vicious Little Darling (Love So Cruel #3)

20. Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

EMBER

“ H i!” I blow out a breath of relief as Xander steps into the coffeeshop, where I’m nervously bouncing my foot against the tile, a duffle bag sitting beside me on the floor.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says, swinging the bag up and over his left shoulder. “I picked us up a few things for dinner, since it’s your first night.” He smiles in a way that makes my insides feel warm. And safe. Which is something I haven’t felt since what happened last night…

The police made it all the worse when they called a few hours later to confirm a pending match to a fucking serial killer.

My hands start to sweat as I get to my feet, but I just wipe them on my dark-wash skinny jeans.

“Let’s go. I think I could use some peace and quiet. I swear I keep looking over my shoulder.” I brush the hair from my face and avoid Xander’s gaze.

His hand lands lightly on my back to guide me past him, and I jump, stumbling sideways and running into another woman. She lets out an angry huff as her iced coffee spills down the front of her.

“Really?” she spits at me, her tone harsh and she immediately starts dabbing the droplets away. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you blind?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Xander growls before I can even respond with an apology. “She’s having a shitty day.” His voice is stone cold and it sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m sure you can afford to replace that with another Nordstrom Rack find.”

The woman’s jaw drops, and before anything else can be said or done, Xander ushers me out of the coffeeshop, grunting as he swings the door open for me.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, peering up at him.

He gives me a terse smile. “She was about to be a total bitch to you. I know her type way to well.”

I nod, deciding not to press it. “Thanks for letting me stay with you,” I repeat again, like a shy idiot, while allowing myself to be fully immersed in the comforting feeling of someone protecting me instead of having to do it myself.

Xander gives me a smile, but stays quiet for the rest of the walk to his apartment. I trail behind in silence, trying not to focus on how good he looks in his black Levi’s. We walk another five blocks, until we reach a high-rise apartment complex…

I’m shocked when he heads for the front doors.

“ This is where you live?” I choke out as we pass through the front doors.

He glances over his shoulder at me as the doorman calls out to him—something that I miss. “Yeah, this is it. I have the top floor.”

The penthouse is what you mean, I think, trying to hold back my utter embarrassment. God knows what he thought when he showed up at my shitty apartment. My shoulders fall as I step into the elevator beside Xander, and as I gaze up at him. I wonder just how much I don’t know about him.

“When my father was killed, I inherited the penthouse,” he says, as if he’s already reading my mind. “I was his only son.”

I nod. “Oh… I’m sorry for your—”

“Don’t be. My mom kept him out of my life for most of it. I didn’t know him all that well. I wound up moving in with my uncle, and that’s how I got to know who he was.”

I don’t know what to say, so I stupidly mutter, “Oh, I see.”

“I swear, I’m not some snobby rich prick.” Xander steps out of the elevator on the penthouse level and turns back to me. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I scramble out of the elevator and follow him to the door. He punches in a code, and goes in. I follow him, soaking in the luxurious penthouse apartment. Given the sight of a spiral staircase, in the middle of the industrially decorated pad, I assume he’s actually got two floors. I sigh, trying not to let it bother me.

No wonder he invited me to stay. He has all the room he could ever need.

“You can take the spare room on this floor. I stay upstairs,” Xander continues, leading me through the deco living room, and down a hallway. He pushes open a bedroom door, to reveal an elegant, wrought-iron-canopied bedframe with a red velvet comforter.

“Wow,” I breathe out. “Okay. Thanks.”

He tosses my duffle bag onto the bed.

“Does this work for you? Do we need to go get more of your things from your apartment? I can have some guys—”

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head. “You’re doing enough as it is. I can figure that out. What do I owe you for rent?”

He looks offended. “Uh… No?” He folds his arms across his chest and his face darkens slightly, sending a wave of arousal through my core. “You’re a guest. You stay for free. Don’t mention rent again. It’s an insult. You deserve a place here.”

My face flushes. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize either.” He takes a step toward me, and I catch my breath as I smell his cologne. “I don’t mean to be harsh. I just want you to feel welcome here—that’s all.”

“Well, thank you,” I say, lost in his deep-green eyes for a few moments. I finally rip my gaze away from his, and step around him to the duffle bag.

He catches my arm, his grip making me shiver with excitement.

“I’m glad you’re here, Ember. Really.”

***

The next twenty-four hours pass in a blur, and other than calling to update the police of my new address, I don’t hear anything more about the man who attacked me in my apartment. Xander spends most of his time by himself—or out. But he’s nice enough to make dinner for us the first night.

It’s homey, even though it’s over-the-top luxurious. I have the best fucking sleep of my life the first night, passing out so hard that my alarm blares for an hour before I finally rouse myself. I call in to the bookstore, to take another day off—which thankfully, Rich agrees to without asking any questions. I spend the day in my room and then get ready for work at the bar.

I still haven’t told Josh about any of it. My eyes drift to my bandaged hand, and worry creeps into my chest. A knock on my door breaks into my thoughts and I call, “Come in,” turning around to see Xander in his usual black T-shirt and jeans.

“You don’t have to go to work tonight,” he comments, gauging my black skinny jeans and white tank top. “Just say you don’t feel well.”

I shake my head. “Josh will have so many questions. He knows I need the money.”

“Tell him the truth then. You’re living with me.”

I raise my brows at that suggestion. “No way. Can you imagine what he’d think about that? We barely know each other, and I can’t see him not throwing some massive fucking fit about it. I wouldn’t even move in with him after a decade of knowing him.”

Xander purses his lips. “Okay. That’s fine. I told you we didn’t have to tell him—and we don’t. But it seems non-sensible for you not to catch a ride to work with me. How will we explain that?”

I hesitate, my mind drifting back to Skull-face, following me in the shadows. A pang of disappointment hits me in the strangest way, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I should be relieved to have a ride, but something inside of me feels like it’s not over between the two of us… Maybe I should see a therapist.

“I’ll just tell him I picked you up,” Xander huffs when I don’t say anything. “I don’t want you walking with some psycho on the loose.”

“Yeah, me neither,” I lie, avoiding his gaze. I grab my purse and sling it around my body. “I’m ready when you are.”

He nods, and I follow him out of the apartment, once again drooling over him from behind. He made it clear the arrangement was as friends, and as much as I want to say that I can handle that, there’s something about Xander that makes me want so much more.

And it would be the perfect way to forget about Skull-face.

We head down to the bottom floor silently and take the exit to the parking garage on the back side. When he hits his key fob, the lights flash on a Mercedes. I push away the surprise—which is something I shouldn’t feel at this point—and climb into the passenger seat beside him. He starts the engine, and then backs out of his spot.

“Did you inherit this, too?” I ask, my tone joking.

He chuckles. “Something like that.”

“Why even work then? It appears you’re set for life.” I try not to sound like I’m jealous, but I can’t help it… I am. Maybe a little.

“Well, I mean, money does run out,” he eyes me. “And I don’t like just sitting around all day. It gets boring. Plus, I’m not exactly the most social guy, so if I’m not working, I’d just stay by myself all the time.”

“Me, too,” I admit, catching his gaze.

“Then I guess we can just be hermits together.” He shoots me a wink that makes my heart flutter, and I’m once again left mulling over that whole friends thing.

I giggle, and he adjusts the radio to a rock station, turning it up as we fly across the city, weaving through the traffic. I peer out the window, halfway wondering why I didn’t take the help from Josh. For some reason, I’ve always kept him at arm’s length when it comes to that kind of closeness… but why?

Xander parks behind the bar and jumps out, quickly moving around to open my door. I thank him as I step out, and we head toward the entrance. He gestures for me to go ahead as he holds the door open.

“Perfect timing,” Josh snaps as we walk in, glaring at both of us.

“Um…” My voice trails off. “What’s wrong? We’re ten minutes early for the shift.” My eyes bounce from Josh to Major, who’s standing at the back, staring at his phone screen in one hand and holding the broom in the other.

“I didn’t know you were taking rides now,” Josh says, his eyes boring into mine.

“It was just a ride,” Xander cuts in. “Nothing more. Don’t worry.” He pats Josh’s shoulder as he passes by him, heading for the back. Major perks up at the sight of Xander, and follows him to the back room, leaving Josh and I alone.

“What’s your deal?” I immediately throw at him. “So what, he gave me a ride?”

“I haven’t fucking heard from you since your last shift, when you darted off on his motorcycle with him—and now you’re showing up in his car? Is there something you need to tell me, Em?”

I frown, surprised by the outburst. “No… He gave me a ride. That’s it.”

“You never let me give you a ride,” Josh grunts, shaking his head. “But I guess I don’t look like a guy straight out of Inked magazine, either.” With that, he leaves me, and goes towards the back room. He passes Xander on his way, and bumps his shoulder into his. My gut sinks at the confusion on Xander’s face.

This is not good.