Chapter 10 Xelene
TEN
XELENE
The knock on her door made Xelene’s pulse skip unexpectedly. She smoothed her hands over her dark brown hair before opening the door, steeling herself for another round of professional composure.
But nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her.
Lev stood in the hallway, and somehow he’d managed to become even more devastatingly attractive than he’d been just an hour earlier.
He’d changed into a charcoal button-down that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal powerful forearms. Dark jeans molded to his muscular thighs, and his golden hair looked artfully tousled, as if he’d run his fingers through it moments before arriving.
Professional, she reminded herself, even as her traitorous body responded to his magnetic presence. This is just business.
But Lev’s reaction to her appearance made maintaining that professional distance considerably more challenging. His blue eyes darkened as they swept over her, taking in the way the green fabric brought out the color of her eyes and skimmed her curves with elegant simplicity.
“You look stunning,” he said, his voice carrying a rough edge that made heat pool low in her body.
Xelene deflected the compliment with practiced ease, though her cheeks warmed under his intense scrutiny. “Did you complete the questionnaire?”
A slow smile spread across his face as he reached into his pocket, producing the folded paper. “Just like I promised.”
She took the questionnaire and slipped it into her purse, hyperaware of how his fingers brushed against hers during the exchange. The brief contact sent electricity racing up her arm.
“Ready for dinner?” Lev asked, his hand settling on the small of her back with possessive familiarity as he guided her toward the castle’s main entrance. “I’m taking you to the best restaurant in the entire Marcan Lion Pride Dominion.”
The warmth of his palm seared through the thin fabric of her dress, and Xelene had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. “Ready as I’ll ever be. This is just business, nothing more.”
“Of course,” he agreed, though the knowing glint in his eyes suggested he had other ideas entirely.
A sleek black limousine waited in the circular drive, its polished surface reflecting the twin suns of Nova Aurora as they began their descent toward the horizon. Lev helped her inside with old-world courtesy that felt both charming and dangerous.
This is a business dinner, she told herself as she settled into the plush leather seat. You’ve done this countless times with other clients. This isn’t a date.
But her heart refused to cooperate, racing as Lev’s intoxicating scent—something wild and masculine that reminded her of sun-warmed leather and cedar—wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
Every breath in the close quarters seemed to dissolve her defenses, making her hyperaware of his powerful presence beside her.
It’s all part of his playboy charm, she reasoned desperately. He said he wouldn’t play games, but men like him always play games. It’s second nature to them.
Through the limousine’s tinted windows, Nova Aurora’s alien landscape rolled past in breathtaking splendor.
Golden savannas stretched endlessly under the dual suns, dotted with strange trees whose leaves shimmered like jewels.
In the distance, the pink ocean caught the light, its surface gleaming like rose-colored glass.
Something deep inside her stirred as she watched the scenery pass by—a sense of recognition that made no logical sense. This place felt familiar in ways that defied explanation, as if some part of her soul had been waiting to come here.
It’s just the wonder of being on an alien planet, she told herself, though her heart whispered that there was something more profound at work.
The restaurant perched on a cliff overlooking the pink ocean, its architecture a stunning blend of natural stone and flowing curves that seemed to grow organically from the landscape itself.
Crystalline windows caught the light of the setting suns, casting rainbow prisms across the terrace where other diners enjoyed the spectacular view.
As Lev guided her through the entrance, Xelene became acutely aware of the attention they attracted. Conversations paused mid-sentence as pride members recognized their crown prince, their curious gazes shifting to assess the woman at his side.
Perfect, she thought with growing mortification. They all think I’m just another conquest, especially in this casual dress. This looks exactly like a date to anyone watching.
She wanted these people to take her seriously. But maintaining her cover meant keeping the real reason for her presence secret—she couldn’t exactly announce that she was here to fix their prince’s scandalous reputation.
A hostess led them to a prime table overlooking the ocean, and as they settled into their seats, Xelene’s mind raced through possible solutions. The weight of curious stares pressed against her shoulders, and she realized she needed to take control of the narrative before it spun beyond her reach.
“We need to pretend to be a couple,” she said suddenly, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself.
Lev’s eyebrows shot up, his expression shifting from surprise to something that looked like triumph. “Excuse me?”
Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized how that must have sounded.
“I mean, it’s the only way to maintain my professional cover and help your reputation.
If people see you settling down with someone, it shows you’re making an effort to mature and become more stable.
It’s actually perfect for cleaning up your playboy image. ”
The smile that spread across Lev’s face was pure satisfaction, as if she’d just played directly into his hands.
“That sounds like a great idea. But what are the boundaries? We’ll need to make it look convincing in public—handholding, maybe some kissing and flirting.
Otherwise, people won’t buy that we’re really dating. ”
Xelene’s pulse spiked with an excitement that had nothing to do with professional strategy and everything to do with the thought of Lev’s hands on her body and his mouth on hers. The realization left her feeling exposed and vulnerable in ways that terrified her.
“Fine,” she managed, her voice slightly breathless. “That makes sense. But don’t push it too hard.”
Lev’s charming smile—the one he probably used on all his conquests—made her stomach flutter traitorously. “Oh, I won’t push anything you don’t want.”
The waiter appeared with perfect timing, and Lev ordered for both of them before pouring glasses of the deep red Sidaii wine. The liquid caught the light like rubies, and the fruity aroma made Xelene’s mouth water.
“Take it slow with that,” Lev warned, his voice carrying genuine concern. “It’s potent for humans.”
I may need more than one glass if I’m going to pretend to be this man’s girlfriend, Xelene thought desperately.
The very idea of maintaining such an intimate charade with Lev made her feel like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, one wrong step away from falling into something dangerous.
Their food arrived with theatrical presentation—dishes that looked like works of art and tasted even better. The flavors exploded across her palate in ways that made her close her eyes in appreciation.
“This place is truly special,” she murmured, savoring another bite.
“We take a lot of pride in our kingdom,” Lev replied, his voice warm with genuine affection. “I’m glad you’re finding it welcoming.”
Lev leaned back in his chair with that easy confidence that seemed to be his default setting.
“I laid my soul bare on that paper in your purse. So now it’s my turn to get to know you.”
Xelene blushed, realizing just how invasive her standard client assessment was. “Fair enough. What do you want to know?”
“Janice mentioned you’re afraid of commitment. What’s that about?”
The direct question hit her like a slap, and she found herself reaching for her wine glass.
“It’s nothing really. My parents went through a nasty divorce when I was twelve.
Playing mediator and watching it all unravel was pretty tough.
I got a crash course in how love can turn destructive, and I don’t want that to happen to me. ”
Lev’s expression shifted, the practiced charm melting away to reveal something genuine and open. His voice gentled as he leaned forward. “When you find the right man, love won’t be destructive. It will be freeing. I have confidence you’ll find him someday.”
Something about his words unsettled her on a fundamental level. She took a larger gulp of wine, feeling the immediate buzz as the alcohol hit her system.
Lev chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Take it easy. I wouldn’t want you getting tipsy on your first day here.”
“Yeah, that would probably leave a bad impression,” she agreed, though the wine was already making her feel looser than she’d been in months.
“Why do you care so much about impressions and what people think?”
The question caught her off guard with its directness. “It’s my job to care what people think. I’ve always prided myself on being put together and in control for my clients.”
Lev’s gaze intensified. “Maybe around me, you don’t have to be so controlled and perfect. Just be yourself.”
The suggestion terrified her more than she cared to admit.
She’d never allowed herself to simply exist without the armor of competence and control, not even with Janice or her parents.
The thought of lowering her guard around a man who seemed perfectly designed to destabilize her felt like stepping into free fall.
“I’ll try,” she said finally. “But no promises.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
As dinner progressed, Lev’s hand found hers across the table during their conversation, his thumb tracing gentle circles across her knuckles as they maintained their couple charade.
Each touch sent sparks through her body, and she found herself reaching for her wine glass more frequently, trying to calm the butterflies rioting in her stomach.
This is just pretend, she reminded herself desperately. You’re acting for the benefit of his people. None of this is real.
But the way Lev looked at her, the genuine interest in his questions, the protective way he angled his body toward hers—it all felt disturbingly authentic.
By the time they finished their meal, Xelene realized she’d consumed three glasses of the potent Sidaii wine, and the world had taken on a soft, dreamy quality.
When she tried to stand, the room tilted alarmingly, and she gripped the edge of the table for support.
“You definitely overdid it with the wine,” Lev observed, rising smoothly to steady her with a strong hand on her elbow.
“I did,” she admitted, grateful for his solid presence as they headed back to the limousine.
The drive back to the castle passed in a wine-hazed blur of sensation. Lev’s body heat seemed to wrap around her like a living thing, and before she knew what was happening, she found herself resting her head on his shoulder, seeking relief from the spinning in her head.
It’s just to stop the dizziness, she told herself, even as Lev’s arm came around her shoulders, pulling her closer against his side. This doesn’t mean anything.
But as his scent enveloped her and the steady rhythm of his breathing lulled her into a state of dangerous contentment, Xelene couldn’t shake the feeling that their charade was going to blow up spectacularly in her face.
What am I doing? she thought drowsily, but with the wine warming her blood and Lev’s strong arm around her, she found she didn’t particularly care about the answer at that moment.