Chapter 20 My Pimp
My Pimp
AVA
I sense him still, which is weird. I’m watching Xavier's lips move and while he smells good, is good looking, and was nice enough to help the rescue that was the elevator, something feels…off.
I nod my head as he smiles at me with that big commanding smile, offering me another slice of pizza.
“Here you go.” He puts it on my plate. I stare down at it and all I can think is, I don’t even like pepperoni, but I’ve been starving for so long that I eat it anyway because who knows when I’m getting my next meal and quite honestly, Eli could choose to fire me anytime.
Speaking of which.
I drop my napkin and look around. I smell him everywhere.
“Xavier, can I ask you a question?”
He tosses his own napkin and leans forward, he’s always too close to me but not in a way that intimidates me, it’s almost like he wants to—smell me, which is weird, but I’ve seen a shit ton of weird tonight so I shouldn’t be too surprised.
"Of course you can.” His eyes widen a bit, like he’s intrigued by what I’m about to ask.
The burning in my mouth is back, almost like my tongue memorized the lines of Eli’s fangs and misses them.
“Do you believe in like the paranormal?”
He barks out a laugh.
“Oh, you’re dead serious, okay, well, I do think it’s possible I mean the government did just toss us in the deep end with this whole alien thing, so if we can have aliens why can’t we have a wolf that chases vampire down? Or…” He grabs his slice of pizza and points it at me.
“A vampire hunting down a werewolf. That’s my requirement.”
He nods, clearly agreeing with himself.
“Imagine how powerful they would be if they stopped fighting, you know, end the whole immortal fight. World peace. There’s a reason we have stories, Ava.
there’s a reason editors and most authors love their lives being immersed in them, it’s a constant escape from reality, so yeah it’s possible but why don’t you just focus on the moment? And what you feel right now?”
I nod and reach for my beer; he lifts his and clinks it with mine.
“That was a good answer, by the way.” I take a long sip, loving how it’s already calming me down from the weird interaction in the elevator.
"Why do you ask?” He folds his arms across his chest and leans back, the miracle is the chair doesn’t collapse on itself into a bundle of firewood, what is with all these large men around here?
I shove more food in my face and smile through it.
“Just morbid curiosity.” When did I become so good at lying?
He licks his full lips and stares down at the table.
“Well, there was this myth, but that’s all it is.”
"Myths can be based on reality sometimes. Most tragically were.”
"Humans are the dumb ones, I’ll be the first in line to admit it, but I think the hard part is that if things like that were real, how would you know? Would you ask them to show you their application for both DC and Marvel? Good with swords might be a fun thing to add to my resume.”
I laugh.
“But do you?” I paused.
“Do well with swords?”
“Accidentally killed someone once, but it was because I was trying to protect my favorite dog, grabbed a sword and beat him over the head with it; granted, the sword was foam.” His wink is gorgeous.
“I’d say I’m a good family man, wouldn’t you?”
He literally looks like he just walked off the cover of GQ and the way he looks at me makes me feel like I’m the only woman in existence, the stars fade away and all I see is this hypnotic trance in his eyes.
“What was my question again?” I suddenly forget.
He stands.
“You wanted to know how much I loved bacon because you’re cooking for me next weekend.”
"Oh.” Deflated, I just nodded way too many times in one minute.
“Wait, did I just agree to a date?”
“Do you want it to be a date? I mean, I know my answer, but I’m no mind reader, you know? Actually”—he chuckles—“you’d be surprised what you can learn from body language.”
“Try me.” I cross my arms defensively.
He stands and walks around the table and leans so close it’s like he’s almost kissing me.
“Oh, don’t worry, I love a challenge.”
His look makes me nervous as he pays the bill. He holds out his hand. Do I take it? I finally grab it. He squeezes it while we’re walking back on the sidewalk that leads to the company apartments.
“I was thinking…” He starts to move toward me.
“…that you should go on a date with me this week.
I stumble next to him on accident, then pause and try to think of what to say. I mean, it’s not like I should say no. He’s been super sweet and I do want to get to know him, so why does my stomach revolt at the thought?
He’s gorgeous.
Tall.
Masculine.
He seems to genuinely care because what could I possibly offer him?
I hold out my hand.
He initially takes it, before crushing his body against mine in a weirdly intimate hug.
“Just think about it.” He reaches for the phone in my hand and shoves it in front of my face, unlocking it, then adds his number.
“Text me, all right?“
I have no time to even respond before I have my phone back in my hand and he’s walking away, hands shoved in his pockets.
What just happened?
Why was this the weirdest night of my life?
I still can’t explain things.
But now that I’ve had food I realize I was probably having a panic attack, it’s the only thing that makes sense, and my brain had to make up something that would make actual sense being stuck in that elevator, cue in the grumpy boss who could easily be an alpha from folklore since he’s one in the real world.
Feeling better, I get into the building and wave at the doorman.
He presses the button.
“Good evening?”
I don’t really know how to answer, so I just say, “Well, I survived being trapped in an elevator with—“
A hand comes out between the elevator doors, causing them to open again. It’s Eli, and he looks pissed.
"Sir.” The doorman nods.
“Good to see you. Did you know this young lady was stuck in an elevator? Good thing you came to save the day, right? Because that’s’ what you do?”
Eli grunts.
“I had an idea, but I’m sure pizza made it so much better.” He clutches his chest instantly in the most dramatic fashion and collapses to his knees.
The doorman curses.
“I forgot about the moon.”
“I wish I could,” Eli says through clenched teeth.
“Just get me to my room as soon as possible.”
"Sir, right away, sir.” The door man completely ignores me for the next twenty second ride and helps keep Eli at his side as they pass my apartment and make their way toward the penthouse.
The fact that the doorman can even help him get there is strange, not to mention the fact that he clearly knows him better than I assumed. And what is this business about the full moon?
I open the door to my apartment and hear a scream emit from Eli that sounds so painful I want to go back. Instead, I quickly shut my door.
I feel like I’m going crazy.
And not to mention, is very handsy with employees, mainly me, but still that doesn’t matter.
Yet I still stand by my door and I still cringe when I hear more screams coming from his apartment.
I try to bring myself to walk to the bedroom or bathroom.
Instead, I find myself walking down the hall toward his door, typing in his code, looking heavenward like what the hell is wrong with me.
I let myself in and see him on the couch shirtless, sweaty, writhing in pain.
When I walk toward him, he doesn’t even have the strength to lift a hand, his arm falls against the couch, and his body follows tumbling onto the floor.
I realize too late that he’s completely naked.
Just like I realize too late that he’s still awake enough to jolt to his feet, grab me by the back of the neck and inhale.