Chapter 12 #2
Tilting my head, I gaze at him, totally aware of his large body crowding me near my apartment door.
He’s dressed in his normal attire of slacks and a dark gray button-down dress shirt that probably costs more than my monthly rent.
And his shoes are probably three times that. But damn, the man looks good.
“Then why do you have it?” I ask curiously.
That causes him to still and narrow his eyes like he’s trying to figure out an answer. Taking a long breath, he looks down at me.
“It’s adorable that you think you can distract me with your questions, sunshine.
Tell me what else you need help with. Why are you behind on your bills?
You work three jobs and make good money.
Are you in danger?” His eyes darken as the last question comes out, and he steps closer so we’re only inches apart.
It’s suffocating but intoxicating at the same time.
Everything in my mind goes fuzzy around him; it’s hard to think.
A part of me doesn’t feel like I have to think around him because, no matter what, Xander will handle it.
Although after seeing his knuckles, I’m not sure if he always handles things well.
Wait…
“How do you know I work three jobs?”
I never told him that. I’m sure of it. We hadn’t exactly shared much about each other at all.
“Do you know the name of the company that owns all the casinos you work for, sunshine?” He studies me, like this is some kind of test, but I’m not sure what the correct answer is.
Blinking several times, I shrug. “Of course, it’s on all my tax forms. Savage Entertainment.”
He watches me like a hawk, and it’s unnerving. What is he looking for? I’m so confused.
Wait.
“What’s… your last name?” I ask, my entire body suddenly trembling.
Please don’t say Savage. Please don’t say Savage.
“Savage.” His voice is low and tight.
I suck in a breath. Oh, God. He’s my boss? Or my boss’s boss? He rubbed my feet. And just paid my electricity bill. Fuck.
“Oh my God,” I murmur, looking around like someone might appear in the hall and save me from this horrifying moment.
When I look back up at him, I see… relief? Or something that looks like it as his shoulders drop slightly and his eyes lighten to their usual gray-blue color.
“I told you my last name,” he adds.
Yeah, he also said a bunch of other words when we first met that I didn’t hear either. Has the man seen himself?
Covering my flaming cheeks, I nod. “I know. I remember you introducing yourself, but I didn’t really hear your last name because you’re really big, and you were in my apartment, and you’re incredibly hot, and I was distracted by, um, well, your tattoos and stuff.”
Oh, God. I definitely think today marks my most embarrassing day of all time. So cool. Just found out Xander is basically my boss, and then turned around and called him hot. I can’t wait to be called into HR to be fired from all of my jobs.
The column of his throat flexes while he stares at me blankly for what feels like an hour, every second making me more and more twitchy. My clit tingles with awareness.
My brain keeps reminding me that he’s Xander Savage. One of the owners of Savage Entertainment. Also, one of the richest and most dangerous men in Las Vegas. People talk about the Savage brothers and how they live up to their name.
Their father was murdered in front of one of their casinos a few months ago.
The entire city was walking on eggshells until the news announced that Jack Savage’s killer had been captured and brought in “for justice”—their way of telling us that the person responsible was discovered by the Savage brothers and handled the same way the mafia does justice. Viciously and swiftly.
How did I not recognize him? I’ve met Cash and Kian Savage. I’ve never seen Xander. And there’s no way I would have missed him. It’s impossible to overlook any of the Savage brothers. Between their tattoos, height, and permanent scowls, they’re kind of hard to miss.
“So, you had no idea who I was when I showed up at your apartment with your mail that somehow accidentally ended up in mine?” It’s a question, but it sounds like an accusation.
What is it that he thinks I did? What would I get from planting my mail in his? Is he implying I’m a conniving bitch and I’m doing something shady? What makes him think he’s so special that I would set something up to meet him? Why would I even want to meet him?
Well, easy, he’s easily the hottest man alive. He’s also rich as hell and powerful. It makes me wonder how many other women have tried to get something from him. I haven’t asked him for anything, though. And it’s not like I planned on seducing him the other night.
Narrowing my gaze on him, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “It feels like you’re insinuating something, but I try not to assume the worst in people, so could you explain what you mean?”
I have a feeling Xander assumes the worst in everyone.
He’s jaded. Deeply guarded. And pretty pissed off at the world.
It makes me wonder whether it’s the result of his father’s murder or if it’s the result of the life he’s lived.
Unfortunately, I doubt I’ll ever know since he never talks about himself.
“I’m rich, I’m your boss, and I happen to live in your building. It’s obvious you’re struggling.” He motions to my open door that exposes my very bare apartment. “It wouldn’t be the first time a woman has tried to use me to get ahead.”
I swear to all things holy.
My jaw falls and lands on my tits, because what the hell did this asshole just say?