“Okay.”
I keep my gaze on him as he walks across the room and out the door.
The second the lock slides into place, I sag on the bed. His need to protect me is sincere, but I can’t undo the knot of tension in my gut whenever I think about him throwing that knife at me. Trust isn’t something I can switch on like a light, obliterating the dark shadows surrounding Xavier. Still, the tenderness in his voice and the steadfast assurance he has when it comes to me is hard to ignore.
My body screams for pain relief, so I take some medication and wait for it to start working. After glancing at my cell phoneand noting the time, I prop myself up in the bed on a mound of pillows. By the time I’m done, I’m sweating and cursing up a storm.
“Fuck Xavier and his big dick,” I say, my breathing haggard. “Fuck his hotness too. It makes everything worse because I can barely stand to look at him without thinking about sex. Fuck that guy, and fuck me for being a slut for him.”
My cellphone chimes, indicating a call, and I scramble to answer it. Xavier’s face appears on my screen. I squint at him, taking in the familiar lecture hall of Dr. Yamamoto’s class.
“Hello again, little raptor. Would you care to repeat the insults you just said about me to my face?”
Chapter 8
XAVIER
Igrin as the color drains from Delilah’s face.
“What are you talking about?” she asks, her voice warbling. “I didn’t say anything.”
“The cameras and microphones in my room say otherwise.”
She gapes at me. “There’s surveillance equipment in here?”
“Yes. Don’t act so shocked.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She rolls her eyes. “Never mind. Knowing you, I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Let’s get back to what you said about me. Specifically, my dick.”
The student next to me giggles, and Delilah narrows her gaze at the feminine sound. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snaps.
Is she jealous? Fuck, I hope so.
“Come on, little raptor. Say it to my face.”
“Shut up.”
A laugh slips from me at the murderous expression on her beautiful face. “You’re a liar.”
“Whatever.”
“Ready for class? Assuming you can concentrate on something besides my big dick.”
“I’ve never been happier to discuss English composition than at this moment.”
“That’s not the response I was hoping for,” I say with a smirk. “I’m going to stay on the phone with you for the entire lecture. I know you need to hear the material explained in person, so that’s why I’m here. Be sure to take notes and let me know if you can’t hear the professor.”
“That’s… thank you,” she grumbles.
“You’re mine, and I’ll always take care of you. End of discussion.”
“Xavier—”
“Hush and pay attention, bride.”
Dr. Yamamoto walks in, and her gaze lands on my raised phone. One look from me, and the woman’s attention shifts to the students in the front of the room. I sit in silence, the only sounds coming from the lecture.
