I kick him back, and he goes flying, hitting the opposite wall. I tug my shirt back into place, ignoring the fact that I feel slimy all over from his touch, then I wipe my neck and prowl over. When he goes to stand, I slam my shoe in his face in a move Nikko taught me.
He yells as he falls backward again.
Gripping his hair, I drag his head up, meeting his gaze. “I don’t care if it’s the alcohol making you act like this or you were always such an asshole, but if you ever touch me without my consent again, I will make your father childless. Do you understand?” His eyes widen as I shake his head, noticing his swollen eye and split lip. “I mean it. Iam not yours to touch, and if you try again, I’ll kill you, Faiz. I hoped we could be friends, but clearly not, so get out of my life.” I drop his head and step over him, then I unlock the door and head out. Grabbing a bottle from the bar, I wave at my friends, making my excuses before I walk to my car.
I drain the bottle to drown out the screaming in my head and the way my body feels like his and not mine.
TWENTY
With a towel wrapped around my waist, I hurry to the door and the constant knocking there, wondering who it is at this time. Ripping it open, I’m about to yell at Charlie or my dad when my eyes widen. Zia is slumped against the doorframe, his fist still raised to knock, a bottle dangling from his other hand. His face is flushed, no doubt from the alcohol, his shirt is undone, and his eyes are half-lidded. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so messy before.
“What happened?” My voice is soft as I catch him when he falls forward.
“Missed you,” he slurs, nuzzling his face against my chest with an inhale and a groan.
“How did you get here?” I ask.
“He demanded to come here. You’re safe now. Goodnight, Mr. Xander. Call me if you need anything.” I glance up to see his assistant. He nods at me, and I nod back, letting him know I’ll take care of Zia as he walks to his car below.
“Okay, come on, baby,” I murmur. Reaching down, I sweep him up into my arms, carrying him bridal style to the bedroom where he can sleep it off. When I lay him down, however, he grabs me and rolls meunder him. His dark eyes are now open and locked on me like I am his target.
His fingers tug my towel, trying to pull it off me before I stop him. “Zia.”
He pouts so adorably, I can’t help but melt. “Make it better.”
“Make what better?” I ask, trying to ignore my body and its demands. He’s drunk as hell, so this isn’t happening.
“He touched me, and I hated it. I can still feel it. Make it better.” His eyes are glassy, as if filled with tears, and I lunge up, wrapping my arms around him. He falls against my chest.
“Who touched you?” I demand, fury consuming me.
“Faiz,” he mumbles. “He barged into my friend’s party and cornered me. I got him off me, but I can still feel him.”
Anger races through me, but I swallow it back. Zia doesn’t need that right now.
“I kicked his ass,” he adds.
“That’s my boy.” I kiss his head as I lift him and walk to the bathroom.
“Where are we going?” he asks, clinging to me. I sit him on the counter and step away, but Zia grabs me. “Don’t leave.”
I press my forehead to his. “I’m not going anywhere, okay?” When he nods, I slowly back away and turn the bath on. While it fills, I guide him to his feet. “Can I take off your clothes?” I ask softly.
He nods jerkily, so I undress him, fold his clothes carefully, then lay them to the side before carrying him to the tub. I step over the lip and sink into its wide depths, positioning Zia with his back to my chest as I wrap my arms around him.
“I’ll wash you, okay? Then you won’t feel his touch anymore. It will be like it never happened,” I promise. I wish that were true, but I need to help in some way. I can’t stand that devastated look in his eyes.
He nods, so I grab a washcloth and soap, lather it up, and very carefully bathe every inch of him. When I lean around and circle his cock with the rag, he flinches, and fury comes roaring back. Breathing through it so I don’t hunt the fucker down, I carefully clean Zia, then hold him in my arms.
He came here for a reason. He wanted comfort, and that’s what I offer him.
Zia can take care of himself—it’s obvious, since he kicked the other guy’s ass—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. “It’s stupid. We’ve touched before,” Zia says, his voice choked, “but I feel sick about it.”
“Just because you used to date doesn’t give him permission to touch you, okay? Even if you were still dating, if you say no, then he doesn’t have the right,” I assure him. “You can revoke your consent at any time. This is your body, and he violated that. It’s okay to be upset. You’re safe here, baby. I promise. Let it out.”
His chest shakes with silent tears, but I don’t comment. I hold him through it, keeping him locked in my arms. “That’s it, baby boy.” I kiss his head as he grips my arm across his chest, his nails digging in. I’d take all of his pain if I could.
I have a feeling Zia Xander has nowhere else where he can be vulnerable, so the fact that he lets himself be this way with me makes my stolen heart swell.
