“Henry’s not here.” He raised an eyebrow at me and laughed. “You can stop pretending to be affronted now.”
“I’m not pretending anything.” I frowned. “Where is he? And if you knew he wasn’t here, why would you say he blew me off?”
“Don’t play games with me, Liv. I’m not the sort of guy who takes kindly to games.”
“What games?” I said in a huff. Did he know that I had no interest in Henry? How embarrassing. There was something about this man that irritated the shit out of me.
“Look, I know this is an uncomfortable situation, and I know your feelings are likely hurt, but I made a promise and a commitment to your sister. Even if I wanted to back out, it wouldn’t be the gentlemanly thing to do.”
“But you’re not a gentleman.”
“I wasn’t one, no.” He sighed. “I’m used to getting what I want, when I want it, and if it doesn’t come easily, I just take it, but life is about more than my ego.”
“Okay.” I took a step away from him as he looked as if he was going to kiss me again. “Good for you and your perfect life.”
“Liv, I’m just saying, there’s no need to pretend you’re into Henry.”
“I’m not pretending.” I shook my head at him, annoyed by his arrogance. “He’s handsome, single, by all accounts a lovely man. I’m interested in getting to know him. What’s so hard to believe about that?”
“He’s my brother.” He frowned, the smug smile completely gone from his face.
“So? Gabby’s my sister.” I looked him in the eyes. “You didn’t seem to have a problem with that. I find it hypocritical that you would have a problem with me dating your brother.”
“Why date my brother when it’s me you want?”
“I don’t want you. You seem to be the one who wants me. What do you think Gabby would say if she knew you had just kissed me?”
“I do not care,” he growled. “What Gabby and I have is a business relationship.”
“Well, good for you.”
“You don’t understand.” He shook his head and grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to him. “What happened to the carefree, fun-loving girl I’d met last weekend?”
“She left the building when you were introduced as my sister’s fiancé.”
“What can I do to change this?” His fingers brushed the loose hairs away from my face. “I don’t want us to argue about this anymore.”
“I’m not arguing. I’m just stating facts.” I shrugged and tried to push him away from me, but this time, I couldn’t move his body. My hands were flat against his naked chest, and I swallowed hard.
Why was he making this so difficult? Why wouldn’t he just leave me alone?
“We still need to be friends, Liv.” His fingers traced my lips. “We’re going to be family.”
I nearly vomited at that point. I mean, was this guy for real?
“Xander,” I said, looking up into his eyes, “I don’t intend on ever seeing you again after this weekend, besides at your wedding. We do not need to be anything.”
Our eyes met, and we looked at each other for a few seconds. I could see that he was thinking hard. I waited for him to tell me that I was being stupid. That, of course, we’d see each other at other times. I waited for him to scold me and tell me I was being immature. I waited for him to tell me that I was acting like a silly schoolgirl. I knew there was obviously no way I’d only be able to see him at the wedding. For all of our squabbling and quarrels, my family was close-knit, and my parents would not allow me to blow off every dinner and get-together, even if I wanted to.
I stood there with my shoulders squared and waited for him to tell me off for being immature, but instead, he started laughing. I stared at him in amazement and shock as I watched the laughter fill his face; his eyes were bright, his mouth was wide, and his head fell back as he laughed his head off.
“What’s so funny?” I asked him softly, feeling even more annoyed at him.
I hated that I didn’t understand him and I couldn’t read him. I hated that I loved that about him. I hated that I wanted to get to know him better. I hated that I would never have the chance to be more with him.
“You.” He took a deep breath and finally stopped laughing. “You’re a breath of fresh air.” He smiled at me. “Yes, you’re a pain in the ass, but you’re also a breath of fresh air.”
“Okay, thanks, I guess.” Not sure if I considered his words a compliment or not.
