Page 28 of Twisted Mates

I take the phone and do as he says, and holyhell.I could never even joke about him being a shitty artist ever again.

The tattoos are all very different—some color, some black and grey—but somehow have the same flair to them. I can tell, now that I know he’s the artist, that they’re all his pieces. There are wolves, portraits, sunsets, desert scenes, quotes, music notes, floral designs, watercolors. They’re all unique, all flawlessly beautiful.

“Xander, these are gorgeous,” I say, looking up at him in awe. “Damn, you’re really talented.”

He dips his head in a charmingly humble way. “Thank you.”

I don’t know if it’s my heightened emotions getting the better of me, but I’m fascinated by everything about him. From the way he spins a ring around his middle finger to how the beard around his mouth makes his lips an unreal shade of pink, I’m utterly captivated by him. Deep down, I know it’s wrong, that it’sa line I can’t cross. Even though Kai rejected me, to get involved with his brother wouldn’t be right. But I can’t help flirting with that forbidden line. Every time I do, it’s like a shot of adrenaline through my system.

When I’m around Xander, every worry that plagues me seems so trivial. These are the moments I want to be swept away in—good conversation and a calming presence. I’m hanging on tightly to that feeling because I know what happens next will be the complete opposite. Word is bound to get out about my rejection. And when that happens, I’m going to be drowning in embarrassment. So I cling to this moment and any others Xander will give me until he has to go and leaves me to face a sea of misery alone.

NINE

Alexia

All afternoon, I’ve lain next to Xander, looking out the window mindlessly as the sun moves across his window. Usually I can’t just be still and quiet for so long, but today, I have. Even when he drifted into a nap beside me. My head has been a hazy mess since learning Kai left. I keep picturing my parents finding out before I can talk to them. The thought of them getting a secondhand story has my stomach in knots.

I finally build up the courage to ease my hand into my pocket and pull out my phone. I’m careful not to move abruptly and disturb Xander. I like the sound of his deep breaths; it calms me as the phone screen lights up. A part of me wishes that I had missed a message from Kai while lying here zoned out. The other side of me knows it isn’t going to happen. He has made his choice, and I don’t think he’s going to change his mind.

I pull up the text thread I have with Sam.

Has anyone heard what’s going on?

My brother practically lives with his phone in his hand and quickly responds.

Sam

We know. You’re gonna rule over all our asses. No need to rub it in. Lol

Funny. I mean have you heard about what’s going on over here?

Sam

No. What are you talking about?

I can almost hear the worry in his voice as I read the text.

Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m going to stop by Mom and Dad’s, and I’ll explain everything.

Sam

Do I need to have my can of big-brother-whoop-ass ready?

That won’t be necessary.

I don’t bother to tell him that the person who would be on the other end of said whoop ass is gone.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and Xander’s inked arm slips around my waist. This is so wrong. The trouble we would be in if someone barged into his room right now. They would jump to conclusions, assume we’re being sexually intimate. They would take it to the shifter assembly and?—

Stop, Alexia! We aren’t being sexual. He’s being a friend. Comforting me.

Except the hard-on that’s pressing against the small of my back right now feels anything but friendly. And I like itwaytoo much to ignore. This is dangerous, and I should put a stop to it right now before it goes too far.

I shift, preparing to slide out of his embrace and get out of bed, but he tightens his arm around me and pulls me in closer. I melt into the mattress as he lets out the most adorable little sigh. It doesn’t even seem like a man his size should be able tomakethat sound. But there’s no way I can move now.

“Talk to me about how you’re feeling before you head out there and face everyone,” he says in a groggy voice before burying his face in my messy hair.

“Do you want me to narrow it down to one feeling because I don’t think I can do that. At the moment, I’m content but anger is brewing below the surface. I’m pissed that Kai put me in this situation. We could have talked all this through, dealt with it together. Now, I’ve got to face my family and tell them what’s going on before they get word from someone else.”

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