Page 16 of Not All Himbos Wear Capes
If you insist.
The opportunity to actuallytalkto someone was too tempting to resist, so I set aside my half-eaten breakfast sandwich, even though it was the best thing I’d ever put in my mouth.
Besides Xander.
“To be honest, I’ve been under a lot of stress lately with work, so this,”—I gestured between the two of us—“is just a lot to take in on top of everything else. It’s just sonewfor me, and like nothing I’ve ever done before, so…”
His expression was impressively unreadable. “Let me guess. Now that you’ve gotten your side trip to Cocktown out of the way, you think you’d rather return to Pussyville, where it’s safe and warm, hmm?”
“Are you kidding?” I yelped. “I like… Cock… town. It’s the best! I think I might stay—maybe buy a house and live there forever.”
What the heck am I even saying?
The phone buzzing in my pocket saved me from embarrassing myself any further. Pointedly avoiding Xander’s smirk, I pulled it out, groaning to find a message from Biggs calling me into the office.
“It looks like I have to go to work,” I grumbled. “Even though it’s supposed to be my day off.”
Not that heroes truly get days off.
Xander glanced around my condo, that cute wrinkle forming between his amber eyes again. “I have to admit, I assumed this setup was thanks to family money, and that you were just a layabout, yet extremely athletic, playboy who works on spreadsheets for fun.”
I barked a laugh. “Itisfamily money—in a way—but I’ve worked hard to get where I am.”
“How hard?” he teased, licking his lips and making me wonder if I should call out sick for the first time in my life. His expression suddenly changed to mild annoyance. “Wait, what are you doing?”
It took me a moment to realize Xander was referring to me wrapping up my unfinished breakfast to throw away.
Maybe he has an issue with wasted food?
“I have to go to work,” I repeated, slower this time. “Butthank youfor the egg sandwich. It was a treat. Maybe next time I’ll get to eat the whole thing!”
His hand was suddenly covering mine, firmly holding me—and the sandwich—in place. “No,” his voice sent a delicious shiver down my spine. “You’re going to sit your tight ass down and finish your breakfast. I don’t give afuckif your boss wants you to jump when he says jump. You’re not going to work hungry.”
Oh, okay.
Whatever you say.
My entire body immediately responded to his command—my ‘tight ass’ sliding onto the bar stool while my hands dutifully unwrapped my sinful treat again. I wascontractuallyexpected to jump when Biggs said jump, but whenXandergave me orders, I actually wanted to obey.
He watchedme eat with a half-lidded expression that reminded me of how he’d looked standing over me last night. It was as if I were giving him pleasure all over again, which mademewarm and satisfied in return.
Sugar, I like pleasing him.
“So, what do you do for work?” I mumbled around another deliciously unhealthy bite. “I mean, unlessyou’rean athletic layabout too?”
Xander’s lips twisted in amusement. “Well, I try to lay about as much as possible, but Idowork. Mostly on my own research, but it’s ah… a lot of it is privately funded.” He paused, as if debating how to explain, before hesitantly adding. “It’s also family money… in a way.”
My heart nearly thumped out of my chest at the similarities, although I tried to play it cool. “Mmhmm, with loads of strings attached, right?” When he nodded grimly, I switched gears. “Tell me about your research! What’s your field of study?”
Xander smiled.Reallysmiled. Which made his handsome face even more handsome and activated the heart eyes I was no doubt beaming at him with.
“Marine biology. I’m working on a large-scale project right now that could completely eliminate human impact on Awakener’s Bay.”
I couldn’t help but smile back at his infectious enthusiasm. “That sounds nefarious,” I teased. “Like some sort of evil villain plotting the demise of the human race.”
He went completely still. “What makes you say that?”
Before I could tell him I was kidding—obviously—my phone buzzed on the countertop with another message from Biggs.
