Page 49 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas
The bell tinkled again. A smile stretched Cas’s cheeks as he rose and prepared to serve.
Cas sucked in a breath. The smile dropped from Cas’s face.
“Xavi?”
“Cas.” Xavi sauntered towards him, tail swaying behind him in time with the movement of his hips. “I was hoping you’d be working.”
Cas frowned, coming around the counter towards the incubus. He took in Xavi, dressed in a sleek black coat that showed off his trim, tall figure. Long jet-black hair with streaks of gold had been pulled back into a tight ponytail,showing off his impressive horns. His dark wings were tucked behind him.
“It’s good to see you, Cas.” Xavi placed a hand on Cas’s arm.
Cas stepped back, away from the touch. “What are you doing here?” Cas glanced from side to side, as if expecting an explanation lurking around.
“Cas, look at me,” Xavi said.
Cas looked at Xavi.
“I know you’re upset, which is entirely appropriate considering how things ended between us,” Xavi said, voice smooth. “But I’ve been doing some thinking, and I’ve come to realise that I was wrong for breaking off our relationship without considering all the variables.”
Xavi chuckled, shaking his head. “And you know I don’t admit I’m wrong often.” He gave an affectionate smile. “But I’ve missed you, Cas. I love you. And I want to be together. I’d like us to bond and be together forever.”
Cas tried and failed to comprehend what was going on and what Xavi was telling him.
Then, as if everything weren’t confusing enough, Xavi wrapped his arms around Cas’s, lowered his head, and kissed Cas.
Every cell of Cas’s body froze in shock.
Just a few weeks ago, Cas’s heart would have sung at Xavi’s return.
But now, with Xavi’s lips pressed against his, all Cas could think of was how wrong this all felt. Xavi smelled wrong. His arms felt too thin. His body wasn’t big enough. And Cas didn’t feel safe and protected in Xavi’s arms. After all, this incubus had betrayed him.
Cas didn’t want Xavi. He wanted Graal.
Recovering from the shock, Cas shoved Xavi away withall his pixie might. He wiped a hand across his lips. “No,” Cas whispered, shaking his head.
“What?” Xavi’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t want you.” Cas straightened.
Xavi held out a placating hand. “Cas, I know you are upset. I know I hurt you. I know how things ended between us wasn’t ideal. But you need to calm down and think clearly.” Xavi smiled, and Cas could see the condescension dripping from it.
How did I not see it before? And how dare he tell me to calm down and think clearly?
“Fuck you, Xavi. Just fuck you and fuck off!” Cas’s voice echoed in the bakery.
Xavi’s eyes widened in shock. “Cas, keep your voice down and don’t use such vulgar language towards me.”
“Fuck you!” Cas yelled. “Don’t you dare tell me how to behave.”
Cas’s wings flapped rapidly, and he rose into the air. His aura glowed red around him. But with all his might, he stopped his harmful pixie dust from bursting forward. He had things he wanted to say to Xavi.
“You cheated on me.” Cas flew towards him. “And then, when I caught you in the process of dipping your dick into someone else, you broke up with me. You didn’t even bother to apologise or put on clothes. Then you made me feel like you betraying me and ending our relationship was my fault.” Cas’s voice cracked.
“Now you just waltz in, not even apologising for treating me like garbage, you tell me what to do, and you just expect me to take you back?” Cas sneered. “You really are an arrogant prick.” Cas looked Xavi up and down. “I don’t know what I ever saw in you.”
“Cas! What has gotten into you?” Xavi asked.
And Cas knew the answer. “I just met someone whotreats me like I deserve. Someone wonderful. Someone perfect. Someone so much better than you.”
