Xavier

by Miranda P. Charles

  “You got the Sydney job?”

  She nodded.

  “Hey, congrats! That’s great! So we’re actually celebrating tonight.”

  “Thanks,” Eve answered, just as their drinks arrived. “I guess these are celebratory drinks.”

  Xavier raised his glass. “I have to say I’m deeply honoured to be invited to this auspicious occasion, Miss Eve…?”

  She clinked her glass with his. “Um… do you mind if I also don’t tell you my surname?”

  He let out an incredulous chuckle. “Really? That’s off limits too?”

  “Yeah.” She let out a heavy sigh. “Because you might Google me and somehow guess what job I’ve applied for. I’m really sorry, Xavier. I’m honestly not trying to be rude, but I’ve been told by the big boss not to let the cat out of the bag yet.”

  He gave her hand a couple of light taps. “Hey, don’t worry about it. If it’s top secret, then it’s top secret. Must be one hell of a job, though.”

  “It is for me,” Eve said, face aglow with happiness.

  “So when do you move to Sydney?”

  “In a couple of months.”

  “Great,” he said dryly. “I could be dead from curiosity by then.”

  Eve laughed. “I hope not. No fun revealing a big secret to a dead man.”

  “Well,” he drawled, “if I’m promised another date for the big reveal, then I’ll promise to keep on breathing.”

  The curve of Eve’s lips matched his. “Far be it from me to be responsible for someone’s demise. It’ll be another date, Mr. Xavier…?”

  Xavier leaned back on his seat, grinning. “Now, now, Miss Eve. Fair’s fair. The time you tell me your surname is the time I’ll tell you mine.”

  Eve nodded. “Glad to know I’m having drinks with a fair man.”

  “Since we’re on the topic of fairness, it’s not really fair that you know about my job but I don’t know yours, is it?” he said teasingly.

  “Hey, don’t hold that against me. I didn’t ask for that information. You volunteered it.”

  He took a casual sip of wine. “Well, then, I’d wait to tell you the whole truth about my job until our date in two months.”

  “The whole truth about your job?”

  “Yes.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes. “You’re just trying to make me curious.”

  He shrugged. Not that he wanted to brag to Eve that he actually owned A to X Fitness, but it was fun that he had something she could be intrigued about.

  “Fine,” Eve said with a sigh. “Since we’ve already agreed on another date, I too will promise not to die of curiosity.”

  He laughed.

  Soon, their glasses were almost empty, and Xavier was nowhere near ready to end this date. “I’m starting to feel peckish. The restaurant upstairs is pretty good. Fancy having dinner with me?”

  “Sure.”

  Xavier’s lungs filled with air, relieved.

  No, not relieved. Happy. Yes, happy to be having dinner with Miss Eve.

  They left the bar and went to the restaurant. Luckily, it wasn’t fully booked.

  “Have you been to Adelaide?” Eve asked after they’d ordered.

  “Twice—the last time probably more than five years ago. Will you miss it when you leave?”

  “Yeah. My family’s there. But I’m not feeling sad yet. I guess I’m too excited about my new job. I’m sure I’ll feel the heart tugs soon enough, though.”

  He smiled, hoping she’d love Sydney.

  And despite the fact that they avoided talking about their respective jobs, time still flew by. Before Xavier knew it, dinner had ended.

  “Where are you staying?” he asked. “Or is that off limits too?”

  Eve chuckled. “I’m staying at an Airbnb place at Potts Point.”

  “Okay. How are you getting home?”

  “Train.”

  “You mean you’re going to Martin Place station to catch a train to Kings Cross?”

  “Yes. My place is not at all far from Kings Cross station.”

  Xavier frowned. Kings Cross, Sydney’s reputed red light district, was no longer as sleazy as it used to be, and it was a mostly safe area. But it was almost eleven at night, and he didn’t feel comfortable letting Eve walk through there alone at this time. “You don’t want to take a taxi?”

  “No. I’ve been out in the Cross during the night to have a look around. No one bothered me.”

  “It wasn’t a Friday or Saturday night, I take it?”

  “No.”

  “There’ll be lots more people going into the pubs and clubs tonight. Some drunks could be spilling out on the streets already.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  Xavier shook his head. Eve might not be worried, but he was. “If you insist on taking the train, how about I go with you and walk you home?”

  “Oh, thank you, that’s so sweet. But I know self-defence,” she said with a grin.

  “I’m sure you can take care of yourself. But it will make me feel better. Otherwise, I’ll be up all night wondering if you got home all right.”

  “I can just text you and let you know I’m home safely.”

  He grinned, taking his phone out. “Number, please.”

  Eve recited it to him, then he called it so she could also have his number.

  “You know,” he said with gravity, “I’d still worry myself to death between now and when you text me. Do you have something against me? You’re already making me die of curiosity as it is.”

  Eve chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re a funny man, Xavier. I’m sure I’ll get back to my apartment unscathed. But if you insist…”

  “I do insist.”

  “Okay. You can walk me home.”

  And he did. As Eve had anticipated, they made it to her building without encountering trouble.

  “Thank you for indulging me this walk,” he said by the elevator in the foyer.

  “No, thank you for walking with me. I did feel much safer.”

  “Well…” He rubbed his jaw, thinking of something to say so he could extend this date a little bit more without her thinking he was after sex. Not that he wouldn’t want to have sex with her. He’d trip on his own feet for that. But he wasn’t even going to hint at it. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he’d walked her home to get into her panties.

  “What’s your plan for tomorrow?” Eve asked.

  His heart banged in his chest. “I’ve nothing planned. You?”

  “I thought I’d go on a ferry ride to Manly. I haven’t been there at all, would you believe?”

  “Want a tour guide?”

  “I was hoping you’d ask,” she said with a giggle. “My only friend here in Sydney has work tomorrow, and she has a family do on Sunday.”

  He grinned. “I’m your man. What time do you want me to pick you up?”

  “I can meet you at Circular Quay.”

  “I don’t mind picking you up.”

  Eve bit back a smile. “Okay. Ten?”

  “Great. Already looking forward to it.”

  They stared in each other’s eyes. And he swore he didn’t make the first move, but his lips were suddenly on Eve’s.

  Ah, bliss.

  He wanted nothing more than to pull her body against his and taste her mouth with his tongue, but he refrained. There was still tomorrow, and he needed her to believe he wasn’t someone just after a quick fuck.

  He pulled away, intrigued by his own thoughts. What was he after then?

  He wasn’t quite sure, but now wasn’t the time to mull it over.

  “Goodnight, Eve. See you tomorrow.”

  “’Night, Xavier.”

  He walked out her building and looked back before the door closed. Eve wasn’t there anymore.

  Ah, good. He usually didn’t date women who were clearly after a relationship. But since he hardly knew Eve, he couldn’t tell if she was one of them.

  He’d also forgotten to tell her that he was onl
y after some fun, something he always made sure to mention on dates. Hopefully, Eve not hanging around to watch him walk away indicated she wasn’t considering him as a potential long-term boyfriend—because he wouldn’t be that guy.

  He couldn’t wait for tomorrow, though. Why was it still so far away?

  Chapter 4

  “Don’t be stupid,” Eve berated her image in the mirror.

  Huffing, she got out of the figure-hugging dress she’d put on and took out her pair of skinny jeans. She and Xavier would be doing a lot of walking today. It would be plain silly to wear a tight, short dress since she’d have to wear heels with it. Plus it was a cool day.

  She sighed. She’d never been this anxious before a date. Correction, she’d never been this anxious to look good before a date. The lack of sleep was probably creating havoc with her system.

  She let out a snicker. She knew damned well what was going on. She’d developed a big crush on Xavier.

  A longing breath escaped her. How sweet had their kiss been last night? She hadn’t had that kind of first kiss in a long, long time—soft, tender, just lips feeling each other.

  Xavier had definitely impressed her. Apart from being a good kisser, he’d been hilarious, a good conversationalist, respectful… and damn if she hadn’t melted from him wanting to ensure she got home safe.

  She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she knew self-defence. She wasn’t scared of tackling drunken louts. But it had been ages since someone—apart from her parents—had wanted to look after her.

  She frowned. Since when did she want to be looked after? She’d always been proud of her independence, and there was no way she’d be giving that up for any man.

  But Xavier hadn’t made her feel less capable. She’d simply felt… cherished.

  She inhaled sharply as her eyes started to water. Hey, what was this about?

  She started to shake her head to ward off this unwanted feeling, but something gave her pause. She stood straighter and stared at herself in the mirror.

  “Face it, Eve.”

  More tears rushed to the surface, and she sniffed.

  She was lonely.

  A tear fell and she grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes. Damn it, she hadn’t wanted to admit to that. She was doing well on her own. And… she didn’t know how to trust men anymore after her experience with her cheating ex and what had happened to her Aunt Tammy.

  But for some reason, she seemed to trust Xavier. She had felt safe with him from the very beginning, and her trusty bullshit antenna hadn’t perked up around him at all.

  She sat at the edge of the bed, looking out the window. How could she trust someone she’d just met? She did have a knot in her stomach, but it wasn’t enough to erase her excitement at Xavier’s arrival.

  Hmm. Maybe the new environment and her new job was putting her in such a relaxed, happy state.

  She should be careful then. She wouldn’t want to be caught unawares.

  Still, when had she dated a man who didn’t know what she did for a living? Couldn’t she just enjoy herself today without allowing her overly cautious nature to take over? It wasn’t as if she and Xavier were going to bed. They were going out to do some sightseeing.

  Yes, she intended to have fun today. Fun. Sometimes, it felt like she’d forgotten the meaning of the word.

  She stood up to finish getting dressed, putting on a slightly low-cut top. It was made of thin material—too light for today’s weather—but she’d bring a jacket. She wanted to feel sexy today. She wanted to look sexy.

  Her phone rang and she quickly grabbed it, her heart galloping. “Hi, Xavier.”

  “Hey, Eve. I’m downstairs. I forgot to ask you your unit number last night.”

  “Oh, right. I’ll be right down. No, actually, can you come up first?”

  “Sure.”

  “Level five, first door to your right.” She buzzed him in, then looked around her studio apartment. Everything was tidy and presentable.

  A few seconds later, Xavier knocked on her door.

  Her heart thudded as she answered. “There you are.”

  “Waiting for me, are you?” he asked cheekily.

  She feigned a frown. “For hours now. What took you so long?”

  Xavier closed the door. “If I’d known how much you were pining, I would have turned up at dawn.”

  Her breath hitched. His tone was light, but his gaze was… hot.

  She found herself walking closer to him. “Did you miss me?” Her cheeks immediately burned from her words. When had she last been this forward with a man she’d only just met? Never.

  Xavier cupped her face. “Yeah, I missed you. I couldn’t even sleep last night.”

  She smiled, melting at his words and tingling from his touch. This was fun. This was freeing. This was going with the flow.

  Was something in Sydney’s water creating this change in her?

  She lifted her face to Xavier’s, and he placed his lips on hers—a tender three-second kiss that made her crave more.

  She sighed. They’d better leave before she threw herself at him and embarrassed herself. “Ready to go?”

  Xavier caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, before he let go. “Yes, let’s. I plan to be the best Sydney tour guide you’ve ever had. In fact, I’d planned a whole-day itinerary for us.”

  “Really?” She grabbed her handbag and went out the door with him. “So what’s the plan?”

  Xavier whipped a sheet of paper from his pocket and gave it to her.

  Her mouth dropped. Xavier had arranged a packed schedule for them to go to various places that she’d mentioned last night she hadn’t been to. He’d remembered all this from their conversation?

  “Wow, thank you,” she murmured.

  “And”—he took out another sheet—“if you’re up to it, I also have some plans for us tomorrow before you have to leave for the airport.”

  “Xavier, this is so cool,” she said sincerely.

  “My pleasure. Ready?”

  She nodded, and took his hand.

  Eve leaned against the railing of the ferry then closed her eyes, lifting her chin towards the sky. The sun’s delicious warmth balanced out the cool strong breeze that blew her hair from her face. This was heavenly.

  “Beautiful,” Xavier murmured.

  She opened her eyes and found him staring at his phone.

  “See?” Xavier showed her the screen. It was a picture of her taken just then, looking serene and happy.

  “Hey, that’s not fair.” She fished out her own phone and pointed its camera lens to Xavier.

  Xavier smiled for her.

  “No, you have to look like I did.”

  “Oh, sure.” He shut his eyes and exaggerated his grin, even raising his arms wide open.

  She laughed and took a picture of him.

  “Now, how about a selfie with the two of us?” Xavier asked, stepping closer.

  “Okay.”

  They both raised their phones and took the perfect photo with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind them.

  Eve sighed. She was already having a great time and they hadn’t even arrived at their destination. She went on full tourist mode, though, taking plenty of pictures as they passed landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Fort Denison.

  Xavier pointed out other places of interest, including some mansions along the shoreline and telling her who owned them.

  “You definitely make a great tour guide,” she said. “If you ever get tired of being a personal trainer, this could be your next career.”

  “Why, thank you. I better keep this up, so if I ever need a good reference for a future employer, you’d be happy to give me one. Right?”

  “Definitely,” she said with a chuckle.

  The half-hour ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly felt like ten minutes to Eve. And before she knew it, another hour had passed from walking around the place, visiting the shops, and strolling along the beach.

  “It’s a shame it’s cold,” Ev
e said, burrowing her toes in the sand, “or I would have wet my feet in the water.”

  “I’d say come back during summer,” Xavier said. “But then, that’s a long way away.”

  She smiled at him. Did he mean he’d like to see her again before that?

  Well, if the rest of this weekend remained enjoyable in his company, she just might consider it.

  “Ready for lunch?” Xavier asked.

  “Actually, yeah. I’m starting to feel peckish. Do you mind if we go to that pub and sit out on the balcony?” She pointed to the place.

  “Sure. They got great food there.”

  Xavier took her hand and Eve’s heart skipped. This was the first time since getting on the ferry this morning that they’d held hands. She’d kind of been missing it.

  Both she and Xavier ordered fish and chips and beer. And despite the view before them, Eve was content to simply look at Xavier and enjoy their conversation.

  It still surprised her how at ease she felt in his company. Perhaps it was because Xavier himself looked completely relaxed. She hadn’t noticed any forced conversation or fake laughter between them. And even right now, when they were simply enjoying their food, she was comfortable in their silence.

  Should she tell him about her work?

  Don’t be stupid, Eve.

  Ah, yes, how silly of her to even consider it. She’d been told by Trevor not to say anything yet. What was more, she hadn’t even signed the contract. How could she even think of sharing her big news to someone she’d just met?

  A strong breeze blew away her serviette.

  “I’ll grab you another one,” Xavier offered, already standing.

  “Thanks.” She watched him walk towards the bar and speak with the bartender, who handed him a clean table napkin. Such a gentleman.

  “Xavier!”

  Eve turned her head towards the direction of the voice, and her eyes widened. It was Nicky King, the owner of the most popular gym wear brand in Australia.

  Nicky appeared to want to greet Xavier with a kiss, but she pulled back when Xavier didn’t make a move towards her.