THE BAD BOY BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR

CHAPTER 5: CONFUSING FEELINGS

The day after the incident at the lockers, I could barely focus on anything. Every time I closed my eyes, Xavier’s smirk haunted me. The way he had protected me—it shouldn’t have affected me. And yet, it did.

I kept replaying the moment: his intense blue eyes, the protective stance, the way he had spoken my name like it meant something. And the warning. That sharp, dangerous warning that left me trembling inside.

I shoved my thoughts away as I entered the school courtyard. I had promised myself I wouldn’t get involved. No friendships, no drama, no bad-boy billionaires.

But fate seemed to have a sense of humor.

There he was. Sitting on the edge of the fountain, casual, confident, completely unaware—or maybe completely aware—of the effect he had on me.

Before I could walk past, he tilted his head, watching me approach.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said, not as a question, but as a statement.

I froze. “I… am not.”

He smirked, that irritating smirk. “Yes, you are. And it’s cute.”

I rolled my eyes. “Cute? You think this is cute?”

He shrugged, still watching me. “It’s entertaining.”

I wanted to walk away, but something inside me held me there. His gaze was magnetic. Dangerous. And for some reason, I didn’t want to leave.

“Why do you care about me so much?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

He blinked, momentarily thrown off by my honesty. “Care? I don’t… care. I just…” His voice trailed off, and he shook his head, as if he hadn’t meant to say that.

“Just what?” I pressed, curious despite myself.

He leaned back on the fountain’s edge, arms resting on his knees. “You’re… different. Most people don’t see it. They see the scholarship girl, the quiet one, the fragile one. But you… you’re strong. And stubborn. And annoying. And somehow… I can’t ignore that.”

I blinked, my heart beating faster. Annoying? That sounded… almost like a compliment. Almost.

“I don’t understand,” I said softly. “Why me? Why care about me at all?”

He tilted his head, letting a shadow cross his face. “Because… I’ve spent my whole life being untouchable. Dangerous. Rich. Feared. But you… you make me feel… something I haven’t felt in a long time.”

Something twisted in my chest. Confusion. Fear. And… attraction. I hated how my stomach fluttered at his words.

“Xavier, you’re…” I started, but couldn’t find the words. “You’re dangerous.”

He smiled, leaning closer, his eyes dark and intense. “I know. And yet, here you are. Standing next to me. Talking to me. Smiling at me.”

I didn’t smile. I looked away, pretending to study the fountain. My cheeks burned, my mind racing. Why did he make me feel like this? Confused, nervous, and alive all at the same time?

“You should go,” I muttered finally.

He stood, towering over me. “And leave you alone to deal with your feelings? Not a chance.”

I glared, but my voice faltered. “I don’t have feelings for you.”

He chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. “You do. Don’t lie to yourself, Rose Kimberley.”

I wanted to scream, to run, to escape—but I didn’t. Something about him held me in place. A mixture of fear, curiosity, and the unexplainable pull between us.

And just like that, he walked away—leaving me standing alone, my heart pounding, my thoughts in chaos.

By the time I reached my apartment, I leaned against the door, exhaling shakily. My mind was a storm of emotions.

Xavier King.

He was reckless. Dangerous. Irritating. Irresistible.

And I hated that I already cared what he thought.