Play the Player

Chapter Eight - Maddy

“Jesus, woman, are you drunk?” Xavier asked as she tried to break free from his hold, only to stagger back into him.

“I’m not drunk, silly. I’m tipsy. There’s a difference.”

Xavier smiled at her sarcasm.

“Okay, tipsy girl, I’m not letting you go this way. Where’s your car?” he asked, looking around.

His eyes caught the other three ladies, who were still standing in the same spot, staring at them.

“Why? Aside from stalking, you want to boss me around too?” She asked defiantly. Xavier cursed under his breath. So she did in fact remember him, just not with the right impression.

But stalker? The word irritated him more than it should have. He had never had to chase a woman before. He certainly had never been accused of frightening one.

“Let me go. I don’t need your help.”

“I know you don’t need my help,” Xavier responded coolly.

He loosened his hold, but stayed close enough to catch her if she stumbled again.

“So why are you standing there then?” she asked, her large eyes fixed on him.” Something in her eyes and the way she looked at him, made his expression soften.

“Because you’re drunk. If I let you go, you’ll fall, and I don’t want that.” Xavier reached up and used his thumb to brush a loose strand of hair away from her eyes.

The moment his hand touched her face, he felt that electrifying jolt and immediately pulled it back. He could have sworn she felt it too, judging by the way her sharp gaze softened.

She slowly broke free and stepped out of his hold.

Xavier turned, his hands slipping into his pockets, and watched one of the ladies run over to her and pull her into a hug. The other two ladies were held by Damon and Barack.

With slow, deliberate steps, he followed them down.

He saw her trying to hail a ride and instinctively walked over. He caught her wrist gently and guided her a few steps away from the curb before she could step toward the road.

“Are you trying to run away from me again, Red?”

“Let me go,” she said, trying to loosen herself from his grip. Xavier loosened his grip but didn't step away.

“I just want to know your name, Red. Just that for now,” he said.

“Why do you need my name, weirdo? So you can stalk me all the way down to my hometown? I’m not telling.” she responded cheekily.

Was that what she really thought of him? A weird stalker? Xavier glanced around in frustration. He probably deserved that but he still hadn't gotten used to the fact that no woman had ever been this unreceptive to him.

He thought to apologize but his pride won over instead.

“So the other day at the restaurant, I’m guessing you truly recognized me. Why did you pretend then?” Xavier asked, still confused.

“I don't owe you any explanation. Get away from me.”

She tried to pull free, but Xavier caught her by the waist when she lost her balance.

“Unfortunately Red, I’m a very resilient man. I spent weeks looking for you once. I’m not giving up now.” He said.

“Wait, is that a threat?” Maddy asked. She was getting angry. And angry Maddy was not who Xavier needed to see.

“Threat? Oh no… Why would I even threaten you?” Xavier paused briefly and looked at her.

He could see the fury in her eyes now and knew that he was pushing her over the edge.

But he was a selfish man. He couldn't let her walk away without knowing at least her name.

Fate had crossed their paths again, but what guarantee did he have that it would happen a third time?

If he let her go now, she could easily disappear again for all it was worth.

“Please, just tell me your name, that’s all I am asking.” Xavier softened and leaned in a bit closer.

Maddy felt the tension between them and silently cursed herself. For one dangerous second, she'd almost forgotten why she was supposed to stay away from him.

“It’s Morticia,” she lied. She just needed him to leave her alone at that point. He tilted his head and stared intensely at her.

“You don’t strike me as a Morticia.” He finally muttered after an awkward silence.

“And you don't strike me as a stalker, yet here we are.” Maddy said and eyed him squarely.

Xavier laughed. It was a warm, effortless laugh that caught Maddy off guard.

“Is Morticia really your name? It doesn’t really feel like it.” Xavier said.

“Well thanks, I’ll tell that to my mom,” Maddy added cheekily.

Xavier heard the sharp click of approaching heels and turned to see the other lady from earlier charging toward him. He took a step back as she raised her fingers and pointed them to him.

“You will leave my friend this instant or I’ll call the police on you.” She glared at him.

Adrian started to laugh behind him. Typical Adrian. Always laughing at the worst possible times.

“Easy, tiger. I’m not hurting your friend. We are just two adults having a conversation.

“It can only be a conversation if stalking is not involved. I’m calling the police this instant if you don’t let her go.”

Xavier raised both hands in surrender and took a step back.

“See? I’m not making trouble.”

“Maddy!” Nikita practically screamed. “Please ask that strange man to leave you alone. We need to head back and sleep.”

Maddy froze.

Xavier's eyebrows lifted.

“Maddy,” he repeated slowly.

She closed her eyes.

Damn it.