BILLIONAIRE SERIES 2: The Runaway Girl and The Billionaire

Chapter 8:Wine

Xyrus watched with interest as the red haired woman he'd been lusting about knelt quickly to pick up each tomato from the floor. She was flustered from the sight of him, which he took as a good sign. After the way she had rejected him at the gym, he had feared he was losing his way with women. But the look on her face when her eyes had landed on him was the indication he needed to know that she was most certainly affected.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he started, hoping this would be a lengthier conversation than their last interaction.

"No-no, it's not your fault," she said, so softly Xyrus had to lean in to make out her words. Never did she look up to him, focusing more on the task than him.

"I was just shocked to see you again. You remember me, don't you?" Xyrus asked, with a tone that commanded her attention.

Those blue eyes were more remarkable every time he saw them. Filled with curiosity and a dangerous emotion he couldn't exactly place, Xy felt he could get lost in her beauty, delving deep into the rich blue of her eyes.

"Yes. From the gym," she admitted after a long pause, turning away as she stood.

"Yes, from the gym. My name is Xyrus," he extended his hand. She watched him closely, with a look of concern that made Xy slightly uneasy.

He couldn't begin to understand why she was so resistant to him. Nothing seemed to come easy with this woman who wanted nothing to do with him. She forced him to work for every inch, but in a torturous way, he enjoyed the fun of it all.

She shook his hand, and in that instant, knew that everything he'd felt had been real. There was an electricity between them, and her skin was the softest he had ever felt in in his life. "You have to let me take you out," Xyrus said, hating the desperation in his tone. He needed more time with her, and he could see she wasn't much more interested than she had been at the gym.

She shifted her weight nervously from one foot to the other as she glanced over her shoulder as if waiting for someone to rescue her. Trying not to dominate the conversation, Xy waited silently for her to respond, pleading with his eyes for good news.

"I don't like to go out. I just moved here," she explained, her words rushed and forced.

"Well, you've got to eat. I mean, that's why you're here, right?" He holding his hands up as he looked around the market.

Winfair's was Xy's favorite market. In fact, it was the only place he ever shopped for groceries. The owner was one of his premiere clients, so he made a point to stop by regularly to show his face. Unlike any other grocery store in the city, Winfair's only sold locally sourced products and donated a portion of the proceeds to the community.

"Well, yeah," Lana finally answered, still looking over her shoulder.

She was beyond timid, almost afraid, but Xy no idea how to make her more comfortable. His charm usually made everyone lighten up. He was known for his charisma and likable personality, but whenever he was around Lana, he felt out of his element.

"So, how about you let me take you to dinner?" he suggested, trying hard to close the deal.

His mind was already racing with ideas. Xy knew he wanted to take her to the finest restaurant in the city. She deserved truffles, caviar, and high-end champagne, and he wanted to be the one who gave it to her. Something about her told him she was used to nice things, but that didn't tame his desire to shower her with gifts in the least.

She was watching him closely, twisting her lips as she tried to find the words to answer. If only he could explain that there was nothing for her to worry about, but instead he stood quiet, waiting for her response.

"I just-" Lana began, but her words faded. She was nervous, Xy could sense it, but this time he didn't want to let her off the hook so easily.

"I don't give up easily, Lana. If you keep turning me down, I'll just have to keep asking. I don't want to have to stalk you, but I'll do what I have to," while Xy smiled, shrugging his shoulders as he teased her.

To his surprise, Lana didn't look the least bit amused. Her face went pale as her eyes widened with shock. Xy instantly knew that his joke had went left, but how could he fix it? Just when he started to stumble over his words, searching aimlessly for a way out of the awkward situation, a red-headed woman appeared out of nowhere.

Xy recognized the familiar face from the bakery. She was the overzealous girl who had helped him when he stopped in to grab treats the day when he was late for the meeting.

"Hi! I'm Tina," The red-haired woman announced herself enthusiastically, as she extended her hand to Xy.

"Nice to meet you, Tina. I'm Xy," he announced, glancing at Lana as he spoke. She still looked uncomfortable, but her friend's presence seemed to give her some relief.

"Is everything okay here?" Tina asked, speaking more to Lana than Xy.

There was a long awkward pause before Lana nodded, silently assuring her friend as the color returned to her face. He had blown it and felt awful, already planning ways to make it up to the blue-eyed beauty.

"We were just getting ready for a girl's night, Xy. You have some fun yourself. We're going to get some wine."

"Allow me to help," he quickly suggested, holding his arm up to lead the way towards the alcohol aisle.

"Really?" Tina asked, surprised by his generous offering.

"Yeah, let me show you my favorite wine," Xy said, stealing glances at Lana to the trio walked through the market together.

She was much more relaxed, but it did little to calm the guilt and embarrassment he felt for the horrible way he had blown their conversation. Of all the thing you didn't want to tell a prospective date, your intent to stalk them was undoubtedly at the top of the list.

"Here it is. This is my favorite red. You can only get it at Winfair's so I always make sure to get a few bottles every time I'm here," Xy explained, as he held the bottle of wine up, offering it to Tina after Lana refused to accept it.

"Well, how much is it?" Tina asked, turning the bottle in circles as she searched for a price tag.

"Oh, just go to the customer service counter. Tell them Xyrus sent you," he smiled, hoping the kind gesture would go over well with Lana. Unfortunately, she didn't reward him with a smile, choosing instead to watch her friend Tina with amusement dancing on her pink lips.

Tina went on and on about what types of wine she prefers and explaining the sales that Winfair's usually has. Xy was more focused on memorizing every detail of her face, like the small brown mole just above her left eyebrow.

She was stunning, and Xyrus was happy to have the attention off of him so he could stare without apology. When Tina finally paused for a breath, Lana turned to face him, and Xy felt the wind leave his lungs. It was a vulnerability he had never experienced before, and all from looking into her eyes.

"It was nice to meet you, Lana" he extended his hand again, eager to feel the softness of her hand.

"Same to you," she offered a small smile this time, her voice still weak and unsure.

"And you as well, Tina," he turned his attention to the rambunctious redhead.

"Thanks, Xy! Come by the bakery for another variety dozen," she winked. He had wondered if the woman recognized him, and he was happy to learn that she had. Lana was beginning to make him believe women didn't notice him anymore.

Walking away, he heard the giggles behind him and thought there might be a chance for him to salvage something with Lana. He was certain he had put his foot in his mouth, he knew there was still a chance to get her attention, in a good way.

Careful not to be spotted, Xy, Tina, and Lana from a distance as they went about their shopping before heading towards the checkout. He watched them complete their transaction before continuing to do the small shopping he came in for.

While he might have been strolling through the pasta aisle, his mind was anywhere but on dinner. Akira, his oldest friend and assistant, had gotten into his head with her accusations. All he could think was that he had in fact become too committed to work, leaving little to no time for anything else, and that maybe he had become the 'boring tycoon' she had alluded to.

Success had never scared Xyrus, and everyone around him was fast to remark about how it had not changed him. Xy liked to think he was still in touch with normal society, despite the exceptional privileges his wealth afforded him.

For the first time in his life, he felt different. When he was around Lana, he felt like there was something wrong with him. Much more than nerves, he found it nearly impossible to spark a conversation with her, stumbling over words and embarrassing himself like never before.

After deciding on a meal, Xyrus made his way to the checkout before heading home. He still had plans for work, which now made him feel guiltier. The more he thought of it, the more he had to admit that he never truly left the office, always bringing work home with him.

Driving through the city, he began to wonder what a different life would look like. It had been so long since he shared his life with anyone, he questioned if he could even be a good boyfriend now. Pulling down his street, he had to laugh at the outrageous thoughts rushing through his mind.

The way he had gone from finding a way to talk to a mysterious girl, to wondering about their compatibility was more than desperate. He was getting way ahead of himself, especially considering that Lana had done everything she could to make it clear she wanted nothing to do with him.