“Your feet sore?” Reign asks, standing beside me.
“Yeah, can I go soon?”
He looks around until his eyes find Selena. “Let me talk to her, then I’ll take you home. You did good today.”
He disappears before I can say another word.
“No worries,” I mutter to no one.
I wait for fifteen minutes before Reign comes back. He has Selena by his side. She has this “I won, na-na-na-na,” look on her face. I narrow my eyes at her, but when I see Reign’s expression I force the look off my face.
Your job, Tia. Don’t forget it’s your job.
“Selena needs a ride,” he says. “I’m going to take her home, and then I’ll come back and get you.”
Point made, loud and clear. He doesn’t want me to come.
“Fine, no problem,” I say, leaning back into the chair.
He leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek before whispering into my ear, “I won’t be long.”
Then he’s gone with her . . . Slutena. She looks back and has the audacity to smile at me as she hooks her arm through his. What is it with women? They can go without a man, saying they don’t love him and don’t want him, but the moment he’s seen with another woman the claws come out and they turn into crazy, over-possessive bitches.
I wait for more than an hour before deciding to get off my chair and walk to the car park. When I get there, I glance down at my phone. Nothing from Reign. I wait for another half an hour, but he still doesn’t come back. Not long my ass.
“Waiting for someone?”
I turn to see a handsome, well-groomed man standing beside me. He’s got sandy-blond hair that’s cropped short, and green eyes that are absolutely stunning. He’s got a rugged jaw, with light stubble covering it, and he’s wearing a suit, so he looks quite professional, only he has a real edge about him.
“I am.” I smile weakly. “But I think he forgot about me.”
“Are you after a lift? Perhaps I can call you a cab?”
I look down at my wristwatch. It’s after five p.m.
I look up, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Maybe a cab.”
“Maybe?” He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the side.
I smile back. “Sorry. Yes, that would be great. I’m Tiani, by the way.”
He reaches his hand out. “Xander.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Xander.”
“Pleasure is all mine. Who were you here with, darlin’?”
“Reign Braxton.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “You’re with Reign?
“I’m not with Reign. He just invited me along.”
He runs a hand through his messy hair. “I work for him. I run a bar on the south side.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat.
“Listen, let me give you a ride home. I’m leaving now anyway.”
I give him a skeptical look. “You could be an axe murder.”
He laughs softly. “Ring Reign and ask him, if you like?”
Sighing, I stand. “No, look, that’s okay. I’d love a ride, thank you.”
He smiles and points to a small, sleek, red convertible. “That’s mine.”
“Nice ride,” I breathe, walking over to the car.
We get in after he opens the door for me—yes there are still men like that in the world—and then I give him my address. He pulls out of the car park and speeds off down the highway.
“I’m just going to let Reign know I got a lift,” I say, waving my phone about.
He nods his head. “No problems.”
I quickly punch out a text to Reign.
T: Thanks a lot for coming back to get me. I’ve been abducted by a murderer, and am currently about to be chopped into tiny little pieces.
A moment later I get a response.
R: Sorry, T. I got caught up. I’ll be there in 10.
T: I got a ride. It’s fine.
R: With who?
T: Xander.
R: He’s a man whore.
T: You said I needed to be fucked.
It takes him about five minutes to respond.
R: Let me know when you’re home. I’ll call you later.
T: No, don’t worry about it. I’ll be immersing myself in water to wash my sins away, then I’ll cry myself to sleep because you forgot about me.
R: U angry at me, babe?
T: Oh absolutely.
R: I’ll call you.
T: Goodnight, Reign.
R: I’ll call.
I turn the phone off and then twist to face Xander. “Thanks for this.”
He waves a hand. “No problem. Was Reign okay with it?”
“Fine. He’s probably boning Selena right now anyway.”
Xander raises his brows. “He back with her?”
“He wishes,” I snort.
“Here we are.”
I look out the car window to see we’re at my apartment. “Shit, that was quick.”
“I may drive a little fast.” Xander smiles.
I laugh softly. “Thank you for the ride.”
“No worries. Maybe we can do it again sometime?”
I climb out of the car and smile at him. “Yeah, maybe.”
“You’re not wanting to share your number by any chance, are you?” He grins.
I can’t help but smile back. He hands me his phone with a hopeful expression. Shit, he’s kind of cute. I reach out and take it, then I punch my number in.
“See you around.” I grin.