Xander's Chance

">"You won't last the week," Xander whispered. He released her and moved away. The loss of his body jarred her back into reality.

">Jessi braced herself against the counter, not certain she was able to stand on her own. She risked a glance at him, embarrassed at how much of a wreck she was. Xander's eyes glowed with hunger, and his fangs were receding in a way not remotely human.

">"Thanks," he said. He strode out of the kitchen, leaving her alone to try to regain her senses.

">The most intimate experience of her life, and that's all he could say? Was this how every woman he slept with felt after a night with him? Stunned, scattered, and so hungry for him, they wanted to beg him to take them to bed?

">She was beginning to understand the voicemails he kept getting.

">What did she really expect from a user like him? Anger flared within her. She was such an idiot! How did she fall under his spell again, knowing what he was?

">"This is my last day, Xander!" she cried.

">"Whatever." His casual dismissal infuriated her. He knew the effect he had on her; he did it on purpose to mess with her.

"> "I'm serious this time."

">"You gonna get the door?"

">She realized the doorbell had rung not once but twice. Furious but grateful for the chance to move before she exploded at him, Jessi forced her rubbery legs to cooperate and descended to the front door. She didn't bother to look out the peephole, too upset to care who stood there. She yanked the door open.

">Two tall, muscular men stood there. One was dark-skinned with tattoos all over his body, dark hair and an expression that turned curious as he met her gaze. The other was frowning fiercely. Brown-haired, blue eyes, slightly hunched, angry.

">"Xander's expecting us," the dark-skinned man told her. "I'm Jule. This is Charles. We're … friends, of sorts. You are?"

">Something about him eased her tension. Jessi realized she was glaring at them. She shook her head.

">"Sorry. I'm Jessi, his personal assistant. For today, at least. I'm quitting," she added. "Come in."