Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Maya checked her wristwatch feeling slightly irritated.

The meeting was long over but Xavier was engrossed in a conversation with a tall blonde woman.

She looked very powerful, exuding a natural kind of confidence that Maya could feel even though she was watching them from the other side of the room.

She had an ethereal kind of beauty that was hard not to notice, the type of attraction that Xavier possess. The kind of gorgeousness that makes you lose your breath and forget what you were saying.

If not for the way she was currently stroking Xavier's arm she would have mistaken them as siblings.

The way she carries herself as she spoke to Xavier, spoke volumes on how important and successful she was.

Maya raised her brow at her very short gown that Xavier has no problem with.

But, when she wears something similar though more decent she gets tongue whipped by him.

But with a slit made to showcase her long legs further and a perfect skinny model trimmed body, Maya could see why he finds her attractive. She was everything she, Maya wasn't.

She huffed frustrated remembering that in the past she had tried working out to shed weight but in a sick way her hips kept getting wider and her breast Fuller. She felt like a plain ole overweight Jane standing across her.

She placed her hand on her forehead shocked at her thoughts, she was never the type to have self-esteem issues, she was one of the most confident people she knew.

So what If her boss was talking to a perfect stunning beanstalk of a woman who makes being more than a size 8 a crime and was practically throwing herself at him.

That has nothing to do with her and she shouldn't have any business comparing herself with her.

"Hi." A too cheerful yet deep voice Said behind her.

She turned.

His eyes were purely plain mischievous and he had a playful flirty smile on his face as he checked her out.

He was handsome and was very much aware of that advantage judging by the cocky way he carried himself in his very casual denim trousers, black leather jacket, and sneakers sticking out like a sore thumb in a room full of cold stares and calculating cold businessmen.

Maya wondered what he was doing in such a room when he belonged in Hollywood, or probably in runways because either way he was cut out for showbiz business.

He reminded her of the funny hot player in every teenage girl's fantasy, who will finally have eyes only for her and he looked the part too with his dimples and endorsement worthy set of teeth.

He had this bubbling full of damn contagious life aura, and he didn't look anything like the stiff and emotionless men inside the room. His smile was warm and inviting unlike the fake smile that she had seen on the faces of many of the businessmen.

Dirty blonde hair with no one out of place, his toned muscle she could notice, underneath his plain navy blue tee, red lips, his very unique way with words, and he exuded the air of arrogance and confidence ~ The perfect playboy material.

The signs were obvious and on a normal day Maya wouldn't spare his type a glance but his smile was damn infectious, she couldn't help but smile back.

"Hey." She whispered.

"I was surprised when I heard you cursed on your first day at work and you still have a job because Xavier is big on principles even though he swears more than a sailor, but now I see why... Girl, you are damn gorgeous." He complimented.

She smiled, he sounded like he was close to Xavier and even though she knew he was a player and was trying to get into her pants, it felt good being complimented by him.

"Thank you." She mumbled her gaze wandering and landing on Xavier and the blonde.

She was touching his jaw and his lips were just a few inches away from his and it seemed she was going to kiss him not minding that they just had a business meeting and people were still present.

Maya frowned, she couldn't see Xavier's face because he was backing her, but she could see him leaning in and she could imagine the lustful expression he must have on his face, the one he had given her that night.

"I am Tyler."

She took a double-take flushed, remembering she had company.

He looked amused already knowing what or rather who she was damn fixated on.

Seeing the knowing smile on his face, Maya flushed, even more, now he will see her as a pathetic course, and probably think she was in love with her boss who was way out of her league and could get any girl he wanted~ the perfect cliche unrequited infatuation.

"Kate Pearson," he started smirking as he starred at the model who had her arms entwined around Xavier's waist.

"Age 24, the daughter of one of the richest men in the county and also Xavier's biggest competitor standing in his way of Winning a shipping contract worth billions of dollars. I bet she doesn't know she is currently kissing her dad's biggest rival and he is probably going to use her...." He commented. "As usual." He added.

Maya narrowed her eyes at him sensing a hint of bitterness in his tone but the smile was back on his face, making her little idea fly out of the window.

~This guy couldn't possibly harbor a grudge she thought.

"I don't need the details, I am currently running late for an engagement, and my boss doesn't seem to be in a hurry to leave." She stated defensively.

And even though, she didn't want to look at them, she was curious and couldn't help it.

She turned, and true to Tyler's comment they were kissing but it was not regular PG 13 stuff but the steamy, lights out, all tongue type of kiss.

She cringed remembering that hours ago that lips were on her.

"Okay, he is certainly engrossed in more than just talking." She commented turning towards Tyler.

He laughed.

Maya sighed checking her wristwatch again, she wasn't lying when she had told Tyler she was running late for something.

Her date with Alex was at 7:30 am and it was already a few minutes past 5 because the annoying bore of a meeting had lasted for hours.

All the numbers and figures were really hard to keep up with, and she was already drowsy and was about doing something very humiliating like banging her head continuously against the wall before she was saved from her misery and the meeting came to an end.

If they didn't leave now she thought, the girls will leave the office since the official closing time was 6 and she will be stuck in the office without a ride.

And importantly, she also needed to get home and prepare for her dinner with Alex. She wasn't planning on getting all dolled up but she needed to put in effort else Jessica will get suspicious.

She had promised Alex that she will try to get him noticed by Jessica, and going out with him was their way of testing the waters.

And for Alex's sake, she hopes Jessica gets jealous or maybe slightly irritated even though she knew that was very much unlikely.

Tyler smiled.

"I like you a lot Maya, we will get along so well. Just so relieved that you don't seem to be into him, the bastard always gets Lucky, getting the best among them..."

"I am pretty sure my boss doesn't see me in that way." She replied flustered with the subject they were headed.

"Xavier will be gay if he doesn't want you and the last time I checked he was not into dicks." Tyler confidently replied, flashing her his award-winning set of teeth.

She grinned at him. He was just being kind, Xavier will never go for her, their one-night stand gone wrong was enough proof, but in his defense Maya thought, he didn't know that.

"I...."

Maya could feel chills on her body as the hair on her back stood conscious of someone burning holes into her back.

She slowly turned and there stood Xavier glaring at Tyler, the look on his face was identical to the one he had on his face when she had told him she had other plans, she noticed worried.

He walked towards them with quick sure strides, ignoring his companion's protest, and then with everybody looking he grabbed her and cupped her jaw, then he closed the distance between their lips.

Maya's eyes widened in shock, she could taste the strawberry flavored lip gloss of the beanstalk perfection he had just been kissing a few minutes ago, making her nauseated.

She knew everyone will be watching, she tried pushing him but his grip on her was strong. She stood there allowing what had happened between them earlier to repeat itself as he possessively held her waist.

Tyler chuckled completely unfazed by the drama unfolding in front of him.

"Hello to you too brother." He said, sounding very much amused.

~Somethings just never change he thought, typical Xavier used to stake his claim instinctively on anything he thinks he is entitled to.

Maya's eyes widened, they were related she thought, they were even brothers. Xavier sighed releasing her from his kiss but still holding her in his arms, she was burning red, her face the same color of her red lipstick which was currently on Xavier's lips almost making her chuckle.

"Stepbrother." Xavier drily commented.

"Ouch, that hurts a lot." Tyler mockingly commented.

"I wish I could hurt you," Xavier stated with anger and resentment.

Maya stared at the two of them intrigued, they looked nothing alike, and the thought that Xavier had a brother who was unknown to the media and they don't seem to get along was too much to take in.

Tyler just grinned, making Maya roll her eyes at him.

~It seems the guy had a death wish she thought.

"Nice meeting you Maya." He commented, his statement fueling the rage within Xavier.

"Stay away from her." He warned.

"Wow, you should be the one staying away from her. Doesn't she reminds you of her, you this..."

Maya gasped in shock as Xavier grabbed him, his hand around his neck, his face red in anger, his jaw ticked and his eyes a shade darker and scary.

Tyler also looked intimidating, all hints of playfulness gone. His hands were in his pocket as he made no attempt to try to free himself from Xavier's death grip but just glared back at him in contempt.

"Oh boy," Maya whispered to herself. The scene in front of her looked more like a scene in an action movie and not believing how hot Xavier looked when angry and equally horrified she could think like that especially considering how intense the tension was and nobody was making an attempt to intervene.

~They were going to hurt each other she thought.

Contrary to her thought, Xavier released him, and grabbing her hand he practically dragged her from the meeting room but not before Tyler winked at her making her eyes fly open in shock, that he was back to his amused playful self.

~How could someone be so bipolar? It was so confusing she thought.

"Stop," Maya ordered glaring at him immediately they were outside.

"What was that about?" She asked, the confusion and shock gradually wearing off and anger finally kicking in realizing he had kissed her twice against her will.

"Where." He asked amused.

~The bastard she thought angrily.

"You kissed me in the office and now in front of everybody there." She stated annoyed.

"Yes I did, get over it. And I don't know why I have a feeling you are angry because I just might have ruined your chances of getting into Tyler's bed." He stated, then coming closer to her he smirked mockingly, "Maybe you just wanted to follow him to any nearby hotel judging by how wide your smile was and finish off what you wanted doing with me." He bluntly commented, a mocking smile on his face.

She saw red at his comment, and before thinking, her face connected with his cheek.

He looked at her shocked, then it finally transformed into rage. Seething anger. He growled, and an animal-like sound escaped from his mouth. Maya flinched closing her eyes.

Then she heard a deep throaty chuckle, she opened one of her eyes shocked that it was Xavier doubled over in laughter.

"So that's what it feels like to be hit by a furious woman." He whispered his eyes flickering in amusement, while she stared at him shocked with her eyes now fully open.

Then with a serious face, he draped his arm around her waist and pushed her closer to him as she instinctively placed her hand on his broad chest.

"If it was another person who had dared what you have just done, I will have ruined his or her life...."

She shivered.

"I can't do that to you my kitten." He promised a wicked smile on his face, "But..." He whispered, his lips close to her ear.

"You will be punished accordingly." He stated promise in his voice. She shivered again but this time not out of fear but anticipation.

He groaned seeing the lust in her eyes.

"I wanted to bend you over inside there and have my way with you to show all those men ogling at you especially Tyler who you belonged to. You are mine." He started tracing her lips.

"I am not your property." She argued putting distance between them, all trace of lust gone.

He winked at her making her even more upset.

"I own you, Maya." He stated.