Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 10

At Weatherspoons, the dazzling lights illuminated the entire room with a luxurious glow.

Xavier sat across from Sarah at a square table. The waiter uncorked a bottle of Bardilot red wine and poured it into a decanter.

The deep red liquid caught the light, a soft gleam shining as it touched Xavier's sharp, angular profile.

He looked effortlessly at ease, his half-closed eyes drifting toward the piano at the far corner.

"How strange. Why isn't anyone playing tonight?" In a soft yellow dress with her waves of long hair cascading down, Sarah seemed more feminine and delicate than her usual professional demeanor. Xavier raised an eyebrow. "I'm not too sure."

The idea of sitting there playing the piano and being stared at like a monkey by everyone would no doubt make Lily uncomfortable.

He even wondered if she had already gone home by now.

Lily was always considerate-she never disturbed him when he was busy. So, knowing he was caught up this morning, she had left quietly.

"Here's something special for both of you," a bold, familiar voice called out.

Maryanne placed a steaming plate of food on the table, sizing up Sarah as she did so.

"Is this a spicy beef salad?" Sarah was surprised to see such a dish on the menu at a fine dining restaurant.

"A spicy beef salad is meant for normal people to eat," Maryanne said with a bright smile, her gaze turning cold. "This dish has a name! It's called the 'Two-Faced Traitor Salad."" The temperature around the table dropped as her words sank in.

Maryanne considered herself bold and fearless, but something about challenging Xavier always gave her the chills.

Perhaps it was because she didn't have the concrete evidence to truly hold him accountable. Maybe that was why she felt uneasy.

After a few tense seconds, she felt a sudden pressure at the back of her neck, like an invisible hand squeezing it. Without a second thought, she turned and walked away quickly. Sarah, feigning innocence, looked at Xavier. "Do you know her?"

"Not really," Xavier replied, his gaze still on the plate as if lost in thought.

Moments later, his phone rang on the corner of the table.

He hadn't saved Lily's number, but for the past two years, she'd always texted him around lunchtime, reminding him to eat. Every evening, she'd call to ask if he was coming home.

quick glance at the screen revealed it was

smile, and without hesitation, he declined the

screen, stood and poured more wine into his glass. She noticed a strange number on the display and smiled, "It's just dinner, not a business meeting. I'm not stopping you from taking a call." "I

took the glass from her, leaning in to pour some for her as well. "You've been working hard

a single drink

black card, placed it on the table, and slid it toward

the

out to take the card, her finger brushed against his

to make her pinky finger

through her soft, alluring eyes, studying

no outward sign of discomfort. He pulled his hand back and reclined in his

slipped the card into her purse and glanced back at

Lily hadn't come tonight.

was clearly going on in

waiter brought their food, and Xavier leisurely began

and snapped a picture of the two of them dining through the

camera flash

flicked up, a piercing

embarrassed and handed the

has me report my whereabouts and

most recent message was the photo she had just sent, but before that, there were several other photos-some

softening just a little as he continued cutting his steak.

shook her head fondly. "I already told her before that you'll

could finish, the sharp buzz of Xavier's phone

a call from

Fulton, your wife just called. She said the Fulton Manor is on fire,

needed to leave as he grabbed his coat and strode

roared to life, weaving through traffic as he sped toward the Fulton

...

up the mountain, with neon lights

and there was no sign of the fire she had feared.

out of the car, the air carried the

to