Xander nearly choked on his tea. “You knit?”
“There’s nothing wrong with knitting. It’s totally trendy now,” Leila said, closing her eyes and lifting her chin in mock indignity.
“But why knitting? Can you not go out and buy a scarf?”
“My grandma taught me. She knits a ton. And she is capable of knitting way more than scarves.”
“Because she’s a grandma. That’s what grandmas do. Did you knit scarves for your cows too?”
Leila snatched a throw pillow and held it up, threatening to launch it at him, but stopped before she spilled tea all over her aunt’s rug.
As the evening wore on, their conversation winded down. Leila almost wished she could stay longer, but she would be back once the excavation season came to an end. She was about to shut the door to her room when she noticed Xander heading down the hall. She paused in the doorway, her stomach fluttering.
“Goodnight, cowgirl,” he said with a tip of his head in her direction.
“Um, Xander,” she called before he disappeared into his room.
He gazed over at her sideways, his hand resting on the door handle.
She chewed on her lower lip, building up the courage to tell him what was on her mind. How she should have thought her plan through more thoroughly. How she was sorry for nearly getting him shot. How glad she was that he was faster than Amir. But all she managed to squeak out was, “Thanks for coming back for me.”
Xander shook his head. “No worries. You weren’t doing bad on your own, though.”
Awkward silence filled the space between them. Xander seemed to notice she had more on her mind. His hand fell from the door handle, and he continued to watch her.
“Um, so. Amir said something.” Leila took a single step toward him, twisting her hands in front of her. “And I was wondering—I won’t judge you for it. But I need an honest answer.”
“Yes?” Xander raised his eyebrows.
“He said you were his accomplice.”
“Did he?” He broke eye contact, his gaze flickering to the floor.
She tried not to frown. He was hesitating. Why was he hesitating? “Well, I wouldn’t make this up.”
Xander looked back up then strode toward her until he was within arm’s reach. But there he stopped.
“You have my word,” he answered quietly yet firmly. “I am not working for him. I never have. I never will.”
“I see.” The relief in hearing him say it was liberating. She believed him. Why would he lie to her? Why would he be so insistent on winning her respect, why would he turn it into something more?
She peeked up at him, her heart beating wildly as she lost herself in his warm, earthen eyes. And why did he have to stand so close? The leafy scent of aloe vera shower gel lingered on his skin.
She should just say goodnight and close the door. But she couldn’t. She had to know what was going through his mind. She had to hear him say it.
“Why did you kiss me?” She winced after the words came out.
A smile tugged at one corner of his lips.
Regretting her bluntness, she willed herself to turn and run. Her feet remained frozen to the spot.
Xander then shrugged. “It was the most provocative thing I could think of.”
Leila’s heart stopped. “Pro—provocative?” Her mouth dropped open in disbelief, her stomach clenching as if he had kicked her in the gut. She glared at him as the heat rose in her face. “You—you Neanderthal! You disgust me! Is this some sort of game to you? Do you have absolutely no respect for me?”
She spun on her heel and made her way to her bedroom, nearly slamming the door behind her. Remembering her aunt and uncle were in their bedroom downstairs, she gave Xander one final glare. He watched her with a grin plastered across his face. She shut the door.
Why did I have to ask? Leila ripped the covers back. Just like the eighteen-year-old boy she had known, he had only done it to get a reaction. No regard for her feelings whatsoever. But what did she want him to say, anyway? He was way more trouble than he was worth. Why did she have to keep thinking about it? How could she still feel his lips against hers? She buried her face into her pillow and screamed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Leila woke to a knock on her door, the sound penetrating the morning silence. She rolled onto her side and tugged the warm covers to her chin. For most of the night, sleep had been elusive. Her eyelids remained shut, too heavy to open. She found herself drifting back to sleep when the knocking sounded again. This time, Xander’s muffled voice accompanied it—did he say an hour? An hour for what?
She snapped her eyes open and her gaze fell on the clock. It was already eight. She sat up as Xander knocked again. With a groan, Leila got out of bed and combed her fingers through her hair. How could she face him now? Like this? After what he’d said last night?
The man had been honest, she would give him that. But it didn’t make him any less of a jerk. All she could do was show him she wouldn’t let him walk all over her.
And that meant getting out of bed and answering the door.
She tugged the hem of her oversized T-shirt lower over her leggings and padded to the door. With unnecessary strength, she yanked it open and glowered up at him.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Xander said, giving her a closed-lip smile. He leaned with one elbow against the doorframe.
Leila crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue. She wasn’t going to say a word to him until he apologized.
“We’re being picked up in an hour,” he said. “Just thought I’d let you know.”
She gave him a curt nod. So he wasn’t going to say sorry. What an insufferable baboon. She started to shut the door, but he pushed it back.
