Chapter 14 – New Sensations
ROSE
Xander’s hand was warm on my back as he led me toward the car. His touch was comforting, like a steady presence I hadn’t known I needed until now.
But there was something weighing on my mind–something that had been bothering me ever since he made that extravagant gift to me. The mall.
I stopped in my tracks, causing Xander to pause and turn toward me, his brow slightly furrowed in concern.
“Why did you give me the mall?” I asked, my voice laced with curiosity. I wasn’t upset; just… confused. A mall? It was so out of the
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blue, and I had no idea how to process it.
He shrugged nonchalantly, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Because you‘ re my wife, and you deserve it.”
His words hung in the air. For so long, I had been the one doing things for Jacob–hiding parts of myself, giving up pieces of who I was to accommodate his needs. To have someone give something to me, something so
extravagant and unexpected, it felt almost too good to be true.
“I don’t need the mall,” I said, my voice soft but firm, trying to push the weight of the gift back. “It’s too much.”
But Xander just chuckled, his gaze
unwavering. “You deserve it, Rose. Don‘ t argue with me.”
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A part of me wanted to argue, to refuse. I had spent so long trying to make others happy, and here was Xander, offering something for no other reason than because he thought I deserved it. It was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words, but it was undeniably warm.
We drove back to my house. By the time we pulled into the driveway, I realized just how much I had been missing in my life–how much of it I’d been denying. I’d been so caught up in Jacob’s world, in his needs, that I had forgotten what it felt like to receive, to simply enjoy something for myself.
“Do you want to come in for coffee?” I asked as I unbuckled my seatbelt.
Xander nodded, a warm smile crossing his
face. “Sure. I’d like that.
ララ
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As we entered the house, my parents were in the living room, chatting casually. Liam was there too, looking up when he saw me and Xander step inside.
“Rose!” Liam grinned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Xander. “You‘ re back, it’s good to see you again.”
I returned his smile, though a small blush crept up my neck. “Good to see you too.” My parents greeted Xander warmly, offering him coffee, and the usual pleasant small talk filled the room. It felt oddly normal, having Xander here, like he had always been a part of my life, despite the short time we‘ d known each other.
As we settled into the conversation, I couldn’t help but tell my parents about the
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mall. They were, of course, shocked at the gesture, and my father raised an eyebrow in his usual way when I mentioned the extravagant gift.
“You should’ve seen it, Dad,” I said, grinning a little at the memory of it. “It’s like a mini city, all for me.
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My father exchanged a glance with my mother, who simply nodded, clearly taking in the magnitude of what I was saying. But then, my dad’s attention shifted to something else, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke again.
“Jacob‘ s trying to partner with our company,” he said, his voice casual but tinged with something else–caution, maybe.
“But he doesn’t know it belongs to us.
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He’s been speaking with my assistant instead.”
I paused, my coffee cup halfway to my lips, a thrill running through me. I hadn‘ t expected this. Jacob, of all people, trying to partner with my family‘ s company? And not even knowing who he was dealing with? The irony of it was almost too much.
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. “Really?” I said, my voice a little lighter than I intended. “Well, isn’t that perfect? He has no idea who he’s messing with.”
My parents looked at me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, but before they could say anything else, I added, “I’ll go to the meeting tomorrow. I‘ ll handle it.”
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It felt good, in a way I couldn’t describe. The thought of messing with Jacob–of being in control, of holding the power in this situation -it gave me a sense of satisfaction that I hadn’t felt in so long.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” my dad asked, his voice cautious. “It could complicate things.”
Yes, Dad, I can handle it,” I said.
“Yes, and I’ll be with her,” Xander added.
My father nodded, “Alright, that’s fine.”
We chatted for a little while before Xander
stood up to go. I walked him to his car and he leaned down and kissed my forehead, his gesture taking me by surprise.
“I won’t force you to live with me,” he said
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quietly, his voice sincere. “We’re just married on paper for now. But if you ever want to move in, I’m here.”
I met his gaze, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as I fought to suppress a smile.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice softer than usual.
He smiled, the expression warm and genuine.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow for the meeting,” he said, turning to leave.
As I watched him walk away, I felt something stir within me–a mix of emotions I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just gratitude. It was something more. Something deeper. But what was it?
When I turned back inside, Liam was grinning at me, a teasing glint in his eye.
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“What’s this? Are you blushing?”
I quickly shot him a playful glare, trying to mask the heat in my cheeks. “Shut up, Liam,” I muttered, but I couldn’t stop the smile from creeping onto my face.
He raised his hands in mock surrender, but the teasing didn’t stop. “I don’t know. Looks like someone’s got a crush.”
“I do not,” I shot back, but my voice lacked the conviction I needed to make the lie believable.
As I walked into the living room, a fluttering sensation danced in my chest. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but for the first time in a long time, I didn’t mind the feeling. It felt nice, even if I couldn’t yet figure it out.
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“What’s this? Are you blushing?”
I quickly shot him a playful glare, trying to mask the heat in my cheeks. “Shut up, Liam,” I muttered, but I couldn’t stop the smile from creeping onto my face.
He raised his hands in mock surrender, but the teasing didn’t stop. “I don’t know. Looks like someone’s got a crush.”
“I do not,” I shot back, but my voice lacked the conviction I needed to make the lie
believable.
As I walked into the living room, a fluttering sensation danced in my chest. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but for the first time in a long time, I didn’t mind the feeling. It felt nice, even if I couldn’t yet figure it out.
