Time Will Tell (Maybe #3)(15)

“How is it?” he finally asks.

I swallow my bite then raise my eyes to his. “Really good. How’s yours?”

He licks his bottom lip. “It’s amazing. Do you want a bite? You have to try this.”

“No, thanks,” I reply, forking a piece of chicken.

“Aww, come on,” he says, grinning playfully. He cuts a small piece of steak and smothers some mashed potato on top, and then lifts his fork to me, a challenging look in his eyes. I open my mouth as he slowly feeds me, flavours bursting on my tongue as I close my mouth and chew.

“It’s good,” I tell him after I swallow. “Really good.”

He gazes at my mouth. “It’s delicious, isn’t it? Like nothing I’ve tasted before. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share.”

I don’t think we’re still talking about the steak.

Nervously, I lick my lips, and I don’t miss the hitch in his breath. The tension between us suddenly reaches new heights.

What does he want from me?

Whatever it is, he could get it from any woman.

I look back down at my plate and Xander clears his throat.

“Any movies in mind?” I ask.

He leans back against the booth and flashes a boyish, lopsided smile. “Lady’s choice.”

“You might live to regret that,” I tease. “Are you sure you trust my judgement?”

“Positive,” he says confidently. “I have a feeling that you, Trillian, are full of surprises.”

“I think you’re making me out to be a lot more interesting than I actually am,” I tell him, giving him a pointed look before taking a sip of my drink.

His full lips quirk at the corners. Why do I always amuse him?

“Do you want to order dessert?” he asks, glancing at my almost empty plate. “Or can we go back to your house and eat the rest of those cupcakes?”

That makes me smile.

“You really want to do that?” I ask. “We could always watch movies at my house.”

Xander sits up straighter. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Why would I?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Never mind. I’m not going to question it. I’m ready to leave when you are.”

“Xander?”

“Yes, Trillian?”

I love the way he says my name.

“Can we take an even longer way home?” I ask, unable to mask the hope in my voice.

His eyes soften. “Yeah, of course, we can.”

He pays for dinner.

I argue.

I lose.

Then we go back to my house for cupcakes and movies.

Tonight is turning out like nothing I expected.




“Are you close with your mum?” I ask him, bringing my knees up to my chest. We’re both sitting on either side of my grey couch, facing each other, movie long forgotten while playing in the background. After an hour-long ride on the back of his bike, we came home and had dessert, then retreated to the lounge room for movies and hot chocolate. Xander is a good listener, and for some reason, I’m starting to feel comfortable around him, which isn’t always an easy feat.

“I guess,” he replies. “I’ve always been closer with my dad, though.”

“How long are you staying in Channon?”

He puts his mug down on the coffee table and gazes into my eyes. “Depends.”

“Depends on what?”

His eyes crinkle, but he doesn’t answer the question, instead asking one of his own. “Do you get lonely living here by yourself?”

I shake my head. “I’m used to it. Plus, Zach and Grim are next door if I need anything.”

“You should get a dog,” he says. “A guard dog.”

I smirk. “I live next door to the president of the Channon chapter the Wind Dragons MC and his reckless son. Who would be stupid enough to rob this house?”

He laughs at that. “Fuck, you’re right. But still, it never hurts to be careful.”

“Are you worried about me, Xander?” I ask, grinning. “I was going to full name you, but I don’t even know your surname.”

“It’s Kane,” he says.

“Xander Kane,” I say, testing the words. “I like it.”

He moves his leg so it’s now touching mine. My eyes dart from our legs back up to his face.

“Any plans tomorrow?”

“Just studying, I guess.”

“What are you studying?” he asks, seeming genuinely interested.

“Bachelor of Education.” I bite the inside of my cheek as he leans forward, getting close enough to me that I can smell his cologne.

He nods slightly. “I think you would make an amazing teacher.”

“And why is that?”

“You’re patient and kind,” he says. “I could already tell that about you, even if Zach didn’t go on about how f*ckin’ amazing you are every chance he gets.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Is that what he says about me when I’m not around? Good to know. What do you do with yourself back in Perth?”

“My dad owned his own motorcycle shop, which is now mine. So I run that business, plus I’m also a mechanic.”