In the Lap of Luxury

Their dance ended beautifully. Applause erupted from the crowd.

Grace tightened her grip on Jake's collar and said each word clearly, "Too bad I'm not interested in you." After that, she released her hold and was about to leave when Jake suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly.

"You..---"

Jake gazed in a certain direction and grinned. "It's okay. Someone is interested in both of us."

Grace was confused and tried to break free. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. At once, her whole body froze, and her blood ran cold. Xander stood at the entrance of the venue. His face was devoid of the gentleness it had shown before. It was completely cold-even chilly-now.

Jake slowly removed the mask from his face. As he leaned down, his breath fanned against Grace's cheek. "Xander's here. Shall we go say hello?" Grace almost went crazy.

She pushed Jake away abruptly and rushed out of the crowd. Gasping for breath, she walked up to Xander. "Let me explain."

Xander didn't look at her but stared at Jake in the crowd. A mix of hatred and disgust overwhelmed him.

After a moment, his gaze finally settled on Grace's face.

She looked pale, guilty, nervous, and helpless.

Grace held his arm tightly. "Can you give me a chance to explain?"

Xander was too calm, and his expression was devoid of any warmth. She would rather he was angry than so indifferent.

He withdrew his arm expressionlessly and turned to leave.

Grace quickly followed behind him. "I didn't want to dance. Jake volunteered to dance, and I couldn't refuse when everyone was looking at me.

"I'm sorry, Xander. I didn't mean to. I know about your relationship, but I really—"

Xander walked fast and got straight into the elevator.

Grace was at a loss for words. She grabbed his cold fingers outside the elevator. "Xander, don't you believe me?"

Since she had just finished dancing, her neck was slightly pink. With the ruby dangling on her chest, she looked as alluring as ever.

Xander grabbed her hand and pulled

her into the elevator. After pressing all the buttons, he pinned her against the cold wall. "How long did you dance?"

His voice was hoarse.

Grace could tell that he was on the verge of exploding.

"At most six minutes."

Trembling in his arms, Grace looked at him with teary eyes. "Why did you suddenly come back?"

As he lightly pinched her neck, he spoke in an icy tone. "To give you a surprise, just like you did."

With that, there was the sound of something falling to the ground.

The next moment, Grace's world turned black as his kiss descended upon her. It was hot and filled with possessiveness. He almost devoured her. Grace couldn't breathe. Eventually, her whole body turned weak, and she melted in his arms, trembling.

She then said with a choked voice, "I'm sorry."

Only then did Xander's rationality finally return. He slowly released her, breathing heavily. "Are you trying to make me mad?"

Grace hugged his waist tightly as

she gasped for breath. "You won't

really be mad at me, will you?

make it up to you, so don't be upset anymore."

A woman with no experience in dating was acting coquettishly. It was almost irresistible.

Xander laughed in anger and pinched her cheek. "How will you make it up to me?"

Actually, he actually believed Grace's explanation. Jake's acting was too clumsy and didn't hold up to scrutiny.

After the passionate kiss, Grace looked even more alluring.

"I'll... kiss you."

She tiptoed and kissed the corner of

his lips. It was simple but incredibly enticing. Xander's eyes were bloodshot, and he felt a burning

sensation in his lower body that he

couldn't ignore.