I prided myself on sustaining my composure always, however Xavier was the one one that may make me lose my cool.

“Critically, you have the funds for to step again and let your workers take the reins,” he stated. “Why kill your self at your job?”

Don’t take the bait.

“I like my job.” For essentially the most half. However between Xavier and Asher, who had a penchant for quick vehicles and reckless driving, I used to be pushing my mates’ remedy expertise to the restrict.

I used to have an expert (non-massage) therapist, however she retired and I’ve hated each new one I attempted after her. Possibly I ought to resume my search. God knew I wanted one.

“What do you want about it?” Xavier should’ve missed the memo that massages had been meant to besilent.

“Every thing.”

“Bullshit. You don’t like me.”

His response was so frank and surprising, I virtually smiled.

Nearly.

“Effective. I like fixing issues. Fixing issues nobody else can clear up.” Disaster administration was solely a part of my job, but it surely gave me the largest thrill. Writing press releases and managing media relations was advantageous, however I may do these issues in my sleep.

“So that you prefer to be wanted.”

I turned my head earlier than my therapist may cease me. Xavier met my gaze with a understanding certainly one of his personal, and…there it was once more. A bit skip in my chest, adopted by the unnerving sense that he may see proper previous the shields I’d painstakingly constructed through the years.

Then I blinked, and the second was gone.

I confronted ahead once more and waited for my heartbeat to normalize earlier than I spoke. “Don’t you get tired of doing nothing?”

I didn’t contact on the keenness of his remark or the reality behind it.

I anticipated Xavier to brush off my query along with his typical flippancy, however he answered with shocking honesty.

“Typically,” he stated, sounding uncharacteristically subdued. “However I’m good at doing nothing, so I follow it. It’s higher than fucking issues up.”

I closed my eyes, listening to the faint crash of waves outdoors the window and the deep, regular breaths of the person subsequent to me.

We didn’t discuss once more after that.

* * *

Three hours, one facial, one lunch, and one extraordinarily awkward aromatherapy soak for 2 later, I emerged from the spa marginally much less careworn than once I walked in.

I hated to confess it, however the day had helped. I even stopped worrying about my uncared for inbox midway via ignoring Xavier whereas we floated in a lavender-scented tub collectively.

Neither of us introduced up something substantial after our therapeutic massage discuss, however I saved occupied with what he’d stated.

I’m good at doing nothing, so I follow it. It’s higher than fucking issues up.

Xavier was unmotivated, however he wasn’t dumb. If he tried, he may most likely run circles across the folks sitting within the Castillo Group’s boardroom. Plus, he had an ample cushion of cash and connections.

Why would he be so afraid of screwing up that hedidn’ttry? I forged a sideways look at him. He didn’t make any quips on our stroll again to the villa, however my concern over his silence gave method to horror after we reached our residence for the week. “What…?” My mouth parted as I stared on the sprawling constructing.

After we left that morning, it’d been a peaceable oasis of pale stone and floor-to-ceiling home windows. Now, it resembled a frat home. Spanish music blasted from deep inside the inside, and the scent of booze overpowered the wildflowers surrounding the doorway.

A reasonably brunette in a bikini raced via the half-open door and shrieked as a Chris Hemsworth lookalike doused her in champagne. Squeals and laughter echoed from deeper within the villa, adopted by the splash of somebody leaping into the pool.

“Xavi! There you might be!” the Hemsworth lookalike known as out. “Hope you don’t thoughts that we began the social gathering with out you.”

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