Chapter 10: Is this an interrogation?

-Heather's POV

What the hell was that? He's a womanizer?? Pull it together! I shake my head getting led by Luca into the dinning room. I see Theo has already taken a seat right next to the head seat. He is a decent looking guy but seems like too much of a flirt. He looks up at me and lets his eyes travel the length of my body. I internally roll my eyes... Perv. Luca sits across from him and has me sit down next to him. A minute later Xavier comes strolling into the room and sits down at the head of the table. I can feel him looking at me but I continue to look at Luca. A few minutes later a woman brings in salads into the room. I take some and place some on my plate and then some on Luca's. Luca scrunches up his face in disgust. I giggle as he watches me. I spray lemon juice on the crisp lettuce and then place cheese on top of it. Luca looks confused. I take a bite of mine and look down at Luca who looks like he is contemplating. He finally puts a fork worth in his mouth and I give him a grinning nod. He continues to eat and I look up to see Theo's jaw practically on the table. Xavier is grinning at me with... Pride?

"What's wrong?" I ask looking at Theo taking a sip of water. He shakes his head but still looks like he is in a gaze.

"Luca, doesn't eat veg- Ouch!" Theo is cut off with a quick kick to his leg by Xavier. Oh! I nod understanding.

"Luca, do you like it?" I ask him. He smiles and nods.

"It will make you have super strength." I whisper to him and watch as he shovels more in his mouth. I giggle and see the guys smiling as well.

"So Heather, tell me about yourself." Theo says clapping his hands together. I play with the lettuce on my plate.

"What would you like to know?" I ask setting the fork down.

"Lets start with how old are you?"

"I'm 22 years old."

"That's quite young for teaching..." I take a sip of my drink before responding.

"I actually graduated college when I was 20." He smiles at me.

"Xavier mentioned you went to Oxford for both Teaching and Business."

"Yes, I did."

"Why business if you love teaching?"

"My father strongly believed I needed a degree in business to have a good ground to stand on." I look up at him as he nods his head.

"Why California?" I stiffen slightly.

"Love the weather." I continue holding his gaze as my muscles refuse to relax.

"You moved from a different country based on weather?" He asked inquisitively.

"I was actually stationed in New York before moving here." I wipe the corner of my mouth with a napkin.

"New York is a beautiful state so why-"

"I apologize, is this an interrogation?" I ask holding his eyes while keeping my voice leveled. He smirks at me.

"I am sorry. Just wanted to know you more."

"Well let's learn more about you then?" I ask tilting my head slightly.

"I'm an open book. What would you like to know?" Oh shouldn't have said that!

"Why were you checking me out when I walked into the dining room?" I asked nonchalantly while the woman brought out more food. Theo chokes slightly and I can see Xavier glaring at him. He pats his chest and looks over to Xavier with a sheepish smile.

"I am sorry Miss Heather but I don't believe-"

"Please don't insult my intelligence. As a business man you really should work on your poker face better." I say smirking at him looking like he is about to faint under Xavier's stare.

"Umm... I think I am going to go to the restroom to freshen up. Please excuse me." He says wiping the corners of his mouth standing up quickly. I hold back my chuckle and look down to see Luca enjoying the spaghetti they served. I look up to Xavier to see him already staring at me. I hold his bright blue eyes and can feel the heat rise in the room. Did he have to be so damn hot??

"So will your girlfriend be joining us tonight?" I ask holding his gaze. He breaks the contact and clears his throat.

"No she is not needed here." He adjust himself in his seat looking down at his plate. "You won't need to worry about her Angel."

"She seemed to make Luca uncomfortable." I state while taking a sip of the wine. He turns his face towards me again and looks at me trying to see why I asked. I give him my poker face and don't let him see any emotions.

"Luca did not care for her very much which is why she was rarely brought around." I nod my head in understanding. "Is your boyfriend going to be upset that you are here with us for dinner?"

"No, I am not taken." A ghost of a smile plays on his lip. I look over to notice Luca is done eating his spaghetti. He begins to stand up and race off in the house leaving me with his father.

"I should probably get going with the start of classes tomorrow." I state pushing back the chair. "I apologize I scared off your company."

He stands up from his chair and walks over to me. I hold his gaze and feel my heart beat speed up exponentially. I can feel my chest rise and fall rapidly however I refuse to back down from him. He is now standing next to my chair with his hand out for me. I gently place my hand in his and can feel him rub my hand with his thumb.

"I will take you home." He states lowly pulling me slowly towards his chest. I can't think straight smelling his manly cologne. I feel him put his other hand on waist pulling me impossibly closer to his chest. I place my other hand on his chest and can feel his heart racing as well. "Your are something else Miss Drake." He whispers more to himself but I could still hear him.

"It's not necessary Mr. Sanford but thank you for the offer." I state taking a small step back trying to clear my head. He has other plans though. I feel him tug me back into his embrace. He puts both of his hands on my waist. I feel my skin heating up form his touch and his strong frame standing so close. I place both of my hands on his chest and look at his hypnotic eyes as he looks at me.

cough cough

I pull away to see Theo standing there looking between both of us. I shake my head and back away from him. He is clenching his fist and his jaw is twitching from the amount of force he is exerting on it. I step back up towards Xavier.

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner. Will you please let Luca know that I will see him tomorrow." I request looking at Xavier. He still looks like he is about to blow up so I turn my head to Theo. He nods his head and I quickly make a dash for their back door slipping off the high heals. I quickly make my way down the beach.

"Miss Drake!" I stop and turn towards the voice echoing behind me to see Xavier strolling towards me. I try to steady my breathing. He has a fierce determined look on his face. "Let me drive you."

"It's really not necessary." I shake my head smiling.

"That dress is too short. You will be too easy of a target. I will drive you home." He has no idea what I can do. I smirk at the thought but smile and sigh deeply.

"Trust me Mr. Sanford, I will be just fine." I say taking steps toward the ocean water. He is now taking slow steps mirroring my own.

"Sweetheart, your going to get wet." He says reaching his hand towards me.

"I am no sweetheart." I say while smiling feeling the water stretch over my ankles. I look down towards the water and let my foot glide over the water. "It was wonderful seeing you again Mr. Sanford but I need to get going."

"May I at least walk with you?" I look up to see his standing directly in front of me. His eyes showing so many mix emotions. He reaches out for my hand which I give but instead pull him towards me. He gives me a genuine smile. "It's cold Miss Drake."

"It's perfect." I whisper. He looks at me confused for a minute. "Close your eyes and just listen to the waves."

He is hesitant at first but I let his hand go and watch as he finally closes his eyes. I stand there for a minute before I turn around and beginning jogging down the beach.

"This isn't over Miss Drake!" I laugh while continuing my jog.