X: The Hard Knocks Complete Story Read Free

know my life history. Besides, it’s not like he really cares anyhow. He’s obviously one of those kinds of guys Father always warns me about. The kind who only wants one thing.
    Xavier shakes his head. “I’ve met some actual demons from hell and trust me, beautiful, you’re the furthest thing from evil I’ve been around in a long, long time. Your father needs a wakeup call. I could tell the second our eyes met that you were a sweet one.”
    “You…you noticed me…before?” I question, blown away that the little eye lock we shared when he got on the plane had made an impression on him too.
    He goes back to signing his name and shrugs. “I always take in every inch of my surroundings, and any man would be a fucking fool if he didn’t notice you.”
    I feel the blush creep into my cheeks from the full-on flattery. I’ve never had a man talk to me so…so… bluntly before. All the guys I’ve ever dated have been good guys. Polite, with proper manners. Xavier makes my toes curl with a simple look and a few dirty words.
    Yep. I’m so out of my league.
    It’s difficult, but I jerk my attention away from this dangerous man next to me and study my nails, doing my best to keep my eyes from wandering back to my left. I can’t help being intrigued by him. If I were the kind of girl who did naughty things with random hotties, I would be all over his offer to find out just how phenomenal he is—in a heartbeat. But as things stand, I’m still a good girl. I know I am, even if my father challenges that fact. All because I ran away from a man I’d promised to marry.
    “You’re quiet over there. Did I piss you off?” Xavier asks with what I assume is a tender tone but still has a touch of a natural growl to it.
    I chew on the corner of my lip. “No. You didn’t. I was just thinking.”
    “About…” he prods, and he glances down at my arm and zeroes on the spot where Father’s too tight hold left some marks.
    My hand instantly covers the small bruises, not wanting him to ask about them. Explaining how things got a little out of hand when I told my father I was leaving isn’t exactly something I want to discuss with a man who I don’t know.
    I fold my arms over my chest, careful to keep the spot hidden, and stare down at my stained outfit, wishing I hadn’t checked all my clothes. “Nothing you would want to hear about, I’m sure. No one likes to listen to a perfect stranger’s drama. Besides, I’m positive my life is boring compared to yours—there’s no autographs in my normalcy.” I add a little teasing at the end to lighten the mood.
    Xavier slides his index finger under my chin and then softly pinches it with his thumb, forcing me to look at him. “You’re frowning. Why?”
    His immediate concern for my happiness takes me aback, and I raise my eyebrows. I can’t very well spill my entire tragic life story to this man, even though the sincerity of his intentions shine in his gaze. I didn’t expect this type of reaction from him, so I’m thrown off balance for a moment, unsure of how to respond. “I, uh…”
    His eyes never leave mine as he says, “A frown doesn’t belong on a face like yours, beautiful. Ever. I’m just curious who put it there.”
    “No one put it there,” I whisper, trying to block out that fact that this slight touch from him is sending my body into overdrive.
    “Did your boyfriend upset you?”
    I should say I don’t have a boyfriend because I’m positive once Jorge discovers I left town with no intention of ever returning, he won’t want to see me again anyway. Technically I’m single, and I have the feeling this is exactly what Xavier wants to hear from me. Spending the next few hours in such close proximity to him, I’ll never be able to fend off his direct advances without eventually agreeing to have sex with him as soon as we land. If he knows I’m unattached, he’s the type who’ll never give up. No need to dangle a steak in front of a hungry lion.
    “He