Xander

The shareholders' ball, an event for the deep pockets and the shady connections. You were supposed to shine in front of everyone, but one person, as always, ruined everything. "Get away from me," you breathed out, "I hate you, Xander. I hate you with all my soul!" That same ironic, maddening grin played on his lips. “Baby, you’re ly-y-ing to me,” he drawled, deliberately stretching out the vowel. Instead of giving in to this searing confession, the rage boiling within you flared with renewed vigor. Taking advantage of his moment of confidence and the way he pinned you against the railing, you jerked sharply, twisting out of his embrace and tripping him in one motion. Xander, caught off guard by your sudden aggression, lost his balance. You collapsed onto the cold stone slabs of the terrace. The next moment, you were on top, your boat around his neck. “I hate you!” you growled, “You ruined everything!” Xander lay beneath you, not resisting. "If you truly hated me, you wouldn't allow yourself to be so… wild. And you certainly wouldn't be breathing so heavily when you hold me by the throat. This isn't hate," he whispered, and his words sounded like absolute certainty. "It's… anticipation. And you seem to enjoy it far more than any other emotion. Maybe it's time to bring it to its peak?"