Self

Chapter 56

Yale sighed. If Yara wanted to cut ties and start fresh, why did he need to keep hanging on? Xandra was his girlfriend, after all,

[Yale: Come over.]

At her place, Xandra nearly leaped with joy at his reply

She had tried to get his attention so many times before, even with a touch of flirtation, but he had never taken the bait. She had expected the same brush–off, but he had said yes.

She hopped out of bed, ready to get dressed and head out.

Her roommate, still awake, eyed her curiously. “Xandra, heading out this late?”

Another roommate teased her. “Oh, you’re clueless. The only thing that can get our campus beauty out of bed at this hour is her rich and handsome boyfriend.”

Xandra’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson as her roommate, engrossed in a video game, tossed a playful jab her way.

Yale had always kept his distance, leaving her feeling like he could vanish at any moment, and it gnawed. at ber, that lack of security.

However, that night, if they actually went through with

She would be Yale’s girl, no questions asked.

So, while getting dressed, she had even picked out a matching bra and panties set just for him.

When she arrived at his villa by cab, the door swung open before she could reach for the handle. Yale’s strong hands yanked her inside with a commanding pull.

In a heartbeat, she was pinned against the wall, his lips crashing against hers with an intensity that stole her breath away.

Xandra’s shock lasted only two seconds before she found her courage and kissed him back with an eagerness that spelled inexperience.

They stumbled into the living room, still locked in their embrace. Yale pushed her onto the couch, his body following, pressing her down.

His urgency was almost too much, and she arched her neck, gasping for air.

His kisses blazed a trail down to her neck, then lower as his hands deftly slid under her shirt, his touch sending shivers across her skin.

Her heart raced, her breaths came in short bursts, and she was tingling with anticipation for what might come next.

Suddenly, Yale froze at the feel of her black bra

“What’s wrong?” she asked, bewildered.

He rolled off her and sat down, his voice tinged with regret. “Sorry, get up for a second.”

Confusion swirled through Xandra, her earlier passion doused by his sudden coldness. She felt a chill run through her.

“Yale, did I mess up?

2/2

She reached out, trying to reignite the spark, but he caught her wrist before she could touch him.

Yale’s eyes were icy as he met her gaze. “I don’t like repeating myself.”

With a hurt pout, Xandra sat up, biting back any more words.

Yale’s face relaxed as he gently fixed her dress. His voice was soft and soothing as he said, “There you go. It’s late. I’ll have the driver take you

home.”

Soon, the driver showed up.

Xandra stared at Yale’s back. He had turned away from her since earlier, and even as she was about to leave, he remained silent.

She nibbled on her lip, and with a nudge from the driver, she finally walked away.

Yale sparked up a cigarette, watching the smoke twist into the night.

Yara’s face kept popping into his head uninvited. He squeezed his eyes shut and dialed Michael’s number. When the call connected, he said, “Where you at?”

Michael was just about to charm a girl he had met when his phone buzzed. He signaled for quiet and picked up. “What’s up? Insomnia got you?”

“Hook me up with someone. I need to chill out.”

Michael was puzzled. He thought Yale had just patched things up with Yara. He wanted to play with fire?