V Chapter 14 : Layla POV You know that fleeting , magical moment when you're teetering on the edge of sleep , just starting to drift into that blissful oblivion ? It's like floating on a cloud for a few precious minutes , your mind unmoored , before the heavy , comforting blanket of REM sleep wraps around you , pulling you into the mysterious depths of dreams where anything can happen . Well , I had just hit that perfect sweet spot , my body sinking into the mattress , when my bedroom door slams open with a force that could've cracked the plaster on the wall behind it . The sound is a violent jolt , shattering the tranquility I'd been craving all day . After I came home , I grabbed a light snack and headed up to my room for that self - imposed nap I craved . I slipped on my short bicycle shorts and an oversized t - shirt , going for comfort instead of worrying about what others might think of me . I'm mostly alone in this monstrosity of a house , barring Moira and José . Xavier has suspiciously been MIA the last couple of days , but I'm not complaining . The banging of the door rips me from my moment of calm , making me sit upright abruptly . So much so that I feel dizzy for a few seconds . I press a hand to my forehead to help me get some stability before I rip my intruder a new asshole . " It's 2 p.m. , and you're fucking drunk ! " Xavier's voice booms , his silhouette looming against the afternoon light streaming through the hall . I am so befuddled by his comment that you could knock me over with a dead fish . " What are you on about ? " I groan at him , not in the mood for his tantrums right now . " Why else would you be in bed at this time of day , holding your head steady , most probably because of a pounding headache ? " I have no other choice than to burst out laughing . This guy is delusional as fuck . " Xavier , taking a nap in the middle of the day does not constitute me being on the verge of becoming an alcoholic . " He takes a beat , probably thinking for a second before he spews more nonsense at me . But no , this is Xavier , and he is on a roll ! Wanting , no needing to make me the villain in his origin - story . " Then why are you swaying while sitting up , holding your head as if a jackhammer has taken residence in there ? " He still has a sneer on his face , one I can't wait to wipe off with my next words . " When you so eloquently decided to enter my bedroom , the door hitting the wall startled me . Sitting up too quickly caused me to experience vertigo . Does your big caveman brain know what that is ? Or should I draw you a flowchart to explain it ? " the sarcasm in my voice is thick enough to choke a whale . Xavier's face goes blank for a second before he gets this confused look in his eyes - almost as if he doesn't 1/3 Chapter 14 : Layla POV know how to react to my response to him . Has no other girl ever stood up to him ? Has he always bulldozed over those that he sees as beneath him ? Well , he is in for an unpleasant surprise if he thinks I'm going to cater to his whims . As if the last 5 minutes didn't happen , he strolls nonchalantly over to the side of my bed , hands tucked into his jean pockets , but there is a distinct tension to his movements , almost like a viper ready to strike . Should I buy him a how - to guide to get that stick out of his ass ? " Why were you on my campus today? Stalking one of your sexual conquests ? " " Your campus ? Since when do you own Saxonsea U ? Not according to their website . Maybe you should take that up with them . We wouldn't want them to be sued for false advertising . " I purposefully evade his question , fully intending to rile him up as much as possible . " Cut the shit , answer me ! " he is vibrating with restrained anger , and it amuses me to no end . Being the proverbial thorn in someone's side is quite fun . Especially if that person is the big oaf in front of me . It's a win - win situation if you ask me . My clock catches my eye , and I realize I'll have to give up on naptime otherwise I won't be able to help Moira with dinner prep like I promised . Throwing back the covers , I swing my legs over the side and get up . Lifting my head , ready to answer his moronic question , I realize his gaze is glued to the skin of my thighs which are not covered by my shorts . Clearing my throat to grab his attention , I start strolling towards my en - suite . " If you must know , I started class today . So , sorry to disappoint big bro , but you will be seeing me on your campus quite regularly . " Signaling the end of the conversation , I slam the bathroom door in his face . I lean back against the door , trying to catch my breath . What is it about Xavier that simultaneously vexes and intrigues me ? In my waking hours , I want to duct - tape his mouth shut so he can't pelt me with more insults . At night , when I'm alone , I imagine being the one to tame the beast they call Xavier Reed . I want to break him and then have him crawl to me on his knees , asking for understanding , and begging for absolution . And there is the smallest part of me that wonders what it would be like to be at Xavier's mercy, to submit to him , for him to control all of me . Being held down by those brawny hands , him taking his pleasure from me before returning the favor . It would be intense , all - consuming , and deliciously dangerous . But it will give Xavier power over me that I'm not willing to give to him of all people . Until now , he has 2/3 Chapter 14 : Layla POV given me no indication that he wouldn't use that power to crush my mind , body , and soul underfoot and then use it against me in some sick and twisted way . But I will never admit those thoughts out loud - not even when placed in front of a firing squad . Chapter Comments 13