I Raised My Husband's Love Child...Then He Shot Me

Chapter 11

Rachel's POV

I couldn't breathe.

Xavier stood before me, no longer the helpless, childlike man I had believed him to be.

His posture was straight, commanding. He was taller than me—much taller.

His eyes were sharp, calculating, and filled with an intensity I had never seen. He wasn't confused, dazed, or vacant.

He looked dangerous.

"You… you can walk?" My voice barely escaped as a whisper.

Xavier tilted his head slightly, eyeing me like a predator watching its prey.

"And talk," he replied smoothly.

My chest rose and fell quickly, my mind struggling to catch up with the shock of what I was seeing.

"You're not crippled? You don't have the mind of a child?" My voice cracked with disbelief. "Then why—"

Xavier raised a hand, silencing me. "Calm down, Rachel." His tone was steady, firm. "There's a logical explanation for this."

"Logical?" I let out a bitter laugh, the sound almost hysterical. "I bathed you! I undressed you because I thought you were a child!"

A slow smirk spread across his lips. "That day wasn't easy, I won't lie." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "I tried my best not to get a boner."

I froze.

He took a deliberate step closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.

"But now that I think about it…" He sighed dramatically. "I don't know how I managed to resist you."

Before I could react, my palm struck his cheek, the sound sharp in the room.

Xavier barely flinched. If anything, his smirk deepened, his gaze turning darker as he stared at me.

"You lied to me," I hissed. "You watched me—"

He moved in a blur, too fast for me to react.

His hands gripped my waist, pulling me forward, slamming me against his chest.

I gasped, struggling in his hold, but I was too close.

Way too close.

His scent was intoxicating—a blend of fresh aftershave and dark coffee.

My heart pounded as warmth spread through my body, pooling in my belly.

A strange fluttering sensation twisted in my chest, and heat crept up my neck.

I hated this.

I hated how my body responded to him.

"Let me go," I whispered, but even I could tell my voice lacked conviction.

Xavier leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "Why?"

My breath hitched.

Why was I feeling this way? I had never looked at him like this before.

He had always been a helpless man-child in my eyes.

But now…

Now, I knew better.

I had been living with a full-blooded, very aware man.

And he was playing with me.

Xavier chuckled softly, his fingers trailing up my spine.

"You're acting so cold, Rachel." His voice was rich with amusement. "Aren't you my wife?"

I clenched my jaw, my mind racing as I tried to push him away, but he didn't budge.

His lips brushed against my neck, sending an electric jolt straight down my spine. And then—he bit me.

I gasped, the sharp sting making me shiver as he pulled back slightly, inspecting the mark on my skin.

"A hickey," he murmured in satisfaction.

My legs trembled, my body betraying me in the worst way.

I felt the heat between my legs, and my toes curled in response.

"Stop it," I murmured, but my words were weak, lacking all conviction.

He chuckled again. "Why? Didn't you want to know what it means to be married?"

I knew he was enjoying this—enjoying torturing me, especially since he could see how my body reacted to him.

This couldn't be real.

This couldn't be happening.

I needed to get away from him.

Then, his voice turned cold, snapping me out of my daze.

"Why are you here, Rachel?"

I blinked, disoriented. "W—What?"

His grip tightened, his eyes narrowing as he studied me.

"What are you planning with Michael?"

My breath hitched in my throat.

Michael?

What the hell did Michael have to do with any of this?

Xavier's expression shifted—his playful smirk gone, replaced by something deadly. His eyes were sharp, calculating.

"Cut the crap," he said, his tone cold as ice. "I know Michael sent you. He wants to know what I'm up to, doesn't he?"

I stared at him, my mind reeling. "What are you talking about?"

Xavier let out a low, humorless laugh. "Don't play innocent. We both know you'd do anything for Michael." His fingers brushed against my jaw, tightening ever so slightly. "Even if it means sleeping with another man."

My blood ran cold.

My hand connected with his cheek again.

This time, he flinched.

My entire body trembled with fury. "How dare you?"

For a moment, there was nothing but silence—thick, heavy, and dangerous.

Then, he smirked.

And that was what terrified me the most.