From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 173

"It's not like that, Mr. Ford."

"I..."

Xavier suddenly reached out, pinching her chin and forcing her face up. His scrutinizing gaze silenced her. "Ms. Sterling, what makes you think I have any interest in a married woman?"

His voice was flat, carrying a distinct edge of mockery.

Meeting his eyes, a wave of intense humiliation washed over her.

All her explanations died in her throat.

"I'll get out right now."

Instantly, his large hand withdrew.

Lydia pulled her hands back. The moment her feet touched the soft floor mat, the searing pain in her right ankle returned, draining the color from her face until she was as pale as paper. Dizzy, she nearly collapsed, her hand flailing out to catch the back of Xavier's seat. She met his unfathomable, dark eyes from inches away.

He stared at her without a flicker of emotion, cold and utterly ruthless.

Lydia looked away. Leaning heavily against the seat, she dragged her feet toward the open door. Just as she took a step out...

A deafening blare of a horn pierced her ears.

She whipped her head around in terror.

The car door was violently slammed shut from the outside.

A sports car, trailing a string of loud curses, narrowly scraped past the black van and sped off in the opposite direction.

Still reeling from the shock, she stumbled backward, collapsing straight into Xavier's arms.

A muffled groan escaped his lips.

Startled, she opened her eyes to meet his dark, clouded gaze.

His expression remained stoic, his handsome face as flawless as ever, but his eyes were murky, swirling with suppressed agony.

She wanted to explain, entirely bewildered as to why every single encounter with him resulted in an avalanche of accidents.

This wasn't what she wanted.

Suddenly, she felt the radiating heat coming off his body. Her parted lips trembled slightly, as if her very heart was shaking.

The hand clinging to his shoulder felt the rigid tension in his muscles.

He gripped her hand tightly.

The man who had been a literal glacier seconds ago now spoke with a voice so tender it could melt ice.

Maybe he was just too weak.

Sensing that she had stopped fighting him, the hand resting on her waist slid down limply, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Lydia stared at his long lashes, listening to the frantic, deafening rhythm of a heartbeat born from their sheer proximity.

It was his heartbeat.

It was pounding so violently it felt like it would tear through his chest. A fine sheen of sweat coated his smooth forehead. His entire body was burning up, yet his face was deathly pale.

Driven by some inexplicable instinct, Lydia reached out and wrapped her arms around his back.

As her delicate hands pressed against his spine, her heartbroken gaze suddenly met his open eyes.

His gaze was warm, completely devoid of its usual frosty distance.

Trapped in his arms, entirely enveloped by his intoxicating, masculine scent, a flush of bashful heat rose within her, as if that single look had stripped away all her dignified composure.

As his deep, dark eyes magnified in her vision, she felt the soft, undeniable press of his lips against hers.