Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

The villa had been blown to smithereens by Stella's little gas escapade. The kitchen and even the living room on the ground floor were pretty much obliterated. So, Xander whisked her away to another estate, hoping for some peace. But, Stella was a firecracker.

So when Stella finally emerged from her shower, worn out from all the chaos she'd caused, all she wanted was a good night's sleep. But there was Xander, sitting on the bed with a book in hand. Stella's mouth twitched. "What in the world do you think you're doing?"

"What do you mean? Someone's got to keep an eye on you," Xander replied, smirking. "You're a walking disaster. I don't have enough real estate on the planet for you to blow up."

Stella glanced around the room. There was the bed, and a couch, but the couch looked cramped. Was he suggesting she sleep there?

"Why are you just standing there like a statue? Aren't you tired? Get over here and sleep," Xander said.

Stella blinked. "Wait, you mean with you?"

Xander grinned. "Consider it a bonus. How about that?"noveldrama

Stella rolled her eyes. "Oh, gee, thanks a lot."

Yeah, like she needed that kind of "bonus." No, thank you.

"Just get out. I promise I won't cause any more trouble," she pleaded, hoping to avoid sharing a room with him.

Xander chuckled. "If you'd been this cooperative earlier, we wouldn't have had all this drama."

Stella grimaced. Who could be cooperative when practically kidnapped? Not her, for sure.

But Xander just shrugged. "Well, too bad. I don't trust you now."

Fuming, Stella shot him a venomous glare.

When she didn't move, Xander tossed his book aside and stood up, striding toward her.

Instinctively, Stella took a step back.

But in a flash, Xander had grabbed the collar of her silk nightgown. With a tug that was a tad too forceful, there was a sharp tearing sound, and a button popped off. Stella gaped at him.

The room fell silent.

Then, Stella erupted. "Xander, you jerk! I'm gonna tear you apart!"

"Stay put. I wouldn't move if I were you," Xander warned, his tone icy.

As she lunged forward, he pinned her against the wall with precision, holding her firmly in place.

"Let go of me," she spat.

"Try to move again, and see what happens," he threatened, pulling out a gleaming knife and holding it dangerously close to her neck.

Stella glanced at the bandage wrapped around his neck, a remnant of their earlier scuffle. "Really? You're threatening me?"

Xander pushed her harder against the wall, making her wince. Her face twisted in pain, but she was ready to bite back again.

He lifted her chin with a finger,

tracing the marks on her neck left by Ronald. His eyes deepened, and the air around him turned frigid.

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"So, it's true, then? You and Ronald?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. Stella shot back defiantly, "What's it to you?"

Xander straightened, staring down at her with a menacing intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Even her fiery spirit wavered underhis piercing gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she stammered.

Xander stepped closer, cornering her against the wall.

Stella tried to retreat, but there was nowhere to go.

"What are you doing? Move," she demanded, attempting to shove him away.

But he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Do you remember what I told you before you left Ferrowland?"

His voice was low, laced with a mix of frustration and something else something she couldn't quite place.

Stella tensed, her mind racing back to that day. Xander had approached her, blood smeared on his face, and she'd had no idea what had happened to him or why he was hurt.

He had said to her, "Remember this: you're my fiancée. Leaving Ferrowland was for your own good. I'll come for you myself."