Addie POV:

I couldn't believe I'd just done that. I was basically humping him! I just reached my door when hands wrapped around my waist and spun me around. Xander pressed me into my bedroom door, his body close to mine, eyes piercing mine.

His body pressed against mine felt good. So. Damn. Good. I wanted him so badly. It didn't make any sense. I couldn't think straight when he touched me.

"What's the rush?" He murmured, placing a kiss on my neck.

I froze. My whole body set on fire with one stupid kiss. The heat pooled between my legs and he growled, biting down on my earlobe. I could barely stand.

"I-I..." I stuttered out. I couldn't touch him. I didn't trust myself. "We shouldn't have done that," I finally said, finding my voice despite the hand that was lazily drifting up and down my side.

He chuckled and lifted his head, pressing his forehead against mine. "You started it, love," he reminded me, nuzzling my nose with his.

"Because I momentarily lost my mind. It won't be happening again," I said, setting my hands on his chest, holding back the cry because damn was he sculpted and not touching every inch of him was the last thing I wanted.

I pushed him back and a flash of hurt took over his face, only for a second, before he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Sounds like a challenge," he said, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

Oh, God.

"No," I said, shaking my head and reaching back for the door knob. "No, no, no, no, no. Get that look off your face."

I twisted the doorknob and quickly stepped back, putting the door between us as a barrier as I peeked around at him.

"Hiding from me?" He asked, crossing his arms and seeming amused.

"I'm not hiding from you," I huffed. "I just... I need to get ready and you're... just... oh, fuck, just go away," I grumbled, shutting the door and locking it.

I heard his laugh through the door and groaned, dragging my hands over my face.

"I'll leave you alone because it's what you want. But for the record, a locked door would certainly not hold me back, love," he said with a promising tone. "Especially not when a challenge's been issued."

"It wasn't a challenge!" I yelled back but he was already walking away.

I sighed because not only was I now sexually frustrated but actually frustrated. I went to the drawer and pulled out fresh clothes before heading to the shower. Grabbing my phone off the dresser, I sent a quick text to Tasha since she was probably already awake and freaking out. I set my phone down and it dinged right as I did. I frowned and unlocked my phone, not expecting a response from her so fast.

My eyes widened. It was from Xander. Felipe must've given him my number when he had my phone. I cursed Felipe and opened the message. It included an image. An image that left my mouth dry and my core throbbing.

Xander. In just a towel. A very low towel. His entire body might as well been fake for how perfect it was. His chest, his abs, that V leading down...

I sucked in a breath as I realized I'd stopped breathing. The message beneath made me want to simultaneously walk over there and smack him as well as jump him.

Enjoy your shower, love. I hope you'll be thinking of me ;)

I huffed and set the phone down, shaking my head. This was ridiculous. I could feel how wet I was for him, it might as well be dripping down my legs at this point. I'd never felt anything like it in my life. It wasn't even just wanting him, although it would be a complete lie to say I didn't. But that wasn't just it, it was like I needed him. I craved him. Every time he touched me it somehow both calmed me and burned me in the best possible way.

His comment from last night made its way back into my head. We probably wouldn't have stopped fucking from the moment you woke up that day.

My thighs clamped together and I whimpered. I bet he could go a while. I bet he was very good at it. I bet he'd hardly need anytime at all to ease my ache...

Shit. Focus, Addie. No jumping in bed with a random werewolf. I groaned in frustration and stripped down before getting in the shower. I tried very hard not to ease the ache but to just get over it. Then I heard his shower come on in the next room and I couldn't take it.

My shower was longer than it should've been but even after two times of reaching climax which I'd never done, I still wasn't fully relieved. I needed more than my fingers. What's worse, I only wanted it from one person.

I took my time getting my stuff together because I was not going to be downstairs early. It was too risky. I ignored a text from him asking about breakfast but after a while there was a knock on my door and a tray of food left on the floor with a note from Xander: You can't hide forever, love

I huffed in annoyance and crumpled up the note before grudgingly eating my breakfast. I just put on an oversize t-shirt and leggings since my dress was waiting at the church. It wasn't until eleven-thirty that I went downstairs, grabbing my purse on the way. Of course he was waiting for me, of course he was wearing something that had me salivating. Black slacks and a white button up shirt with a black skinny tie. Damn, he looked good. He was talking to Kaden when I saw him but his eyes instantly locked on mine the second I reached the bottom step.

How anyone could make me feel sexy wearing what I was wearing, I didn't know. But he pulled it off. His eyes drifted up and down, the entire thing feeling like a caress that had me wanting him even more somehow. A smirk on his face told me he could tell and he clapped Kaden on the back before approaching, offering a hand.

"Ready?" He asked.

I ignored his hand because apparently touching him meant I lost all self-control and stepped past him.

"Can you ask Renzo to watch Hector again?" I asked.

He chuckled and fell in stride next to me, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Consider it done."

We got to the car and although I was determined to open my own door I forgot how fast he was. I muttered a 'thank you' without making eye contact and got in the car. I smoothed my hands out on my thighs and breathed out slowly before he got in the car.

"Going to the church or Tasha's?" He asked.

"The church," I answered, staring straight ahead.

I couldn't look at him. That's how pathetic this had become. Just looking at him would have me losing my senses.

He started driving the car and set his hand on the console between us, his fingers brushing against my seat. "Is this always how you are after a make-out session or am I getting special treatment?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm just... Trying to focus on the wedding."

"Liar."

He said it with all the confidence in the world, like there was no way to deny it. I mean, I couldn't, but still.

I didn't respond, just kept my eyes straight ahead. His fingers brushed against my seat, dangerously close to my leg. I tried very much to ignore it. Ignore how much I wished he was touching me instead.

"Are you mad about what happened?" He asked.

His question threw me off guard, making me snap my head towards him. Mistake. He was beautiful.

"No," I said, quickly looking away. "Of course not. You're right. I started it."

"So what's wrong?" He frowned.

"What's wrong is I turn into a nympho anytime I'm alone with you and it's ridiculous and I don't like it," I sighed.

"You don't?"

"No! No one should have such little control over themselves. I feel insane," I admitted, biting my lip.

"You're not," he assured.

"I think I am," I countered.

"Addie, you're not," he said, rolling his eyes. "Trust me. It's just how it is with mates."

"It's cruel," I whimpered, clasping my hands together.

"I'm sorry."

I frowned at his answer. That wasn't what I was expecting at all. I cautioned a glance over. His eyes darted to me for a moment and frowned upon seeing my expression.

"What?" He asked.

"You're sorry?" I asked doubtfully. "It seemed like you were enjoying it."

"I am enjoying it," he said, his finger reaching the outside of my thigh and pinching before he just left it there, resting on my thigh, inches away from my throbbing core. "I'm enjoying it a lot. I love how wet you are for me," he smirked and I covered my face with my hands. "Stop being embarrassed. I'm basically constantly hard for you. You can check, if you don't believe me."

Oh, God, why did I want to? My eyes started drifting down but I stopped myself. Looking at that would not help the situation.

"I am serious, though. I'm sorry you're frustrated," he frowned. "I don't want you to be miserable and conflicted when you're with me. That's the opposite of what I want."

He reached for my hand and pulled my knuckles to his lips, giving me a soft kiss and smile before letting my hand go. I blew out a breath and shook my head.

"You realize for me it's a little crazy that you're working so hard to get my attention when you don't know me, right?" I asked. You don't know me and you're insanely gorgeous so you could basically have anyone you wanted.

"I know enough," he answered, giving me a knowing smile before returning his eyes to the road.

"How can just knowing we're mates be enough for you?"

"I think I've made the sacrality of mates fairly clear but that's not all it is. The more I get to know you, the more I like you," he shrugged. "You're the smartest person I've ever met, incredibly resilient and amazing under pressure, a great artist, you're loyal to your friends, you have a fantastic sense of humor, you're incredibly strong, you have a great smile, you like animals, including wolves I saw," he said, giving me another sly grin.

"Where did you see that?" I asked, frowning.

"Your website, your gallery."

"When did you see the gallery? All my stuff sold yes-" I stopped mid-sentence, narrowing my eyes at him. He pointedly avoided looking at me. "Did you buy all my stuff yesterday?" I asked, turning to face him.

He pulled the car in front of the church and put the car in park before turning to face me, completely unashamed. "Yes."

"That's crazy!" I hissed.

"It's not," he shrugged. "I like wolves, too. Your work is beautiful and I need more art in the house."

"You can't like my stuff that much," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Yes I can," he said seriously, leaning forward and placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth. "I like a lot of things about you," he whispered in my ear before pulling back and getting out of the car.

Once again, he left me frozen. Though not for long. My door opened and I sat back in my seat. He reached over me for the seatbelt.

"If you wanted to be close to me, all you had to do was say so, you didn't have to stay trapped in the car, waiting for me to come get you," he teased, releasing the seatbelt and grazing his hands over my thighs as he stepped back, offering me a hand.

The trail of want his hands left behind made me adjust uncomfortably at the heat he left behind before taking his hand. He pulled me out and right into his side, wrapping his arm around my waist as we made our way to the church.

"You don't have to do that, no one is watching," I pointed out.

"I want to," he said, placing a kiss on my head before picking up his pace and taking my hand, opening the door with his other.

I tried very hard to bite back the smile as he held the door for me and walked through with him close behind me. I led the way through a couple doors towards the room we would get ready in but stopped when I saw Tasha on the floor, crying.

"Tasha, what happened?" I said, pulling free from Xander and rushing over to her.

"I'm so stupid and careless," she cried, dropping her head in her hands. "I promised myself I wouldn't be this bride, the crying bride, it's so stupid. I can't even tell my maid of honor because my maid of honor is my sister and no one in my family can know."

"Hey, it's okay," I said, rubbing her back. "Take a deep breath. What happened?"

"My-my veil," she said, holding it up.

I took it from her and examined it, finding a huge tear down the back of it.

"Oh, Tash," I said, fingering the fabric and trying to see how we could fix it.

"It's ruined! It was my grandma's and my mom barely let me leave with it and she's going to kill me and I won't have a veil and my grandma will haunt me," she cried, her shoulders shaking. "I didn't mean to, it was caught on my shoe and it tore so easily."

"It's going to be okay. We'll figure something out," I assured her.

I didn't know the first thing about sewing but I was great at looking up videos online. I set the veil down and wrapped my arms around her, trying to soothe her.

I didn't notice Xander walk over and pick up the veil until he spoke. "I can fix it."

"What?" Tash and I both looked up, Tash's crying subsiding to sniffling.

"I can fix it," he repeated. "Did anyone bring a sewing kit?"

"You can sew?" Tash asked, her eyes widening.

"Pretty damn well. My mom used to make clothes for our pac-" he cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair, "-family. She taught me a lot. Don't worry," he said, bending down and wiping the tears off Tash's face. "This is an easy fix. By the time I'm done with it no one will be able to tell it happened. Not even the ghost of your grandmother."

At his last comment she managed a small laugh mixed with crying. "You seem so sure."

"I'm completely sure," he assured with one of his heart-stopping smiles. "Trust me. Don't think on it for another minute. Only happy tears today, yeah?"

Tash hesitated but nodded. He offered her a hand and helped her stand. She wiped at her tears then inclined her head for him to follow. He offered a hand to me as well and I took it, looking at him curiously.

"What? Guys can sew," he defended, keeping hold of my hand and pulling me with him after Tash.

We got to the room we were meant to get ready in and my heart started pounding when I saw how scantily clad all the bridesmaids were. Their getting ready clothes might as well have been lingerie. That stupid jealousy crept up and my eyes darted to Xander but his eyes never left Tash as she went through her bag.

One of the girls came over and sent a flirty 'hello' in his direction. That jealousy bubbled up and I narrowed my eyes at her but he caught me by surprise when he pulled me into his arms, my back to his chest. He pressed a kiss to my shoulder and squeezed my hand.

"Hi again, Lucy, was it?" he said, not looking in her direction once.

"Lois," she corrected, frowning.

"Right, sorry. So many faces yesterday. Didn't help I couldn't keep my eyes off this one," he said, kissing my cheek.

She walked off with a huff. It got me blushing but also made me feel nice. I didn't know what I expected but him proudly displaying me as his girlfriend to blow her off was certainly not it. It was sweet of him to notice and handle it so well. I couldn't help but lean back into him.

"Thanks," I murmured.

"For what? I was being serious," he answered, placing a kiss on my ear.

God, those little kisses were going to ruin me.

"Here it is," Tash said, holding up an unopened, brand new, sealed sewing bag.

Xander accepted the bag, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't think any of us know how to sew but my mom, she just got it and insisted we bring it for emergencies," Tash explained, shrugging. "But I don't want her to know about it," she added quickly.

"My lips are sealed," Xander assured. "Where can I work on it without getting caught?"

"My mom'll be here any minute so let's take you anywhere else," Tash said, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the room.

I followed after them and she ended up leading him to one of the offices. He sat down and started opening the bag as Tash stood by, biting her lip nervously. Xander glanced up and smiled.

"Relax. It'll be like new. I swear," he said, setting his hand on his heart.

She smiled and nodded, spinning to face me. "Marry him," she whispered before rushing out the door.

I didn't even want to know how red my face was as she left. Xander let out a chuckle and I was certain he heard her.

"Let's hang out with her more," he said, giving me a wink before going to work.

I rolled my eyes and put my hand over my mouth to hide the smile that for some reason I couldn't keep back. I didn't say anything, just watched him easily thread the needle and go to work.

"Don't you need to be preventing the bride from any freak outs?" He asked, lifting his eyes to me.

"You'll be okay?" I asked, clasping my hands together.

"You worried?" He countered, smirking.

"Worried you're not as good as you think you are," I said, setting my hands on my hips.

"Don't worry, love. I'm better than you can even imagine," he said, his eyes roaming up and down me.

Damn him. I rolled my eyes and spun around, leaving without responding but I still heard his stupid laugh that had me fighting another smile.

A/N:

Hiii! Readers we are SO close to 10K, I'm freaking out! Thank you!!! Your votes and comments are the best <3 Drop a comment and let me know what you think of this chapter!

What do we think of Addie 'challenging' Xander?

Do you think Xander's sewing skills are as good as he claims?

Until next week, lovelies <3