What I Hate About You
Author
Autumn Ferris
Reads
434K
Chapters
29
“Every hate hides a love too dangerous to forget.”
Susan believes the cold is the safest place to hide a bruised past. In the wide silence of Alaska, she builds a life that feels calm, controlled, and carefully distant. Then Xavier crashes into her world, all sharp edges, quiet intensity, and a presence that refuses to be ignored. Beneath the northern lights and endless snow, sparks fly where neither expects them. Attraction grows alongside unspoken truths, and every shared moment feels both thrilling and dangerous. They circle each other with humor, heat, and hesitation, drawn together by something deeper than fear. But frozen hearts crack loudly, and some secrets burn hotter than the cold. When survival demands honesty, can connection survive the thaw?
Chapter 1: The Assignment
SUSAN
Laughter rings through the floor as I look up from the screen of my computer and glance down the walkway past my cubicle.
My eyes quickly find the source of it coming from a small group of men huddled around another desk.
This one belongs to none other than the very bane of my existence, Xavier Kama.
I watch as he stands up from his chair, laughing with the group of men as he makes motions with his hands that leave no question in one’s mind about what the subject matter had been.
I roll my eyes and huff before standing, brushing my hands over my gray knee-length skirt and straightening my baby blue v-neck blouse.
“Not a frat house. I am sure you all get that confused all the time, though.”
I snap the top of my laptop closed as I slip it into my bag, snatching it up, intending to head out for an early lunch.
Stepping into the elevator, I can feel his presence before turning around and facing him.
“Hmm, I always knew you were sexually deprived, Susie Q, but I did not know that you were so intimidated by the topics also,” Xavier grinned at me as he leaned against the wall, placing himself between the control panel and myself, his amber eyes watching me.
He has his arms crossed over his chest, his muscles testing the seams of his button-up shirt.
Narrowing my eyes, I lean over him, mashing the button for the main floor.
I blush slightly as I feel my hair slipping from my shoulder, brushing against him, causing me to catch a distinct whiff of what I could only describe as a fresh mix of coconut and palm tree.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, hoping to calm my nerves that decided to act as if they were flying a kite during an electric storm.
My eyes snap open at him as I realize how bad of an idea that was while I quickly stand back up and avert my eyes towards the door of the elevator.
“Must you always smell like a male whore while at work, Xavier?”
Xavier stays put as he watches me with a raised eyebrow before rolling his eyes, a smirk playing at his lips.
“You seemed to take your time standing back up. Not that I was complaining. Faces disappear when asses are up.”
He shoves himself off the wall before stuffing his hands into his pockets and goes to leave the elevator as the doors open.
“Asshole.” I mutter as I stomp past him, yanking my phone from my pocket and messaging my sister to see if she is free for lunch.
I let out a small laugh as I look over my glass to my sister. “Seriously?!”
Mindy nods, chuckling. “And with the way you are blushing right now, I think you want to sample some of him too.”
My mouth falls open as I press my free hand to my chest in mock offense. “Like his personality is instant pussy repellent.”
Mindy starts to laugh as she sets some cash on top of her check as she glances at the time on her watch.
“Well, you know how to fix that: make him eat yours.”
She grins victoriously as she watches my face flush a few shades of red before it spreads through my ears.
“What can I say except you’re welcome, sis.”
She waves goodbye before she skips off, chuckling, satisfied with herself at the flustered state she had left me in.
I shake my head for a moment before sighing. I knew what I was asking for when I messaged her for a get-together for lunch.
She was my big sister and much more adventurous than me. I mean, I was not a virgin, but I was not someone who just had sex with anyone.
I had requirements and standards, like we had to date for a while and things.
Mindy, well, she definitely had her one-night stands before she met Greg and got engaged. They were getting married next year around Valentine’s.
Speaking of which, I needed to get back to the office.
Our boss was supposed to be announcing who she was sending out on an assignment for our Valentine’s Day special.
She had told us last week that she was sending out two journalists for this assignment, not just one, and that once the chosen two were announced, so would be the rest of the details.
I quickly make my way through the cubicles towards mine as I see Xavier leaning against the wall by our boss’s door.
“Apparently it has to be together.” He rolls his eyes before standing up straight and knocking on the door. “Good job! If you fucked me with this assignment, I swear to…”
My hands ball into fists at my sides as I glare at him.
I instantly plaster a smile on my face just like Xavier does as we watch the door open up and see our boss smiling at us from the inside.
“Come in, you two.” Jessica smiles at us as she walks back around her oak desk, taking a seat behind it.
“You would know if I fucked you, Susie Q.” Xavier mutters, brushing his lips by my ear before he walks over and nods, taking a seat across from her in one of the two chairs she had arranged in front of it, bringing up his right leg and resting his ankle over his left knee.
The room emits a calming glow between the two lights in the room, one that rests in the corner of Jessica’s table to the side of her computer and the other from in the far corner near her five-tier filing cabinet.
I blush before I quickly join him in the other chair as I sit down, crossing my ankles up underneath the chair.
“I had everything done and had an opportunity to meet with my sister. I hope I did not keep you waiting long.”
I glance at her as I fold my hands in my lap, chewing on the inside of my cheek.
Jessica smiles, looking between us both as she waves her hand dismissively at me.
“Oh, do not worry about that. But I wanted to talk to you both about a few things.” She pauses, glancing between us both.
When she sees us both nod at her, signaling for her to continue, she does.
“Well, you both know that we need a strong team that can play off of each other’s strengths, correct?”
“Yes, Mrs. Jessica, definitely.” I answer before glancing over at Xavier as I clutch at the material of my skirt, thinking of all the times over the last year we have had public disagreements on the floor, at the copy machine, even in the lunchroom.
Neither one of us really missed a chance to mess with the other.
“Well, she is definitely strong-willed if nothing else.” Xavier snorts, causing my foot to swing out and kick his calf as I shoot him a quick glare.
“I believe you both will be able to give each other new perspectives on your writings and help you both progress as well as give this paper one of its most epic holiday pieces yet.”
I feel my jaw physically drop at what she said.
“Wha… What.” I glance over at Xavier, who sits there looking indifferent at the thought.
“You have to be kidding! Really us two?” I question in shock.
Jessica nods, clasping her hands together excitedly.
```
You will be staying at a family-owned business.
They claim they are the embodiment of romance for the holiday season and offer a range of activities from outdoor ice skating to dog sledding, skiing, and snowboarding.
I will need you both to participate in the activities as if you were a couple.
The family will know why you are there, so you do not have to actually fake being one or anything.
However, I believe participating in the activities as a couple will help the experience.
I need you both to leave in the morning so you can take the rest of the day to get ready. Congratulations.”
I stare in shock before I glance over at Xavier, who looks back at me with the same dumbfounded expression I was sure was etched across my face.
