Page 131 of Xavier

“How long have you been doing that?”

He just shrugs.

“It’s a hard habit to break.”

“Did you see Damien?”

“Yes.”

“And did you hear Cameron?”

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t have let either of them hurt you. I didn’t step in until I thought you might actually be in danger.”

“I know.”

"But that's not my job anymore, is it?"

“No.”

“You get some rest.” He leans over and kisses me gently on the forehead.

“Xavier?”

“Can you just stay for tonight? Please?”

“Malynda.”

“Please. I miss you. Just stay. For tonight.”

He sighs, and then I watch as he pulls off his jacket and throws it onto the foot of the bed, sliding off his shoes before sliding into bed next to me.

I roll over and I’m in his arms.

“Just for tonight,” he whispers, his lips in my hair.

My hand falls onto his chest, and I watch it rise and fall, rise and fall with his breath. My fingertips play with the buttons and I push one through the hole. And then another. And another until his shirt is completely undone. The two sides fall apart and I run my nails up his taut stomach, feeling the hot skin stretched over muscle.

I try to ignore the purple and yellowing marks, but I can’t. They’re there because of me. I roll over and press a kiss to the wounds on his chest. His heartbeat races under my lips and I move my body until I’m straddling over him, gently kissing up the bruises on his sternum, his neck until my lips are on his.

I feel his whole body close around me, his legs hooking around mine, his arms around my back as the kiss deepens.

I know what I want, what I need in this moment. Xavier, wholly and completely. I reach between us, fumbling with his zipper.

"Malynda," he whispers and I shush him with another kiss.

“Just for tonight. Please.”

He sighs, and lies back, watching me as I shake my head, my hair falling over us.

He pushes my hands away and frees himself as I slide my panties down my legs.

He reaches up, his hands cupping my face like it’s a precious chalice in his hands.

“I love you, Malynda. Whatever happens to us, I want you to remember, I will always love you.”

My tears trickle down my face and onto his fingers.