CHAPTER 46
~Xena's POV~
We stayed there for another moment, the distant sound of Skai's breathing from the other room grounding me back into reality.
I was the first to step away.
"You should go," I said, gently but firmly, smoothing my sweater as it could steady me. "It's getting late."
I looked away, unsure if staying would stop me, so this was my only choice. He smiled in a way that didn't show he won, but like he was willing to wait.
"Okay."
At the door, Xavier paused and looked back at me. "Goodnight, Xena."
"Goodnight, Xavier."
When the door closed behind him, I leaned back against the counter, pressing my fingers to my lips.
And for the first time in a long while, I wasn't sure which feeling scared me more: how right that kiss felt, or the fact that Xade's presence lingered somewhere in the back of my mind.
**************
After that day, the shoot became easier in ways that mattered and harder in ways that didn't.
