Chapter 14

KIMBERLY'S POV A week had passed, and Xavier and I were, for the most part, falling into some kind of rhythm that was more alarmingly … normal. We'd go home, eat dinner, watch movies; he even made it a point to ask me how my day went. It felt strange, unfamiliar, yet not in the worst possible ways. We were just sitting on the couch, browsing through some arbitrary action movie he'd put on; for one second, the scene veered off onto this really steamy sex scene. Instantly my body had gone taut, and I was fascinated with this bowl of popcorn in my lap. The air felt heavier, suddenly, as Xavier shifted beside me. "Should I fast forward?" he said evenly, an edge in the play of his words. I shook my head. "Nah, no need, It's just a movie." My voice sounded strained in my ears, and I could hardly hear myself, as my heart quickened up its pace. Once, he caught my eye, and I wished immediately that I hadn't let him. He was leaning back, and his shirt was pulled taut across his chest; the light