Chapter 23

Kimberly's POV I followed silently after Xavier down the large hallway of the mansion, the tension in the thick air solidifying onto my skin until it formed one mass that seemed to push against me. He flung the tie off and sent it sailing across the room, growling loudly. "So, really, you have nothing to say to me?" he growled thickly, his eyes piercing into my eyes with challenge, daring me to look away. My mouth dry, I swallowed; it was the last thing I wanted, another one of our useless arguments, and I hadn't even summoned the energy to argue with Daniel. And here I was, stuck between the two, entangled in something I never wanted. "I just wanted to say thank you for showing up when you did," I said softly and low, with the vague hope he'd let me disappear now. I wanted to be left to my thoughts, sort everything out. But before I could take one step towards the stairs, Xavier had my arm in his clutches, tugging me backward. His hands were strong, bordering on possessive. Giving me