He tracked me across the room. Steady. Patient. Like he had all the time in the world to wait for me to stop running from whatever was building between us.
Grabbed the basin. Dumped the dirty water in the sink. Refilled it while trying to straighten my thoughts.
A siren cut through the ambient noise. Sharp. Close.
My hands froze on the basin’s edge.
Blue light swept across the kitchen window. Moving fast. Getting closer.
Every muscle locked. The basin felt too heavy in my grip.
Sheets rustled behind me. Movement. Xavier trying to sit up.
“They’re not coming here.” Forced my voice steady. Calm. Like my heart wasn’t slamming against my ribs. “Stay down.”
The siren grew louder. Closer.
I couldn’t turn around. Couldn’t watch the light track across my walls, couldn’t see if it slowed, if they noticed something, if this was it,
“Don’t even think about moving.” Lighter now. Teasing. Building the wall back up. “I’m way scarier than any cop. And I actually know where you sleep.”
The cruiser passed. Siren fading into distance, blue light bleeding away into darkness.
Relief hit like a physical blow. My knees went weak.
Behind me, Xavier’s breathing shifted, still tense.
“See?” Turned with the basin, forced a grin I didn’t feel. “Told you. They’re looking for someone armed and dangerous. You’re currently armed with bedsheets and a bad attitude. Doesn’t match the profile.”
But my hands shook slightly carrying the water back. Fear had squeezed my heart for that instant, crushed it tight enough to leave bruises.
His expression shifted, and I sighed.
“Everything’s fine.” Set the basin down harder than necessary. “Now let me finish before this water gets cold.”
Set the basin on the floor, squeezed out the rag. “Your back, your legs. Then you can rest.”
His expression didn’t change. Just kept studying.
“I’m going to help you sit up. Carefully. Don’t fight me on this.”
Slid my arm behind his shoulders, supporting his weight as he shifted upright. His good hand braced on the mattress, taking some of the pressure. The movement made him tense, jaw clenching against pain.
“Easy.” My palm spread across his shoulder blade, steadying him. “Almost there.”
Got him upright, legs still under the covers. His breathing came harder but steady. The pain was sharper without the help of adrenaline. No dizziness. Good sign.
“I need to get your back.” Settled in front of him on the mattress, against his thigh. “Lean forward against me.”
He hesitated.
“Trust me. It’ll be easier this way.”
Slowly, he let himself tip toward me. His weight settled against me, his head dropping to rest on my shoulder. The intimacy of it hit like a physical blow, the vulnerable curve of his neck inches from my face.
Every breath he took, I felt.
His palms found my waist. Lightly. Just resting there, barely touching. Not grabbing. Not demanding. Just... anchoring himself.
